coenzyme F420-dependent bicyclic nitroimidazole catabolic process coenzyme F420-dependent nitroimidazole breakdown GO:0052799 biological_process The breakdown of a bicyclic nitroimidazole into simpler components in a process that requires coenzyme F420 and produces reactive nitrogen species. Hydride, from reduced coenzyme F420, is added to the bicyclic nitroimidazole, resulting in unstable substances that break down to form three stable products. The elimination of nitrous acid produces the corresponding des-nitroimidazole; hydrolysis produces a related compound; and further reduction creates an aromatic hydroxylamine metabolite that degrades further. These reactions release hyponitrous acid and nitrous acid, which is unstable and disproportionates into nitric oxide (NO) and other reactive nitrogen intermediates. coenzyme F420-dependent nitroreductase activity coenzyme F420-dependent nitroimidazole reduction coenzyme F420-dependent nitroimidazole catabolism bicyclic nitroimidazole catabolic process