Biochemistry of Antimicrobial ActionThe rapid advances made in the study of the synthesis, structure and function of biological macromolecules in the last fifteen years have enabled scientists concerned with antimicrobial agents to achieve a considerable measure of understanding of how these substances inhibit cell growth and division. The use of antimicrobial agents as highly specific inhibitors has in turn substantially assisted the investigation of complex biochemical pro cesses. The literature in Ihis field is so extensive however, that we considered an attempt should be made to draw together in an introductory book the more significant studies of recent years. This book, which is in fact based on lec ture courses given by us to undergraduates at Liverpool and Manchester Universities, is therefore intended as an introduction 'to the biochemistry of antimicrobial action for advanced students in many disciplines. We hope that it may also be useful to established scientists who are new to this area of research. The book is concerned with a discussion of medically important antimicro bial compounds and also a number of agents that, although having no medical uses, have proved invaluable as research tools in biochemistry. Our aim has been to esent pr the available information in a simple and readable way, emphasizing the established facts rather than more controversial material. Whenever possible, however, we have indicated the gaps in the present knowledge of the subject where further information is required. |
Contents
REASONS FOR STUDYING THE BIOCHEMISTRY | |
STRUCTURE AND BIOSYNTHESIS OF PEPTIDOGLYCAN | |
FURTHER READING | |
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50S subunit 70S ribosomes actinomycin action alanine amino acid aminoacyl-tRNA aminoglycosides analogues antibacterial activity antibacterial agents antibiotics antimicrobial agents antiseptics antiviral Bacillus bacteria bacterial cells base-pairs binding biochemical caused cell membrane cell wall cephalosporins chemical chemotherapy chloramphenicol chromosomal clinical complex compounds concentration conjugation covalent cross-linking cytoplasmic membrane dihydrofolate disease DNA polymerase DNA synthesis drug resistance effect enzyme ergosterol erythromycin Escherichia coli eukaryotic Figure formation function fungal fungi genes genetic Gram-negative Gram-negative bacteria Gram-positive Gram-positive bacteria hydrophobic infections inhibition inhibitor interaction intercalation involved ions isolated lipid mammalian mechanism metabolism microbial molecules mutations normal nucleic acid synthesis nucleotide organisms outer membrane penetration penicillin pentapeptide peptide bond peptidoglycan permeability phage phosphate plasmids polyenes polymer polypeptide pores production protein biosynthesis protein synthesis puromycin R-plasmid reaction replication residues ribosomes ring sensitive side chain specific Staphylococcus aureus streptomycin structure substrate sulphonamides supercoils target tetracyclines toxic treatment trimethoprim tRNA valinomycin viral virus yeasts