The Sound of Evolution
Daptomycin
Mechanism of action:
Daptomycin is a cyclic lipopeptide antibiotic originally discovered from Streptomyces roseosporus. The bactericidal mechanism of daptomycin differs from that of most conventional antibiotics and is classified as membrane depolarizing. The fatty acid tail of daptomycin can insert into the bacterial cell membrane with the help of calcium ions, inducing the formation of small pores in the membrane. This causes leakage of potassium ions and other intracellular ions, leading to loss of membrane potential, disruption of energy metabolism and macromolecule synthesis, and ultimately rapid bacterial death.
Reference(s):
1. Woodworth JR et al. (1992). Single-dose pharmacokinetics and antibacterial activity of daptomycin, a new lipopeptide antibiotic, in healthy volunteers. Antimicrob Agents Chemother.
2. Tally FP et al. (2000). Development of daptomycin for gram-positive infections. J Antimicrob Chemother.
3. Charles PG et al. (2004). The dearth of new antibiotic development: why we should be worried and what we can do about it. Med J Aust.