Cytochalasin E, a member of the cytochalasin

Cytochalasin

Cytochalasins are fungal metabolites that have the ability to bind to actin filaments and block polymerization and the elongation of actin. As a result of the inhibition of actin polymerization, cytochalasins can change cellular morphology, inhibit cellular processes such as cell division, and even...

 group, is an inhibitor of actin polymerization in blood platelets. It inhibits angiogenesis

Angiogenesis

Angiogenesis is the physiological process involving the growth of new blood vessels from pre-existing vessels. Though there has been some debate over terminology, vasculogenesis is the term used for spontaneous blood-vessel formation, and intussusception is the term for the formation of new blood...

 and tumor growth. Unlike cytochalasin A and cytochalasin B

Cytochalasin B

Cytochalasin B is a cell-permeable mycotoxin. It inhibits cytoplasmic division by blocking the formation of contractile microfilaments. It inhibits cell movement and induces nuclear extrusion. Cytochalasin B shortens actin filaments by blocking monomer addition at the fast-growing end of polymers....

, it does not inhibit glucose transport.

Because of its antiangiogenic effect, cytochalasin E is a potential drug for age-related macular degeneration, a kind of blindness caused by an abnormal proliferation of blood vessels in the eye.

External pages

Cytochalasin E from Fermentek

Fermentek

Fermentek Ltd. is a biotechnological company, located in Atarot industrial zone, Jerusalem, Israel, specializing in the research, development and manufacture of biologically active, natural products isolated from microorganisms as well as from other natural sources such as plants and algae.The main...