Which antibiotic class targets bacterial ribosomes?

Aminoglycosides are a class of antibiotics that specifically target bacterial ribosomes, leading to an inhibition of protein synthesis. They bind to the 30S subunit of the bacterial ribosome, causing misreading of the mRNA and ultimately impairing the synthesis of proteins that are essential for bacterial growth and replication. This action is distinct from other antibiotic classes like beta-lactams, which target the bacterial cell wall synthesis, glycopeptides, which also inhibit cell wall synthesis but through different mechanisms, and fluoroquinolones, which interfere with DNA replication by targeting bacterial topoisomerases. The unique targeting of ribosomal subunits by aminoglycosides makes them effective in treating certain infections, particularly those caused by aerobic Gram-negative bacteria.