Streptovaricin

Streptovaricin is an antibiotic produced by the bacterium Streptomyces. It is a member of the ansamycin family of antibiotics, which also includes rifamycin and streptovaricin C. Streptovaricin has been used in the treatment of tuberculosis and other bacterial infections.

History

Streptovaricin was first isolated in 1956 from a strain of Streptomyces varicinus found in soil samples. The discovery of streptovaricin marked a significant advancement in the field of antibiotic research, as it was one of the first antibiotics to be effective against Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacterium responsible for tuberculosis.

Mechanism of Action

Streptovaricin works by inhibiting the RNA polymerase enzyme in bacteria, preventing the transcription of DNA into RNA. This stops the bacteria from producing essential proteins, ultimately leading to their death. The exact mechanism of action of streptovaricin is still under investigation, but it is believed to bind to the beta subunit of the RNA polymerase enzyme, similar to other ansamycin antibiotics.

Side Effects

Like all antibiotics, streptovaricin can cause side effects. These can include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and rash. In rare cases, streptovaricin can cause more serious side effects such as hepatotoxicity (liver damage) and nephrotoxicity (kidney damage).

Resistance

Bacterial resistance to streptovaricin can occur, usually through mutations in the RNA polymerase gene. This can lead to a decrease in the effectiveness of the antibiotic. Resistance to streptovaricin is a growing concern, particularly in the treatment of tuberculosis.

See Also

• Ansamycin
• Rifamycin
• Streptovaricin C
• Tuberculosis