Growth inhibition dependent on reactive oxygen species generated by C9-UK-2A, a derivative of the antifungal antibiotic UK-2A, in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

UK-2A is a potent antifungal antibiotic and its structure is highly similar to that of antimycin A3 (AA). UK-2A and AA inhibit mitochondrial electron transport at complex III. C9-UK-2A, which has been prepared to improve the duration of the antifungal activity of UK-2A, shows durable fungicidal activities against various species of fungi and induces both membrane injury and the generation of cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) against Rhodotorula mucilaginosa IFO 0001 cells.

Expression and induction of CYP4F subfamily in human leukocytes and HL60 cells.

We investigated the expression of the CYP4F subfamily in human leukocytes and HL60 cells. Enzymatic activity assay, immunocytochemical staining, and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis of human leukocytes showed that polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) expressed CYP4F3B and CYP4F12 in addition to CYP4F3. Transcription start site of CYP4F3B mRNA in the leukocytes was identical to that of CYP4F3 mRNA.

UK-2A, B, C, and D, novel antifungal antibiotics from Streptomyces sp. 517-02 VII. Membrane injury induced by C9-UK-2A, a derivative of UK-2A, in Rhodotorula mucilaginosa IFO 0001.

UK-2A is a potent antifungal antibiotic and its structure is highly similar to that of antimycin A3 (AA). UK-2A and AA inhibit mitochondrial electron transport at complex III. However, the antifungal activities of UK-2A and AA disappear after 48-hour treatment.