Product of the Month: June – Nystatin

Nystatin is a polyene macrolactone, isolated from the actinobacterium Streptomyces noursei. It was first discovered in 1948 by scientists Elizabeth Lee Hazen and Rachel Fuller Brown in New York.

Primarily known as an antifungal agent, Nystatin also plays a significant role as a laboratory chemical. The yellowish solid belongs to the class of polyene antifungals and works by binding to ergosterol in the cell membrane of fungi. This binding leads to the formation of pores in the cell membrane, causing potassium ions to leak out, ultimately killing the cell. 

There are various applications of Nystatin in research:

1. Standard Reference: Nystatin is frequently used to study the efficacy of antifungal agents.

2. Membrane Biology: Nystatin helps in understanding both the structure and function of cell membranes and investigating the role of sterols in biological membranes.

3. Resistance Research: Nystatin is also used to study mechanisms of fungal resistance. Notably, no resistance development has been observed in Candida fungi against Nystatin so far.

Nystatin is not only an effective medication for treating fungal infections but also a versatile research reagent. Its unique properties make it an indispensable tool in antifungal research, membrane biology, and resistance studies.

We offer Nystatin as a research reagent and are happy to answer any questions about the product. Contact us for more information and support with your research projects.