Aphidicolin Explained

Aphidicolin is a tetracyclic diterpene antibiotic isolated from the fungus Cephalosporum aphidicola with antiviral and antimitotic properties. Aphidicolin is a reversible inhibitor of eukaryotic nuclear DNA replication. It blocks the cell cycle at early S phase. It is a specific inhibitor of DNA polymerase Alpha and Delta in eukaryotic cells and in some viruses (vaccinia^{[1] [2]} and herpesviruses) and an apoptosis inducer in HeLa cells. Natural aphidicolin is a secondary metabolite of the fungus Nigrospora oryzae.^[3]

Bibliography

• Dhillon VS, Husain SA, Ray GN . Expression of aphidicolin-induced fragile sites and their relationship between genetic susceptibility in breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and non-small-cell lung cancer patients . Teratogenesis, Carcinogenesis, and Mutagenesis . Suppl 1 . 35–45 . 2003 . 12616595 . 10.1002/tcm.10068 .
• Book: Mahy. Brian W J. A dictionary of virology. registration. 2001. Academic Press. San Diego, Calif. [u.a.]. 978-0-12-465327-6. 19. 3..

Notes and References

1. DeFilippes. FM. Effect of aphidicolin on vaccinia virus: isolation of an aphidicolin-resistant mutant.. Journal of Virology. Nov 1984. 52. 2. 474–82. 10.1128/JVI.52.2.474-482.1984. 6436508. 254548.
2. Bucknall. R. A.. Moores. H.. Simms. R.. Hesp. B.. Antiviral Effects of Aphidicolin, a New Antibiotic Produced by Cephalosporium aphidicola. Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy. 1 September 1973. 4. 3. 294–298. 10.1128/AAC.4.3.294. 444544. 4357181.
3. http://www.fermentek.co.il/aphidicolin.htm Aphidicolin product page