Chemistry Reference
In-Depth Information
102
104
103
3.11.3 Nucleoside Analogs
Cordycepin (
104
) is a derivative of adenosine (3
-deoxyadenosine) produced by
the fungus
Cordyceps militaris
. It is a polyadenylation inhibitor with a large
spectrum of biological activities, including insecticidal (78), antifungal, and anti-
neoplastic properties. These effects result from the incorporation of the molecule
into RNA. In addition, the drug likely activates AMP kinase (AMPK), as its
effects are abolished in the presence of an AMPK inhibitor.
3.12 CONCLUDING REMARKS
Throughout history, microbial natural products have been used as the active
agents in many traditional medical preparations and they continue to play an
important role as pharmaceuticals. With the continuing need for novel drug-
like lead compounds with antibiotic, anticancer, and immunosuppressant effects
(among other pharmacological activities), the chemical diversity derived from
microbial products will be increasingly relevant to the future of drug discovery.
As only a small fraction of the world's microbial biodiversity has been tested
for biological activity, it can be assumed that microbial products will continue
to offer novel leads for therapeutic agents, provided that the microorganisms are
available for screening.
