What is the mechanism of action for streptomycin?

Streptomycin is classified as an aminoglycoside antibiotic that works by inhibiting protein synthesis. Its specific mechanism of action involves binding to the 30S subunit of the bacterial ribosome. This binding impairs the initiation of protein synthesis and can lead to misreading of the mRNA, which ultimately produces nonfunctional or toxic proteins that are detrimental to bacterial survival.

The reliance on the 30S ribosomal subunit is crucial for understanding how streptomycin operates, as it differentiates it from other classes of antibiotics that target different aspects of bacterial function. For example, antibiotics that inhibit cell wall synthesis or disrupt DNA replication act through different mechanisms and target other components essential for bacterial growth. Recognizing the specific interaction of aminoglycosides, including streptomycin, with the 30S subunits offers insight into their therapeutic use in infections caused by susceptible gram-negative bacteria.