A team of scientists from the University of California, San Diego, have discovered how the antibiotic thiostrepton gains cancer-killing sulfur atoms. This discovery could lead to the development of new antibiotics that are more effective against cancer.

Thiostrepton is a naturally occurring antibiotic that is produced by a bacterium called Streptomyces thiostreptonus. It has been shown to have activity against a variety of cancers, including breast cancer, lung cancer, and colon cancer. However, thiostrepton is also toxic to healthy cells, which limits its clinical use.

The researchers found that thiostrepton gains cancer-killing sulfur atoms from a molecule called glutathione. Glutathione is a tripeptide that is found in all cells. It is involved in a variety of cellular processes, including detoxification and antioxidant defense.

The researchers found that thiostrepton binds to glutathione and then undergoes a chemical reaction that transfers two sulfur atoms from glutathione to thiostrepton. These sulfur atoms are essential for thiostrepton's cancer-killing activity.

The researchers believe that this discovery could lead to the development of new antibiotics that are more effective against cancer and less toxic to healthy cells. By understanding how thiostrepton gains cancer-killing sulfur atoms, the researchers can design new antibiotics that mimic this process.

This discovery is a significant step forward in the fight against cancer. It provides new insights into how antibiotics can kill cancer cells and could lead to the development of new treatments for cancer.

Source:

* [Scientists Determine How Antibiotic Gains Cancer-Killing Sulfur Atoms](https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/03/190320094712.htm)