Cancer killer found in the ocean

Bradley Moore, Ph.D. Marine biochemist at Scripps Institution of Oceanography in San Diego has discovered that Salinispora tropica; a bacteria could be a new nature antibiotic. It can produce anti-cancer agents. Salinispora tropica was first found in the ocean sediments of Bahamas in 1991. Recently its genome was sequenced. The compound of ‘salinosporamide A’ was found in the bacteria which can be use to treat a bone marrow cancer, multiple myeloma, and some solid tumors.

The technique of sequencing mapping, ‘shotgun ‘, was approached by Moore and the Joint Genome Institute (JGI) of solving Salinispora tropica’s genome structure. The genes of Salinispora tropica were cut into small pieces and rebuilt. However, the experiment failed to solve the bacteria’s genome puzzle. “Instead, information about the natural chemistry of the organism helped close the sequencing gap”

Recently the researchers have succussed sequencing the genomes; the molecular basis of nature synthesis can be studied. The protein or enzyme can be predicted by the DNA sequence. Moore and his colleagues now are able to manipulate the enzymes and make new chemistry from it. ‘Salinosporamide A’ was the compound derived in the bacterium.

"By sequencing Salinispora tropica we are now able to look in greater detail at this organism and potentially pull out some of the other compounds from the gene clusters that may make highly potent anticancer agents," said Moore. The natural product that was created by the marine organism is currently being tested to treat cancer in humans, especially patients who suffer from a bone marrow cancer. They are hoping it could soon be tested to treat other cancers.

Futher reading:

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/06/070613174715.htm

http://www.sciencedaily.com/videos/2007/1107-cancer_killer_found_in_the_ocean.htm

Post by Tzu-Ling Sung 41612040