Oleandomycin is a classic macrolide antibiotic produced by strains of Streptomyces that demonstrates antimicrobial activity similar to penicillin and erythromycin. Structurally, it consists of a macrocyclic lactone ring of 14 carbon atoms with one sugar, oleandrose, and one amino sugar, desoxamine, attached to the lactone ring. The mechanism of its biosynthesis and development of resistance to its antibiotic activity have been studied in order to understand the reactive enzymes in these processes.
