Azidamfenicol (CAS 13838-08-9)

Azidamfenicol, cataloged under the CAS number 13838-08-9, is a chemically modified analog of the antibiotic chloramphenicol, distinguished by the substitution of an azido group for the hydroxyl group in the dichloroacetic side chain. This modification imparts unique properties to the molecule, primarily affecting its interaction with bacterial ribosomes. Azidamfenicol operates by binding to the 50S subunit of the bacterial ribosome, a critical component in the protein synthesis machinery of bacteria. Its binding inhibits peptidyl transferase, an enzyme necessary for the formation of peptide bonds between amino acids, effectively halting the elongation of the protein chain. This action disrupts protein synthesis, leading to the cessation of bacterial growth. In research environments, azidamfenicol has been utilized to explore the dynamics of ribosomal inhibition and the structural requirements for binding efficiency and specificity to the ribosome. Studies involving azidamfenicol have provided deeper insights into the mechanistic pathways of ribosomal interference by antibiotics and have aided in understanding how chemical modifications can enhance or alter the activity of antibiotic molecules. This research has implications for designing antibiotics with improved efficacy and understanding resistance mechanisms at a molecular level.