Toxin From Coral-reef Bacteria Could Become Next-generation Cancer DrugToxin From Coral-reef Bacteria Could Become Next-generation Cancer Drug

University of Michigan (U-M) and Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego researchers have acquired a new molecular tool that could help them transform a toxin from coral-reef bacteria into a next-generation cancer drug. U-M Life Sciences Institute researchers David Sherman and Janet Smith led a cross-disciplinary team that uncovered new functions for an ancient, well-known family of proteins found in many organisms, from microbes to humans. The discovery of new roles for the GNAT family of proteins adds weapons to the arsenal of “synthetic biologists” who rearrange the building blocks of natural substances in an effort to make better pharmaceuticals, said Sherman, director of LSI’s Center for Chemical Genomics and the Hans W. Valteich professor of medicinal chemistry at the U-M College of Pharmacy.

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