Nigericin sodium salt

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Background

Nigericin sodium salt is an ionophore that exchanges K+ for H+ across biological membranes.
Ionophore is a lipid-soluble molecule that transports ions across the cell membrane.
In medium with Na+, nigericin scarcely affected ADP-induced platelets aggregation, and slightly inhibited thrombin-induced platelets aggregation. Also, nigericin decreased the cytoplasmic pH in the medium with Na+. The effects of nigericin on platelet aggregation are mainly due to its effects on the cytoplasmic pH [1]. The K+ ionophore nigericin is highly effective as an ionophore for Pb2+. Physiological concentrations of Ca2+ or Mg2+ didn’t inhibit nigericin-catalyzed Pb2+ transport, while K+ and Na+ concentrations (0-100 mM) modestly affected Pb2+ transport. Nigericin may be helpful in the treatment of Pb intoxication [2]. At two concentrations representing the low (5uM) and high ATP (1.5mM) ranges, Nigericin inhibited the ATP-driven transhydrogenase reaction at both ranges with a more pronounced effect on the low ATP concentration. At a concentration of 2.5 mM ATP, nigericin tripled the Oxonol response [3].

Reference:
[1]. Kitagawa S, Awai M, Kametani F. Relationship of the effects of nigericin on the aggregation and cytoplasmic pH of bovine platelets in the presence of different cations. Biochim Biophys Acta, 1987, 930(1): 48-54.
[2]. Hamidinia SA, Tan B, Erdahl WL, et al. The ionophore nigericin transports Pb2+ with high activity and selectivity: a comparison to monensin and ionomycin. Biochemistry, 2004, 43(50): 15956-15965.
[3]. Eytan GD, Carlenor E, Rydstr m J. Energy-linked transhydrogenase. Effects of valinomycin and nigericin on the ATP-driven transhydrogenase reaction catalyzed by reconstituted transhydrogenase-ATPase vesicles. J Biol Chem, 1990, 265(22): 12949-12954.