CAS Number: 1405-20-5
Empirical Formula (Hill Notation): C55H96N16O13 · 2H2SO4
Molecular Weight: 1385.61
EC Number: 215-774-7
MDL Number: MFCD00131991
Biochem/physiol Actions
Antibiotic with bactericidal action on E. coli.4,5 Binds to the lipid A portion of bacterial lipopolysaccharides.6 Induces pore formation in the membranes of cortex cells from excised sorghum roots.7
Mode of Action: Binds to and interferes with the permeability of the cytoplasmic membrane.
Antimicrobial spectrum: Gram-negative bacteria.
Polymyxin B sulfate has a bactericidal action against almost all Gram-negative bacilli except the Proteus group. Polymyxin B sulfate interacts with the lipid A portion of bacterial lipopolysaccharides, which alters cytoplasmic membrane permeability. It induces pore formation in the membranes of cortex cells from excised sorghum roots. It is used as an immobilized (substrate bound) agent for removal of endotoxins1.
Other Notes
Mixture of Polymyxin B1 and B2 sulfate.
Application
Polymyxin B sulfate is a mixture of Polymyxin B1 and B2 sulfate. It is used clinically to treat infections of the urinary tract, meninges, and blood stream, caused by susceptible strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa1. It is used to study multidrug-resistant pathogens2,3.