CAS 23668-11-3: Pactamycin

Pactamycin, an antibiotic from Streptomyces pactum, serves as an antineoplastic and protein synthesis inhibitor.

Pactamycin is an antibiotic, which is a natural product derived from the soil bacterium Streptomyces pactum. It operates by inhibiting protein synthesis through the interference with the initiation phase. Specifically, it disrupts the binding of initiator tRNA to the small ribosomal subunit, which is crucial for the initiation of translation, thereby halting cellular protein production. Pactamycin has been predominantly investigated in the context of its potential antitumor applications, owing to its capability to inhibit the growth of cancer cells by obstructing their protein-synthesizing machinery. Additionally, its broad-spectrum activity against various pathogens suggests possible utility in combating infectious diseases. However, its high toxicity has limited clinical applications, necessitating further research into derivative compounds or targeted delivery systems to mitigate adverse effects. Overall, while its direct medicinal use remains constrained, pactamycin serves as an important molecule in studies focused on understanding protein synthesis and developing novel therapeutic agents.