Description

1. Product Description 

FR901379 (CAS 144371-88-0), also known as WF11899A, is a cyclic lipopeptide antibiotic belonging to the echinocandin family. Originally isolated from mutant strain M-7 of Coleophoma empetri F-11899 (FERM BP-2635), FR901379 has attracted significant attention for its potent antifungal activity, especially against Candida and Aspergillus species.

Background

Echinocandins are a relatively new class of antifungal agents that inhibit -(1,3)-D-glucan synthase, an enzyme critical for fungal cell wall biosynthesis. Unlike azoles or polyenes, echinocandins offer a unique mechanism that targets the fungal cell wall without significant cross-resistance to other antifungal drugs.

FR901379 is especially notable because it represents the natural product precursor to micafungin, a widely used clinical antifungal. Its structural complexity and biosynthetic origins make it an important tool for pharmacological, microbiological, and biosynthetic pathway research.

Scientific Relevance

• Drug Development Precursor: FR901379 serves as the biosynthetic parent compound of micafungin.

• Mechanism Studies: Enables researchers to study fungal resistance pathways and echinocandin-target interactions.

• Microbiological Research: Supports investigations into fungal physiology and antifungal susceptibility.

• Synthetic Biology Applications: Provides a model structure for engineering improved echinocandin derivatives.

Comparison with Other Echinocandins

• Caspofungin – Semi-synthetic echinocandin, derived from pneumocandin B0.

• Anidulafungin – Natural fermentation product with chemical modifications.

• Micafungin – Clinically optimized derivative of FR901379.

• FR901379 – The core natural precursor, used as a foundation for further drug development.

Advantages in Research

• Unique natural origin from Coleophoma empetri.

• High specificity against fungal cell wall biosynthesis.

• Well-characterized precursor in antifungal drug discovery.

• Available under GMP-compliant manufacturing standards for consistent results.

2. Product Specifications 

3. Mechanism of Action & Research Applications 

Mechanism of Action

FR901379 inhibits -(1,3)-D-glucan synthase, preventing fungal cell wall synthesis. This action:

• Weakens the fungal cell wall, causing osmotic instability.

• Leads to cell lysis in susceptible fungi.

• Minimizes host toxicity, as humans lack -(1,3)-D-glucan.

Research Applications

1. Antifungal Pharmacology

   • Testing the fungistatic and fungicidal effects on Candida, Aspergillus, and emerging fungi.

   • Understanding resistance mutations in FKS genes, which alter glucan synthase activity.

2. Drug Development

   • As a precursor to micafungin, FR901379 is crucial for studying semi-synthetic modifications that improve solubility, safety, and potency.

3. Microbiology Research

   • Probing fungal cell wall biosynthesis.

   • Exploring cross-resistance patterns with azoles and polyenes.

4. Synthetic Biology & Biotechnology

   • Using Coleophoma empetri as a model for natural product biosynthesis.

   • Potential for strain engineering to enhance FR901379 production.

5. Translational Relevance

   • While FR901379 itself is a research compound, its derivative micafungin has direct clinical impact.

   • Enables bench-to-bedside research pipelines in antifungal pharmacology.

     

4. Side Effects (Research Reference)

Preclinical studies and analog references suggest:

• Low host toxicity due to fungal-specific target.

• Potential cytotoxicity at very high concentrations in mammalian cell assays.

• Fungal Resistance – Mutations in FKS1/FKS2 genes may reduce activity.

• Formulation Stability – Improper storage may degrade peptide integrity, reducing potency.

• Experimental Observations – Some animal models report reversible liver enzyme elevation at high dosing (relevant for micafungin derivatives).

 Note: These observations are for research reference only. FR901379 is not approved for human or veterinary use.

5. Disclaimer

For laboratory research use only. Not for human or veterinary use.

6. Keywords

• FR901379 CAS 144371-88-0

• WF11899A antibiotic

• Echinocandin-type lipopeptide

• GMP supplier FR901379

• Coleophoma empetri antifungal compound

• Precursor of micafungin

• Antifungal peptide research compound

• (1,3)-D-glucan synthase inhibitor

• Research-grade antifungal agent