Trimethoprim

Trimethoprim, an aminopyrimidine antibiotic belonging to the methoxybenzenes group, exhibits activity against a broad spectrum of both gram-negative and gram-positive aerobic bacteria. As a synthetic derivative of pyrimidine, it plays a multifaceted role as an inhibitor, xenobiotic, and allergen, featuring antibacterial, diuretic, and antiprotozoal properties. Trimethoprim selectively targets dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR), diminishing the levels of tetrahydrofolate that supply one-carbon units crucial for biosynthesis processes, including nucleotides, proteins, and panthotenate, especially in prokaryotic microorganisms.

Additionally, it is frequently employed in combination with sulfamethoxazole (sc-208405) to effectively inhibit the growth of Staphylococcus aureus, functioning as a dihydrofolate reductase inhibitor. This versatile compound finds applications in metabolomics, cell biology, and biochemical research.

Trimethoprim is used at a final concentration of ~4μg/mL for antibacterial activty.

Mode of Action: Trimethoprim is an inhibitor of bacterial dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR), interfering with the conversion of dihydrofolate (DHF) to tetrahydrofolate (THF). THF is an essential precursor in the thymidine synthesis pathway, interference with this pathway inhibits bacterial DNA synthesis. Trimethoprim′s affinity for bacterial DHFR is several thousand times greater than its affinity for human DHFR.

Activity Spectrum: Effective against Gram-negative bacteria, Gram-positive bacteria, and mycobacteria

Some of the pathogens that trimethoprim can be effective against include:

• Escherichia coli (E. coli)
• Staphylococcus aureus (including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus or MRSA)
• Streptococcus pneumoniae
• Haemophilus influenzae
• Enterococcus faecalis
• Klebsiella species
• Proteus species

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