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Gatifloxacin


Mechanism of action:

Gatifloxacin is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic and a fourth-generation quinolone derivative. Its antibacterial activity targets bacterial DNA gyrase (DNA gyrase, bacterial topoisomerase II), which is responsible for relieving the supercoiled structure generated during bacterial DNA replication. When gatifloxacin binds to the DNA-enzyme complex, it prevents re-ligation after DNA strand cleavage, so DNA replication cannot continue. In addition, gatifloxacin also inhibits bacterial topoisomerase IV, an enzyme responsible for separating daughter DNA molecules during bacterial cell division. Once inhibited, bacteria cannot complete cell division properly.

Reference(s):

1. Park-Wyllie LY et al. (2006). Outpatient gatifloxacin therapy and dysglycemia in older adults. N Engl J Med. 


2. Gurwitz JH et al. (2006). Serious adverse drug effects—seeing the trees through the forest. N Engl J Med.

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