Enniatin A1

Cyclohexadepsipeptide mycotoxin. One of four major analogs in the enniatin complex. Commonly found food contaminant in cereals and their products. Ionophore antibiotic. Incorporation into the cell membrane forms dimeric structures that transport monovalent ions across the membrane (especially the mitochondrial membranes) affecting oxidative phosphorylation uncoupling. Anticancer compound. Triggers apoptosis in several cancer cell lines. Induced apoptosis in cancer cells (H4IIE rat hepatoma cells), decreasing the activation of the cell proliferation kinase, ERK (p44/p42) and inhibiting TNF-alpha-induced NF-kappaB activation. Moderate inhibitor of ACAT (acylcoenzyme A:cholesterolacyl transferase). Shown to have a variety of other biological activities such as antifungal, anthelmintic, insecticidal, immunomodulatory and phytotoxic activity.