Tetracycline (TET)

Tetracycline is a broad-spectrum polyketide antibiotic originally derived from the Streptomyces genus of bacteria (PubChem CID 54675776). It is not a biological target or receptor; rather, it is a therapeutic agent that exerts its effects by binding to the 30S subunit of the bacterial ribosome. By interacting with the 16S ribosomal RNA, it sterically blocks the attachment of aminoacyl-tRNA to the ribosomal acceptor (A) site, thereby inhibiting protein synthesis and acting as a bacteriostatic agent (StatPearls: Tetracycline). In addition to its antimicrobial role, tetracycline and its derivatives are known to inhibit human matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), which underlies their clinical use in treating non-infectious inflammatory conditions such as rosacea and periodontitis (Wikipedia: Tetracycline). Recent research has also identified the human 80S ribosome as a potential off-target, which may explain some of its anti-proliferative effects in cancer cells (NIH: PMC6713222). Due to the structural similarity between bacterial and mitochondrial ribosomes, tetracycline can also inhibit mitochondrial protein synthesis at high concentrations, which is a significant factor in its safety profile and potential for toxicity.

Other names

AchromycinSumycinPanmycinSteclinTetracycline hydrochlorideTCN

Tetracycline inhibits bacterial protein synthesis by binding reversibly to the 30S ribosomal subunit, specifically the 16S rRNA, which prevents the binding of aminoacyl-tRNA to the A-site of the ribosome (StatPearls: Tetracycline).