streptomycin

Streptomycin is an aminoglycoside antibiotic that functions as a protein synthesis inhibitor. It exerts its antibacterial effect by irreversibly binding to the 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) of the bacterial 30S ribosomal subunit. This binding interferes with the attachment of formyl-methionyl-tRNA, leading to misreading of the messenger RNA (mRNA) and premature termination of protein synthesis. The disruption of essential protein production ultimately results in bacterial cell death. Discovered in 1943 by Albert Schatz from the bacterium Streptomyces griseus, under the supervision of Selman Waksman, streptomycin was the first antibiotic found to be effective against tuberculosis. It is a broad-spectrum antibiotic active against various Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, and is used to treat a range of bacterial infections including tuberculosis, plague, tularemia, brucellosis, and certain forms of endocarditis.

Brand names

Ambistryn-SStreptomacStrilinAgreptAgrimycinStreptomycin A

Other names

streptomycin