Macbecin Explained

Macbecins are a pair of chemical compounds in the ansamycin family of antibiotics. They are designated macbecin I and macbecin II and they were first isolated from actinomycete bacteria.^{[1] [2]} Macbecin possesses antitumor properties. In vitro studies have shown that macbecins are effective in the eradication of Gram-positive bacteria, fungi, and protozoa including Tetrahymena pyriformis.

Structure

Macbecins have an unusual macrocyclic lactam structure. The two variants, macbecin I and II, correspond to the oxidized 1,4-benzoquinone and reduced hydroquinone, respectively.^[2]

Mechanism of action

Macbecins mechanism of action is in part due to heat shock protein Hsp90 protein inhibition.^[3]

Notes and References

1. Tanida S, Hasegawa T, Higashide E . Macbecins I and II, new antitumor antibiotics. I. Producing organism, fermentation and antimicrobial activities . J. Antibiot. . 33 . 2 . 199–204 . February 1980 . 7380729 . 10.7164/antibiotics.33.199. free .
2. Muroi M, Izawa M, Kosai Y, Asai M . Macbecins I and II, new antitumor antibiotics. II. Isolation and characterization . J. Antibiot. . 33 . 2 . 205–12 . February 1980 . 7380730 . 10.7164/antibiotics.33.205. free .
3. Bohen SP . Genetic and Biochemical Analysis of p23 and Ansamycin Antibiotics in the Function of Hsp90-Dependent Signaling Proteins . Mol. Cell. Biol. . 18 . 6 . 3330–9 . June 1998 . 9584173 . 108914 . 10.1128/MCB.18.6.3330.