Action of anti-cancer toxin is explained

CHICAGO, Nov 14, 2005 (UPI via COMTEX) -- University of Chicago scientists say they've found the mechanism of action of a natural product known to be toxic to cancer cells.

Sergey Kozmin and colleagues discovered a toxin called bistramide A prevents cells from dividing properly by targeting their actin cytoskeleton. Sea squirts (Lissoclinum bistratum) are invertebrate marine animals that produce bistramides as a by-product of metabolism.

The researchers said bistramide A has various toxic effects on the cells of mammals ranging from frogs to humans.

To determine the mechanism of that toxicity, the scientists looked at the contractile ring of cells, a bundle of actin polymers that provide the mechanical force to pinch cells apart during cell division. They found that by binding to actin, bistramide A prevented cells from splitting apart during division. By blocking cell division, bistramide A blocks the multiplication of cells.

The research appears in the December issue of Nature Chemical Biology.

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