• 1 January 1980
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 28  (112) , 107-121
Abstract
The effects of pH, metal ions (Ca and Mg) and sterols (cholesterol and ergosterol), on the interaction of polyene antibiotics with respiring S. cerevisiae (NCYC 239) cells were studied by flow microcalorimetry. The bioactivity of nystatin decreases as the pH of the medium increases toward neutral. Ca and Mg ions attenuate the biological effects of nystatin, amphotericin B and candicidin. The activities of filipin and pimaracin (natamycin) are unaffected by the presence of these ions. Ergosterol and cholesterol show similar effects. Some possible explanations for these observations are suggested.