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Diaranson, 15 November 2023 AWEMainta HEALTH 51
Enzyme Discovery at UF Scripps Institute Unveils
Potential Breakthrough in Cancer Treatment
SCIENTISTS at The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute combating infections, viruses, or cancer. The discovery
for Biomedical Innovation & Technology have uncovered two resolves previous challenges in synthesizing tiancimycin A
novel enzymes with significant implications for cancer treat- for larger-scale studies.
ment. These enzymes, termed “cofactorless oxygenases,”
operate without traditional metals or cofactors, simplifying Shen emphasizes the importance of nature’s role in drug
the synthesis of complex natural chemicals that could be discovery, with nearly half of FDA-approved antibiotics and
utilized in medicines. anticancer drugs derived from or inspired by natural prod-
ucts. The institute’s microbial natural product collection,
Published in Nature Chemical Biology, the findings led by one of the world’s largest, continues to reveal chemical trea-
chemist Ben Shen, Ph.D., reveal the enzymes TnmJ and sures through modern genomic technologies.
TnmK2. These enzymes play a crucial role in the production of
tiancimycin A, a potent antibiotic and anticancer compound. The cofactorless enzymes open avenues for studying and
Tiancimycin A, sourced from soil-dwelling bacteria, exhibits manufacturing intricate natural chemicals more efficiently,
exceptional potency against cancer and viruses. fostering advancements in medicine development. Shen
sees this discovery as a testament to nature’s surprises,
The enzymes enable bacteria to create compounds targeting offering insights into fundamental chemistry and biology
and breaking up DNA, providing a potential mechanism for while providing tools for impactful medical solutions.
