Platensimycin

Antibiotic

Template: Infobox chemical / molecular formula search available

Platensimycin is a newly discovered antibiotic. This substance is the first representative of a previously unknown structural class of antibiotics. Researchers at MSD Sharp & Dohme found Platensimycin as part of a compound screening project. It is produced by the bacterium Streptomyces platensis, which was found in a South African soil sample. A first total chemical synthesis of racemic Platensimycin has been described in 2006.

Mechanism of Action

Platensimycin inhibits a key enzyme called FabF and thus inhibits selectively bacterial synthetase, the bacteria to build up the fatty need to surface and cell membrane. Few known antibiotics inhibit bacterial fatty acid synthesis. Because it has a different mechanism of action than conventional antibiotics, it is believed that far fewer bacteria to become resistant Platensimycin.

Study Location

Platensimycin proved to be effective in mice against multidrug-resistant gram-positive pathogens such as MRSA, vancomycin for the date is the last reserve antibiotic. Platensimycin proved to be very effective antibiotic, when administered in vivo to cells continuously, when using other conventional routes of administration effectiveness was however reduced. Another disadvantage is the high doses required for efficacy in animal studies. Therefore, first attempts to modify the structure in favor of a higher effectiveness, clinical trials are preferred.