Lytic effect of mycobacillin and its derivatives on erythrocytes

Mycobacillin as well as its O-acetyl (tyrosyl and seryl) and ester derivatives is known to have antifungal activity. The antibiotic also possesses hemolytic activity. This latter property is not appreciably altered by partial or complete esterification of its free carboxyl groups. On the other hand, acetylation of the molecule at the two tyrosyl hydroxyl groups nullifies selectively the hemolytic activity.