The role of the C-1 triol group in bicyclomycin

Abstract

Comparison of the chemical, biochemical, and biological activities of the antibiotic, bicyclomycin, with three C-1 triol modified derivatives demonstrated that all four compounds intercepted thiols but only bicyclomycin effectively inhibited the transcription termination factor rho and possessed significant antimicrobial activity, indicating that the stereochemical and chemical structure of the C-1 triol group played a key role in the drug recognition process.