Abstract
A major contribution of the resistance-nodulation-cell division (RND)-transporter AcrB to resistance to oxazolidinones and pleuromutilin derivatives in Escherichia coli was confirmed. However, we discovered significant differences in efflux inhibitor activities, specificities of the homologous pump YhiV (MdtF), and the impact of AcrB pathway mutations. Particularly, entrance channel double-mutation I38F I671T and distal binding pocket mutation F615A revealed class-specific transport routes of oxazolidinones and pleuromutilin derivatives. The findings could contribute to the understanding of the RND-type multidrug transport pathways.