Biochem/physiol Actions
Salinomycin is a monocarboxylic polyether antibiotic with unique tricyclic spiroketal ring systems and an unsaturated six-membered ring in the molecule. Salinomycin has antimicrobial and anticoccidial activities. It is an alkali ion carrier with affinity for cations and preference for K+ over other monovalent and divalent cations. Polyether antibiotics (also called carboxylic ionophores) facilitate bidirectional ion flux through the lipid barrier of membranes causing interference with natural ion transport systems both in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Tumor cells express elevated levels of various types of K+ channels, which enhances cell proliferation. Thus, drugs acting as channel blockers inhibit cell proliferation. Being a highly selective potassium ionophore, salinomycin may interfere with potassium channels function in cancer stem cells (CSCs). Established cancer therapies may fail because they kill the bulk tumor cells, but do not eliminate CSCs. Studies indicate that Salinomycin selectively eradicates breast CSCs. Salinomycin may eliminate CSCs by inducing their differentiation. salinomycin suppresses the metastatic migration of 4T1 cells to the lungs.
