Macrolide antibiotic
Macrolide Antibiotic
Macrolide antibiotics (pronunciation: /ˈmakrəˌlīd/ /ˌan(t)əbīˈätik/) are a class of antibiotics derived from Saccharopolyspora erythraea, a type of soil-borne bacteria. They inhibit protein synthesis in bacteria by binding to the 50S ribosomal subunit, which makes them useful in treating a variety of infections.
Etymology
The term "macrolide" comes from the macrocyclic lactone ring that is central to their chemical structure, with "macro-" meaning large and "-lide" derived from "lactone," a type of cyclic ester. The term "antibiotic" comes from the Greek words "anti" meaning against and "bios" meaning life.
Types of Macrolide Antibiotics
There are several types of macrolide antibiotics, including:
- Erythromycin: The first macrolide antibiotic, discovered in 1952.
- Clarithromycin: A derivative of erythromycin, it has a broader spectrum of activity.
- Azithromycin: It has a longer half-life and better tissue penetration than erythromycin.
Related Terms
- Bacteria: Microorganisms that can cause disease.
- Protein Synthesis: The process by which proteins are produced in cells.
- Ribosome: A cellular structure that facilitates protein synthesis.
- Infection: The invasion of an organism's body tissues by disease-causing agents.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Macrolide antibiotic
- Wikipedia's article - Macrolide antibiotic
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