Question

A number of antibiotics inhibit the function of ribosomes. Why can some of these antibiotics cause side effects in which mitochondrial function is impaired

Answer 1

Antibiotics majorly target ribosomes of the bacteria. They inhibit ribosome function by interfering in mRNA translation or blocking the formation of peptide bonds at peptidyl transferase center. Antibiotics bind with the ribosomes subunits causing the above effect thereby killing the bacteria or preventing the multiplication of bacteria.

Use of antibiotics, comes with few side effects and mitochondrial dysfunction is one of them.

Mitochondria, power houses of the cell contributes to the energy homeostasis, calcium homeostasis, detoxification, inflammatory process etc in our body. Mitochondria produces significant amount of ATP (Adenosine TriPhosphate) which provides energy to the cell.

The mitochondrial mRNA has similar structure and function as that of bacteria and has higher levels of mutations compared to nuclear rRNA.This is why mitochondria of the host become susceptible to the antibiotics resulting in mitochondrial dysfunction.  

Example: Tetracycline works by manipulating the gene expression in bacteria but in addition to it, it involves in mitochondrial translation due to similarity of mRNA causing mitochondrial dysfunction.

Therefore, translation related antibiotics have to be cautiously used in patients.

Thank you.