Menaquinone as a potential target of antibacterial agents

Drug Discov Ther. 2016;10(3):123-8. doi: 10.5582/ddt.2016.01041.

Abstract

The current trend of increasing infections by multidrug-resistant pathogens requires the discovery of novel antimicrobial agents with new target and selective toxicity towards pathogens. Menaquinone is a component of electron transport chains in a majority of anaerobic bacteria and Gram-positive bacteria. Due to its exclusivity in bacteria, menaquinone is thought to be a potential target for development of therapeutically effective antibacterial agents without side effects. In this review, we summarize inhibitors of menaquinone biosynthesis and antibiotics directly targeting menaquinone in bacteria.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology*
  • Bacteria / drug effects
  • Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial
  • Electron Transport / drug effects
  • Vitamin K 2* / metabolism

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Vitamin K 2