Bacterial 23S rRNA cryptic site

The Bacterial 23S rRNA cryptic site is a recently characterized binding pocket within the large (50S) ribosomal subunit of bacteria. While the primary target of aminoglycoside antibiotics is the A-site of the 16S rRNA in the 30S subunit, research has identified this additional cryptic site in the 23S rRNA as a critical secondary target. Binding to this site is thought to contribute significantly to the bactericidal activity of aminoglycosides by inducing high levels of mistranslation. The resulting misfolded proteins are misincorporated into the bacterial cell membrane, leading to membrane damage, increased permeability, and a lethal influx of the antibiotic. This site represents a potential target for the development of next-generation antibiotics that can bypass traditional resistance mechanisms or enhance the potency of existing drugs.

Other names

Aminoglycoside 23S rRNA binding site50S ribosomal subunit cryptic site23S rRNA secondary binding site

Binding to the cryptic site in the 23S rRNA of the 50S subunit induces translation errors (mistranslation), leading to the production of misfolded proteins that integrate into and destabilize the bacterial cell membrane, which enhances drug uptake and lethality.