macrolide

macrolide /mac·ro·lide/ (mak´ro-lid)

1. a compound characterized by a large lactone ring with multiple keto and hydroxyl groups.

2. any of a group of antibiotics containing this ring linked to one or more sugars, produced by certain species of Streptomyces.

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mac·ro·lide (mkr-ld)

n.

A class of antibiotics that are produced by a species of Streptomyces, are characterized by a large lactone ring linked to one or more sugars, and act by inhibiting protein synthesis.

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macrolide

as in antibiotic; any antibiotic with molecules having many-membered lactone rings, e.g. erythromycin, spiramycin, tylosin.