Toxin From Coral-reef Bacteria Could Become Next-generation Cancer Drug

Researchers at University of Michigan have recently discovered new potential mechanisms for a protein family, GNAT, that is found in an array or organisms from microbes to humans. A member of the GNAT family is found in the molecule curacin-A. Curacin-A is a toxin derived from coral reef that shows great potential in killing or disabling cancer cells. More significantly is that this member of the GNAT family has been shown to play a role in initiating the synthesis of curacin-A. Understanding more about these synthetic pathways is important to understanding more about how the toxin works, and this is a big stepping stone. This could help lead to being able to develop the toxin in high quantities in the laboratory. I especially find it interesting because this cancer fighting method is being developed from a substance from nature. Slight modifications to the toxin could make it a leading cancer fighter in the future.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/11/071128103345.htm