The Sound of Evolution
Retapamulin
Mechanism of action:
Retapamulin is a pleuromutilin antibiotic. Retapamulin binds to the peptidyl transferase center of the bacterial 50S ribosomal subunit. This binding site is different from those of macrolide, lincosamide, and streptogramin antibiotics. Retapamulin interferes with the correct positioning of tRNA between the A site and the P site, thereby inhibiting peptide bond formation and early protein elongation, which blocks bacterial protein synthesis.
Reference(s):
1. Jones RN et al. (2006). Activity of retapamulin (SB-275833), a novel pleuromutilin, against selected resistant gram-positive cocci. Antimicrob Agents Chemother.
2. Yang LP et al. (2008). Retapamulin: a review of its use in the management of impetigo and other uncomplicated superficial skin infections. Drugs.
3. Novak R et al. (2010). The pleuromutilin antibiotics: a new class for human use. Curr Opin Investig Drugs.