Abstract
Apoptosis is involved in the action of several (and perhaps all) cancer-chemotherapeutic agents. Prodigiosins, a family of natural red pigments characterized by a common pyrrolylpyrromethene skeleton, are produced by various bacteria. Three members of the prodigiosin family, viz. prodigiosin (PG), undecylprodigiosin (UP) and cycloprodigiosin hydrochloride (cPrG HCl), have immunosuppressive properties and apoptotic effects on cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. Their cytotoxic effect is attributed to the presence of the C-6 methoxy substituent. The A-pyrrole ring plays a key role in both the copper nuclease activity and the cytotoxicity of prodigiosins. Here, we have reviewed the pharmacological activity of PG and related compounds, including novel synthetic PG-derivatives with lower toxicity. The mechanism of action for these molecules is a current topic in biomedicine. The molecular targets of prodigiosins are also discussed.
Keywords: prodigiosin, anticancer drug, prodigiosin family, pg, undecylprodigiosin
Current Cancer Drug Targets
Title: The Prodigiosins: A New Family of Anticancer Drugs
Volume: 3 Issue: 1
Author(s): Beatriz Montaner and Ricardo Pérez-Tomás
Affiliation:
Keywords: prodigiosin, anticancer drug, prodigiosin family, pg, undecylprodigiosin
Abstract: Apoptosis is involved in the action of several (and perhaps all) cancer-chemotherapeutic agents. Prodigiosins, a family of natural red pigments characterized by a common pyrrolylpyrromethene skeleton, are produced by various bacteria. Three members of the prodigiosin family, viz. prodigiosin (PG), undecylprodigiosin (UP) and cycloprodigiosin hydrochloride (cPrG HCl), have immunosuppressive properties and apoptotic effects on cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. Their cytotoxic effect is attributed to the presence of the C-6 methoxy substituent. The A-pyrrole ring plays a key role in both the copper nuclease activity and the cytotoxicity of prodigiosins. Here, we have reviewed the pharmacological activity of PG and related compounds, including novel synthetic PG-derivatives with lower toxicity. The mechanism of action for these molecules is a current topic in biomedicine. The molecular targets of prodigiosins are also discussed.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Montaner Beatriz and Pérez-Tomás Ricardo, The Prodigiosins: A New Family of Anticancer Drugs, Current Cancer Drug Targets 2003; 3 (1) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1568009033333772
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1568009033333772 |
Print ISSN 1568-0096 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1873-5576 |
Related Books

- Author Guidelines
- Bentham Author Support Services (BASS)
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
Related Articles
-
Novel Target Sites for Drug Screening: A Special Reference to Cancer, Rheumatoid Arthritis and Parkinson’s Disease
Current Signal Transduction Therapy Therapeutically Targeting MicroRNAs in Liver Cancer
Current Pharmaceutical Design Protein Kinase C Inhibitors in the Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy. Review
Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Sorbinil, an Aldose Reductase Inhibitor, in Fighting Against Diabetic Complications
Medicinal Chemistry Diabetic Vascular Complications: Pathophysiology, Biochemical Basis and Potential Therapeutic Strategy
Current Pharmaceutical Design Structural and Mechanistic Bases of the Anticancer Activity of Natural Aporphinoid Alkaloids
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor and Diabetic Retinopathy: Role of Oxidative Stress
Current Drug Targets Cystine Dimethyl Ester Induces Apoptosis Through Regulation of PKC-δ and PKC-ε in Prostate Cancer Cells
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Gene Therapy and Targeted Toxins for Glioma
Current Gene Therapy The Antimitotic Potential of PARP Inhibitors, An Unexplored Therapeutic Alternative
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Seeing Genes at Work in the Living Brain with Non-Invasive Molecular Imaging
Current Gene Therapy Homeostasis and the Importance for a Balance Between AKT/mTOR Activity and Intracellular Signaling
Current Medicinal Chemistry Curcumin Targets in Inflammation and Cancer
Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Disorders - Drug Targets PTD/CPP Peptide-Mediated Delivery of siRNAs
Current Pharmaceutical Design Selective Inhibitors of Zinc-Dependent Histone Deacetylases. Therapeutic Targets Relevant to Cancer
Current Pharmaceutical Design Histone Methyltransferase Inhibitors: Novel Epigenetic Agents for Cancer Treatment
Current Medicinal Chemistry Small Molecule Drugs and Targeted Therapy for Melanoma: Current Strategies and Future Directions
Current Medicinal Chemistry Function Analysis of Human Protein Interactions Based on a Novel Minimal Loop Algorithm
Current Bioinformatics Tyrosine Kinase Receptor Transactivation Associated to G Protein-Coupled Receptors
Current Drug Targets Protocatechuic Acid and Human Disease Prevention: Biological Activities and Molecular Mechanisms
Current Medicinal Chemistry