Thiamine-Dependent Microbial Enzymes

Thiamine-dependent microbial enzymes are a class of enzymes found predominantly in prokaryotes (bacteria and archaea) that require thiamine (vitamin B1), specifically its active coenzyme form thiamine diphosphate (ThDP, also known as TPP—thiamine pyrophosphate), for their catalytic activity. These enzymes play essential roles in central metabolic pathways, including carbohydrate metabolism, amino acid catabolism, and nucleotide synthesis. Targeting these enzymes is a route for selective antimicrobial development with minimal host toxicity risk, because humans lack most bacterial-type thiamin biosynthesis/salvage machinery but depend on dietary intake.

Other names

ThDP-dependent microbial enzymesTPP-dependent microbial enzymesThiamine pyrophosphate-dependent microbial enzymesThiamin diphosphate-dependent microbial enzymes

Inhibition of thiamine biosynthesis or utilization