Steinberg D A, Bernan V S, Montenegro D A, Abbanat D R, Pearce C J, Korshalla J D, Jacobus N V, Petersen P J, Mroczenski-Wildey M J, Maiese W M
Natural Products Research Section, American Cyanamid Company, Pearl River, New York.
J Antibiot (Tokyo). 1994 Aug;47(8):887-93. doi: 10.7164/antibiotics.47.887.
The new glycothiohexide antibiotics, which are related to nosiheptide, were identified in fermentations of an actinomycete belonging to the genus "Sebekia". Strain LL-14E605 was classified as a "Sebekia" based on the presence of both mesodiaminopimelic acid and madurose in the cell wall and the presence of pseudosporangia encasing the spores. Culture LL-14E605 was successfully fermented in 10 to 3,000 liters of a complex medium. Antibiotic activity closely followed cell mass accumulation and usually peaked after 4 to 5 days of incubation. Glycothiohexide alpha demonstrated excellent in vitro activity against Gram-positive bacteria with MICs of 0.03 to 0.06 microgram/ml against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecalis. However, glycothiohexide alpha failed to protect mice against a lethal challenge with Staphylococcus aureus Smith unless it was administered prior to challenge.
