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The avermectins are a series 16-membered macrocyclic lactone derivatives with potent anthelmintic and insecticidal properties. These naturally occurring compounds are generated as fermentation products by Streptomyces avermitilis, a soil actinomycete. Eight different avermectins were isolated in 4 pairs of homologue compounds, with a major (a-component) and minor (b-component) component usually in ratios of 80:20 to 90:10. Other anthelmintics derived from the avermectins include ivermectin, selamectin, doramectin and abamectin.

History
In 1978, an actinomycete was isolated at The Kitasato Institute from a soil sample collected at Kawana, Ito City, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan. Later that year, the isolated actinomycete was sent to Merck Sharp and Dohme Research Laboratories for testing. Various, carefully controlled broths were fermented using the isolated actinomycete. Early tests indicated that some of the whole, fermented broths were active against Nematospiroides dubius in mice over at least an eightfold range without notable toxicity. Subsequent to this, the anthelmintic activity was isolated and identified as a family of closely related compounds. The family of compounds were finally characterized and the novel species that produced them were described by a team at Merck in 1978.

In 2002, Yoko Takahashi and others at the Kitasato Institute for Life Sciences, Kitasato University and at The Kitasato Institute, proposed that Streptomyces avermitilis be renamed Streptomyces avermectinius.

Avermectin biosynthesis
The gene cluster for biosynthesis of avermectin from Streptomyces avermitilis has been sequenced . The avermectin biosynthesis gene cluster encodes enzymes responsible for four steps of avermectin production: 1) production of the avermectin aglycon by polyketide synthases (PKS), 2) modification of the aglycon, 3) synthesis of modified sugars and 4) glycosylation of the modified avermectin aglycon. This gene cluster can produce eight avermectins which have minor structural differences.

The avermectin initial aglycon is synthesized by the polyketide synthase activity of four proteins (AVES 1, AVES 2, AVES 3, and AVES 4). The activity of this enzyme complex is similar to type I polyketide synthases. Either 2-methylbutyrl CoA or isobutyrl CoA can be used as starting units and are extended by seven acetate units and 5 propionate units to produce avermectin “a” series or “b” series, respectively. AveF has NAD(P)H-dependent ketoreductase activity which reduces the C5 keto group to a hydroxyl. AveC influences the dehydratase activity in module two (affecting C22-C23) although the mechanism by which it does this is not clear. . AveD has SAM-dependant C5 O-methyltransferase activity. Whether AveC or AveD act on the aglycon determines whether the resulting avermectin aglycon will produce avermectin series “A” or “B” and series 1 or 2, respectively.

There are nine open reading frames (orf1 and aveBI-BVIII) downstream of aveA4 which are known involved with glycosylation and sugar synthesis. AveBII-BVIII are responsible for synthesis of dTDP-L-oleandrose and AveBI is responsible for glycosylation of the avermectin aglycon with the dTDP-sugar. The sequence of orf1 suggests that its product will have reductase activity, but this functionality does not appear to be necessary for avermectin synthesis.

Avermectin therapy for rodent fur mite infestation
A commonly used therapy in recent times has been based on oral, parenteral, topical, or spot topical (as in veterinary flea repellant "drops") administration of avermectins. They show activity against a broad range of nematodes and arthropod parasites of domestic animals at dose rates of 300 microgram/kg or less (200 micrograms / kg ivermectin appearing to be the common interspecies standard, from humans to horses to housepets, unless otherwise indicated). Unlike the macrolide or polyene antibiotics, they lack significant antibacterial or antifungal activities.

CAUTION: As such veterinary preparations are generally widely available without prescription, cheap (<$1 per 100 kg weight of subject treated in cattle or equine generic formulations), and commonly dispensed in fluid or paste form for adjustable dosage, non-professional end users should take care to notice that doses are in MICROgrams per kg (1/1000th of a milligram or 1/ 1,000,000th of a gram) and re-check any computations when administering to smaller or juvenile animals, especially when using directions found online. Typos, the lack of an easy way to type the SI designation for micro-, and easily overlooked decimal points when expressing in miligrams (200 micrograms = 0.2 mg, often expressed as .2 mg) creates much potential for error or misreading. If unsure and whenever possible, leave administration to a veterinary professional.

Mechanism of action
The avermectins block the transmittance of electrical activity in nerves and muscle cells by stimulating the release and binding of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) at nerve endings. This causes an influx of chloride ions into the cells, leading to hyperpolarisation and subsequent paralysis of the neuromuscular systems. GABA-ergic receptors are found at the neuromuscular junctions and the central ventral cords in nematodes, whereas in mammals they are found primarily in the brain. Ivermectin does not readily cross the blood-brain barrier in mammals at therapeutic doses.

Toxicity and side-effects
Avermectin therapy is not without its drawbacks. Resistance to avermectins has been reported, which suggests use in moderation. Research on ivermectin, piperazine, and dichlorvos in combinations also shows potential for toxicity. Avermectin has been reported to block LPS-induced secretion of tumor necrosis factor, nitric oxide, prostaglandin E2, and increase of intracellular concentration of Ca2+. Adverse effects are usually transient; severe effects are rare and probably occur only with substantial overdose, but include coma, hypotension, and respiratory failure, which can lead to death. No specific therapy exists, but symptomatic management usually leads to a favorable prognosis.

Other uses
Abamectin is the active ingredient in some commercial ant bait traps.