Erythromycin Stearate (CAS 643-22-1)

Erythromycin Stearate, with the CAS number 643-22-1, is an esterified form of erythromycin, where the stearate (a long-chain fatty acid) improves the compound′s hydrophobicity and stability, making it suitable for various research applications that require controlled solubility characteristics. The primary action of erythromycin stearate at the molecular level involves binding to the 50S subunit of bacterial ribosomes, which inhibits protein synthesis by blocking the exit tunnel that growing peptide chains pass through. This action prevents the elongation of the protein, leading to an inhibition of bacterial growth. This specific mechanism is crucial in studying the translation process in prokaryotes and understanding how molecular structures within the ribosome facilitate or hinder the binding of molecules like erythromycin. In research, this compound is particularly useful in examining the effects of ribosomal inhibition on bacterial populations, exploring the dynamics of bacterial resistance, and studying the pharmacokinetics of erythromycin derivatives under various conditions. Furthermore, erythromycin stearate′s modified properties compared to its parent compound allow for detailed investigations into how alterations in molecular structure can influence the efficacy and behavior of a molecule within biological systems, providing insights into the design of more effective ribosome-targeting agents.