Polymyxin B

Polymyxin B

Systematic (IUPAC) name
N-[4-amino-1-[[1-[[4-amino-1-oxo-1-[[6,9,18-tris(2-aminoethyl)-15-benzyl-3-(1-hydroxyethyl)-12-(2-methylpropyl)-2,5,8,11,14,17,20-heptaoxo-1,4,7,10,13,16,19-heptazacyclotricos-21-yl]amino]butan-2-yl]amino]-3-hydroxy-1-oxobutan-2-yl]amino]-1-oxobutan-2-yl]-6-methyloctanamide
Clinical data
AHFS/Drugs.com	International Drug Names
Pregnancy category	C
Legal status	OTC
Routes of administration	Topical, Intramuscular, Intravenous, Intrathecal, or Ophthalmic
Identifiers
CAS Number	1405-20-5 Y
ATC code	A07AA05 (WHO) J01XB02 S01AA18 S02AA11 S03AA03 QJ51XB02 (WHO)
PubChem	CID: 5702105
DrugBank	DB00781 N
ChEMBL	CHEMBL1201283 N
NIAID ChemDB	007797
Chemical data
Formula	C56H100N16O17S
Molecular mass	1301.56 g/mol
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Polymyxin B is an antibiotic primarily used for resistant Gram-negative infections. It is derived from the bacterium Bacillus polymyxa. Polymyxin B is composed of a number of related compounds (see "Mixture composition"). It has a bactericidal action against almost all Gram-negative bacilli except the Proteus and Neisseria genera. Polymyxins bind to the cell membrane and alter its structure, making it more permeable. The resulting water uptake leads to cell death. Polymyxins are cationic, basic peptides that act like detergents (surfactants). Side effects include neurotoxicity and acute renal tubular necrosis. Polymyxins are used in the topical first-aid preparation Neosporin.

1. Family of polypeptides with attached fatty acid; cationic detergent at physiological pH, both hydrophilic and hydrophobic properties
2. Bactericidal for gram-negative; little to no effect on gram-positive, since cell wall is too thick to permit access to membrane

Mechanism of action

1. Alters bacterial outer membrane permeability by binding to a negatively charged site in the lipopolysaccharide layer, which has an electrostatic attraction for the positively charged amino groups in the cyclic peptide portion (this site normally is a binding site for calcium and magnesium counter ions); the result is a destabilized outer membrane
2. Fatty acid portion dissolves in hydrophobic region of cytoplasmic membrane and disrupts membrane integrity
3. Leakage of cellular molecules, inhibition of cellular respiration
4. Binds and inactivates endotoxin
5. Relative absence of selective toxicity: nonspecific for cell membranes of any type, highly toxic.

Mixture composition

Polymyxin B is composed of polymyxins B1, B1-I, B2, B3, and B6. Polymyxins B1 and B2 are considered major components. These related components are structurally identical with the exception of a variable fatty acid group on each fraction. Results from in vitro studies have shown marginal differences in MIC data when comparing the fractions.

Research application

In addition to its antibiotic function, polymyxin B has been used to clear endotoxin contamination in reagents. Polymyxin B is also used to induce envelope stress in order to study the organisms response to such stress. Polymyxin envelope stress assays such as this have been used for the study of sRNA responses in Salmonella enterica.

Endotoxin adsorption cartridge

An endotoxin removal cartridge (Toraymyxin) is a blood purification medical device and it uses polymyxin B as immobilized adsorbent. Toray Industries developed the treatment.

Spectrum of susceptibility

Polymyxin B has been used to treat urinary tract infections and meningitis caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Haemophilus influenzae, respectively. The following represents MIC susceptibility data for a few medically significant microorganisms.

• Haemophilus influeznae: ≥0.8 μg/ml
• Pseudomonas aeruginosa: 0.25 μg/ml - 1 μg/ml

See also

• Polymyxin
• Neosporin