The impact of bacterial purine metabolism on antibiotic efficacy

Claire E. Stevens; Ashley T. Deventer; Joanne K. Hobbs

doi:10.1038/s44259-025-00139-7

The impact of bacterial purine metabolism on antibiotic efficacy

Claire E. Stevens, Ashley T. Deventer, Joanne K. Hobbs^*

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review

Abstract

Metabolism plays a key role in the three antibiotic evasion strategies used by bacteria: tolerance, persistence and resistance. Modulation of purine metabolism is emerging as a common, and clinically relevant, contributor to tolerant and resistant phenotypes. However, whether high or low purine levels promote reduced antibiotic efficacy is unclear. Here, we review and explore the evidence for a relationship between cellular purine levels and antibiotic efficacy.

Original language	English
Article number	69
Pages (from-to)	1-8
Number of pages	8
Journal	npj Antimicrobials and Resistance
Volume	3
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1038/s44259-025-00139-7
Publication status	Published - 4 Aug 2025

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title = "The impact of bacterial purine metabolism on antibiotic efficacy",

abstract = "Metabolism plays a key role in the three antibiotic evasion strategies used by bacteria: tolerance, persistence and resistance. Modulation of purine metabolism is emerging as a common, and clinically relevant, contributor to tolerant and resistant phenotypes. However, whether high or low purine levels promote reduced antibiotic efficacy is unclear. Here, we review and explore the evidence for a relationship between cellular purine levels and antibiotic efficacy.",

author = "Stevens, \{Claire E.\} and Deventer, \{Ashley T.\} and Hobbs, \{Joanne K.\}",

note = "Funding: A.T.D. was supported by a Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Master{\textquoteright}s scholarship.",

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AU - Deventer, Ashley T.

AU - Hobbs, Joanne K.

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PY - 2025/8/4

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N2 - Metabolism plays a key role in the three antibiotic evasion strategies used by bacteria: tolerance, persistence and resistance. Modulation of purine metabolism is emerging as a common, and clinically relevant, contributor to tolerant and resistant phenotypes. However, whether high or low purine levels promote reduced antibiotic efficacy is unclear. Here, we review and explore the evidence for a relationship between cellular purine levels and antibiotic efficacy.

AB - Metabolism plays a key role in the three antibiotic evasion strategies used by bacteria: tolerance, persistence and resistance. Modulation of purine metabolism is emerging as a common, and clinically relevant, contributor to tolerant and resistant phenotypes. However, whether high or low purine levels promote reduced antibiotic efficacy is unclear. Here, we review and explore the evidence for a relationship between cellular purine levels and antibiotic efficacy.

U2 - 10.1038/s44259-025-00139-7

DO - 10.1038/s44259-025-00139-7

M3 - Review article

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JO - npj Antimicrobials and Resistance

JF - npj Antimicrobials and Resistance

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The impact of bacterial purine metabolism on antibiotic efficacy

Abstract

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