SKU: T043  / 
    CAS Number: 1404-88-2

    Tyrothricin

    $204.33

    Tyrothricin is a large cyclic polypeptide antibiotic isolated from Brevibacillus brevis in 1939.  The name Tyrothricin is derived from Tyrothrix, a name first used by Duclaux to designate sporulating aerobic bacteria. Tyrothricin is composed of a mixture of tyrocidine and gramicidin, which are short polypeptides with antimicrobial activity.  The complex is a mixture comprised of 60% Tyrocidine and 40% gramicidins.  Tyrocidine  is composed of non-ribosomally produced cationic cyclic decapeptides (the six predominant tyrocidines are TrcA/A1, TrcB/B1, TrcC/C1) and adopts a β-sheet structure with both L and D amino acids. Gramicidins adopt similar B-sheet structures, and are neutral linear, with valine-Gramicidin A often the major component.  Tyrothricin is soluble in alcohol and insoluble in water.  

    Mechanism of Action Tyrothricin targets and inserts into the Gram-positive membrane where it disrupts normal permeability leading to cell death, but the exact mechanism is unclear.  Tyrocidines appear to act as reversible inhibitors of acetylcholinesterase and β-galactosidase.  
    Spectrum Tyrothricin is effective against Gram-positive bacteria, fungi, and some viruses.  It has bacteriocidal activity. The antifungal activity is dictated by the primary sequence of the tyrocidine.
    Molecular Formula C65H85N11O13
    Microbiology Applications An interesting property of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) is that even in vitro, it is nearly impossible to induce resistance.  However, there are toxicity concerns, as the components of Tyrothricin can disrupt the eukaryotic cell membranes at high concentrations resulting in toxicity.  
    References

    Farmer SW et al (1996)  Gramicidin S is active against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Int. J. Peptide and Protein Res. 47(6):460-466

    Hotchkiss RD and Dubox RJ (1940)  Bactericidal fractions from an aerobic sporulating bacillus.  J. Biol. Chem. 136(3):803-804

    Stauss-Grabo M, Atiye S, Le T, Kretschmar M (2014)  Decade-long use of the antimicrobial peptide combination Tyrothricin does not pose a major risk of acquired resistance with Gram-positive bacteria and Candida spp. Pharmazie. 69(11):838-841  PMID 25985581

    Vosloo JA, Stander MA, Leussa AN, Spathelf BM, Rautenbach M (2013)  Manipulation of the Tyrothricin production profile of Bacillus aneurinolyticus. Microbiology (Reading). 159(Pt 10):2200-2211  PMID 23963303