Staurosporin

Staurosporine is a potent inhibitor of protein kinases, which are enzymes that modify other proteins by chemically adding phosphate groups to them. It was first isolated from the bacterium Streptomyces staurosporeus in 1977.

History

Staurosporine was discovered by researchers at the pharmaceutical company Sankyo Co. Ltd. in Japan. They were investigating secondary metabolites of the bacterium Streptomyces staurosporeus and identified staurosporine as a novel compound with potent antibiotic properties.

Structure and Properties

Staurosporine is a small molecule with a complex structure that includes an indolocarbazole moiety. This structure allows it to bind to a wide range of protein kinases, inhibiting their activity. It is highly lipophilic, which allows it to easily cross cell membranes and exert its effects inside cells.

Biological Activity

Staurosporine is a broad-spectrum protein kinase inhibitor. It inhibits many different types of protein kinases, including protein kinase C, protein kinase A, and tyrosine kinases. This broad activity makes it a useful tool in research to study the roles of these enzymes in cellular processes.

Medical Research

Staurosporine has been extensively studied for its potential use in cancer therapy. Its ability to inhibit protein kinases, which are often overactive in cancer cells, makes it a promising candidate for cancer treatment. However, its broad activity also means it can have many side effects, and research is ongoing to develop more selective derivatives.

See Also

• Protein kinase
• Protein kinase inhibitor
• Cancer treatment