Macrolide antibiotics
Macrolide Antibiotics
Macrolide antibiotics (pronunciation: /ˈmakrəˌlīd/ /ˌan(t)əˈbīˌä-tiks/) 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 the structure of these antibiotics. The suffix "-ide" indicates it is a member of a particular class of compounds. The term "antibiotic" is derived from the Greek words "anti" (against) and "bios" (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.
- Roxithromycin: Not available in the United States, but used in other parts of the world.
Related Terms
- Antibiotics: Drugs used to treat bacterial infections.
- Bacteria: Single-celled microorganisms that can cause disease.
- Protein Synthesis: The process by which proteins are produced in cells.
- Ribosome: A cellular structure where protein synthesis occurs.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Macrolide antibiotics
- Wikipedia's article - Macrolide antibiotics
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