Ionophores in Society

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.

Amphotericin B

Amphotericin B is an antibiotic used to treat serious fungal infections.

http://www.drugs.com/pro/amphotericin-b.html

Beauvericin

Beauvericin is closely related to the enniatins. It is a potentially toxic agent 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.

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 10^5 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.