Nikkomycin

Nikkomycin is a polyoxin-related antifungal antibiotic that is derived from Streptomyces tendae. It is a chitin synthase inhibitor that is primarily used in the treatment of systemic fungal infections.

Chemistry

Nikkomycin is a nucleoside peptide antibiotic that consists of a pyrimidine and a hexapeptide. The pyrimidine moiety is responsible for the inhibition of chitin synthase, while the hexapeptide moiety is responsible for the transport of the molecule into the fungal cell.

Mechanism of Action

Nikkomycin inhibits the enzyme chitin synthase, which is responsible for the synthesis of chitin, a key component of the fungal cell wall. By inhibiting this enzyme, nikkomycin disrupts the integrity of the fungal cell wall, leading to cell lysis and death.

Clinical Use

Nikkomycin is used in the treatment of systemic fungal infections caused by Candida species, Aspergillus species, and Cryptococcus neoformans. It is also used in the treatment of chromoblastomycosis, a chronic fungal infection of the skin and subcutaneous tissue.

Side Effects

Common side effects of nikkomycin include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. Rare but serious side effects include anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction, and neutropenia, a decrease in the number of white blood cells.

See Also

• Polyoxin
• Chitin synthase
• Fungal cell wall
• Systemic fungal infection
• Chromoblastomycosis