Telithromycin (CAS 191114-48-4)

Telithromycin, identified by CAS number 191114-48-4, is a synthetic derivative of the macrolide antibiotic erythromycin, and it belongs to a class of compounds known as ketolides. Specifically engineered for research purposes, Telithromycin is primarily used to study bacterial protein synthesis and the mechanisms through which bacteria can develop resistance to macrolide inhibitors. The mechanism of action of Telithromycin involves binding to the 50S subunit of the bacterial ribosome, a critical component in the protein synthesis machinery of bacteria. Unlike traditional macrolides, Telithromycin binds at two distinct sites on the ribosome, which enhances its binding efficiency and helps overcome resistance mechanisms that typically affect other macrolides. By binding to the ribosome, Telithromycin inhibits the translocation step of protein synthesis, which is the movement of tRNA and mRNA through the ribosome, effectively halting the growth and multiplication of bacteria. This dual binding characteristic makes Telithromycin a valuable tool in microbiological research, particularly in studying how modifications in ribosomal binding sites contribute to antibiotic resistance. Research involving Telithromycin has helped explain the structural and functional dynamics of ribosomal interactions and has provided deeper insights into the adaptive mechanisms employed by bacteria when exposed to ribosomal inhibitors.