Avarol, a cytostatically active compound from the marine sponge Dysidea avara.

Abstract

A main metabolic product of the sponge Dysidea avara was isolated and purified and subsequently identified as avarol by applying a series of analytical techniques, e.g. [13C]NMR, [1H]NMR and i.r. spectroscopy. This sesquiterpenoid hydroquinone was found to possess strong cytostatic activity. Using the L5178y mouse lymphoma cell system in vitro (roller tube assays) avarol reduced cell growth to 50% at a concentration of 0.9 microM. Avarol treated cells did not show "unbalanced growth". Avarol interfered with mitotic processes, preventing telophase formation. Incorporation studies with precursors for DNA, RNA, protein and glycoprotein syntheses revealed increased incorporation rates in response to avarol treatment. From these results and further autoradiographical experiments it is suggested that inhibition of cell growth is due to changes of the intracellular pools and/or alterations of the permeability properties of the cell membrane for the precursors. Avarol diacetate caused the same cytostatic effect as avarol.

• Authors: W E Müller, R K Zahn, M J Gasić, N Dogović, A Maidhof, C Becker, B Diehl-Seifert, E Eich
• Journal: Comparative biochemistry and physiology. C, Comparative pharmacology and toxicology (Comp Biochem Physiol C Comp Pharmacol Toxicol) Vol. 80 Issue 1 Pg. 47-52 ( 1985) ISSN: 0742-8413 [Print] England
• PMID: 2858349 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Antineoplastic Agents
• DNA, Neoplasm
• Neoplasm Proteins
• RNA, Neoplasm
• Sesquiterpenes
• avarol

Topics

• Animals
• Antineoplastic Agents
• Autoradiography
• Cell Division (drug effects)
• Cells, Cultured
• DNA, Neoplasm (biosynthesis)
• Lymphoma (drug therapy)
• Mitosis (drug effects)
• Neoplasm Proteins (biosynthesis)
• Porifera (analysis)
• RNA, Neoplasm (biosynthesis)
• Sesquiterpenes (pharmacology)
• Time Factors