Ecteinascidin

Ecteinascidin is a family of related tetrahydroisoquinoline alkaloids. They are isolated from the marine tunicate Ecteinascidia turbinata. Ecteinascidins have been found to have antitumor properties.

History

Ecteinascidin was first isolated in the 1960s from the Caribbean sea squirt Ecteinascidia turbinata. The compound was found to have potent antitumor properties, leading to interest in its potential as a cancer treatment.

Structure and Properties

Ecteinascidins are a family of related tetrahydroisoquinoline alkaloids. They are characterized by a complex structure that includes three fused rings and several chiral centers. The most well-known member of the family, ecteinascidin 743 (ET-743), has a molecular weight of 761.9 and a molecular formula of C_31H_43N_5O_7.

Biological Activity

Ecteinascidins have been found to have potent antitumor properties. They work by binding to the minor groove of DNA, causing bends in the DNA helix that interfere with the function of various proteins involved in DNA repair and transcription. This leads to cell death and the inhibition of tumor growth.

Clinical Use

Ecteinascidin 743 (ET-743), also known as trabectedin, is the only member of the ecteinascidin family that has been approved for clinical use. It is used for the treatment of advanced soft tissue sarcoma and relapsed ovarian cancer.

See Also

• Tetrahydroisoquinoline
• Ecteinascidia turbinata
• DNA
• Cancer

References

Ecteinascidin Resources
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