Bacitracin is a polypeptide antibiotic against staphylococcal and pathogenic protozoa infections. Bacitracin inhibits cell wall biosynthesis and permeability through binding to the undecaprenyl pyrophosphate. Bacitracin is also a protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) inhibitor. Bacitracin inhibits macromolecular synthesis.
CAT No: R2240
CAS No:1405-87-4
Chemical Name:(4R)-4-[[(2S)-2-[[(4R)-2-[(1S,2S)-1-amino-2-methylbutyl]-4,5-dihydro-1,3-thiazole-4-carbonyl]amino]-4-methylpentanoyl]amino]-5-[[(2S,3S)-1-[[(3S,6R,9S,12R,15S,18R,21S)-3-(2-amino-2-oxoethyl)-18-(3-aminopropyl)-12-benzyl-15-[(2S)-butan-2-yl]-6-(carboxymethyl)-9-(1H-imidazol-5-ylmethyl)-2,5,8,11,14,17,20-heptaoxo-1,4,7,10,13,16,19-heptazacyclopentacos-21-yl]amino]-3-methyl-1-oxopentan-2-yl]amino]-5-oxopentanoic acid
Bacitracin is a well-characterized cyclic polypeptide antibiotic produced by strains of Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus licheniformis. Structurally, it consists of a complex mixture of related peptides, with its primary activity rooted in its ability to interfere with bacterial cell wall biosynthesis. Owing to its unique mode of action and robust inhibitory effect on Gram-positive bacteria, Bacitracin has become a valuable tool in biochemical research, microbiological assays, and industrial processes that require the selective suppression of microbial contaminants. Its biochemical properties and broad utility have established it as a staple compound in laboratories focused on bacterial physiology, enzymology, and antimicrobial resistance mechanisms.
Antibiotic selection in microbiology: In microbiological and molecular biology laboratories, Bacitracin is widely used as a selective agent in culture media to isolate and identify specific bacterial species. Its potent inhibition of peptidoglycan synthesis makes it particularly effective for the suppression of Gram-positive contaminants, allowing for the preferential growth of Gram-negative organisms or the differentiation of Bacitracin-sensitive and -resistant bacterial strains. This application is critical in diagnostic microbiology, where accurate identification and isolation of pathogenic bacteria are required for downstream analyses.
Enzyme inhibition studies: As a specific inhibitor of the dephosphorylation of bactoprenol pyrophosphate, Bacitracin serves as a valuable biochemical probe in studies of bacterial cell wall biosynthesis. Researchers employ it to dissect the enzymatic steps involved in peptidoglycan assembly, particularly the recycling of lipid carriers essential for cell wall formation. By selectively blocking this pathway, investigators can elucidate the molecular targets of cell wall-active agents and explore the mechanisms underlying bacterial resistance and adaptation.
Antimicrobial resistance research: Bacitracin is frequently utilized in experimental setups designed to investigate the genetic and biochemical basis of bacterial resistance. Its defined mechanism of action provides a robust platform for the selection and characterization of resistant mutants, facilitating studies on gene regulation, efflux pumps, and cell envelope modifications. Insights gained from such research contribute to a deeper understanding of resistance evolution and inform the development of next-generation antimicrobial strategies.
Quality control in industrial fermentation: In industrial biotechnology and fermentation processes, Bacitracin is occasionally incorporated into media to prevent contamination by unwanted Gram-positive bacteria. Its application ensures the integrity of large-scale microbial cultures used for the production of enzymes, metabolites, and recombinant proteins. By minimizing the risk of contamination, manufacturers can maintain consistent product yields and quality, which is particularly important in high-value bioprocessing operations.
Biochemical assay development: Bacitracin is also employed in the development of in vitro assays that monitor cell wall biosynthetic enzymes or evaluate the efficacy of novel antibacterial compounds. Its well-characterized inhibitory activity provides a reliable positive control for validating assay performance or benchmarking the potency of new chemical entities. Through such applications, Bacitracin supports the advancement of antimicrobial drug discovery and the optimization of screening platforms for enzyme inhibitors.
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