A-39183A is an active component of the A-39183 antibiotic complex produced by aerobic fermentation of Streptomyces NRRL 12049. It has activity against penicillin-resistant S. aureus 3055 and S. faecalis X66 (MICs = 32 and 32 μg/ml, respectively) and a variety of Gram-positive and Gram-negative anaerobic bacteria (MICs = 16-128 μg/ml) in an agar dilution assay.
A 39183A is a rare 9,9’-bianthryl antibiotic related to setomimycin isolated from a strain of Streptomyces by researchers at Eli Lilly, USA, in 1981. A 39183A has broad spectrum antibiotic activity against both susceptible and resistant isolates including many anaerobic species. The patent reported that A 38183A acts as an ionophore, aiding the partitioning of Mg+ and Ca+ ions into organic solvents and transport of ferric ions into mitochondria.
