Inhibition of <i>Escherichia coli</i> ribosome subunit dissociation by chloramphenicol and Blasticidin: a new mode of action of the antibiotics

Abstract

Ribosome synthesizes protein in all organisms and is the target for multiple antimicrobial agents. Our study demonstrates that chloramphenicol and blasticidin S that target the peptidyl transferase centre of the bacterial ribosome can then inhibit dissociation of 70S ribosome mediated by (i) unfolded protein, (ii) translation factors or (iii) low Mg⁺² concentrations in vitro and thereby suppresses ribosomal degradation during carbon starvation in vivo. The demonstration of this new mode of action furthers the understanding of these broad-spectrum antibiotics that differentially inhibit protein synthesis in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.