Fungin™ is a new water soluble formulation of Pimaricin recently introduced to use in cell culture maintenance. Pimaricin belongs to the polyene antibiotic group as amphotericin B.

Fungin™ kills yeasts and filamentous fungi by interfering with the sterols of the fungal cell membrane. The ergosterol, only found in yeasts and filamentous fungi, is the primary site of action of Pimaricin. By direct complexation of the ergosterol, Pimaricin induces a distortion of selective membrane permeability leading to:

• A disruption of ionic exchanges through the fungal cell membrane with a leakage of potassium and magnesium ions,
• A decrease of macromolecules synthesis,
• And a penetration of protons resulting in intracellular acidification and consequently in death of yeasts and most filamentous fungi.

Fungin™ has the same fungicidal activity spectrum as amphotericin B with the added advantages to be highly stable and totally soluble in water avoiding the addition of deoxycholate a toxic solvent found in some amphotericin B solutions.

Fungin™ can be added to penicillin/ streptomycin preparation to expand the activity spectrum of this mixture especially against yeasts and some filamentous fungi.

Therefore Fungin™ is the solution to prevent or to cure cell cultures infected with yeasts or most filamentous fungi.