Doxycycline hyclate belongs to the tetracycline class of antibiotics. It functions by inhibiting bacterial protein synthesis.
Specifically, doxycycline binds to the 30S ribosomal subunit of susceptible bacteria. This action prevents the addition of amino acids to the growing polypeptide chain, effectively halting bacterial protein production.
- This blockage of protein synthesis leads to bacterial death. It’s a broad-spectrum antibiotic, meaning it’s effective against a wide range of bacterial species, both Gram-positive and Gram-negative.
The exact mechanism involves:
Reversible binding to the 30S ribosomal subunit. Interference with the aminoacyl-tRNA binding to the A-site of the ribosome. Prevention of peptidyl transferase activity.
This mechanism differs slightly from other tetracyclines due to its unique chemical structure, resulting in varied pharmacokinetic properties and, in some cases, a broader spectrum of activity.
