Kanamycin resistance is a term used in microbiology to describe the ability of bacteria to survive exposure to the antibiotic kanamycin. The word is spelled k-uh-n-uh-m-ahy-sin r-ih-zis-tuh-ns, with the first syllable pronounced like the letter K, and the following syllables pronounced with a short "u" sound. The "s" in "kanamycin" is pronounced like a "z" because it follows a vowel, while the "-cycin" ending is pronounced with a hard "s" sound. The "i" in "resistance" is pronounced like a schwa, or "uh" sound.
Kanamycin resistance refers to the ability of certain bacteria or organisms to withstand the effects of the antibiotic drug kanamycin. Kanamycin is an aminoglycoside antibiotic that is commonly used to treat bacterial infections. It works by interfering with the protein synthesis of bacteria, leading to their death.
In some cases, bacteria can develop resistance to kanamycin through a variety of mechanisms. One common mechanism is the production of enzymes that can modify or inactivate the drug, rendering it ineffective. These enzymes, called aminoglycoside-modifying enzymes, can chemically modify kanamycin, preventing it from binding to its target site on the bacterial ribosome.
Bacterial resistance to kanamycin can also arise from mutations in the genes that encode the ribosomal subunits targeted by the drug. These mutations can alter the structure of the ribosome, making it less susceptible to the inhibitory effects of kanamycin.
Kanamycin resistance is often conferred by genes located on plasmids in bacteria. Plasmids are small, circular pieces of DNA that can be easily transferred between bacteria, allowing the resistance genes to spread rapidly within a bacterial population.
The acquisition and spread of kanamycin resistance pose significant challenges in the treatment of bacterial infections. It limits the effectiveness of kanamycin as a therapeutic agent, requiring the use of alternative antibiotics to combat resistant strains.
The word "Kanamycin" is derived from the name of the bacterium from which it is isolated, Streptomyces kanamyceticus. Kanamycin is an antibiotic that belongs to the aminoglycoside class and is commonly used in laboratory research and clinical medicine to treat a variety of bacterial infections.
The term "Resistance" refers to the ability of an organism to withstand the effects of a particular antibiotic or drug. In this case, "Kanamycin Resistance" refers to the ability of bacteria or other microorganisms to resist the inhibitory effects of kanamycin, meaning they can continue to grow and survive even in the presence of this antibiotic.