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Microbiology and Molecular Biology Reviews, March 2009, p. 22-35, Vol. 73, No. 1
1092-2172/09/$08.00+0     doi:10.1128/MMBR.00030-08
Copyright © 2009, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Inhibition of Bacterial Ribosome Assembly: a Suitable Drug Target?

Bruce A. Maguire*

Department of Exploratory Medicinal Sciences, Pfizer Global Research and Development, Groton Laboratories, Groton, Connecticut 06340

Summary: The assembly of bacterial ribosomes is viewed with increasing interest as a potential target for new antibiotics. The in vivo synthesis and assembly of ribosomes are briefly reviewed here, highlighting the many ways in which assembly can be perturbed. The process is compared with the model in vitro process from which much of our knowledge is derived. The coordinate synthesis of the ribosomal components is essential for their ordered and efficient assembly; antibiotics interfere with this coordination and therefore affect assembly. It has also been claimed that the binding of antibiotics to nascent ribosomes prevents their assembly. These two contrasting models of antibiotic action are compared and evaluated. Finally, the suitability and tractability of assembly as a drug target are assessed.

* Mailing address: Department of Exploratory Medicinal Sciences, Pfizer Global Research and Development, MS 8118W-106, Groton Laboratories, Groton, CT 06340. Phone: (860) 686-0264. Fax: (860) 441-6090. E-mail: bruce.maguire{at}pfizer.com

Microbiology and Molecular Biology Reviews, March 2009, p. 22-35, Vol. 73, No. 1
1092-2172/09/$08.00+0     doi:10.1128/MMBR.00030-08
Copyright © 2009, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.





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