Gentamicin is an aminoglycoside derived from Micromonospora purpurea. This antibiotic is mainly used to treat severe gram-negative infections caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. It has some severe adverse effects like nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity which can limit its use. Gentamicin goes through 3 phases to infiltrate the bacterial cell: the first phase is the binding of polycationic antibiotics to the negatively charged bacterial cell membrane, which increases the membrane permeability. The second phase is the entry of the drug through oxygen-dependent active transport into the bacteria where it binds the 30S ribosomal subunit. The final phase is the inhibition of protein synthesis and the accumulation of Gentamicin in the cell which further exacerbates its inhibition of protein synthesis and mistranslation. Much like other aminoglycosides, gentamicin is linked with nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity. While nephrotoxicity is reversible by stopping the usage of gentamicin, ototoxicity can have permanent effects. Gentamicin is administered by intravenous or intramuscular injection. It is also possible to use it as an ophthalmic drop or topical cream.

Gentamicin Pathway (New) References