The antibiotics trimethoprim (TMP) and sulfamethoxazole (SMX) synergistically inhibit bacterial tetrahydrofolate biosynthesis, apparently because SMX potentiates TMP activity. Here, Minato et al. identify a metabolic feedback loop in this pathway, revealing that TMP also potentiates SMX activity.
- Yusuke Minato
- Surendra Dawadi
- Anthony D. Baughn
