Bafilomycin B1 (CAS 88899-56-3)

Bafilomycin B1 is a macrolide antibiotic derived from Streptomyces species, notable for its specific inhibition of the vacuolar-type H+-ATPase (V-ATPase) pump across a variety of eukaryotic cells. This enzyme is crucial for acidifying intracellular compartments, such as lysosomes and endosomes, which is essential for their normal functioning. By inhibiting V-ATPase, Bafilomycin B1 prevents the acidification of these organelles, leading to significant impacts on cellular processes such as protein degradation, receptor-ligand dissociation, and the autophagic turnover of cellular components. Due to its potent action, Bafilomycin B1 has become a valuable tool in research, particularly in studies exploring the mechanisms of autophagy and its role in cellular homeostasis and disease. The compound′s ability to specifically block the final stages of autophagy (autophagosome-lysosome fusion and degradation) makes it an essential reagent for dissecting this pathway and for investigating the broader implications of lysosomal dysfunction. Researchers have also utilized Bafilomycin B1 to study the consequences of disrupted pH homeostasis in cells, aiding in the understanding of diseases linked to lysosomal storage, protein aggregation, and defective organelle degradation.