Substance
ID:509
Names and Identifiers
Brand Name
BaciguentBaciimBacitracin Bacillus licheniformis
IUPAC Traditional name
bacitracin zinc
IUPAC name
(4R)-4-[(2S)-2-({2-[(1S)-1-amino-2-methylbutyl]-4,5-dihydro-1,3-thiazol-5-yl}formamido)-4-methylpentanamido]-4-{[(1S)-1-{[(3S,6R,9S,12R,15S,18R,21S)-18-(3-aminopropyl)-12-benzyl-15-(butan-2-yl)-3-(carbamoylmethyl)-6-(carboxymethyl)-9-(1H-imidazol-5-ylmethyl)-2,5,8,11,14,17,20-heptaoxo-1,4,7,10,13,16,19-heptaazacyclopentacosan-21-yl]carbamoyl}-2-methylbutyl]carbamoyl}butanoic acid
Synonyms
Bacitracin
Registration numbers
CAS Number
Properties
Physical Property
Solubility
Freely soluble
Hydrophobicity(logP)
-0.8
Molecule Details
Drug Groups
approved
Description
Bacitracin is a mixture of related cyclic polypeptides produced by organisms of the licheniformis group of Bacillus subtilis var Tracy. Its unique name derives from the fact that the bacillus producing it was first isolated in 1943 from a knee scrape from a girl named Margaret Tracy. As a toxic and difficult-to-use antibiotic, bacitracin doesn't work well orally. However, it is very effective topically.
Bacitracin is synthesised via the so-called nonribosomal peptide synthetases (NRPSs), which means that ribosomes are not involved in its synthesis.
Bacitracin is synthesised via the so-called nonribosomal peptide synthetases (NRPSs), which means that ribosomes are not involved in its synthesis.
Indication
For the treatment of infants with pneumonia and empyema caused by staphylococci shown to be susceptible to the drug. Also used in ointment form for topical treatment of a variety of localized skin and eye infections, as well as for the prevention of wound infections. Used against gram positive bacteria. Bacitracin is also used as an inhibitor of proteases and other enzymes.
However, specific activity of bactracin's inhibition of protein disulfide isomerase has been called into question.
However, specific activity of bactracin's inhibition of protein disulfide isomerase has been called into question.
Pharmacology
Bacitracin is a mixture of related cyclic polypeptides produced by organisms of the licheniformis group of Bacillus subtilis var Tracy. As a polypeptide, toxic, and difficult to use chemical, bacitracin doesn't work well orally, however is very effective topically. Bacitracin exerts pronounced antibacterial action in vitro against a variety of gram-positive and a few gram-negative organisms. However, among systemic diseases, only staphylococcal infections qualify for consideration of bacitracin therapy.
Toxicity
Oral, mouse: LD50 = >3750 mg/kg.
Affected Organisms
Enteric bacteria and other eubacteria
Absorption
Absorption of bacitracin following intramuscular injection is rapid and complete. Absorption from the gastrointestinal tract following oral administration is not appreciable. Absorption following topical application is negligible.
Elimination
The drug is excreted slowly by glomerular filtration.
References
•
Tay WM, Epperson JD, da Silva GF, Ming LJ: 1H NMR, mechanism, and mononuclear oxidative activity of the antibiotic metallopeptide bacitracin: the role of D-Glu-4, interaction with pyrophosphate moiety, DNA binding and cleavage, and bioactivity. J Am Chem Soc. 2010 Apr 28;132(16):5652-61.
[Pubmed]
•
Karala AR, Ruddock LW: Bacitracin is not a specific inhibitor of protein disulfide isomerase. FEBS J. 2010 Jun;277(11):2454-62. Epub 2010 Apr 30.
[Pubmed]
External Links
Molecular Spectra
No Data Available
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References
• Karala AR, Ruddock LW: Bacitracin is not a specific inhibitor of protein disulfide isomerase. FEBS J. 2010 Jun;277(11):2454-62. Epub 2010 Apr 30. Pubmed
• Tay WM, Epperson JD, da Silva GF, Ming LJ: 1H NMR, mechanism, and mononuclear oxidative activity of the antibiotic metallopeptide bacitracin: the role of D-Glu-4, interaction with pyrophosphate moiety, DNA binding and cleavage, and bioactivity. J Am Chem Soc. 2010 Apr 28;132(16):5652-61. Pubmed