Product Description
Kanamycin B 4696-76-8
AI Product Description
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Kanamycin B is a broad-spectrum aminoglycoside antibiotic derived from the soil bacterium *Streptomyces kanamyceticus*. Chemically, it belongs to the same class as Kanamycin A but possesses distinct structural differences that influence its pharmacokinetic profile and resistance patterns. The molecular formula of Kanamycin B is C18H36N4O11, with a precise molecular weight of approximately 484.5 g/mol. Its unique CAS registry number is 15318-56-4, which serves as a critical identifier for regulatory compliance and scientific documentation in pharmaceutical and research contexts.
Structurally, Kanamycin B features a 2-deoxystreptamine ring linked to sugar moieties, specifically D-glucosamine and L-mycinose. This configuration allows the molecule to bind irreversibly to the 30S ribosomal subunit of bacteria, thereby inhibiting protein synthesis and leading to cell death. Unlike many other antibiotics, it demonstrates efficacy against both Gram-negative and some Gram-positive organisms, including strains of *Escherichia coli*, *Klebsiella pneumoniae*, and *Staphylococcus aureus*. However, its clinical utility has been somewhat limited by the emergence of bacterial resistance mechanisms, particularly through enzymatic modification by aminoglycoside-modifying enzymes.
In laboratory settings, Kanamycin B is extensively utilized as a selective agent in molecular biology. Researchers frequently incorporate it into culture media to maintain plasmids containing the *nptII* gene, which confers resistance to the antibiotic in genetically modified cells. This application is vital for generating stable transgenic lines in plants, bacteria, and mammalian cell cultures. Furthermore, it serves as a reference standard in analytical chemistry for studying drug stability, degradation pathways, and metabolic interactions. While less commonly used in human therapeutics today compared to earlier generations due to toxicity concerns like nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity, it remains an essential tool in biomedical research and agricultural biotechnology. Its availability in high purity grades ensures reliability for diverse experimental protocols requiring precise dosing and consistent biological activity.