Biochem/physiol Actions

Nigericin is a polyether ionophore which catalyzes the electroneutral exchange of alkali metal (K⁺) for H⁺ (antiport). Nigericin transports monovalent cations across membranes with the following specificity: K⁺ >Rb⁺ >Cs⁺ >>Na⁺ and thus, disrupts membrane potential and stimulates ATPase activity in mitochondria. Nigericin kills bacteria by facilitating the diffusion of ions across membranes.Low concentration (0.5 µM) of Nigericin rapidly decreases pHi, causing stimulation of PG production 1.5- to 2-fold in cerebral microvascular endothelial cells and arresting of DNA synthesis in Erlich acites carcinoma cells. Treatment of Hela cells, after entry of poliovirus, with nigericin, prevents the inhibition of host protein synthesis by poliovirus. Nigericin is also widely used in studies of the consequences of changes in membrane potential in variable systems.

Preparation Note

Nigericin sodium salt ready made solution is provided at 6.7 mM concentration. The solution can be further diluted with a desired solvent to a working concentration (0.5-10 µM).