Metabolic antagonists

Figure 10.16 The Guthrie test. The similarity in structure between phenylalanine and its metabolic antagonist, /3-2-thienylalanine, provides the basis for a microbiological assay for phenylalanine.

Although complete accord has not been reached, lindane appears to be a metabolic antagonist for microorganisms that require inositol 1S2). Lindane is a hexachlorocyclohexane insecticide that is thought to have the same conformation as myo-inositol. 

Antibiosis Inhibition or lysis of an organism mediated by metabolic products of the antagonist these products include lytic agents, enzymes, volatile compounds, and other toxic substances. 

Antimetabolites interfere with normal metabolic pathways. They can be grouped into folate antagonists and analogues of purine or pyrimidine bases. Their action is limited to the S-phase of the cell cycle and therefore they target a smaller fraction of cells as compared with alkylating agents. 

---