Vernamycin A inhibits the non-enzymatic binding of fMet-tRNA to ribosomes

Novel streptogramin antibiotics

Streptogramins represent a unique class of antibiotics remarkable for their antibacterial activity and their unique mechanism of action. These antibiotics are produced naturally as secondary metabolites by a number of Streptomyces species and have been classified into two main groups. They consist of at least two structurally unrelated compounds, group A or M (macrolactones) and group B or S (cyclic hexadepsipeptides). Both groups bind bacterial ribosomes and inhibit protein synthesis at the elongation step and they act synergistically in vitro against many microorganisms. Streptogramins A and B act synergistically in vivo; the mixture of the two compounds is more powerful than the individual components and their combined action is irreversible. The pharmacokinetic parameters of group A and B streptogramins in blood are similar. The major gap, limiting the therapeutic use of the natural compounds, was represented by the lack dissolution in water. The synthesis of water-soluble derivatives of pristinamycin I(A) and II(B) has allowed the development of injectable, first represented by quinupristin/dalfopristin (Synercid) and oral formulations, represented by RPR-106972, streptogramins with fixed compositions. Streptogramins have demonstrated activity against Gram-positive microorganisms in vitro and in vivo, including those with multi-drug resistance. Moreover, the absence of cross-resistance to macrolides in many of these microorganisms and the rarity of cross-resistance between the two groups of antibiotics associated with the rapid bacterial killing are the principal features of the streptogramins, offering the possibility for treating the rising number of infections that are caused by multi-resistant Gram-positive bacteria.

Quantitative study of the interaction of formylmethionyl-tRNAfMet with ribosomes of Escherichia coli

fMet-tRNAfMet binds reversibly to the donor site (P-site) of Escherichia coli ribosomes both in the absence of messenger and in the presence of ApUpGp and some other oligonucleotides or poly(U). Kinetics of interaction conforms the second-order law. The equilibrium constants and the rate constants of binding are estimated at 0 degrees C. Not only the cognate trinucleotide ApUpGp but also some other oligonucleotides and even poly(U) stimulate the binding. The presence of total deacylated tRNA considerably increases the selectivity of association.

Carbomycin, a macrolide antibiotic

Carbomycin is produced by Streptomyces halstedii. It was produced in a medium containing the following ingredients (g/l): soybean meal, 30.0; glucose, 22.0; NaCl, 1.0; CaCO3, 5.0; CoCl2 . 6 H2O, 0.005; and lard oil, 4.0. Influence of trace elements on the biosynthesis of carbomycin was recorded. Methods of extraction and purification were given in the review article. Chemical and physical properties of carbomycin were also described. A microbiological assay method for carbomycin determination was described. Biosynthesis of carbomycin was reported. Mechanism of action of carbomycin on micro-organisms was also given in the review article.

Antibiotic susceptibility of the peptidyl transferase locus of bovine mitochondrial ribosomes

We have a used a modified 'fragment reaction' to compare the susceptibility of isolated bovine mitochondrial ribosomes, bacterial (Escherichia coli) ribosomes and eukaryotic (bovine microsomal) ribosomes to several antibiotics. All of these ribosomes share certain structural features of their peptidyl transferase center, as indicated by their interaction with substrates, puromycin and gougerotin. Bovine mitochondrial ribosomes have other structural features in common with bacterial, but not cytoplasmic ribosomes, as revealed by their susceptibility to chloramphenicol and the streptogramin antibiotics. While mitochondrial ribosomes are susceptible to all inhibitors of bacterial ribosomes tested, their low susceptibility to the lincosamines and macrolides suggests that some component(s) of the binding sites for these antibiotics is altered.