Page 145 - Phytochemistry 2 (06-PG 605)

I-Marine derived anti-cancer drugs

1-Asparaginase: cell cycle non specific
(inhibits protein synthesis)

Sources: marine actinomycetes, bacteria (E.coli, Bacillus
sp.,…), fungi(Penicillium sp.,…) and yeast (Candida utilis).

 Asparagine is non essential amino acid, used in the
biosynthesis ofproteins, RNA, DNA, ATP(aspartate) and
source of amino group in transamination .
 All cells need asparagine to stay alive.
 Normal cells can make their asparagine from
aspartate andglutamine, by asparagine
synthetase.
 cancer cells cannot synthesize their own.