Tetracycline phosphate complex (CAS 1336-20-5)

Tetracycline phosphate complex, with CAS number 1336-20-5, is a coordination complex of tetracycline with a phosphate group. Tetracycline itself is a broad-spectrum antibiotic belonging to the tetracycline class, which operates by targeting the bacterial ribosome. The primary mechanism of action involves binding to the 30S ribosomal subunit, thereby inhibiting the binding of aminoacyl-tRNA to the mRNA-ribosome complex. This interaction effectively blocks the addition of new amino acids to the nascent peptide chain, interrupting protein synthesis. As a result, it inhibits bacterial growth by preventing the production of essential proteins required for various cellular functions. In research contexts, the tetracycline phosphate complex is employed extensively to study the effects of tetracycline on bacterial protein synthesis and to investigate the mechanisms of resistance that bacteria can develop against tetracycline antibiotics. This compound is also used in genetic regulation studies, where tetracycline-controlled gene expression systems harness its ability to regulate transcription in a reversible manner. These systems are particularly useful for the controlled expression of genes in microbial, plant, and mammalian cells, providing valuable insights into gene function and regulation. Through these applications, the tetracycline phosphate complex contributes significantly to molecular biology and microbial physiology research.