Answer to Question #150102 in Organic Chemistry for ali

Question

Explain the mechanism of inhibition of dihydropteroate synthetase by sulphonamides.
Which is the natural substrate?

Answer 1

Sulfonamides competitive as inhibitors of the enzyme dihydropteroate synthase. They block the synthesis of Tetrahydrofolic acid, thus inhibiting it's formation. They inhibit production of 7,8-dihydropteroate from para-aminobenzoic acid (pABA) and dihydropterin pyrophosphate (DHPP). Para-aminobenzoic acid (pABA) and dihydropterin pyrophosphate (DHPP) are natural substrates.