Design, synthesis and biological activity of protaxols
Article Abstract:
Protaxols, drugs designed to act like taxol, have greater potential as cancer fighting agents than the parent compounds taxol and taxotere. Taxol's lack of solubility in water hampers its practical medical uses. The protaxols were designed specifically to offer the medicinal benefit of taxol in a water-soluble form. They are stable at pH less than or equal to seven, and are able to release taxol in a basic medium. Human plasma is the catalyst for the release of the taxol in the drugs, and they have cytotoxic properties in vitro that are comparable to taxol itself.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1993
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Total synthesis of brevetoxin A
Article Abstract:
Biochemical research has established a technique to synthesise the marine neurotoxin Brevetoxin A. Brevetoxin A is a highly complex polycyclic macromolecule, consisting of ten carbon rings, 44 carbon atoms and ten oxygen atoms. It is produced by the organism Gymnodinium breve Davis. Further investigations into the functional mechanisms of naturally occurring Brevetoxin A are possible now that the toxin can be synthesized.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1998
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Synthesis of epothilones A and B in solid and solution phase
Article Abstract:
The solid-phase synthesis of epothilone A and the total synthesis of epothilone B are described. These compounds, which were sourced from the myxobacterium 'Sorangium cellulosum' strain 90, elicited interest in the scientific community due to potential applications in cancer treatment and natural product synthesis. Both are capable of inducing microtubule stabilization and assembly.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1997
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