AG Scientific is a leading supplier of high-quality ionophores, such as Valinomycin to the in vitro diagnostic (IVD) and medical device industries.

What is Valinomycin?

It is a polymer in ringed form, which increases the permeability of K +. It is an ionophore that is capable of transporting potassium ions through the cell membrane. This ionophore is highly selective for potassium ions over sodium ions.

Origin

It comes from an antibiotic cyclododecadepsipeptide ionophore produced by Streptomyces fulvissimus and related to the enniatins. It consists of 3 moles, each with L-valine, D-alpha-hydroxy isovaleric acid, D-valine and L-lactic acid linked alternately to form a 36-member ring.

Chemical Structure

The structure of valinomycin has twelve alternating amino acids and esters that are essential for the binding of metal ions, and also for solvation in the polar solvent. The isopropyl and methyl groups are responsible for solvation in nonpolar solvents.

Applications

• Potent agent against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) in infected Vero E6 cells
• Used in experiments with membrane vesicles to create the electrochemical gradient
• Used as a nonmetallic isoforming agent in potassium selective electrodes (potassium specific transporter)
• Active in vitro against Mycobacterium tuberculosis
• Can be used to induce apoptosis

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Mechanism of Action

K+ ions bind to valinomycin and echangeges across the membrane. In the absence of a K+ specific ionophore like valinomycin, K+ solely seldom crosses a lipid bilayer. In the presence of valinomycin, K+ is freely permeable.

Valinomycin at AG Scientific, Inc.

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Chemical Specifications

Solubility

Insoluble in water but soluble in the following forms:

• Methanol
• Ethanol
• Hexane
• DMSO

Storage & Stability

When handling Valinomycin avoid dust formation, contact with skin and eyes. Properly keep containers labeled when storing at -20°C. Valinomycin is stable under normal conditions.

Safety Measures & Handling

If skin comes in contact make sure to wash immediately with plenty of water. If it comes in contact thru the eyes, make sure to rinse under the eyelids for 15 minutes with water. If inhaled make sure to move to fresh air. Call a physician immediately. If a spill occurs make sure to use personal protective equipment to clean up.

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Accidental Release Measures

Use personal protective equipment (Personal precautions), Soak up with inert absorbent material (Methods for cleaning up)

Interested in research conducted using AG Scientific’s Valinomycin? Check out our citations!

• Paper-based potentiometric ion sensing
• Vibrational excitons in ionophores: experimental probes for quantum coherence-assisted ion transport and selectivity in ion channels
• Directed evolution of P-glycoprotein cysteines reveals site-specific, non-conservative substitutions that preserve multidrug resistance

SOURCES

• Junge, W, and R Schmid. “The Mechanism of Action of Valinomycin on the Thylakoid Membrane: Characterization of the Electric Current Density.” The Journal of Membrane Biology, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Dec. 1971, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24174238.
• Stillwell, William. “Valinomycin.” Valinomycin - an Overview | ScienceDirect Topics, 2016, www.sciencedirect.com/topics/biochemistry-genetics-and-molecular-biology/valinomycin