Polyketides are a class of natural products derived from a precursor molecule consisting of a chain of alternating ketone (or reduced forms of a ketone) and methylene groups: (-CO-CH2-). First studied in the early 20th century, discovery, biosynthesis, and application of polyketides has evolved. It is a large and diverse group of secondary metabolites caused by its complex biosynthesis which resembles that of fatty acid synthesis. Because of this diversity, polyketides can have various medicinal, agricultural, and industrial applications. Many polyketides are medicinal or exhibit acute toxicity. Biotechnology has enabled discovery of more naturally-occurring polyketides and evolution of new polyketides with novel or improved bioactivity.
An antimetabolite is a chemical that inhibits the use of a metabolite, which is another chemical that is part of normal metabolism. Such substances are often similar in structure to the metabolite that they interfere with, such as the antifolates that interfere with the use of folic acid; thus, competitive inhibition can occur, and the presence of antimetabolites can have toxic effects on cells, such as halting cell growth and cell division, so these compounds are used as chemotherapy for cancer.
A nucleic acid inhibitor is a type of antibacterial that acts by inhibiting the production of nucleic acids. There are two major classes: DNA inhibitors and RNA inhibitors. The antifungal flucytosine acts in a similar manner.
Sparsomycin is a compound, initially discovered as a metabolite of the bacterium Streptomyces sparsogenes, which binds to the 50S ribosomal subunit and inhibits protein synthesis through peptidyl transferase inhibition. As it binds to the 50S ribosomal subunit, it induces translocation on the 30S subunit. It is a nucleotide analogue. It was also formerly thought to be a possible anti-tumor agent, but interest in this drug was later discarded after it was discovered that it resulted in retinopathy and as a tool to study protein synthesis; it is not specific for bacterial ribosomes and so not usable as an antibiotic.
Pluramycin A is an antibiotic/anticancer compound that inhibits nucleic acid biosynthesis. The pluramycin family of natural products are an important group of complex C-aryl glycoside antibiotics that possess the tetracyclic 4H-anthra[1,2-b]pyran-4,7,12-trione moiety A–D as an aromatic core. The D-ring is adorned with two deoxyaminosugars that are appended by C-aryl glycosidic linkages. The E-ring sugar is angolosamine, a carbohydrate that is also found in the antibiotic angolamycin. The F-ring sugar is the N,N-dimethyl derivative of vancosamine, which is the sugar found in the glycopeptide antibiotic vancomycin.
Streptomyces ardus is a bacterium species from the genus Streptomyces which has been isolated from soil. Streptomyces ardus produces porfiromycin.
Streptomyces coeruleorubidus is a bacterium species from the genus of Streptomyces which has been isolated from marine sediment. Streptomyces coeruleorubidus produces the following medications: pacidamycin 1, baumycin B1, baumycin B2, baumycin C1, feudomycin A, feudomycin B, feudomycin C, ficellomycin, feudomycinone A, and rubomycin.
Streptomyces diastatochromogenes is a bacterium species from the genus of Streptomyces. Streptomyces diastatochromogenes produces polyketomycin, concanamycin A, concanamycin B, concanamycin C, momofulvenone A, azdimycin, toyocamycin and oligomycins.
Streptomyces griseoluteus is a bacterium species from the genus of Streptomyces which has been isolated from soil in Tokyo in Japan. Streptomyces griseoluteus produces griseoluteic acid, griseolutein A and griseolutein B.
Streptacidiphilus griseoplanus is a bacterium species from the genus Streptacidiphilus which has been isolated from grassland soil in Iowa in the United States. Streptacidiphilus griseoplanus produces alazopeptin, erythromycin and anticapsin.
Streptomyces kasugaensis is a bacterium species from the genus of Streptomyces which has been isolated from soil from the city Nara in Japan. Streptomyces kasugaensis produces kasugamycin and thiolutin.
Streptomyces luteogriseus is a bacterium species from the genus of Streptomyces. Streptomyces luteogriseus produces peliomycin and (+)-(S)-streptonol A.
Streptomyces showdoensis is a bacterium species from the genus of Streptomyces which has been isolated from soil in Shōdoshima, Japan. Streptomyces showdoensis produces terferol, actinomycin and showdomycin.
A steroidogenesis inhibitor, also known as a steroid biosynthesis inhibitor, is a type of drug which inhibits one or more of the enzymes that are involved in the process of steroidogenesis, the biosynthesis of endogenous steroids and steroid hormones. They may inhibit the production of cholesterol and other sterols, sex steroids such as androgens, estrogens, and progestogens, corticosteroids such as glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids, and neurosteroids. They are used in the treatment of a variety of medical conditions that depend on endogenous steroids.
Amphenone B, or simply amphenone, also known as 3,3-bis(p-aminophenyl)butan-2-one, is an inhibitor of steroid hormone and thyroid hormone biosynthesis which was never marketed but has been used as a tool in scientific research to study corticosteroids and the adrenal glands. It acts as competitive inhibitor of 11β-hydroxylase, 17α-hydroxylase, 17,20-lyase, 21-hydroxylase, and 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, as well as of cholesterol side-chain cleavage enzyme, thereby inhibiting the production of steroid hormones including glucocorticoids, mineralocorticoids, androgens, and estrogens. In addition, amphenone B inhibits the production of thyroxine by a thiouracil-like mechanism, specifically via inhibition of organic binding of iodine and uptake of iodide by the thyroid gland.
Althiomycin (matamycin) is a thiazole antibiotic, effective against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The name matamycin is from "Mata Hari" and the suffix -mycin.
C-1027 or lidamycin is an antitumor antibiotic consisting of a complex of an enediyne chromophore and an apoprotein. It shows antibiotic activity against most Gram-positive bacteria. It is one of the most potent cytotoxic molecules known, due to its induction of a higher ratio of DNA double-strand breaks than single-strand breaks.
Gougerotin is a water-soluble pyrimidine-based antibiotic which is produced by the bacteria Streptomyces graminearus and Streptomyces gougerotii. Gougerotin is named after the dermatologist Henri-Eugène Gougerot. Gougerotin has activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria as well as against viruses.
Tomaymycin is an antitumor and antibiotic pyrrolobenzodiazepine with the molecular formula C16H20N2O4. Tomaymycin is produced by the bacterium Streptomyces achromogenes.
Gilvocarcin V is an antitumor agent and an antibiotic which is active against Gram-positive bacteria with the molecular formula C27H26O9.Gilvocarcin V is produced by the bacterium Streptomyces griseoflavus and other Streptomyces bacteria. Gilvocarcin V is a strong inhibitor of the DNA synthesis.
