Abstract: The present invention provides cyclic hexadepsipeptides and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates and prodrugs, and methods for obtaining the compounds, by fermentation, optionally followed by post-biosynthesis chemical modification. The present invention further provides uses of cyclic hexadepsipeptides, and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates and prodrugs as pharmaceuticals, in particular to their use as antibacterial, antifungal or antineoplastic agents, and to pharmaceutical compositions comprising a cyclic hexadepsipeptide, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate or prodrug thereof, together with a carrier.

Abstract: The invention relates to biologically active dibenzodiazepinone analogs represented by Formula I, to methods of producing them, to pharmaceutical compositions comprising them and to methods of treating neoplastic conditions.

Abstract: The present invention provides cyclic hexadepsipeptides and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates and prodrugs, and methods for obtaining the compounds, by fermentation, optionally followed by post-biosynthesis chemical modification. The present invention further provides uses of cyclic hexadepsipeptides, and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates and prodrugs as pharmaceuticals, in particular to their use as antibacterial, antifungal or antineoplastic agents, and to pharmaceutical compositions comprising a cyclic hexadepsipeptide, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate or prodrug thereof, together with a carrier.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel biologically active polyene oxazoles, their pharmaceutically acceptable salts and derivatives, and to methods of obtaining them. One method for obtaining the compounds is by cultivation of Streptomyces sparsogenes NRRL 2940 or a mutant or variant thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for evaluating a chemotherapeutic potential of a candidate molecule. In evaluating the candidate molecule, the candidate molecule is tested for its ability to inhibit the in vitro growth of a cancer cell; to bind a cellular receptor produced by a cancer cell, wherein said receptor, such as a peripheral benzodiazepine receptor, is produced in a greater amount by said cancer cell than by a normal cell; and to inhibit the activity of at least one protein member of the MAPK pathway. The invention further relates to dibenzodiazepinone analogues and derivatives thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to biologically active dibenzodiazepinone analogs represented by Formula I, to methods of producing them, and their use in the preparation of medicaments for the treatment of neoplastic conditions

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel farnesylated dibenzodiazepinone, named ECO-04601, its pharmaceutically acceptable salts and derivatives, and to methods for obtaining such compounds. One method of obtaining the ECO-04601 compound is by cultivation of a novel strain of Micromonospora sp., 046-ECO11; another method involves expression of biosynthetic pathway genes in transformed host cells. The present invention further relates to Micromonospora sp. strain 046-ECO11, to the use of ECO-04601 and its pharmaceutically acceptable salts and derivatives as pharmaceuticals, in particular to their use as inhibitors of cancer cell growth, bacterial cell growth, mammalian lipoxygenase, and to pharmaceutical compositions comprising ECO-04601 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or derivative thereof. Finally, the invention relates to novel polynucleotide sequences and their encoded proteins, which are involved in the biosynthesis of ECO-04601.

Abstract: The invention relates to biologically active dibenzodiazepinone analogs represented by Formula I, to methods of producing them, to pharmaceutical compositions comprising them and to methods of treating neoplastic conditions.

Abstract: This invention relates to phosphate prodrugs of a farnesylated dibenzodiazepinone, to processes of their manufacture, to pharmaceutical compositions comprising the prodrugs, and to their use in the treatment of neoplasms.

Abstract: This invention relates to a new class of polyene polyketides, their pharmaceutically acceptable salts and derivatives, and to methods for obtaining the compounds. One method of obtaining these compounds is by cultivation of novel strains of Streptomyces aizunensis; another method involves expression of biosynthetic pathway genes in transformed host cells. The present invention further relates to the novel strains of Streptomyces aizunensis used to produce these compounds, to the use of these compounds and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts and derivatives as pharmaceuticals, in particular to their use as inhibitors of fungal cell growth and cancer cell growth. The invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these novel polyketides or a pharmaceutically acceptable salts or derivatives thereof. Finally, the invention relates to novel polynucleotide sequences and their encoded proteins, which are involved in the biosynthesis of these novel polyketides.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods of inhibiting growth and/or proliferation of a neoplastic cell, and methods of treating neoplasms using the farnesylated dibenzodiazepinone compound of Formula I.

Abstract: Polyene oxazoles of the following formula wherein R3 is selected from H and methyl, are disclosed. Such compounds, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, may be used in the inhibition of tumor cell growth. The polyene oxazoles and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts may be formulated as pharmaceutical compositions with pharmaceutically acceptable carriers for use in the inhibition of tumor cells. The polyene oxazoles may be obtained from strains of Streptomyces sparsogenes, such as strain 022 having deposit number IDAC 270504-04.

