Description
Latrunculin B is a thiazolidinone macrolide found in the Red Sea sponge. Latrunculin acts as an actin inhibitor, binding to G-actin and preventing its transition to F-actin and actin polymerization. This action results in inhibition of rhizoid formation in plants and alterations in Ca2+ trafficking in macrophages. Latrunculin B also exhibits anticancer activity; it induces breaks in double-stranded DNA and increases levels of Bax to induce apoptosis in vitro. Additionally, this compound induces actin microfilament destabilization in prostate cancer cells.