Chloramphenicol

Description

Chloramphenicol is a chlorine-containing antibiotic produced by Streptomyces venezuelae. It has a wide spectrum of activity against gram-positive and gram-negative cocci and bacilli (including anaerobes), Rickettsia, Mycoplasma, and Chlamydia. It inhibits prokaryotic protein synthesis by attaching to the 50S ribosomal subunit. This inhibits peptidyltransferase, thereby preventing the formation of peptide bonds. It also inhibits protein synthesis in mitochondria which accounts for its toxic effects that cause aplastic anemia. Chloramphenicol has other adverse effects such as bone marrow depression, and gray baby syndrome. It’s use is limited to serious infections such as those where resistance to other antibiotics occurs. It is still widely used in the treatment of typhoid fever, meningitis and eye infections.

Specifications

Application

Chloramphenicol is a synthetic antibiotic, isolated from strains of Streptomyces venezuelae. It is often used for bacterial selection in molecular biology applications at 10-20μg/mL and as a selection agent for transformed cells containing chloramphenicol reistance genes.
Chloramphenicol has been used as a bacteriostatic non potent antibiotic.[1] It has been used for the selection/growth of positive bacterial cells.

Biochem/physiol Actions

Mode of Action: Chloramphenicol inhibits bacterial protein synthesis by blocking the peptidyl transferase step by binding to the 50S ribosomal subunit and preventing attachment of aminoacyl tRNA to the ribosome. It also inhibits mitochondrial and chloroplast protein synthesis and ribosomal formation of (p)ppGpp, de-pressing rRNA transcription.

Mode of Resistance: Use of chloramphenicol acetyltransferase will acetylate the product and inactivate it.

Antimicrobial Spectrum: This is a broad spectrum antibiotic against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, and is used mainly for ophthalmic and veterinary purposes.

Preparation Note

Degradation of chloramphenicol in aqueous solution is catalyzed by general acids and bases. This rate of degradation is independent of the ionic strength and pH.

Documents

COA

SDS

Disclaimer: For laboratory research use only.