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How Quinolones Work at the Cellular Level
Understanding how quinolones function at the cellular level helps explain their effectiveness as antibacterial agents. Unlike antibiotics that target bacterial cell walls or protein synthesis, quinolones directly interfere with bacterial DNA processes.
Bacteria rely on enzymes to manage the structure of their DNA during replication. DNA gyrase introduces negative supercoils into DNA, allowing it to fit within the bacterial cell, while topoisomerase IV separates newly formed DNA strands during cell division. Quinolones bind to these enzymes and stabilize enzyme-DNA complexes, preventing proper DNA processing.
As a result, bacterial DNA breaks accumulate, and the cell is unable to replicate or repair its genetic material. This disruption triggers cell death, making quinolones bactericidal rather than merely growth-inhibiting.
This mechanism explains why quinolones are effective against rapidly dividing bacteria. However, it also underscores the importance of appropriate dosing. Suboptimal exposure may allow bacteria to survive and develop resistance.
By targeting fundamental DNA processes,…