Which drug class is known for inhibiting protein synthesis in bacteria and is indicated for conditions like acne and Lyme disease?

Tetracyclines are a class of antibiotics that inhibit bacterial protein synthesis by binding to the ribosomal subunit. This mechanism makes them effective against a broad spectrum of bacteria. Consequently, they are commonly used to treat various infections, including acne and Lyme disease. The ability to disrupt protein synthesis is pivotal, as proteins are essential for bacteria's growth and reproduction, thereby controlling the infection.

In the treatment of acne, tetracyclines can reduce the population of acne-causing bacteria on the skin and decrease inflammation. For Lyme disease, which is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi transmitted through tick bites, tetracyclines like doxycycline are often the first line of treatment due to their efficacy against this particular pathogen.

The other classes of antibiotics mentioned have different mechanisms of action. Macrolides also inhibit protein synthesis but are less commonly used for acne and Lyme disease. Fluoroquinolones act primarily by inhibiting bacterial DNA synthesis, while aminoglycosides disrupt protein synthesis as well, but they have a more narrow range of applications and are generally not used for conditions like acne and Lyme disease in standard practice. This specific application of tetracyclines makes them the most suitable choice in the context of the question