Tetracycline antibiotics: mode of action, applications, molecular biology, and epidemiology of bacterial resistance.

Article Details

Citation

Chopra I, Roberts M

Tetracycline antibiotics: mode of action, applications, molecular biology, and epidemiology of bacterial resistance.

Microbiol Mol Biol Rev. 2001 Jun;65(2):232-60 ; second page, table of contents.

PubMed ID
11381101 [ View in PubMed
]
Abstract

Tetracyclines were discovered in the 1940s and exhibited activity against a wide range of microorganisms including gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, chlamydiae, mycoplasmas, rickettsiae, and protozoan parasites. They are inexpensive antibiotics, which have been used extensively in the prophlylaxis and therapy of human and animal infections and also at subtherapeutic levels in animal feed as growth promoters. The first tetracycline-resistant bacterium, Shigella dysenteriae, was isolated in 1953. Tetracycline resistance now occurs in an increasing number of pathogenic, opportunistic, and commensal bacteria. The presence of tetracycline-resistant pathogens limits the use of these agents in treatment of disease. Tetracycline resistance is often due to the acquisition of new genes, which code for energy-dependent efflux of tetracyclines or for a protein that protects bacterial ribosomes from the action of tetracyclines. Many of these genes are associated with mobile plasmids or transposons and can be distinguished from each other using molecular methods including DNA-DNA hybridization with oligonucleotide probes and DNA sequencing. A limited number of bacteria acquire resistance by mutations, which alter the permeability of the outer membrane porins and/or lipopolysaccharides in the outer membrane, change the regulation of innate efflux systems, or alter the 16S rRNA. New tetracycline derivatives are being examined, although their role in treatment is not clear. Changing the use of tetracyclines in human and animal health as well as in food production is needed if we are to continue to use this class of broad-spectrum antimicrobials through the present century.

DrugBank Data that Cites this Article

Drugs
Drug Targets
DrugTargetKindOrganismPharmacological ActionActions
Demeclocycline30S ribosomal proteinGroup
Yes
Inhibitor
Details
Lymecycline30S ribosomal protein S4ProteinEscherichia coli (strain K12)
Yes
Inhibitor
Details
Meclocycline30S ribosomal protein S7ProteinEscherichia coli (strain K12)
Yes
Antagonist
Details
Drug Enzymes
DrugEnzymeKindOrganismPharmacological ActionActions
MeclocyclineTetX family tetracycline inactivation enzymeProteinBacteroides thetaiotaomicron
No
Substrate
Details
Drug Transporters
DrugTransporterKindOrganismPharmacological ActionActions
MeclocyclineOuter membrane porin CProteinEscherichia coli
Unknown
Substrate
Details
MeclocyclineOuter membrane protein FProteinEscherichia coli (strain K12)
No
Substrate
Details
MinocyclineOuter membrane porin CProteinEscherichia coli (strain K12)
Unknown
Substrate
Details
MinocyclineOuter membrane protein FProteinEscherichia coli (strain K12)
Unknown
Substrate
Details
Drug Interactions
DrugsInteraction
Chlortetracycline
Methoxyflurane
The risk or severity of renal failure can be increased when Methoxyflurane is combined with Chlortetracycline.
Demeclocycline
Methoxyflurane
The risk or severity of renal failure can be increased when Methoxyflurane is combined with Demeclocycline.
Eravacycline
Methoxyflurane
The risk or severity of renal failure can be increased when Methoxyflurane is combined with Eravacycline.
Lymecycline
Methoxyflurane
The risk or severity of renal failure can be increased when Methoxyflurane is combined with Lymecycline.
Metacycline
Methoxyflurane
The risk or severity of renal failure can be increased when Methoxyflurane is combined with Metacycline.