Difference between revisions of "Ionophores in Society"
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Amphotericin B is an antibiotic used to treat serious fungal infections. It forms ion channels in the fungal cell membrane with the assistance of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ergosterol ergosterol] which is a naturally occurring lipid in fungal membranes. | Amphotericin B is an antibiotic used to treat serious fungal infections. It forms ion channels in the fungal cell membrane with the assistance of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ergosterol ergosterol] which is a naturally occurring lipid in fungal membranes. | ||
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+ | It is similar in action to Nystatin. | ||
http://www.drugs.com/pro/amphotericin-b.html | http://www.drugs.com/pro/amphotericin-b.html | ||
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=== Nystatin A1 === | === Nystatin A1 === | ||
− | Nystatin is an antifungal antibiotic often prescribed for the treatment of Candida infections. It forms ion channels in the fungal cell membrane with the assistance of ergosterol which is a naturally occurring lipid in fungal membranes. | + | Nystatin is an antifungal antibiotic often prescribed for the treatment of Candida infections. It forms ion channels in the fungal cell membrane with the assistance of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ergosterol ergosterol] which is a naturally occurring lipid in fungal membranes. |
+ | |||
+ | It is similar in action to Amphotericin B. | ||
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nystatin | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nystatin |
Revision as of 15:02, 24 July 2013
Ionophores are not only chemically interesting in their own right but have important medical and economic roles in our society.
A selection of ionophores for study in chemistry courses for pre-med, vet, biochemistry, and other science students is presented below.
The ion transport ability of these ionophores can be easily studied using tethtered membrane technology.
Contents
Amphotericin B
Amphotericin B is an antibiotic used to treat serious fungal infections. It forms ion channels in the fungal cell membrane with the assistance of ergosterol which is a naturally occurring lipid in fungal membranes.
It is similar in action to Nystatin.
http://www.drugs.com/pro/amphotericin-b.html
Beauvericin
Beauvericin is closely related to the enniatins. It is a potentially toxic agent found in grain crops affected by fungus.
http://aem.asm.org/content/68/1/82.full
Gramicidin
Available from Sigma-Aldrich and many other suppliers. Often regarded as the archetypal ion channel despite its unusual dimer arrangement in the cell membrane. It was also one of the first commercially available antibiotics.
Gramicidin is usually sold as a mixture of related linear polypeptides. The main component is Gramicidin A. It is used as a topical antibiotic.
Gramicidin S is an unusual macrocyclic variant.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gramicidin
Enniatin complex
Enniatins are produced by fungal species that commonly infect wheat and other grains. High levels are potentially toxic.
http://toxinology.nilu.no/Researchareas/Fungaltoxins/Factsheets/Enniatins/tabid/4536/Default.aspx
Lasalocid monosodium salt
Used as an antibiotic for control of coccidiosis, a protozoan parasite of poultry and livestock.
Maduramicin
Used as an antibiotic for control of coccidiosis, a protozoan parasite of poultry and livestock.
Monensin A
Monensin is used in the livestock industry as a food supplement, where it can alter the gut flora (bacteria populations) of the animal so that animal growth rates are improved.
http://www.bioagrimix.com/haccp/html/ionophores.html
Narasin sodium salt
Narasin is a derivative of salinomycin, and has similar properties.
Nystatin A1
Nystatin is an antifungal antibiotic often prescribed for the treatment of Candida infections. It forms ion channels in the fungal cell membrane with the assistance of ergosterol which is a naturally occurring lipid in fungal membranes.
It is similar in action to Amphotericin B.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nystatin
Salinomycin sodium salt
Salinomycin is used in the livestock industry as a food supplement, where it can alter the gut flora (bacteria populations) of the animal so that animal growth rates are improved.
It is also being investigated as an anti-cancer agent.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salinomycin
http://www.bioagrimix.com/haccp/html/ionophores.html
http://www.merck-animal-health-usa.com/binaries/intp1069_SACOX_tcm96-86731.pdf
Valinomycin
Valinomycin is historically one of the best known ionophores for its 105 fold selectivity for potassium over sodium ions. It is being investigated as an antibiotic.
It is used in the manufacture of potassium ion selective electrodes.