Bacterial anaerobic metabolism

"Bacterial anaerobic metabolism" is a broad metabolic process, not a single molecule or discrete druggable target. It encompasses the network of biochemical reactions used by bacteria to generate energy (ATP) and maintain redox balance when oxygen is not available[1][3][5]. Key pathways include glycolysis followed by fermentation and/or anaerobic respiration (using nitrate, sulfate, etc. as terminal electron acceptors)[3][5][6]. Anaerobic metabolism enables pathogens to persist in hypoxic environments such as biofilms, chronic wounds, or cystic fibrosis lungs, often leading to increased resistance to antibiotics and clinical treatment failure[4][6]. Rather than one molecular target, drug discovery has focused on critical enzymes, essential metabolites, or regulatory circuits controlling these metabolic pathways (for example, nitrate reductases, biotin-containing decarboxylases, or systems like Rnf)[1][8]. Manipulating anaerobic metabolism—either by metabolic reprogramming or directly inhibiting essential anaerobic enzymes—represents an emerging strategy to enhance antibiotic efficacy and combat drug tolerance, but "bacterial anaerobic metabolism" as a whole is not a single, canonical therapeutic target[2][8]. **Note:** - "Bacterial anaerobic metabolism" is not a specific molecular target (like a receptor, enzyme, transporter, etc.), so `is_target = false` and `is_incorrect = true`. - Related druggable targets include individual enzymes or pathways within this metabolic system (for example, nitrate reductase, biotin-containing decarboxylases), but the system as a whole is too broad and non-specific for conventional target annotation[1][6][8].

Other names

Anaerobic bacterial metabolismAnaerobic metabolism (bacteria)Bacterial fermentation

Potentiation of antibiotic effect by altering metabolic state and membrane permeability[2] - Antibiotic killing suppressed or enhanced depending on metabolic/respiratory state[4][6] - Inhibition or rerouting of metabolic pathways (e.g., blocking fermentation, nitrate respiration)[2][4][6]