A new angiogenesis inhibitor from a marine-derived bacterium

Abstract

The screening of marine microbial natural products continues to represent an important route to the discovery of novel compounds for the development of new therapeutic agents. As part of our ongoing program to develop the biomedical potential of marine microorganisms, we have focused considerable attention on the marine actinomycetes. From the bioactive isolates, we could isolate a new anti-angiogenesis compound from a marine-derived actinomycete. Angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels, is involved in many pathologic processes, including invasive tumor growth as well as physiologic organ/tissue maintenance. However, malignant angiogenesis plays a critical role in several fatal diseases including cancer, vascular insufficiency, diabetic retinopathy, and rheumatoid arthritis by abnormal delivering mechanism of oxygen and nutrients to cell and tissue. Because tumor angiogenesis caused by angiogenic inducers is the most critical factor in the growth of solid tumors, as well as their invasion and metastasis, early control of angiogenesis may be a promising therapeutic strategy for the related diseases. We present here the discovery of an anti-angiogenesis compound from a marine-derived bacterium. The isolation, structure determination, and anti-angiogenesis activity of the compound will be presented.