Application

Myxothiazol has been used as a complex IIIQo inhibitor in C. elegans cultures⁵. It has also been used to analyze mitochondrial oxygen transport in rat cells⁶.

Myxothiazol has been used in as a mitochondrial electron transport chain (mETC) inhibitor in P19 murine embryonal carcinoma pluripotent cell line and to treat HeLa cells for integrated stress response activation.

Biochem/physiol Actions

Myxothiazol, an antibiotic with activity against fungi and insects, is a strong inhibitor of mitochondrial cytochrome b/c₁-segment of respiratory chain. Myxothiazol binds to the quinol oxidation (Qo) site of the bc1 complex, blocking electron transfer to the Rieske iron-sulfur protein in the mitochondrial respiratory chain. Oxygen consumption blockage leads to a cytostatic effect that could be reversed. Myxothiazol, as other Epothilones, which are known for their anti tumor activity, contains a thiazole ring that is formed by the incorporation of cysteine into the polyketide backbone.

Preparation Note

Myxothiazol dissolves in chloroform at 9.80 - 10.20 mg/ml to yield a clear, colorless to yellow solution. It is also soluble in DMSO, acetone, dichloromethane, ethanol, ethyl acetate and methanol.