Concanamycin C (CAS 81552-34-3)

Concanamycin C, with the CAS number 81552-34-3, is a chemical compound that belongs to the class of concanamycins, a group of macrolide antibiotics derived from the bacterium Streptomyces neyagawaensis. Similar to other members of its family, concanamycin C functions primarily as an inhibitor of the vacuolar-type H+-ATPase (V-ATPase). V-ATPase is an enzyme complex pivotal for the acidification of various intracellular compartments including lysosomes, endosomes, and the Golgi apparatus. The inhibition of V-ATPase by concanamycin C leads to a disruption in the acidification process, which is essential for numerous cellular functions such as protein sorting, maturation of enzyme precursors, and degradation of cellular waste. In research contexts, concanamycin C has been employed to study the physiological and biochemical consequences of altered intracellular pH levels. By blocking the function of V-ATPases, researchers can investigate the impact on cellular processes such as autophagy, endocytosis, and the cellular response to environmental stress. This compound helps in elucidating the complex mechanisms through which cells maintain their internal pH and manage the turnover of various biomolecules, shedding light on the fundamental aspects of cell biology and organelle function.