Notorious Jasplakinolide, Alias Jaspamide and

Like the film Notorious by Alfred Hitchcock, natural products have found diverse and yet complex roles for targeting actin polymerisation. Motivated by their ability to regulate structure and motility at the cellular level, organisms that produce these metabolites gain access to tools that can be used not only to spy on and inhibit the motility of their potential predators and prey but also terminate them by means of regulating their cellular structure. While few molecular pathways have yet to reach the level of understanding as that of actin dynamics, it is clear that the role of the natural product within this story was not only the key to the plot but also delivered an award winning performance. 

6 Once Upon a Time in the Immune System FK-506, Cyclosporin A and Rapamycin 

Although understanding the mode of action of these natural products was not required to complete preclinical studies, the development of this knowledge not only facilitated their translation into the clinic but also validated a suite of novel targets for ongoing, wider therapeutic development. 

Western Australia. Their unique ability to block cell growth at S phase, as well as display potent sub-nanomolar toxicity over a panel of tumour cell lines, suggested therapeutic potential for cancer.143,145 Unfortunately, the complexity of their isolation and lack of a manageable producer organism indicated that access to these materials would be a challenge. 

Currently, total synthesis is the primary means in which these compounds are produced. A number of impressive campaigns have completed the 

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