A23187 (Calcimycin) #23911

The calcium ionophore A23187 (Calcimycin) is an antibiotic that induces Ca²⁺-dependent cell death by increasing intracellular concentrations of calcium ions. It is a commonly used biochemical and pharmacological tool due to its multiple, unique biological effects (1). A23187 treatment of murine embryonic fibroblasts and human colon cancer cells induced autophagy in both cell lines (2). Anti-microbial A23187 strongly inhibits Mycobacterium bovis BCG growth in vitro and in THP-1 cells by regulating intracellular calcium and inducing autophagy (3). A23187 treatment of HL-60 cells triggers increased intracellular levels of Ca²⁺, generation of both intracellular and extracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), and induction of apoptotic cell death (4). An increase in ROS is also seen in A23187-treated rat neonatal cardiac myocytes and in murine and human platelets accompanied by platelet particle formation (5,6). A23187 treatment can activate oocytes and produce normal embryos in cases of dysfunctional oocyte activation caused by insufficient Ca²⁺ release from the endoplasmic reticulum (6).