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Publication Abstract from PubMed

Antibiotics methymycin (MTM) and pikromycin (PKM), co-produced by Streptomyces venezuelae, represent minimalist macrolide protein synthesis inhibitors. Unlike other macrolides, which carry several side chains, a single desosamine sugar is attached to the macrolactone ring of MTM and PKM. In addition, the macrolactone scaffold of MTM is smaller than in other macrolides. The unusual structure of MTM and PKM and their simultaneous secretion by S. venezuelae bring about the possibility that two compounds would bind to distinct ribosomal sites. However, by combining genetic, biochemical and crystallographic studies, we demonstrate that MTM and PKM inhibit translation by binding to overlapping sites in the ribosomal exit tunnel. Strikingly, while MTM and PKM readily arrest the growth of bacteria, approximately 40% of cellular proteins continue to be synthesized even at saturating concentrations of the drugs. Gel electrophoretic analysis shows that compared to other ribosomal antibiotics, MTM and PKM prevent synthesis of a smaller number of cellular polypeptides illustrating a unique mode of action of these antibiotics.

Co-produced natural ketolides methymycin and pikromycin inhibit bacterial growth by preventing synthesis of a limited number of proteins.,Almutairi MM, Svetlov MS, Hansen DA, Khabibullina NF, Klepacki D, Kang HY, Sherman DH, Vazquez-Laslop N, Polikanov YS, Mankin AS Nucleic Acids Res. 2017 Sep 19;45(16):9573-9582. doi: 10.1093/nar/gkx673. PMID:28934499^[1]

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.