How Do You Spell DIHYDROPTEROATE SYNTHETASE?

1. Dihydropteroate synthetase is an enzyme that plays a crucial role in the metabolism of folate, a vitamin essential for numerous biological processes. This enzyme is responsible for catalyzing the formation of dihydropteroate, a key intermediate in the synthesis of tetrahydrofolate (THF), a coenzyme involved in one-carbon transfer reactions.

   Dihydropteroate synthetase specifically acts on p-aminobenzoate (PABA) and 6-hydroxymethyl-7,8-dihydropterin pyrophosphate (DHPPP), transforming them into dihydropteroate and pyrophosphate. This reaction occurs in bacteria, fungi, and plants, while humans and other animals do not possess this enzyme, making it an attractive target for antibacterial drug development.

   The inhibition of dihydropteroate synthetase is a key mechanism of action for sulfonamide antibiotics, such as sulfamethoxazole. By mimicking the structure of PABA, sulfonamides competitively bind to the active site of the enzyme, preventing the synthesis of dihydropteroate. This disruption in folate metabolism ultimately hinders the production of THF, leading to impaired nucleotide synthesis and DNA replication in the target microorganism.

   Due to the essential role of dihydropteroate synthetase in folate metabolism and the differential presence of this enzyme in pathogenic microorganisms, it holds significant importance in the field of antimicrobial drug discovery and development. Understanding the structure and function of dihydropteroate synthetase is crucial for designing effective and potent inhibitors to combat bacterial infections.

Common Misspellings for DIHYDROPTEROATE SYNTHETASE

The word "dihydropteroate synthetase" can be broken down into its components to understand its etymology:

1. Dihydropteroate: This compound is derived from the combination of three main elements:

- "Dihydro" comes from the prefix "di-" meaning "two" or "double", and "hydro" referring to "water".

- "Pteroate" is made up of "pter-" from the Greek word "pteron", meaning "wing", and "-ate" as a suffix that represents an anion or ester of an acid.

2. Synthetase: This term is a combination of "synthe-" derived from the Greek word "synthesis", meaning "putting things together", and "-ase" as a suffix indicating an enzyme.