Abstract: The invention relates to biologically active dibenzodiazepinone analogs represented by Formula I, to methods of producing them, to pharmaceutical compositions comprising them and to methods of treating neoplastic conditions.

Abstract: Novel polyene polyketides, their pharmaceutically acceptable salts, prodrugs and derivatives have been found to have antibiotic activity. One method for obtaining the compounds is by cultivation of Amycolatopsis orientalis ATCC™ 43491 or a mutant or variant such as the strain IDAC-220604-1. Another method for obtaining the compounds is post-biosynthesis chemical modification of the compounds obtained by cultivation. Novel polynucleotide sequences and encoded proteins for the biosynthesis of the polyene polyketides are also presented.

Abstract: The present invention relates to Diterpenoid Compounds, compositions comprising an effective amount of a Diterpenoid Compound, and methods useful for treating or preventing cancer or a neoplastic disorder comprising administering an effective amount of a Diterpenoid Compound. The compounds, compositions, and methods of the invention are also useful for inhibiting the growth of a cancer cell or neoplastic cell, or for inducing apoptosis in a cancer or neoplastic cell. The compounds, compositions, and methods of the invention are further useful for treating or preventing a fungal infection. The compounds, compositions, and methods of the invention are also useful for inhibiting the growth of a fungus.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel farnesylated dibenzodiazepinone, named ECO-04601, its pharmaceutically acceptable salts and derivatives, and to methods for obtaining such compounds. One method of obtaining the ECO-04601 compound is by cultivation of a novel strain of Micromonospora sp., 046-ECO11; another method involves expression of biosynthetic pathway genes in transformed host cells. The present invention further relates to Micromonospora sp. strain 046-ECO11, to the use of ECO-04601 and its pharmaceutically acceptable salts and derivatives as pharmaceuticals, in particular to their use as inhibitors of cancer cell growth, bacterial cell growth, mammalian lipoxygenase, and to pharmaceutical compositions comprising ECO-04601 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or derivative thereof. Finally, the invention relates to novel polynucleotide sequences and their encoded proteins, which are involved in the biosynthesis of ECO-04601.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel class of linear polyene polyketides, their pharmaceutically acceptable salts and derivatives, and to methods for their production. The compounds may be obtained by cultivation of Streptomyces melanosporafaciens species and isolation of the polyene polyketide, followed by optional chemical production of the isolated polyene polyketide. The compounds may also be produced by other known bacteria. The invention further includes the use of these compounds as inhibitors of fungal cell growth and inhibitors of cancer cell growth. Finally, the invention encompasses pharmaceutical compositions comprising these novel polyketide compounds, or their pharmaceutically acceptable salts or derivatives thereof.

Abstract: The invention features a method for identifying a gene associated with a desired phenotype. This method includes the steps of: (a) providing a plurality of cell cultures that include plant, animal, or fungal cells capable of exhibiting a desired phenotype; (b) contacting each of at least a subset of said cells with a stimulus that (i) induces said cells to exhibit the phenotype, or (ii) does not induce said cell cultures to exhibit the phenotype; (c) determining the presence of the phenotype in the cell cultures of step (b); and (d) identifying a gene having increased expression in response to stimuli that induce the phenotype but do not have increased expression in response to stimuli that do not induce the phenotype.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and system for identifying a secondary metabolite synthesized by a target gene cluster within a microorganism. A putative or confirmed function is attributed to a gene within the gene cluster, and an extract from the microorganism is obtained which is suspected to contain the secondary metabolite synthesized by the gene cluster. The extract is then assessed for chemical, physical or biological properties, and the metabolite is identified and optionally isolated. Further, the invention provides a knowledge repository in which gene cluster information is linked to secondary metabolite production data. The invention further relates to a graphical user interface for accessing the knowledge repository, and a memory for storing data, having a data structure that is stored in the memory.

Abstract: The invention features a method for identifying a gene associated with a desired phenotype. This method includes the steps of: (a) providing a plurality of cell cultures that include plant, animal, or fungal cells capable of exhibiting a desired phenotype; (b) contacting each of at least a subset of said cells with a stimulus that (i) induces said cells to exhibit the phenotype, or (ii) does not induce said cell cultures to exhibit the phenotype; (c) determining the presence of the phenotype in the cell cultures of step (b); and (d) identifying a gene having increased expression in response to stimuli that induce the phenotype but do not have increased expression in response to stimuli that do not induce the phenotype.