Adihydrofolate reductase inhibitor (DHFR inhibitor) is a molecule that inhibits the function ofdihydrofolate reductase, and is a type ofantifolate.
Since folate is needed by rapidly dividing cells to makethymine, this effect may be used to therapeutic advantage. For example,methotrexate is used as cancer chemotherapy because it can preventneoplastic cells from dividing.[1][2] Bacteria also need DHFR to grow and multiply and hence inhibitors selective for bacterial vs. host DHFR have found application as antibacterial agents.[3]
Classes of small-molecules employed as inhibitors of dihydrofolate reductase include diaminoquinazoline and diaminopyrroloquinazoline, Most of the above specified inhibitors are structural analogues of the substrate dihydrofolate and bind to the active site of the enzyme. Further, it has been recently shown that, inE. coli DHFR, allosteric site binders can inhibit the enzyme either uncompetitively or non-competitively. The examples provided below are specific molecules belonging to one of the above-mentioned classes.
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