Lesson plan
Ionomycin
Ionomycin is an ionophore and an antibiotic that binds calcium ions (Ca 2+ ) in a ratio 1:1. It is produced by the bacterium Streptomyces conglobatus. It binds also other divalent cations like magnesium and cadmium, but binds Ca 2+ preferably. It has 14 chiral centers. Its β-diketone and carboxylic acid group form a chelate with calcium. It was extracted in 1978 and the complete structure was described in 1979. It is used in research to raise the intracellular calcium level (Ca 2+ ) and as a research tool to understand Ca 2+ transport across biological membranes. Ionomycin is often sold as a free acid, or as a Ca 2+ salt. Both are insoluble in water, but soluble in fats and DMSO. Because of their fat solubility, they bind to proteins like albumin, which may interfere with their use in studies involving blood.
Article summary
Ionomycin is an ionophore and an antibiotic that binds calcium ions (Ca 2+ ) in a ratio 1:1. It is produced by the bacterium Streptomyces conglobatus. It binds also other divalent cations like magnesium and cadmium, but binds Ca 2+ preferably. It has 14 chiral centers. Its β-diketone and carboxylic acid group form a chelate with calcium. It was extracted in 1978 and the complete structure was described in 1979. It is used in research to raise the intracellular calcium level (Ca 2+ ) and as a research tool to understand Ca 2+ transport across biological membranes. Ionomycin is often sold as a free acid, or as a Ca 2+ salt. Both are insoluble in water, but soluble in fats and DMSO. Because of their fat solubility, they bind to proteins like albumin, which may interfere with their use in studies involving blood.
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Discussion questions
- Summarise the article in your own words. Which single claim would you verify first, and why?
- Which claim in this article is most likely to be revised as the sources update? How would you check its current status?
- If two sources disagreed about one of these facts, what would you need in order to trust one over the other?
Bibliography
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Key claims and bibliography are generated from the same tracked claims and sources as the article page.