Microbial enzymes and intracellular proteins

Microbial enzymes and intracellular proteins represent a broad and heterogeneous category of therapeutic targets rather than a single molecular entity. This group encompasses a vast array of proteins essential for the survival, replication, and pathogenicity of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. Examples include DNA polymerases, proteases, ribosomes, and metabolic enzymes like dihydrofolate reductase. In the context of infectious diseases, these targets are exploited by antimicrobial agents to achieve selective toxicity, ideally inhibiting the microbial protein without affecting human orthologs. Because this term describes a functional class across multiple kingdoms of life, it is considered too broad for specific drug-target profiling and typically requires specification of a particular enzyme or organism.

Other names

Bacterial enzymesFungal enzymesViral proteinsMicrobial intracellular targets

Inhibition of essential microbial metabolic pathways, protein synthesis, or nucleic acid replication.