Molecular basis of triclosan activity

Triclosan (5-chloro-2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy) phenol) has been used for more than 30 years as a general antibacterial and antifungal agent, and is found in formulations as diverse as toothpastes, cosmetics, antiseptic soaps, carpets, plastic kitchenware and toys. It has recently been suggested that triclosan blocks lipid biosynthesis by specifically inhibiting the enzyme enoyl-acyl carrier protein reductase (ENR)1. We have carried out a structural...