Erythromycin lactobionate (CAS 3847-29-8)

Erythromycin lactobionate, a salt form of the antibiotic erythromycin, is extensively used in scientific research for its action as a macrolide antibiotic that targets bacterial ribosomal function. Specifically, it binds to the 50S subunit of bacterial ribosomes, inhibiting the translocation steps of protein synthesis. This action disrupts the elongation of protein chains and ultimately impedes bacterial growth by preventing the production of essential proteins. This mechanism is particularly valuable in microbiological studies focusing on the inhibition of protein synthesis and its effects on bacterial viability and morphology. Research utilizing erythromycin lactobionate extends beyond its antibacterial properties to explore its role in the modulation of bacterial gene expression, particularly in the study of ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptides (RiPPs), a class of natural products with diverse biological activities. This compound also serves as a tool in evolutionary biology research to investigate how bacterial populations evolve under antibiotic pressure, which can reveal mechanisms of resistance development and strategies for counteracting resistance emergence. Furthermore, erythromycin lactobionate is employed in studies examining the interaction of antibiotics with bacterial biofilms, providing insights into how these communities resist antibiotic penetration and suggesting strategies for disrupting biofilm integrity. Through these varied applications, erythromycin lactobionate contributes significantly to our understanding of microbial ecology and the development of new antibacterial strategies.