Some important antibiotics which inhibit the protein synthesis in prokaryotes along with the reason are given below:-
1. Streptomycin:
Because it binds to the S12 protein of the 30 S ribosomal subunit and therefore, inhibits binding of tRNA to the P site. It also causes misreading in a system that is in the ‘act of synthesis.
2. Neomycin, Kanamycin:
Both produce same action as streptomycin.
3. Chloramphenicol (or Chloromycetin):
It inhibits peptidyl transferase of 70 S ribosome.
4. Tetracycline:
It inhibits binding of charged tRNA to 30 S particles.
5. Erythromycin:
The erythromycin binds to 50 S particles and prevents formation of the 70 S ribosome.
6. Puromycin:
Its inhibition is due to premature chain termination by acting as an analogue of charged tRNA.
7 Fusidic acids:
It binds to elongation factor EF-Q consequently GTP is still hydrolyzed and translocation occurs. But EF-G and GDP are not released from ribosome; therefore, the ribosome cannot bind another aminoacyl-tRNA.
8. Kasugamycin:
It inhibits binding of tRNA.
9. Lincomycin:
It inhibits peptidyl transferase complex.
10. Kirromycin:
It binds to the elongation factor, written as EF-Tu and stimulates formation of (EF – Tu) – GTP and binding of ternary complex to ribosome therefore, inhibits release of EF-Tu. Out of the aforesaid antibiotics chloramphenicol, Puromycin, fusic acid also inhibit protein synthesis in eukaryotes.