Description
Hygromycin B is an aminoglycoside antibiotic that has been found in
S. hygroscopicus. It is active against
E. coli (MIC = 150 μg/ml) and cytotoxic to both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells
via inhibition of protein synthesis. Hygromycin B has commonly been used in molecular and cell biology applications to select for transformed cells expressing the
E. coli hygromycin resistance genes
hyg or
hph.
Chemical Properties
White to off-white lyophilized powder
Uses
Hygromycin B, a selective antibiotic that is effective on most bacteria, fungi and higher eukaryotes, inhibits protein synthesis by interfering with translocation and causing mistranslation at the 70S ribosome
Uses
antibacterial, anthelmintic; LD50 ip (rat) 63mg/Kg
Uses
Hygromycin B is a trisaccharide aminoglycoside with a terminal cyclitol produced by Streptomyces hygroscopicus, reported by researchers at Eli Lily in the early 1950s. Hygromycin B belongs to the destomycin family of aminoglycosides which contain a unique cyclic structure linking the terminal saccharide. Hygromycin B exhibits broad spectrum antibiotic and anthelmintic activity, and is used as a feed additive for swine and poultry. Hygromycin B inhibits polypeptide synthesis by binding peptidyl-tRNA and preventing translocation by Elongation Factor 2.
Uses
Hygromycin B is an aminoglycoside and a selective antibiotic agent for the hph gene. Hygromycin B inhibits protein synthesis by interfering with translocation and causing mistranslation at the 70S rib
osome
Application
Hygromycin B was found in the culture broth of Streptomyces hygroscopicus by Lilly Research Laboratories in 1953, as a mixture with hygromycin A. It showed activity against a variety of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria as well as fungi. Hygromycin B has been used for therapy of helminthic infections in swine and poultry.
General Description
Amorphous solid or tan powder.
Air & Water Reactions
Water soluble.
Reactivity Profile
Weakly basic.
Fire Hazard
Flash point data for Hygromycin B are not available; however Hygromycin B is probably combustible.
Biochem/physiol Actions
Mode of Action: The product acts by inhibiting protein synthesis by inducing the misreading of the m-RNA template in the prokaryote, with the potency to inhibit translation. Antimicrobial Spectrum: Hygromycin B acts against bacteria, fungi and higher eukaryotic cells.
Safety Profile
Poison by
intraperitoneal route. Mutation data
reported. When heated to decomposition it
emits toxic fumes of Nox
References
[1] brodersen de, clemons wm jr, carter ap, et al. the structural basis for the action of the antibiotics tetracycline, pactamycin, and hygromycin b on the 30s ribosomal subunit. cell, 2000, 103 (7): 1143-1154.
[2] ganoza mc, kiel mc. a ribosomal atpase is a target for hygromycin b inhibition on escherichia coli ribosomes. antimicrob agents chemother, 2001, 45 (10): 2813-2819.
