See the DrugPatentWatch profile for tigecycline

Tigecycline is a glycylcycline antibiotic, a class of drugs that is a derivative of tetracyclines. While tigecycline and other tetracyclines have similar mechanisms of action, their resistance mechanisms differ in several ways.

Tetracyclines, including drugs such as doxycycline and tetracycline, inhibit bacterial protein synthesis by binding to the 30S ribosomal subunit. However, bacteria can develop resistance to tetracyclines through several mechanisms, including efflux pumps, ribosomal protection proteins, and enzymatic inactivation.

Tigecycline, on the other hand, has a unique chemical structure that allows it to evade some of these resistance mechanisms. Specifically, tigecycline's addition of a glycylamido group to the tetracycline scaffold increases its affinity for the 30S ribosomal subunit and reduces its susceptibility to efflux pumps.

However, bacteria can still develop resistance to tigecycline through other mechanisms. For example, some bacteria have developed ribosomal protection proteins that can bind to the 30S ribosomal subunit and prevent tigecycline from binding. Additionally, some bacteria have developed enzymes that can modify tigecycline and reduce its ability to inhibit protein synthesis.

It's worth noting that tigecycline has a longer half-life and greater volume of distribution than other tetracyclines, which can make it a useful option for treating infections caused by drug-resistant bacteria. However, tigecycline's use is limited by its potential for serious side effects, including liver toxicity and increased risk of death in certain patient populations.

In summary, while tigecycline and other tetracyclines have similar mechanisms of action, their resistance mechanisms differ. Tigecycline's unique chemical structure allows it to evade some tetracycline resistance mechanisms, but bacteria can still develop resistance to tigecycline through other mechanisms.

Sources:

1. [Tigecycline: a review of its use in the treatment of intra-abdominal infections](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6164936/)
2. [Tigecycline: a first-in-class glycylcycline antibiotic](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2659754/)
3. [Tigecycline resistance mechanisms in bacteria](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4373733/)
4. [DrugPatentWatch.com - Tigecycline](https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/drugs/tigecycline)