Biologically active secondary metabolites from marine cyanobacteria

Curr Opin Biotechnol. 2010 Dec;21(6):787-93. doi: 10.1016/j.copbio.2010.09.019. Epub 2010 Oct 26.

Abstract

Marine cyanobacteria are a rich source of complex bioactive secondary metabolites which derive from mixed biosynthetic pathways. Recently, several marine cyanobacterial natural products have garnered much attention due to their intriguing structures and exciting anti-proliferative or cancer cell toxic activities. Several other recently discovered secondary metabolites exhibit insightful neurotoxic activities whereas others are showing pronounced anti-inflammatory activity. A number of anti-infective compounds displaying activity against neglected diseases have also been identified, which include viridamides A and B, gallinamide A, dragonamide E, and the almiramides.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Infective Agents / chemistry
  • Anti-Infective Agents / isolation & purification
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / chemistry
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / isolation & purification
  • Biological Products / chemistry
  • Biological Products / isolation & purification
  • Cyanobacteria / metabolism*
  • Marine Biology / methods*

Substances

  • Anti-Infective Agents
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Biological Products