Oxytetracycline is an oral antibiotic drug used to treat infections caused by a variety of gram-positive and gram-negative microorganisms including Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Pasteurella pestis, Escherichia coli, Haemophilus influenzae (respiratory infections), and Diplococcus pneumoniae. It is a protein synthesis inhibitor. In bacterial protein synthesis, transcription and translation occur in the cytoplasm. Oxytetracycline targets protein translation. Translation occurs using the bacterial 70S ribosome composed of a 50S and a 30S subunit. The ribosome has 3 binding sites, A (acceptor site), P (peptidyl site) and E (exit site). The charged tRNA with an amino acid attached (amino-acyl tRNA) binds to the A site. The P site binds to the tRNA holding the growing polypeptide chain and the E site binds to the uncharged tRNA. Oxytetracyclines enters the bacterial cell through the cell membrane and binds to the 30s subunit of the bacterial ribosome. It then prevents amino-acyl tRNA from binding the A site of the ribosome. Since the A site is the site where incoming amino-acyl tRNA binds, inhibition of its binding prevents growth of the amino chain (protein translation). This inhibits protein synthesis and as a result, growth of the bacterial cell is impeded. Taking oxytetracycline may relieve symptoms such as fever, chills, sweating, nasal congestion, stiff muscles, fast heart rate, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea (signs and symptoms of an infection) and acne lesions. Adverse effects associated with oxytetracycline include abdominal discomfort, epigastric pain, nausea, vomiting, poor appetite, discoloration of teeth and inhibition of bone growth in children, rash, hypersensitivity reactions and glossitis.

Oxytetracycline Anti-bacterial Pathway References