Tag: Bacterial ribosomes

Aminoglycoside antibiotics exert their potent bactericidal effect by targeting the protein synthesis machinery of bacteria. A crucial question for understanding their mechanism is, where do aminoglycosides bind? The answer lies within the bacteria's 30S ribosomal subunit, a key component for translating genetic code into functional proteins.

Macrolide antibiotics primarily inhibit bacterial protein synthesis by binding to the 50S ribosomal subunit, a mechanism fundamentally distinct from other common antibiotics like penicillin. This mode of action provides a potent defense against various infections, highlighting the clinical importance of understanding what is the mode of macrolides at a molecular level.