Biosynthetic studies of the antitumor ecteinascidins in the marine tunicate Ecteinascidia turbinata

Author

• Neil Fermino Miranda

Author Type

Graduate Student

Date of Award

1996

Document Type

Thesis

Publication Status

Version of Record

Submission Date

October 2026

Thesis/Dissertation Advisor [Chair]

Kerr, Russell G.

Abstract

Ecteinascidin is a tetrahydroisoquinoline alkaloid isolated from the colonial ascidian Ecteinascidia turbinata. Ecteinascidin exhibits tremendous activity against P388 murine leukemia, however its yields from the tunicate are as low as 10^-4%. A biosynthetic investigation, using in vivo and in vitro methods, has resulted in the identification of the metabolic precursors of ecteinascidin as tyrosine, DOPA and cysteine. Reactive intermediates such as tyrosine and DOPA diketopiperazines have also been identified. These preliminary experiments set the stage for subsequent protein isolation.

Extent

72 p.

Comments

Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 1996.|Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 1996.

Recommended Citation

Miranda, Neil Fermino, "Biosynthetic studies of the antitumor ecteinascidins in the marine tunicate Ecteinascidia turbinata" (1996). Electronic Theses and Dissertations 1990 - 1999. 872.
https://digitalcommons.fau.edu/etd_general_4/872

Identifier

FADT15242

Format

pdf