What is the mechanism of action of fluoroquinolones in bacteria?

Fluoroquinolones are a class of antibacterials that target bacterial DNA replication, making the mechanism of action the prevention of DNA replication. They achieve this by inhibiting bacterial enzymes known as DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV, which are essential for DNA supercoiling and unwinding during the replication process. By blocking these enzymes, fluoroquinolones effectively halt bacterial cell division and replication, leading to bacterial cell death. This mechanism is particularly effective against a wide range of gram-negative and some gram-positive bacteria.

Other mechanisms listed in the options involve different processes. For instance, the prevention of protein synthesis relates to drugs that target ribosomes, while interference with cell wall integrity pertains to beta-lactam antibiotics like penicillin. Inhibiting folic acid production is characteristic of sulfonamides. Each of these actions is critical in antimicrobial therapy, but fluoroquinolones specifically disrupt DNA replication.