Properties of the Ribosomes of Antibiotic Producers: Effects of Thiostrepton and Micrococcin on the Organisms Which Produce Them

Abstract

Ribosomes of Streptomyces azureus , which produces thiostrepton, are resistant to thiostrepton by virtue of being unable to bind the antibiotic. These ribosomes are also resistant to a number of other antibiotics (the thiostrepton group) which may share a common ribosomal binding site and a common mode of action with thiostrepton. Conversely, Bacillus pumilis and a strain of micrococcus, which produce the (probably identical) antibiotics micrococcin P and micrococcin, respectively, possess ribosomes which are susceptible to these antibiotics in vitro, although the organisms themselves are resistant.