Nikkomycin

Nikkomycins are a group of antifungal medications.^[1] They work by interfering with the building of the fungal cell wall which results in the fungal cell breaking open.^[1] They were discovered in 1976.^[1] The specific agent nikkomycin Z has weak activity against Aspergillus fumigatus which may be of benefit when used with other medications,^[1] such as caspofungin, ranconazole and amphotericin B, fluconazole or itraconazole.^[2] Nikkomycin Z also inhibits growth of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, a serious fungal pathogen linked to global amphibian declines, while lower concentrations of Nikkomycin Z enhanced natural amphibian antimicrobial skin peptide effectiveness in vitro.^[3]

Originally identified from Streptomyces tendae, the nikkomycins are chitin synthase inhibitors.^[2]