Research Area: Infection
Biological Activity:
Pyrazinamide (Pyrazinoic acid amide) is an agent used to treat tuberculosis. M. tuberculosis has the enzyme pyrazinamidase which is only active in acidic conditions. Pyrazinamidase converts pyrazinamide (Pyrazinoic acid amide) to the active form, pyrazinoic acid which accumulates in the bacilli. Pyrazinoic acid inhibits the enzyme fatty acid synthase (FAS) I, which is required by the bacterium to synthesise fatty acids although this has been discounted. [1]