Biologically active secondary metabolites from marine cyanobacteria

Abstract

Marine cyanobacteria are a rich source of complex bioactive secondary metabolites which derive from mixed biosynthetic pathways. Recently, several marine cyanobacterial natural products have garnered much attention due to their intriguing structures and exciting anti-proliferative or cancer cell toxic activities. Several other recently discovered secondary metabolites exhibit insightful neurotoxic activities whereas others are showing pronounced anti-inflammatory activity. A number of anti-infective compounds displaying activity against neglected diseases have also been identified, which include viridamides A and B, gallinamide A, dragonamide E, and the almiramides.

Fig. 1

Biosynthetic gene cluster for curacin A, a mixed NRPS/PKS metabolite with potent cancer cell cytotoxicity [8,49].

Fig. 2

Cyanobacterial metabolites exhibiting cytotoxic or anti-proliferative activities.

Fig. 3

Cyanobacterial metabolites exhibiting neurotoxic or anti-inflammatory activities.

Fig. 4

Cyanobacterial metabolites exhibiting anti-infective activities.