Squalene synthase catalyzes the first committed step in cholesterol synthesis, mediating the reductive dimerization of farnesyl pyrophosphate (Cay-63250) to produce squalene. Zaragozic acid A is a fungal metabolite that acts as a reversible competitive inhibitor of squalene synthase (Ki = 78 pM in vitro). It...

Avermectins are insecticides and anthelmintics first isolated from broths fermented by S. avermitilis. They potentiate glutamate- and GABA-gated chloride channel opening in nematodes. Avermectin B1b is a minor component of avermectin broth. Avermectins, including avermectin B1b, are used broadly against nematodes,...

Enniatins are cyclohexadepsipeptides commonly isolated from fungi that are known to have antibiotic properties and to induce apoptosis in several cancer lines. Many function as ionophores, forming pores in cellular membranes to allow selective ion transport. Enniatin A is one of four major analogs in the enniatin...