Anhydroerythromycin A (CAS 23893-13-2)

Anhydroerythromycin A, with the CAS number 23893-13-2, is a derivative of erythromycin, which is a naturally occurring macrolide antibiotic. This compound differs from its parent structure primarily by the absence of a water molecule in the lactone ring, altering its chemical and biological properties. Anhydroerythromycin A serves as an important tool in biochemical research, particularly in studies focusing on the ribosomal binding and mechanism of action of macrolide antibiotics. The primary action of Anhydroerythromycin A involves binding to the 50S subunit of bacterial ribosomes. This binding inhibits the translocation step of protein synthesis, where it impedes the movement of the ribosome along the mRNA, thus blocking the exit of the growing peptide chain. This interference disrupts protein synthesis, leading to an inhibition of bacterial growth. In research settings, Anhydroerythromycin A has been used to study the structure-function relationships of macrolide antibiotics and their interactions with the ribosome. These studies are crucial for understanding how modifications in the macrolide structure influence their binding affinity and mechanism of action, providing insights that could lead to the design of novel inhibitors that can overcome antibiotic resistance in bacteria.