STUDIES ON PRISTINAMYCIN SYNERGISM IN STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS

Abstract

Binding experiments were performed with both components of the pristinamycin complex (pristinamycin I_A (PI_A) and pristinamycin IIA (PIIA)) using ribosomes from sensitive and resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Fluorescence polarization was used to measure PI_A binding. The results obtained show a direct correlation between inhibition, synergy and the enhancement of the affinity of PI_A for its receptor in the presence of PII_A. The uptake of PI_A by intact cells seems to be directly correlated with affinity between PI_A and ribosomes, a phenomenon which is probably shared with the macrolide antibiotics.