Oligomycins are macrolides created by Streptomyces species that can be toxic to other organisms. Different oligomycin isomers are highly specific for the disruption of mitochondrial metabolism. Oligomycin A, a dominant analog of the isomers, is an inhibitor of mitochondrial F1FO ATP synthase that induces apoptosis in a variety of cell types (average GI50 = 270 nM). Oligomycin A exhibits antifungal, antitumor, and nematocidal activities, but has poor solubility in water and other biocompatible solvents, which limits its clinical application.
