Formycin

Formycin is a naturally occurring pyrazole-containing C-nucleoside antibiotic, primarily known through its active form, Formycin A. It functions as an adenosine analog and interferes with nucleic acid metabolism. Formycin A exhibits a range of biological activities including antibacterial, antiviral, and antitumor properties. Its mechanisms involve acting as a substrate analog for RNA polymerases, leading to its incorporation into RNA, and inhibiting key enzymes in the purine salvage pathway such as purine nucleoside phosphorylase and adenylosuccinate synthetase. In cancer, Formycin A has been shown to induce cell death by upregulating death receptor 5 and activating the extrinsic apoptosis pathway through the induction of endoplasmic reticulum stress.

Other names

Formycin AFormycin B