1 antimetabolic | Definition of antimetabolic

antimetabolite

noun
an·​ti·​me·​tab·​o·​lite | \ ˌan-tē-mə-ˈta-bə-ˌlīt How to pronounce antimetabolite (audio) , 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 How to pronounce antimetabolic (audio) , ˌan-​tī-​ \ adjective
a drug with antimetabolic action

First Known Use of antimetabolite

1945, in the meaning defined above

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More Definitions for antimetabolite

antimetabolite

noun
an·​ti·​me·​tab·​o·​lite | \ ˌant-i-mə-ˈtab-ə-ˌlīt, ˌan-ˌtī- How to pronounce antimetabolite (audio) \

Medical Definition of antimetabolite

: a substance that is structurally similar to a metabolite (as a coenzyme) and that serves to inhibit a particular cellular function (as DNA synthesis) by interfering with or blocking the metaboliteʼs action Antimetabolites, such as methotrexate masquerade as essential nutrients, which the cell uses instead of real nutrients and thus dies.— Jane E. Brody antimetabolite therapy

Other Words from antimetabolite

antimetabolic \ -​ˌmet-​ə-​ˈbäl-​ik How to pronounce antimetabolic (audio) \ adjective
In addition to its antimetabolic effects, methotrexate has immunological effects … — Robert S. Stern

More from Merriam-Webster on antimetabolite

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about antimetabolite