GRAMICIDIN C Meaning and
Definition
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Gramicidin C is a naturally occurring cyclic peptide antibiotic primarily produced by the bacterium Bacillus brevis. It belongs to the family of gramicidin antibiotics and is known for its broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against a wide range of Gram-positive bacteria. The structure of gramicidin C consists of two identical heptapeptides that are linked together by non-proteinogenic amino acids.
Gramicidin C acts by forming ion channels in the cell membrane of susceptible bacteria. These channels disrupt the normal electrochemical gradient that is vital for bacterial survival, leading to the leakage of ions and ultimately cell death. Its mechanism of action makes it particularly effective against bacteria with a high membrane potential, such as many Gram-positive species.
Due to its potent antimicrobial properties, gramicidin C has been extensively used in various clinical and research applications. It has been employed as a topical ointment for treating skin infections caused by susceptible bacteria. Gramicidin C is also utilized in laboratories to study membrane permeability and ion channels. Additionally, it has been investigated for potential applications in drug delivery systems and as a candidate for antimicrobial coatings on medical devices.
Despite its efficacy, gramicidin C is not suitable for systemic use due to its toxicity to human cells and poor solubility in physiological fluids. Therefore, its usage is primarily limited to topical and localized applications.
Common Misspellings for GRAMICIDIN C
- gramoicidin b
- framicidin c
- vramicidin c
- bramicidin c
- hramicidin c
- yramicidin c
- tramicidin c
- geamicidin c
- gdamicidin c
- gfamicidin c
- gtamicidin c
- g5amicidin c
- g4amicidin c
- grzmicidin c
- grsmicidin c
- grwmicidin c
- grqmicidin c
- granicidin c
- grakicidin c
- grajicidin c
Etymology of GRAMICIDIN C
The word "Gramicidin C" is derived from a combination of the terms "gram" and "cidin".
The term "gram" refers to the Danish bacteriologist Hans Christian Gram, who developed the Gram stain technique in the 1880s. This staining method is commonly used in microbiology to distinguish and classify bacteria into Gram-positive and Gram-negative groups based on their cell wall structure. Consequently, the word "gram" is often used in the context of bacteria.
The suffix "-cidin" is derived from the Greek term "kidein", which means "to kill". It is commonly added to drug names to indicate their antimicrobial or bactericidal properties.
Therefore, "Gramicidin C" is named as such because it is a naturally occurring antimicrobial peptide that was initially isolated from the soil bacterium Bacillus brevis strain A.
