Researchers activate silent bacterial genes to find cancer drug leads
Scientists at the Helmholtz Center for Infection Research and HIPS in Saarbrücken have discovered a new family of compounds from soil bacteria that bind to human proteins involved in cancer development.
Activating silent genetic pathways
The research team used modern genetic methods to turn on a biosynthetic pathway that had remained inactive in the bacteria. This activation allowed them to produce and detect the myxoglucamides for the first time.
Unique chemical structures identified
These compounds combine building blocks from sugars, lipids, and amino acids in a way distinct from previously known natural products. The unusual structure sets them apart from other substances found by microorganisms.
Synthetic production methods developed
Researchers elucidated the unusual biosynthesis of these molecules and created a method to produce them synthetically. The findings were published in two linked studies within Angewandte Chemie International Edition.
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