TUNICAMYCIN, A NEW ANTIBIOTIC. III

REVERSAL OF THE ANTIVIRAL ACTIVITY OF TUNICAMYCIN BY AMINOSUGARS AND THEIR DERIVATIVES

Abstract

The antiviral activity of tunicamycin, an antibiotic containing glucosamine, was partially reversed with some aminosugars and their derivatives. N-Acetyl- D-glucosamine, N-acetyl-D-galactosamine, N-acetyl-D-mannosamine, and Nhexanoyl- and N-heptanoyl-D-glucosamines were the most potential competitors among all tested. D-Glucosamine, D-mannosamine and D-galactosamine were not as effective as their derivatives because of their toxicity. Pentoses, hexoses, methylpentoses and the other sugars examined were not as active as the abovementioned aminosugar derivatives. Reversal of the antiviral activity of tunicamycin with aminosugars and their derivative was partial, and full reversal was not observed with any sugar or any combination of sugars examined. Cholesterol did not affect the antiviral activity of tunicamycin, and Mg⁺⁺ had only a slight effect.