[Molecular aspects of aminoglycoside nephrotoxicity]

Abstract

Aminoglycosides are potent bactericidal antibiotics particularly active against aerobic Gram-negative bacteria. This review focuses on the recent concept of a molecular understanding of aminoglycoside-induced nephrotoxicity. As receptor-mediated endocytosis plays an important role in the accumulation of aminoglycosides in renal proximal tubules, the biochemical properties of the two main receptors, megalin and cubilin, involved in this process are described. Literature data on megalin and acidic phospholipids as potential targets for preventing aminoglycoside-induced nephrotoxicity are also presented.