Blasticidin A is a high molecular weight tetramic acid isolated from S. resistomycificus in 1955. It has broad-spectrum antifungal and antibacterial activity. Like many tetramic acids, Blasticidin A is isolated as the stable calcium salt/complex. Blasticidin A and closely related Aflastatin A are specific inhibitors of the production of the aflatoxin produced by the fungus Aspergillus parasiticus.
Blasticidin A is soluble in DMF, DMSO and methanol and is moderately soluble in water and ethanol.
| Mechanism of Action | Blasticidin A inhibits aflatoxin production by Aspergillus parasiticus. It also decreases ribosomal protein levels and inhibits protein synthesis in S. cerevisiae. |
| Microbiology Applications | Blasticidin A has antifungal and antibacterial activity. It inhibits aflatoxin production in Aspergillus parasiticus without affecting fungal growth. |
| Solubility | soluble in DMF, DMSO and methanol and is moderately soluble in water and ethanol. |
| References | Fukunaga K et al (1955) Blasticidin, a new anti-phytopathogenic fungal substance. Part I. Bull. Agr. Chem. Soc. Jpn. 19(3): 181-188 Sakuda S et al (2000) Blasticidin A as an inhibitor of aflatoxin production by Aspergillus parasiticus. J. Antibiot. (Tokyo) 53 (11): 1265-1271 PMID 11213287 Yoshinari T et al (2010) Inhibitory activity of Blasticidin A, a strong aflatoxin production inhibitor, on protein synthesis of yeast: Selective inhibition of aflatoxin production by protein synthesis inhibitors J. Antibiot. (Tokyo) 63(6): 309-314 PMID 20414321 |
