The tunicamycins are a family of lipophilic nucleosides with fatty acids conjugated to an aminoglycoside group. The complex comprises the analogues, tunicamycins I to X. This composition is typical of other products less precisely described as tunicamycins A to D. The tunicamycins act by blocking the formation of N-glycoside linkages to proteins via inhibition of formation of dolichol monophosphate from N-acetylglucosamine-1-phosphate. Tunicamycins are broadly active against prokaryotes, eukaryotes and viruses.
Tunicamycin is soluble in ethanol, methanol, DMF or DMSO. Poor water solubility.
Tunicamycin is soluble in ethanol, methanol, DMF or DMSO. Poor water solubility.
| Mechanism of Action | Tunicamycin blocks the synthesis of all N-linked glycoproteins (N-glycans) and causes cell cycle arrest in G1 phase. |
| Molecular Formula | C38H62N4O16 (for IV) |
| References | Relationship of the structure and biological activity of the natural homologues of tunicamycin. Duskin D. & Mahoney W.C. J Biol Chem. 1982, 257, 3105. |