Monensin alkali metal complexes

Gertenbach, P. G., and Popov, A. T., Solution chemistry of monensin and its alkali metal complexes. Potentiometric and spectroscopic studies, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 97, 4738, 1975. 

The alkali metal cation complexes of compounds of the nigeridn group (nigericin, monensin, grisorixin, X-206, X-537A, dianemycin) are electrically neutral. 

Polyether metabolites are ionophoric antibiotics which have their major applications in the area of animal husbandry. The distribution of oxygen atoms in these structures predisposes them towards the complexation of alkali metal ions, and their mode of action is considered to depend upon the ability to disrupt the sodium-potassium ion balance across cell membranes. Monensin A from Streptomyces cinnamonensis and tetronasin from Streptomyces longisporoflavus are extensively studied examples of these metabolites. 

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