The bacteria can create new library of cancer drugs that are too complex to create artificially
Researchers at the University of Warwick are a way of using bacteria to a new set of potential cancer drugs that are difficult to create synthetically on a lab bench are looking for production. The bacterium Streptomyces coelicolor naturally produce antibiotics called prodiginines. This group of antibiotics has aroused intense interest recently because they are used to target and kill the cancer cells. A synthetic analogue called prodiginine GX15-070 is currently in Phase 1 and 2 studies of cancer treatment.However, other similar prodiginines streptorubin B could be an even more powerful tool against cancer, but can not currently be easily synthetically produced on a laboratory bench.Professor Greg Challis and colleagues at the Department of Chemistry, University of
Warwick have examined the enzymes controlling the process that allows the bacterium Streptomyces coelicolor to create streptorubin B and obtained a clear understanding of what are the main enzymes involved in certain stages this process. By manipulating the content of the enzyme from bacteria, their goal is to produce a series of different compounds depending on how close streptorubin B normally formed by bacteria.Some of these analogues streptorubin B could be the basis for the development of new drugs against cancer may be useful.Professor Challis said: This approach combines the strengths of conventional organic synthesis, with the power of synthetic biology, to assemble complex structures and difficult synthesis. It could be especially useful for generating Bstreptorubin similar to all the promises that apply to the development of new cancer drugs ------------------------ - Article adapted by Medical News Today --- original press release.