What is the mechanism of action of fluoroquinolones?

Fluoroquinolones are a class of antibiotics that primarily work by interfering with the synthesis of bacterial DNA. They achieve this by inhibiting the activity of specific bacterial enzymes known as DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV. These enzymes are crucial for maintaining the supercoiled state of DNA, which is necessary for DNA replication and transcription. When fluoroquinolones bind to these enzymes, they disrupt the process of DNA unwinding and replication, ultimately leading to bacterial cell death.

This mechanism makes fluoroquinolones particularly effective against a wide range of gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria. The ability to target DNA synthesis distinguishes fluoroquinolones from other classes of antibiotics, which may focus on protein synthesis or other cellular mechanisms.