The bat flower: a source of microtubule-destabilizing and -stabilizing compounds with synergistic antiproliferative actions.

ABSTRACT: The biosynthesis of secondary metabolites provides higher plants with mechanisms of defense against microbes, insects, and herbivores. One common cellular target of these molecules is the highly conserved microtubule cytoskeleton, and microtubule-targeting compounds with insecticidal, antifungal, nematicidal, and anticancer activities have been identified from plants. A new retro-dihydrochalcone, taccabulin A, with microtubule-destabilizing activity has been identified from the roots and rhizomes of Tacca species. This finding is notable because the microtubule-stabilizing taccalonolides are also isolated from these sources. This is the first report of an organism producing compounds with both microtubule-stabilizing and -destabilizing activities. A two-step chemical synthesis of taccabuli

SUBMITTER: Risinger AL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3922119 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature