Marine Invertebrate Natural Products that Target Microtubules

J Nat Prod. 2018 Mar 23;81(3):691-702. doi: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.7b00964. Epub 2018 Feb 12.

Abstract

Marine natural products as secondary metabolites are a potential major source of new drugs for treating disease. In some cases, cytotoxic marine metabolites target the microtubules of the eukaryote cytoskeleton for reasons that will be discussed. This review covers the microtubule-targeting agents reported from sponges, corals, tunicates, and molluscs and the evidence that many of these secondary metabolites are produced by bacterial symbionts. The review finishes by discussing the directions for future development and production of clinically relevant amounts of these natural products and their analogues through aquaculture, chemical synthesis, and biosynthesis by bacterial symbionts.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Aquatic Organisms / chemistry*
  • Bacteria / drug effects
  • Biological Products / chemistry*
  • Humans
  • Invertebrates / chemistry*
  • Microtubules / metabolism*
  • Symbiosis / drug effects

Substances

  • Biological Products