Antitumor compounds from actinomycetes: from gene clusters to new derivatives by combinatorial biosynthesis

Abstract

Covering: up to October 2008. Antitumor compounds produced by actinomycetes and novel derivatives generated by combinatorial biosynthesis are reviewed (with 318 references cited.) The different structural groups for which the relevant gene clusters have been isolated and characterized are reviewed, with a description of the strategies used for the generation of the novel derivatives and the activities of these compounds against tumor cell lines.

Characterization of cytotoxic compound from marine sediment derived actinomycete Streptomyces avidinii strain SU4

“…Many of these secondary metabolites are potent antibiotics, which has made streptomycetes the primary antibiotic-producing organisms exploited by the pharmaceutical industry [2] . Members of this group are producers, in addition, of clinically useful antitumor drugs such as anthracyclines (aclarubicin, daunomycin and doxorubicin), peptides (bleomycin and actinomycin D), aureolic acids (mithramycin), enediynes (neocarzinostatin), antimetabolites (pentostatin), carzinophilin, mitomycins and others [3,4] .…”

Statistical optimization and anticancer activity of a red pigment isolated from Streptomyces sp. PM4

“…While there are several reports about the control of secondary metabolite production by actinobacteria [12,13] , optimization of cultivation conditions is expected to improve the secondary metabolite production. In this study, optimization of pigment production by the strain of Streptomyces sp.…”

Hutchinson's legacy: keeping on polyketide biosynthesis

“…[15][16][17][18] In particular, a great effort has been made in the study of polyketide antitumor drugs to generate novel derivatives and to improve their production yields by combinatorial biosynthesis approaches. [19][20][21][22] The research shown below and developed in our laboratory at the University Institute of Oncology from Principado de Asturias (IUOPA) represent my modest contribution to the research on polyketide during the period 2000-2010.…”