Antimycin A

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Antimycin A
Antimycin A.svg
CAS number 642-15-9 N
PubChem 14957
ChemSpider 14246 YesY
MeSH Antimycin+A
ChEBI CHEBI:22584 YesY
Jmol-3D images Image 1
Molecular formula C28H40N2O9
Molar mass 548.63 g/mol
Infobox references

Antimycins are a group of secondary metabolites produced by Streptomyces bacteria.[1]


It is the active ingredient in Fintrol, a chemical piscicide (fish poison) used in fisheries management and in the catfish industry.[2]

Mechanism of action[edit]

Antimycin A binds to the Qi site of cytochrome c reductase, thereby inhibiting the oxidation of ubiquinol in the electron transport chain of oxidative phosphorylation. The inhibition of this reaction disrupts the formation of the proton gradient across the inner membrane. The production of ATP is subsequently inhibited, as protons are unable to flow through the ATP synthase complex in the absence of a proton gradient. This inhibition also results in the formation of quantities of the toxic free radical superoxide.[3]

It has also been found to inhibit the cyclic electron flow within photosynthetic systems along the proposed ferredoxin quinone reductase pathway.[citation needed]

Fungus-growing attine ants have been shown to use antimycins - produced by symbiotic Streptomyces bacteria - in their fungiculture, to inhibit non-cultivar (i.e. pathogenic) fungi.[4] One research group studying these symbiotic Streptomyces bacteria recently identified the biosynthetic gene cluster for antimycins, which was unknown despite the compounds themselves being identified 60 years ago. Antimycins are synthesised by a hybrid polyketide synthase (PKS)/non-ribosomal peptide synthase (NRPS).[5]


  1. ^ Neft N, Farley TM (March 1972). "Conditions influencing antimycin production by a Streptomyces species grown in chemically defined medium". Antimicrob. Agents Chemother. 1 (3): 274–6. doi:10.1128/aac.1.3.274. PMC 444205. PMID 4558141. 
  2. ^ "Fintrol concentrate". PAN Pesticides Database - Pesticide Products. Retrieved 9 February 2010. 
  3. ^ Dairaku N, Kato K, Honda K, et al. (March 2004). "Oligomycin and antimycin A prevent nitric oxide–induced apoptosis by blocking cytochrome C leakage". J. Lab. Clin. Med. 143 (3): 143–51. doi:10.1016/j.lab.2003.11.003. PMID 15007303. 
  4. ^ Schoenian, I.; et al (2011). "Chemical basis of the synergism and antagonism in microbial communities in the nests of leaf-cutting ants". Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 108 (5): 1955–1960. doi:10.1073/pnas.1008441108. PMC 3033269. PMID 21245311. 
  5. ^ Seipke, R.F., Barke, J., Brearley, C., Hill, L., Yu, D.W., Goss, R.G. and Hutchings, M.I. (2011). A single Streptomyces mutualist makes multiple antifungals to support the fungus farming ant Acromyrmex octospinosus. PLoS ONE. In Press