Inhibition of mitochondrial functions by the antibiotics, bikaverin and duclauxine.

Four cytotoxic antibiotics, bikaverin, duclauxine, PSX-1 and vermiculine, were examined with respect to their interference with glycolysis and respiration and their possible ionophoric or cytolytic activity. Duclauxine was found to be an inhibitor of respiration and bikaverin an uncoupler of oxidative phosphorylation of tumor cells and of isolated rat liver mitochondria. Bikaverin was also found to be an efficient haemolytic agent. Vermiculine and PSX-1 showed no effect in the systems employed.