Kanamycin, a protein biosynthesis inhibitor, binds to 30S ribosomes to cause misreading of mRNA codes. If an enzyme that destroys kanamycin is produced in the bacteria, it can become a resistant strain. Plasmids resistant to kanamycin are often used as selection genes or marker genes in molecular cloning.

It can be used for oral and intravenous injection, and is effective against a variety of bacterial infections. It is isolated from Streptomyces kanamyceticus.

Foreign name: Kanamycin Chemical formula: C18H36N4O11 Molecular weight: 484.499 CAS Registry Number: 8063-07-8 EINECS accession number: 232-512-7 Boiling point: 809.5 ºC Flash point: 443.4 ºC Essential: a protein biosynthesis inhibitor Use: Used as a marker gene in molecular cloning