[Interaction of tobramycin and its derivatives with mitochondria in vitro]

Tobramycin modified with fluorescamin yields fluorescent derivatives with a gradually changed structure and charge composition. Interactions of these drugs with mitochondria were investigated on the basis of the measurement of their inhibitory effect on the respiration (consumption of O2) of the isolated mitochondria. The results were compared with the effects of the original antibiotic agent. The use of the method of fluorescence polarization made it possible to determine the character of interactions. The procedure is a model experiment with possible wider use.