Mode of action of thiocoraline, a natural marine compound with anti-tumour activity
1999
Thiocoraline: A New Anti-Cancer Drug
publication
Author Information
Author(s): Erba E, Bergamaschi D, Ronzoni S, Faretta M, Taverna S, Bonfanti M, Catapano C V, Faircloth G, Jimeno J, D'Incalci M
Primary Institution: Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche ‘Mario Negri’
Hypothesis
Thiocoraline, a natural marine compound, may inhibit DNA polymerase α activity and affect the cell cycle in cancer cells.
Conclusion
Thiocoraline likely acts by inhibiting DNA polymerase α activity, leading to cell cycle arrest in cancer cells.
Supporting Evidence
- Thiocoraline caused an arrest in G1 phase of the cell cycle in human colon cancer cell lines.
- It decreased the rate of S phase progression towards G2/M phases.
- Thiocoraline inhibited DNA elongation by DNA polymerase α.
Takeaway
Thiocoraline is a new medicine from the ocean that helps stop cancer cells from growing by messing with their DNA.
Methodology
The study used flow cytometric analysis and a primer extension assay to assess the effects of thiocoraline on cell cycle and DNA replication.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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