Mayamycin

Mayamycin is a polyketide antibiotic that is produced by the bacterium Streptomyces hygroscopicus subsp. jinggangensis 5008. It is a member of the [[benz[a]anthracene]] class of antibiotics, which are known for their potent antibacterial and antifungal activities.

Structure and Biosynthesis

Mayamycin is a tetracyclic compound that is structurally related to the anthracycline antibiotics. Its biosynthesis involves a type II polyketide synthase (PKS) pathway, which is a common pathway for the production of many complex polyketide antibiotics. The PKS pathway involves the sequential addition of acetate or propionate units to a growing polyketide chain, followed by various modifications such as cyclization, oxidation, and glycosylation.

Biological Activity

Mayamycin exhibits potent antibacterial activity against a wide range of Gram-positive bacteria, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant Enterococci (VRE). It also shows antifungal activity against various yeast and mold species. The mechanism of action of mayamycin is thought to involve the inhibition of DNA synthesis by intercalating into the DNA double helix, similar to other anthracycline antibiotics.

Clinical Use

Despite its potent antibacterial and antifungal activities, mayamycin is not currently used in clinical practice due to its high toxicity. However, it is a valuable tool in biomedical research for studying the mechanisms of antibiotic resistance and the biosynthesis of complex polyketides.

See Also

• Polyketide synthase
• Anthracycline
• Antibiotic resistance