Valinomycin

Reactivity Profile

VALINOMYCIN is an amide. Amides/imides react with azo and diazo compounds to generate toxic gases. Flammable gases are formed by the reaction of organic amides/imides with strong reducing agents. Amides are very weak bases (weaker than water). Imides are less basic yet and in fact react with strong bases to form salts. That is, they can react as acids. Mixing amides with dehydrating agents such as P2O5 or SOCl2 generates the corresponding nitrile. The combustion of these compounds generates mixed oxides of nitrogen (NOx).

Health Hazard

VALINOMYCIN is highly toxic orally.

Fire Hazard

When heated to decomposition, VALINOMYCIN emits toxic fumes of nitrogen oxides.

Biological Activity

Selective K + ionophore (K 0.5 values are 48, 73, 75, 93 and 246 mM for K + , Rb + , Cs + , Na + and Li + respectively) that transports K + across biological and artificial lipid membranes. Inhibits Ca 2+ -ATPase activity and induces apoptosis through mitochondrial membrane depolarization, caspase-3 activation and phosphatidylserine translocation in vitro .

Biochem/physiol Actions

Valinomycin affects the ion transport behavior of mitochondrial systems.

in vitro

valinomycin caused substantial cho cells death within 12 h of treatment. several apoptotic events were identified in valinomycin-treated cho cells, including caspase-3 activation, phosphatidylserine (ps) membrane translocation, and mitochondrial membrane depolarization during the first few hours of treatment. k+ efflux was reduced by elevating extracellular k+ concentrations [2].

in vivo

valinomycin is irritant in the case of eye and skin contact. inhalation of valinomycin can cause breathing disturbances and even loss of conscious. lethal doses (ld50) for mouse and rabbit is 2.5 mg/kg and 5 mg/kg respectively. valinomycin also shows to provoke lots of chronic effects, including damage of the central and peripheral nervous system, eyes, lens and cornea [1].

Purification Methods

Recrystallise valinomycin from dibutyl ether or Et2O. It is dimorphic: modification A crystallises from n-octane, and modification B crystallises from EtOH/H2O. It is soluble in pet ether, CHCl3, AcOH, BuOAc and Me2CO. [Smith et al. J Am Chem Soc 97 7242 1975, UV, IR and NMR see Brocknmann & Schmidt-Kastner Chem Ber 88 57 1955, Beilstein 27 I 9728. 17 IV 9728.]

Definition

ChEBI: A twelve-membered cyclodepsipeptide composed of three repeating D-alpha-hydroxyisovaleryl-D-valyl-L-lactoyl-L-valyl units joined in sequence. An antibiotic found in severa Streptomyces strains.

General Description

Shiny crystalline solid. Used as an insecticide and nematocide. Not registered as a pesticide in the U.S.