Which class of antibiotics do -mycins belong to?

The correct classification of -mycins is as macrolides. Macrolides are a class of antibiotics that include well-known medications such as erythromycin, azithromycin, and clarithromycin. These antibiotics are characterized by their structure, which consists of a large macrocyclic lactone ring. They inhibit bacterial protein synthesis by binding to the 50S subunit of the ribosome.

Understanding this classification is important as it helps in determining the appropriate treatment for bacterial infections, since macrolides are often used to treat respiratory tract infections, skin infections, and certain sexually transmitted diseases, among others. The naming convention of -mycins, which you see in macrolides, differentiates them from other classes of antibiotics that serve different purposes and have distinct mechanisms of action.