Scientists find myxoglucamides in soil bacteria that bind cancer-linked protein AKR1C3

Researchers at HIPS and HZI discovered a new class of natural compounds, myxoglucamides, in myxobacteria by activating a silent biosynthetic gene cluster. The molecules bind the human protein AKR1C3, overproduced in several cancers, though no strong inhibition of cancer cell growth was shown.

• Myxoglucamides combine sugar, lipid and amino acid building blocks in an unusual structure
• Scientists activated a silent gene cluster in myxobacteria and mapped its biosynthesis
• The team achieved the first total laboratory synthesis of myxoglucamide A
• Synthetic derivatives bound AKR1C3 more strongly than the original molecule