Abstract.
Eleven structurally similar ketolide antibiotics were tested at a concentration of 1 μg/ml for their relative inhibitory effects on growth and ribosome activities in Staphylococcus aureus cells. Ten of the compounds examined had an inhibitory effect on protein synthesis at this concentration and eight of the 11 compounds were also effective inhibitors of the formation of the 50S ribosomal subunit. All of the drugs tested inhibited protein synthesis to a greater extent than they affected 50S subunit formation. The decline in growth rate and cell number was proportional to the effect on ribosome formation and function. The growth of an ermC erythromycin-resistant strain of S. aureus was also significantly inhibited by nine ketolide compounds, suggesting that they were not inducers of methylase gene expression. These inhibitory activities can be related to structural differences between these ketolide antibiotics.
Similar content being viewed by others
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Received: 6 May 1998 / Accepted: 27 July 1998
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Champney, W., Tober, C. Inhibition of Translation and 50S Ribosomal Subunit Formation in Staphylococcus aureus Cells by 11 Different Ketolide Antibiotics. Curr Microbiol 37, 418–425 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1007/s002849900403
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s002849900403