Toxins affecting actin filaments and microtubules

Prog Mol Subcell Biol. 2009:46:187-219. doi: 10.1007/978-3-540-87895-7_7.

Abstract

Actin and tubulin are the two major proteins of the cytoskeleton in eukaryotic cells and both display a common property to reversibly assemble into long and flexible polymers, actin filaments and microtubules, respectively. These proteins play important roles in a variety of cellular functions and are also involved in numbers of diseases. An emerging number of marine-derived cytotoxins have been found to bind either actin or tublin, resulting in either inhibition or enhancement of polymerization. Thus, these toxins are valuable molecular probes for solving complex mechanisms of biological processes. This chapter describes actin- and tubulin-targeting marine natural products and their modes of action, with reference to their use as research tools and their clinical applications.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Actins / chemistry
  • Actins / drug effects
  • Actins / physiology*
  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemistry
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Cytoskeleton / drug effects
  • Cytoskeleton / physiology
  • Drug Stability
  • Humans
  • Marine Toxins / chemistry
  • Marine Toxins / therapeutic use
  • Marine Toxins / toxicity*
  • Microtubules / drug effects*
  • Models, Molecular
  • Tubulin / chemistry
  • Tubulin / drug effects
  • Tubulin / physiology

Substances

  • Actins
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Marine Toxins
  • Tubulin