Winfried Hinrichs
University of Greifswald, German
Biography
Abstract
This review will give a short overview on structural biology of tetracyclines. The group of tetracycline are one of the “big four” of antibiotic compounds. Tetracyclines block the bacterial protein synthesis by binding to the ribosomal 30S subunit. Crystal structure analyses of proteins that mediate resistance against the drug belong to a widespread efflux mechanism (Tet repressor controlled) and a chemical inactivation by a flavin monooxygenase (TetX). Non-antibiotic properties are also well known: tetracyclines interfere with inflammatory mechanisms by inhibiting Phospholipase A2. All these tetracycline binding proteins are characterized at atomic resolution. The tetracycline can act as a regulatory compound but is also a substrate or inhibitor for enzymatic mechanisms. The conclusion is that tetracyclines are an example for side effects of drugs that are more interesting than the obvious mode of action.