Nonactin (Non)

Nonactin is a member of a family of naturally occurring cyclic ionophores known as the macrotetrolide antibiotics. The other members of this homologous family are monactin, dinactin, trinactin and tetranactin which are all neutral ionophoric substances and higher homologs of nonactin. Collectively, this class is known as the nactins. Nonactin is soluble in methanol, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate and DMSO, but insoluble in water. Nonactin is known for its ability to form complexes with alkali cations, most notably potassium and sodium. In general, nonactin exhibits binding preferences for some ions over others. This ion selectivity is seen in other macrocyclic ligands, such as the cyclic ionophore valinomycin, which is also an antibiotic, and crown ethers. Nonactin has been reported to specifically inhibit the processing of cytoplasmic precursor proteins destined for the mitochondria.