An antibiotic mimics immunity
C Nathan - Science, 2008 - science.org
Science, 2008•science.org
Same chemical strategy. Under aerobic conditions, host cells produce nitric oxide (NO) via
the enzyme inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). NO can kill replicating bacteria. Under
hypoxic conditions, bacteria enter a state of nonreplicative persistence and host cell NO
production is limited. Certain nitroimidazoles can generate NO (and other reactive nitrogen
intermediates) within the bacteria under both aerobic and hypoxic conditions. Under hypoxic
conditions, these reactive nitrogen intermediates contribute to killing the bacteria.
the enzyme inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). NO can kill replicating bacteria. Under
hypoxic conditions, bacteria enter a state of nonreplicative persistence and host cell NO
production is limited. Certain nitroimidazoles can generate NO (and other reactive nitrogen
intermediates) within the bacteria under both aerobic and hypoxic conditions. Under hypoxic
conditions, these reactive nitrogen intermediates contribute to killing the bacteria.
Same chemical strategy. Under aerobic conditions, host cells produce nitric oxide (NO) via the enzyme inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). NO can kill replicating bacteria. Under hypoxic conditions, bacteria enter a state of nonreplicative persistence and host cell NO production is limited. Certain nitroimidazoles can generate NO (and other reactive nitrogen intermediates) within the bacteria under both aerobic and hypoxic conditions. Under hypoxic conditions, these reactive nitrogen intermediates contribute to killing the bacteria.
AAAS