Biomaterial Database

Accumulation in gram-postive and gram-negative bacteria as a mechanism of resistance to erythromycin. 1968

J C Mao, and M Putterman

Erythromycin was recovered in high yield after incubation with gram-negative bacteria. The cell-free protein-synthesizing preparation from gram-negative bacteria is equally as susceptible to the antibiotic as is that from gram-positive bacteria. Thus, neither destruction of erythromycin nor the absence of the step susceptible to the antibiotic plays an important role in the resistance mechanism of gram-negative bacteria. A 100-fold difference in accumulation of erythromycin between gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria was observed. This alone explains the resistance of gram-negative bacteria to erythromycin. Furthermore, data showed that the inhibition of growth is closely related to the accumulation of erythromycin. The concentration of intracellular erythromycin in gram-positive bacteria was found to be 44- to 90-fold greater than that of the extracellular medium. However, the antibiotic did not accumulate on the cell walls, nor was the accumulation energy-dependent. It is proposed that it takes place by the binding of erythromycin to the bacterial ribosomes, forming a very stable complex. The dissociation constants of erythromycin-Staphylococcus aureus complex and erythromycin-Bacillus subtilis complex were determined to be 1.1 x 10(-7) and 3.4 x 11(-7)m, respectively.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D010452	Peptide Biosynthesis	The production of PEPTIDES or PROTEINS by the constituents of a living organism. The biosynthesis of proteins on RIBOSOMES following an RNA template is termed translation (TRANSLATION, GENETIC). There are other, non-ribosomal peptide biosynthesis (PEPTIDE BIOSYNTHESIS, NUCLEIC ACID-INDEPENDENT) mechanisms carried out by PEPTIDE SYNTHASES and PEPTIDYLTRANSFERASES. Further modifications of peptide chains yield functional peptide and protein molecules.	Biosynthesis, Peptide
D011511	Proteus	A genus of gram-negative, facultatively anaerobic, rod-shaped bacteria that occurs in the intestines of humans and a wide variety of animals, as well as in manure, soil, and polluted waters. Its species are pathogenic, causing urinary tract infections and are also considered secondary invaders, causing septic lesions at other sites of the body.
D002247	Carbon Isotopes	Stable carbon atoms that have the same atomic number as the element carbon but differ in atomic weight. C-13 is a stable carbon isotope.	Carbon Isotope,Isotope, Carbon,Isotopes, Carbon
D002473	Cell Wall	The outermost layer of a cell in most PLANTS; BACTERIA; FUNGI; and ALGAE. The cell wall is usually a rigid structure that lies external to the CELL MEMBRANE, and provides a protective barrier against physical or chemical agents.	Cell Walls,Wall, Cell,Walls, Cell
D003486	Cyanides	Inorganic salts of HYDROGEN CYANIDE containing the -CN radical. The concept also includes isocyanides. It is distinguished from NITRILES, which denotes organic compounds containing the -CN radical.	Cyanide,Isocyanide,Isocyanides
D004140	Dinitrophenols	Organic compounds that contain two nitro groups attached to a phenol.
D004352	Drug Resistance, Microbial	The ability of microorganisms, especially bacteria, to resist or to become tolerant to chemotherapeutic agents, antimicrobial agents, or antibiotics. This resistance may be acquired through gene mutation or foreign DNA in transmissible plasmids (R FACTORS).	Antibiotic Resistance,Antibiotic Resistance, Microbial,Antimicrobial Resistance, Drug,Antimicrobial Drug Resistance,Antimicrobial Drug Resistances,Antimicrobial Resistances, Drug,Drug Antimicrobial Resistance,Drug Antimicrobial Resistances,Drug Resistances, Microbial,Resistance, Antibiotic,Resistance, Drug Antimicrobial,Resistances, Drug Antimicrobial
D004917	Erythromycin	A bacteriostatic antibiotic macrolide produced by Streptomyces erythreus. Erythromycin A is considered its major active component. In sensitive organisms, it inhibits protein synthesis by binding to 50S ribosomal subunits. This binding process inhibits peptidyl transferase activity and interferes with translocation of amino acids during translation and assembly of proteins.	Erycette,Erymax,Erythromycin A,Erythromycin C,Erythromycin Lactate,Erythromycin Phosphate,Ilotycin,T-Stat,Lactate, Erythromycin,Phosphate, Erythromycin,T Stat,TStat
D004926	Escherichia coli	A species of gram-negative, facultatively anaerobic, rod-shaped bacteria (GRAM-NEGATIVE FACULTATIVELY ANAEROBIC RODS) commonly found in the lower part of the intestine of warm-blooded animals. It is usually nonpathogenic, but some strains are known to produce DIARRHEA and pyogenic infections. Pathogenic strains (virotypes) are classified by their specific pathogenic mechanisms such as toxins (ENTEROTOXIGENIC ESCHERICHIA COLI), etc.	Alkalescens-Dispar Group,Bacillus coli,Bacterium coli,Bacterium coli commune,Diffusely Adherent Escherichia coli,E coli,EAggEC,Enteroaggregative Escherichia coli,Enterococcus coli,Diffusely Adherent E. coli,Enteroaggregative E. coli,Enteroinvasive E. coli,Enteroinvasive Escherichia coli
D006358	Hot Temperature	Presence of warmth or heat or a temperature notably higher than an accustomed norm.	Heat,Hot Temperatures,Temperature, Hot,Temperatures, Hot