The myxopyronins, new inhibitors of bacterial RNA synthesis from Myxococcus fulvus (Myxobacterales).

Abstract

From the culture supernatant of the myxobacterium, Myxococcus fulvus strain Mx f50, an antibiotic activity was isolated which blocked growth of many Gram-positive and several Gram-negative bacteria, but not of yeasts and fungi. The activity consisted of two closely related compounds, myxopyronins A and B. The myxopyronins appear to be new antibiotics, and seem to specifically inhibit bacterial RNA polymerase.