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Cyclic polypeptide antibiotic (mixture)

Bacitracin

Bacitracin is a mixture of related cyclic polypeptide antibiotics produced by Bacillus licheniformis.

By The Peptides Codex Editorial TeamIndividual review date not recorded

Page data last changed: . Chemistry registry snapshot: . Registry refreshes and identity assessments are separate from scientific content review.

Length
n/a
Class
Cyclic polypeptide antibiotic (mixture)
Function
Blocks recycling of the lipid carrier bactoprenol in cell-wall synthesis
Context
Approved topical antibiotic for minor skin and eye infections

A common triple-antibiotic-ointment component that jams the lipid carrier bacteria use to build their cell wall.

Also known as: bacitracin A

Part of the Foundational & therapeutic peptides cluster

Overview

Bacitracin is a mixture of related cyclic polypeptide antibiotics produced by Bacillus licheniformis. It inhibits dephosphorylation of C55-isoprenyl pyrophosphate (bactoprenol), the lipid carrier that ferries peptidoglycan subunits across the membrane, stalling Gram-positive cell-wall synthesis. Because systemic use can harm the kidneys, it is formulated topically, often with polymyxin B and neomycin. This page is educational and not medical advice.

Source & context

Biological / chemical source: Bacillus licheniformis / Bacillus subtilis

Primary research or clinical context: Approved topical antibiotic for minor skin and eye infections

Mechanism

Bacitracin, complexed with a metal ion, binds bactoprenol pyrophosphate and prevents its dephosphorylation. Without the recycled lipid carrier, bacteria cannot shuttle new peptidoglycan units to the growing wall, so cell-wall assembly halts. It acts mainly on Gram-positive organisms.

Topical role

First isolated in 1945, bacitracin is a staple of over-the-counter triple-antibiotic ointments for minor cuts and scrapes. Systemic administration is avoided due to nephrotoxicity, and contact allergy can occur, particularly in people sensitized to neomycin. It is discussed here for educational context.

Structure & chemistry

Molecular identity & reference confidence

Source-supported reference

Reference values are taken from the cited molecular record or curated profile. A database match is not independent laboratory verification; modifications, counter-ions, and formulations can change the measured mass.

Molecular form
Bacitracin (source record; form not independently established)
Species
Not established by this molecular identity audit
Termini (N / C)
Not specified / Not specified

Average reference mass

Reference policy updated: 2026-10-05

Molecular formula
C66H103N17O16S
Average reference mass
≈ 1,422.7
Status
Approved medicine in at least one jurisdiction (IUPHAR record)
Identifiers

Chemistry values: PubChem, IUPHAR/BPS Guide to Pharmacology · fetched 2026-10-01.

Clinical development snapshot

ClinicalTrials.gov lists 54 registered studies with “Bacitracin” as an intervention (snapshot 2026-09-06). A registry footprint is not evidence of efficacy or approval.

Registered studies
54
Highest phase reached
Phase 4
Active in latest 100
4
Most recent update
2026-09-03
Most recently updated studies
NCTTitlePhaseStatusUpdated
NCT07801157Topical Phenytoin-Loaded Hydrogel Dressing for Postoperative Wound Management After Oral Squamous Cell CarcinoNot applicablecompleted2026-09-03
NCT05856994Clinical Assessment of Protopic® Ointment in Deep Partial-Thickness BurnsPhase 1terminated2026-07-29
NCT07388823Nailbed Repair for Patients With Nailbed InjuriesNot applicablerecruiting2026-07-20
NCT07698938The Safety and Microbial Changes in the Use of Intranasal Neosporin®Not applicablecompleted2026-07-14
NCT05247788Impaired Risk Awareness During Intoxication in DUI OffendersNot applicablecompleted2026-05-12
NCT06992453Multi-omics Dissection of Gut Microbiome Engraftment During FMTNot applicablenot yet recruiting2026-04-28
See all on ClinicalTrials.gov →
Concentration math

Bacitracin — reconstitution calculator

Enter how much peptide is in the vial and how much diluent (e.g. bacteriostatic water) is added. The tool returns the resulting solution concentration — and, for any amount you type, the volume it corresponds to. This is educational arithmetic, not a dosing recommendation.

