Production of avermectins: biotechnologies and organic synthesis

The proposed review analyzes the results of research on various aspects of improving the technology of obtaining avermectins, the 16-membered macrocyclic lactones which have a wide spectrum of antiparasitic action with a high therapeutic index and harmlessness for mammals (W.C. Campbell, 2012). According to published data, the unique ability of avermectins to suppress the development of insects, nematodes and ticks is associated with the ability to block the transmission of nerve impulses in the neuromuscular synapse. The essence of this mechanism of action, leading to paralysis and death of parasites, is to stimulate the release of chlorine ions, depolarization of the cell membrane and pathological disorders of its functions (A.J. Wolstenholme et al., 2016). Of the known 8 components (A1a, A1b, A2a, A2b, B1a, B1b, B2a and B2b) of the avermectin complex produced by the microorganism Streptomyces avermitilis , the avermectin B1 is the most active against parasite pathogens (S...