Ribosomal function and its inhibition by antibiotics in prokaryotes

Most of the known antibiotics act at the level of protein biosynthesis probably due to the extraordinary complexity of the translation machinery which can be interfered with at many points. At first a survey is given of our present knowledge covering the structure and function of the prokaryotic ribosome. The most important antibiotics acting at the translational level are integrated into this network of data. The binding sites and the inhibition mechanisms of the drugs, together with the ribosomal components altered in resistant mutants are described. Finally, the points of interference with the translational machinery are indicated in an extended scheme of ribosomal functions.