Amphotericin B: 50 years of chemistry and biochemistry

The last century has seen the isolation and synthesis of a multitude of molecules with remarkable biological activity. Some of them represent milestones in chemical space and points of reference in the various disciplines of chemical synthesis, medicine, and biology that they beneficially impact. The notable history of natural products as antibiotics dates back to the 18(th) century. They continue to play an indispensable role in the advances that have been seen in the quality of life for the general population. This has come about because of the rich dialog that can be found at the interfaces between chemistry, biochemistry, biology, and medicine. In this review we examine amphotericin B as an important representative of antibiotics with a long rich history. Its impact continues to be felt today in its use in the clinic to combat fungal infections, In the first part, we review the biochemical efforts aimed at the explanation of amphotericin B's mechanisms of action; in the second part, we take a look at the impact amphotericin B has had on the chemical community in the last two decades. The continuous interest aroused by amphotericin B reveals how much we still do not know about this space.