SINCE 1828
antimetabolite
noun
an·ti·me·tab·o·lite
| \ ˌan-tē-mə-ˈta-bə-ˌlīt
, ˌan-ˌtī-\
, ˌan-ˌtī-\
Definition of antimetabolite
: a substance that is structurally similar to a metabolite (such as a coenzyme) and that serves to inhibit a particular cellular function (such as DNA synthesis) by interfering with or blocking the metaboliteʼs action
From the start [Gertrude] Elion concentrated her research on using purine and pyrimidine antimetabolites to interfere with the synthesis of nucleic acids …— Mairin Brennan
Other Words from antimetabolite
antimetabolic
\ ˌan-tē-ˌme-tə-ˈbä-lik
, ˌan-tī- \
adjective
, ˌan-tī- \
adjective
a drug with antimetabolic action
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
More Definitions for antimetabolite
antimetabolite
noun
an·ti·me·tab·o·lite
| \ ˌant-i-mə-ˈtab-ə-ˌlīt, ˌan-ˌtī-
\
\
Medical Definition of antimetabolite
: a substance (as a sulfa drug) that replaces or inhibits the utilization of a metabolite
Antimetabolites, such as methotrexate masquerade as essential nutrients, which the cell uses instead of real nutrients and thus dies.— Jane E. Brody, The New York Times, 15 May 1985 antimetabolite therapy
Other Words from antimetabolite
antimetabolic
\ -ˌmet-ə-ˈbäl-ik
\
adjective
\
adjective
In addition to its antimetabolic effects, methotrexate has immunological effects …
— Robert S. Stern, The Lancet, 2 Aug. 1997
Comments on antimetabolite
What made you want to look up antimetabolite? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Test Your Vocabulary
What did you just call me?! A Quiz
-
- If a member of the audience describes your speech as bombastic, does that person mean it is:
Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZ
Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZ
Share antimetabolite
Resources for antimetabolite