LATRUNCULINS

Molecular Weight (Latrunculin A): 421.551 g/mol
Molecular Formula (Latrunculin A): C₂₂H₃₁O₅S

Source: The Red Sea sponge Latrunculia magnifica (PORIFERA)
Activity: Actin interactive agent
Status: Preclinical, see below.

The Latrunculins were first isolated from the Red Sea sponge Latrunculia magnifica. Latrunculins have since been found in the sponge Negombata magnifica. Structural similarity of these compounds with those produced via polyketide synthesis in microbes suggests the source of the latrunculins is actually a member of the sponge-associated microbial community.

Two compounds tested, latrunculins A and B, have been shown to be cytotoxic, and the toxicity appears related to the compounds' ability to disrupt actin polymerization, microfilament organization, etc. Cell shape, cytokinesis, and microfilament-mediated processes such as fertilization and early development are altered through exposure to the drugs.

Although interest in this and other actin interative agents remains high, a general lack of significant in vivo activity in preclinical evaluations has hindered drug develpment. If novel targeted strategies for drug delivery like the use of monoclonal antibodies or peptides as carriers can be developed, the potential of the latrunculins and similar natural products as drug candidates may improve.

NCBI PubChem compound summary pages - [ LINK ]

NCBI PubMed biomedical literature citations and abstracts - [ LINK ]

References

Newman DJ, and GM Cragg. 2004. Advanced Preclinical and Clinical trials of natural Products and Related Compounds from marine Sources. Current Medicinal Chemistry 11:1693-1713.

Spector I, Shochet NR, Blasberger D, and Y Kashman. 1989. Latrunculins - novel marine macrolides that disrupt microfilament organization and affect cell growth: I. Comparison with cytochalasin D. Cell Motil. Cytoskeleton. 13:127-44.