Description
CAS : 28643-80-3
Molecular Formula : C40H68O11
Molecular Weight : 724.96132
Product description :
Nigericin is an antibiotic derived from Streptomyces hygroscopicus. Its isolation was described in the 1950s[1] but in 1968 the structure could be elucidated by X-ray crystallography.[2] The structure and properties of nigericin are similar to the antibiotic monensin. Commercially it is obtained as a byproduct, or contaminant, at the fermentation of Geldanamycin. It is also called Polyetherin A, Azalomycin M, Helixin C, Antibiotic K178, Antibiotic X-464.
Nigericin acts as an H+, K+, Pb2+ ionophore. Most commonly it is an antiporter of H+ and K+.
In the past nigericin was used as an antibiotic active against gram positive bacteria. It inhibits the Golgi functions in Eukaryotic cells. Nigericin exhibits anti-HIV activity.