Stopping trouble before it starts.
A recent publication revealing that the cytotoxic marine natural product pateamine A targets eukaryotic initiation factor eIF4A continues a story with lessons for both chemists and biologists, that is, the significance of natural products, the importance of synthetic organic chemistry, the small molecule regulation of eukaryotic translation machinery, and possibly a new approach to cancer chemotherapy.
Clardy
Jon
J
Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, 240 Longwood Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA. jon_clardy@hms.harvard.edu
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000494:pharmacology; D004852:Epoxy Compounds / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D039601:Eukaryotic Initiation Factor-4A / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D018942:Macrolides / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008957:Models, Genetic; D008958:Models, Molecular; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis / Q000187:drug effects; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D013844:Thiazoles / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D004852:Epoxy Compounds; D018942:Macrolides; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D013844:Thiazoles; C421324:pateamine A; D039601:Eukaryotic Initiation Factor-4A