Prothionamide is a an antibacterial agent and thioamide. It is an analog of ethionamide, containing a propyl group instead of an ethyl group at the α position. It is an anti-tuberculosis compound. It has also been tested for leprosy, otherwise known as Hansen's disease. Research into the mechanism of action of this compound can provide insights into designing new compounds that can overcome resistance.
| Mechanism of Action | The precise methanism of action of Prothionamide is unknown. However, using a cell-based activation method, it has been shown that thioamides form covalent adducts with nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) and that these adducts are inhibitors of M. tuberculosis and M. leprae InhA. Crystallography can provide the molecular details of target-compound interactions. |
| Spectrum | It is highly effective against Mycobacteria, including Mycobacterium tuberculosis, M. leprae, and M. avium. |
| Molecular Formula | C9H12N2S |
| References |
Fajardo TT et al (2006) A clinical trial of ethionamide and prothionamide for treatment of lepromatous leprosy. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 74(3):457-461 PMID 16525107 Hicks ND, Carey AF, Yang J Zhao Y and Fortune SM (2019) Bacterial genome-wide association identifies novel factors that contribute to ethionamide and Prothionamide susceptibility in Mycobacterium tuberculosis. mBio 10(2) doi/10.1128/mBio.00616-19 Hsu HL, Bai KJ, Chiang YC, Lin SJ, Yu MC (2010) Hepatitis associated with prothionamide for treatment of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis. J Formos Med Assoc. 109(12):923-927 PMID 21195892 Wang F et al (2007) Mechanism of thioamide drug action against tuberculosis and leprosy. J Exp Med.204(1):73-78 PMID: 17227913 |