p-Aminosalicylate is used to treat infections with Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Explain how this compound blocks the production of thymidylate.

Aminosalicylic acid, often known as para-aminosalicylic acid (PAS), is an antibiotic predominantly used to treat tuberculosis.It is marketed under the brand name Paser among other names.

The first step in the synthesis of folic acid (Vitamin ) is the binding of para-aminobenzoic acid to pteridine synthetase. p - Aminosalicylate has a similar structure to para-aminobenzoic acid, but it binds to pteridine synthetase with a higher affinity.

As a result, folic acid synthesis is effectively inhibited. THF (tetrahydrofolate) is the methyl group donor in the production of thymidylate.

Therefore, p-Aminosalicylate inhibits thymidylate synthesis in Mycobacterium tuberculosis by inhibiting folic acid synthesis that produces THF.