Fluoroquinolones function by inhibiting which enzyme?

Fluoroquinolones are a class of antibiotics that specifically target bacterial DNA replication. Their primary mechanism of action is the inhibition of DNA gyrase, an enzyme crucial for the supercoiling and uncoiling of bacterial DNA during replication. DNA gyrase introduces negative supercoils into the DNA, which is essential for the proper folding and transcription of the genetic material. By inhibiting this enzyme, fluoroquinolones effectively prevent bacterial growth and replication, leading to the death of the bacterial cells.

While other enzymes such as DNA polymerase are involved in DNA synthesis, they are not the primary target of fluoroquinolones. RNA polymerase is involved in transcription, and topoisomerase is a general term for enzymes that manage DNA supercoiling; however, fluoroquinolones specifically inhibit DNA gyrase, which is a type of topoisomerase (Type II). This distinction emphasizes the targeted action of fluoroquinolones against bacterial infections, making them effective in treating various bacterial diseases.