Reference form: Bacitracin (source record; form not independently established)Average reference mass: 1,422.7 Da

Syringe graduation
Solution concentration
5 mg/mL5,000 mcg/mL
mcg

Enter an amount to see the volume it corresponds to.

Educational concentration mathematics only. This tool does not recommend a dose, amount, or protocol, and nothing here is medical advice. Many peptides are not authorized by Health Canada for human use — see our reconstitution and bacteriostatic-water guides for context.

Open the Bacitracin calculator on its own page →

FAQ about Bacitracin

What is Bacitracin?+

Bacitracin is a mixture of related cyclic polypeptide antibiotics produced by Bacillus licheniformis. It inhibits dephosphorylation of C55-isoprenyl pyrophosphate (bactoprenol), the lipid carrier that ferries peptidoglycan subunits across the membrane, stalling Gram-positive cell-wall synthesis. Because systemic use can harm the kidneys, it is formulated topically, often with polymyxin B and neomycin. This page is educational and not medical advice.

What Canadian product status is recorded for Bacitracin?+

Canadian product status for Bacitracin has not been verified in this profile. No verified record here does not mean no authorization exists. Status depends on the product, formulation and use; consult Health Canada's product records.

What is the typical length of Bacitracin?+

Bacitracin is not a classic amino-acid chain peptide in the same sense; see the profile for classification details.

Related peptides

ACE-031
ActRIIB decoy-receptor fusion protein
ACE-031 is an engineered decoy receptor made by fusing the extracellular domain of the activin receptor type IIB (ActRIIB) to an IgG1 Fc fragment. It binds myostatin and related ligands to block their signaling. It is investigational, its clinical development was halted, and it is not approved; this page is educational only.
Larazotide
Tight-junction regulator peptide
Larazotide (larazotide acetate, AT-1001) is a synthetic eight-amino-acid peptide studied as a regulator of intestinal tight junctions, the seals between gut lining cells. It was investigated in celiac disease research. Its Phase 3 program was discontinued and it is not approved; this page is educational only.
Lixisenatide
Incretin mimetic (GLP-1 receptor agonist)
Lixisenatide is a synthetic GLP-1 receptor agonist built on the exendin-4 scaffold rather than on human GLP-1. Marketed as Lyxumia and Adlyxin, it is an approved prescription medicine in the EU and United States and a useful case study in how venom-derived peptides are adapted into once-daily therapeutics.
Calcitonin
Hormone
Calcitonin is a 32-amino-acid peptide hormone secreted by thyroid C-cells that helps regulate blood calcium. Salmon calcitonin has been used as an approved medicine in several jurisdictions.

References & further reading

  1. 1.Buijs et al. (2024). A classic antibiotic reimagined: Rationally designed bacitracin variants exhibit potent activity against vancomycin-resistant pathogens. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A
  2. 2.Arrebola et al. (2021). Bacitracin is a non-competitive inhibitor of porcine M1 family neutral and glutamyl aminopeptidases. Nat Prod Res
  3. 3.MELENEY et al. (1949). Bacitracin. Am J Med
  4. 4.Karala et al. (2010). Bacitracin is not a specific inhibitor of protein disulfide isomerase. FEBS J
  5. 5.Buijs et al. (2022). Synthetic Studies with Bacitracin A and Preparation of Analogues Containing Alternative Zinc Binding Groups. Chembiochem
  6. 6.Ertugrul et al. (2020). Bacitracin: A Causative Agent of Purpuric Allergic Contact Dermatitis. Pediatr Allergy Immunol Pulmonol
  7. 7.Xu et al. (2018). MCR-1 Confers Cross-Resistance to Bacitracin, a Widely Used In-Feed Antibiotic. mSphere
  8. 8.Robinson et al. (2006). Bacitracin reveals a role for multiple thiol isomerases in platelet function. Br J Haematol
  9. 9.PubChem — compound summary for Bacitracin (CID 10909430)
  10. 10.Wikipedia — Bacitracin
Disclaimer: Educational content only. Not medical advice. Not instructions for human use. Research peptides and unapproved products may be restricted or illegal to market for human consumption in your jurisdiction. Consult qualified professionals and applicable law.
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