Medical Definition of Valinomycin
1.
A potassium ionophore antibiotic, produced by Streptomyces fulvissimus. Composed of 3 molecules (L valine, D _ hydroxyisovaleric acid, L lactic acid) linked alternately to form a 36 membered ring, that folds to make a cage shaped like a tennis ball seam. This wraps specifically around potassium ions, presenting them with a hydrophilic interior and a lipid bilayer with a hydrophobic exterior. Potassium is thus free to diffuse through the lipid bilayer. Highly ion specific, valinomycin is used in ion selective electrodes.
This entry appears with permission from the Dictionary of Cell and Molecular Biology
(11 Mar 2008)
Lexicographical Neighbors of Valinomycin
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