Novobiocin (Albamycin, Cathamycin, Spheromycin) is an aminocoumarin antibiotic originally isolated from Streptomyces niveus in the Upjohn Research Laboratories and initially was given the generic name of ‘streptonivicin’ . It was also isolated almost simultaneously in other laboratories, and was given several other names. Novobiocin inhibits the GyrB subunit of DNA gyrase and is primarily active against Gram-positive microorganisms. It was used under the trade name Albamycin and was withdrawn from the market in the US. Its latest use included eradication of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and other resistant microorganisms. In addition, it has been applied in cancer therapy.
