Thermorubin

Isolated from Thermoactinomyces sp. Red to violet powder. Soluble in DMSO, aqueous acetonitrile or ethanol. Anthracene antibiotic. Antibacterial agent. Active against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Inhibits the initiation stage of bacterial protein synthesis by binding to the inter-subunit bridge B2a on the 70S ribosome. Does not inhibit DNA and RNA synthesis. Potent aldose reductase inhibitor.