Overview:

**COVID-19 RELATION**Valinomycin is a naturally occurring dodecadepsipeptide used in the transport of potassium and as an antibiotic. Various studies have concluded that valinomycin is a potent anti-SARS compound, with molecular mechanisms employed by the compound against the virus currently under investigation(1). one potential mode of action being assessed is how valinomycin reduces the replication of related coronavirus MERS-CoV via SKP2 inhibition and implying the same mechanism to study its role against the novel SARS-CoV-2. (2).**Selective K+ ionophore. Induces the release of cytochrome c from mitochondria without inducing permeability transition (1). Induces mitochondrial swelling at concentrations as low as 1 nM (2). Induce K+ flow across natural and synthetic lipid vesicles (3).

References:

1. A Yamada et al. Mol. Cell. Proteomics. 2009 8:12652. DD Lofrumento et al. Apoptosis. 2011 16:10043. WF Paxton et al. Colloids Surf. B. Biointerfaces 2017 159:268