Myxobacteria: natural pharmaceutical factories

Microb Cell Fact. 2012 Apr 30:11:52. doi: 10.1186/1475-2859-11-52.

Abstract

Myxobacteria are amongst the top producers of natural products. The diversity and unique structural properties of their secondary metabolites is what make these social microbes highly attractive for drug discovery. Screening of products derived from these bacteria has revealed a puzzling amount of hits against infectious and non-infectious human diseases. Preying mainly on other bacteria and fungi, why would these ancient hunters manufacture compounds beneficial for us? The answer may be the targeting of shared processes and structural features conserved throughout evolution.

Publication types

  • Editorial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Biological Products / metabolism*
  • Drug Discovery
  • Myxococcales / genetics
  • Myxococcales / growth & development
  • Myxococcales / metabolism*
  • Spores, Bacterial / growth & development
  • Spores, Bacterial / metabolism

Substances

  • Biological Products