Melanostatin, a new melanin synthesis inhibitor : production, isolation, chemical properties, structure and biological activity

Melanostatin, a new antibiotic with melanin synthesis inhibitory activity, was isolated from the fermentation broth of Streptomyces clavifer No. N924-2. Its structure was determined by spectral analysis and degradation experiments. Melanostatin strongly inhibited melanin formation in Streptomyces bikiniensis NRRL B-1049 and B16 melanoma cells.