Discovery of euglenatide analogs in Euglena gracilis
Author Information
Author(s): Elbanna Ahmed H., Kou Xinhui, Prajapati Dilip V., Rakshit Surasree, Butcher Rebecca A.
Primary Institution: University of Florida
Hypothesis
Euglena gracilis produces a family of euglenatide analogs that differ from the original euglenatides in their chemical structure and biological activity.
Conclusion
Euglena gracilis produces euglenatide analogs that are less bioactive than the original euglenatides, indicating the importance of the triene structure for their activity.
Supporting Evidence
- Euglena gracilis produces euglenatides A–C and their analogs A2–C2 in roughly equal amounts.
- The euglenatide analogs have the same molecular weights as the original euglenatides but lack the triene chromophore.
- Euglenatide B2 is about tenfold less potent than euglenatide B against A549 lung adenocarcinoma cells.
Takeaway
Scientists found new versions of a compound made by a tiny algae that are not as good at fighting cancer as the original ones.
Methodology
The study involved culturing Euglena gracilis in specific media and analyzing the extracts using molecular networking and LC-MS.
Limitations
The low abundance of some euglenatides and their analogs made purification for analysis challenging.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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