antimetabolite

noun

an·​ti·​me·​tab·​o·​lite

ˌan-tē-mə-ˈta-bə-ˌlīt,

ˌan-ˌtī- 

: 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

antimetabolic

ˌan-tē-ˌme-tə-ˈbä-lik 

ˌan-tī-

adjective

a drug with antimetabolic action

Examples of antimetabolite in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Over the last almost four decades a toxic triad of immunosuppressive medicines — calcineurin inhibitors, antimetabolites, steroids — has remained essentially the same with limited exceptions. —Seyward Darby, Longreads, 19 Apr. 2023

The doctor gave him a powerful antimetabolite. —Richard Ruelas, The Arizona Republic, 19 Mar. 2021

Word History

First Known Use

1945, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

antimetabolite

noun

an·​ti·​me·​tab·​o·​lite ˌant-i-mə-ˈtab-ə-ˌlīt, ˌan-ˌtī- 

: 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

antimetabolic

-ˌmet-ə-ˈbäl-ik 

adjective

In addition to its antimetabolic effects, methotrexate has immunological effects …

—Robert S. Stern