Saturday, October 13, 2012

Pharmacology Of Cerulenin

Indication For use as a biochemical tool, Cerulenin is shown to cause dramatic weight loss in animals
Pharmacodynamics Cerulenin is an antifungal antibiotic isolated from Cephalosporium caerulens. It interrupts fungal growth by inhibiting the biosynthesis of sterols and fatty acids (inhibits bacterial fatty acid synthesis). It also inhibits HMG-CoA synthetase activity. Cerulenin produces metabolic effects similar to effects of leptin, but through mechanisms that are independent of, or down-stream from, both leptin and melanocortin receptors.
Mechanism of action Irreversibly binds to fatty acid synthase, specifically b-ketoacyl-acyl carrier protein synthase (FabH, FabB and FabF condensation enzymes). A number of tumor cells and cell lines have been observed to have highly upregulated expression and activity of fatty acid synthase (FAS). Inhibition of FAS by cerulenin leads to cytotoxicity and apoptosis in human cancer cell lines, an effect believed to be mediated by the accumulation of malonyl-coenzyme A in cells with an upregulated FAS pathway.
Absorption Not Available
Volume of distribution Not Available
Protein binding Not Available
Metabolism Not Available
Route of elimination Not Available
Half life Not Available
Clearance Not Available
Toxicity Oral, mouse LD50: 547 mg/kg. Symptoms of overexposure include moderate to severe erythema (redness) and moderate edema (raised skin), nausea, vomiting, and headache.

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