Ramoplanin

General information

Ramoplanin was the first in a new class of antimicrobials to reach clinical trials [ ]. It is a glycolipodepsipeptide produced by the fermentation of Actinoplanes species [ ]. Ramoplanin blocks bacterial cell wall biosynthesis by interfering with peptidoglycan production. It inhibits the N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase-catalysed conversion of lipid intermediate I to lipid intermediate II, a step that occurs before the transglycosylation and transpeptidation reactions. Unlike glycopeptides, ramoplanin does not complex with the D-Ala–D-Ala sequence of cell wall precursors. It is highly active against Gram-positive aerobic and anaerobic bacteria [ ]. Ramoplanin is not systemically absorbed after oral administration, and has been evaluated for the prevention of bloodstream infection in patients colonized with vancomycin-resistant enterococci.