Chemistry and biology of the polyene macrolide antibiotics

Abstract

The polyenic macrolides share virtually no properties with the erythromycin group of macrolides, save possibly some common biosynthetic mechanisms. From the medical view point, the polyenes represent a very important group of broad spectrum antibiotics active against pathogenic species causing common and distressing ailments. Effective control of mycotic infections in this age of immunosuppression is of vital importance and, when properly used, the polyenes adequately fulfil this need. Their toxicity is outweighed by the lack of resistance to them among commonly occurring yeasts and fungi. From the academic point of view, once the three dimensional structures of more polyenes have been elucidated (presumably by X ray crystallography), a common pattern will probably emerge from which a much deeper understanding of the nature of the interaction between polyenes and sterols should be possible. Such an understanding will enable one to increase the knowledge of the structure and functions of biological membranes, one of the basic, most fascinating, and most challenging problems facing biologists today. It is fitting that these advances should stem from close cooperation between medical and physical scientists, which has been a constant feature of the polyene story.