Bacitracin

- Overview
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    Background
    
    Bacitracin prevents phosphorylation of bactoprenol, a transport protein which carries peptidoglycan components outside the cell membrane. Without the active phosphorylated bactoprenol, peptidoglycan synthesis cannot be completed and the cell lyses. Resistance to Bacitracin is understood to involve two mechanisms: A protein transporter (BcrABC) which pumps bacitracin out of the cell after it has entered, and via another protein (BacA) which provides the active phosphorylated bactoprenol from a different synthetic pathway.
- Properties
  - CAS Number
    
    1405-87-4
    
    Molecular Formula
    
    C66H103N17O16S
    
    Molecular Weight
    
    1422.69
    
    Appearance
    
    White to pale buff powder
    
    Solubility
    
    Freely soluble in aqueous solution
    
    Other Properties
    
    Source: Bacillus subtilis and B. licheniformis
    PH: 5.5-7.5
    Loss on Drying: ≤5.0%
    
    Storage
    
    2-8 °C
    
    * For research use only
- Applications
  - Application Description
    
    Spectrum: Bacitracin inhibits cell wall synthesis in Gram-positive bacteria including Streptococcus pyogenes and Staphylococcus aureus. Representative MIC values include: Staphylococcus aureus 2µg/mL - >32 µg/mL Streptococcus agalactiae >16 µg/mL (Group B) Microbiology Applications: Bacitracin is a useful tool to differentiate between ß-hemolytic, group A Streptococci (Streptococcus pyogenes) and ß-hemolytic Streptocococci of other groups. Bacitracin can be used as a supplement in chocolate agar to facilitate the isolation of Haemophilus influenzae. Bacitracin can be used to study the regulatory network in B. subtilis. By systematically analyzing the Bacitracin stimulon, authors can pinpoint the loci induced by Bacitracin (Mascher et al 2003).
    
    Plant Biology Applications: Tobacco hairy roots and cell suspensions were used in plant transformation studies to produce full length murine IgG1 monoclonal antibody. Bacitracin has been shown to prevent degradation of peptides and hormones in plant systems. Treatment with Bacitracin was not sufficient to prevent loss of antibody from the cultures, but improved the growth rates by up to 53% (Sharp and Doran, 1999).