A 39183A is factor A from the A-39183 antibiotic complex. The A-39183 antibiotic complex was isolated from the aerobic fermentation of Streptomyces (strain NRRL 12049) by Eli Lilly in 1979. This complex contains closely-related factors A, B, C, D, and E with broad-spectrum activity. The fractions can be separated by chromatography. A 39183A is a rare 9,9'-bianthryl antibiotic related to setomimycin and it acts as an ionophore. Factor A is a major component of the complex (36%), along with Factor B (46%). Factors C-E are minor, together accounting for ~ 18% of the complex.
A 39183A is soluble in ethanol, methanol, DMF, DMSO, acetone, ethyl acetate, and chloroform. It is practically insoluble in water.