Tag: Competitive inhibition

First introduced as a systemic antibacterial agent in the 1930s, sulfanilamide significantly reduced infection mortality rates. The pivotal action behind this effect, known as its mechanism of action (MOA), involves a competitive process that disrupts a critical metabolic pathway exclusive to bacteria.

Over 5,400 sulfonamide drug variations were synthesized by 1945, a testament to the early success of these synthetic antibacterials. The effectiveness of these drugs stems from a critical observation: what is sulphonamide structurally similar to? The answer is $p$-aminobenzoic acid (PABA), a key bacterial metabolite.

Studies have shown that long-term, unbalanced administration of the supplement 5-HTP can lead to a significant depletion of other important neurotransmitters, including dopamine and norepinephrine. This raises a critical question for users: Does 5-HTP deplete dopamine, and if so, how can it be prevented?