Ciprofloxacin lactate (CAS 97867-33-9)

Ciprofloxacin lactate, a lactate salt of the fluoroquinolone antibiotic ciprofloxacin, is extensively used in microbiological research to study bacterial DNA replication and cell division mechanisms. Its primary mode of action involves the inhibition of DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV, essential enzymes for bacterial DNA transcription and replication. This specific inhibition results in supercoiling and eventual rupture of bacterial DNA, providing a detailed insight into the DNA damage response of bacteria under antibiotic stress. In research settings, ciprofloxacin lactate serves as a tool to investigate the molecular basis of bacterial resistance, particularly in pathogenic bacteria, by examining mutations that confer resistance to fluoroquinolones. This chemical is also pivotal in studies focusing on the cross-resistance mechanisms among different bacterial strains and the genetic pathways influencing these resistances. Furthermore, ciprofloxacin lactate is employed in synthetic biology and genetic engineering experiments to control microbial growth in genetic constructs, ensuring the selective propagation of genetically modified organisms. These applications make it a critical compound in the exploration of microbial ecology and the development of new bioengineering methodologies. It is also used to understand the environmental impact of antibiotics, studying how bacterial communities adapt and survive in various habitats, thereby contributing to broader ecological research.