soraphen A

Soraphen A is a naturally occurring polyketide macrolide antibiotic produced by the myxobacterium Sorangium cellulosum. It is classified as a small molecule and features a large lactone ring with multiple functional groups including hydroxyls and methoxys. Soraphen A acts as a potent inhibitor of acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), specifically targeting both ACC1 and ACC2 isoforms by binding to their biotin carboxylase domains and disrupting oligomerization necessary for enzymatic activity[4][10]. This inhibition leads to decreased malonyl-CoA levels in cells—attenuating de novo lipogenesis (DNL), reducing fatty acid elongation products from exogenous fatty acids such as palmitate and linoleate[2], promoting fatty acid oxidation (FAO), and ultimately altering cellular lipid profiles[4][2]. Soraphen A has demonstrated significant biological activities in vitro including antifungal effects via disruption of fungal fatty acid synthesis pathways[4], broad-spectrum antiviral activity against viruses such as HIV and HCV through host lipid metabolism interference[5][3], growth arrest in cancer cell lines due to metabolic modulation[10], and potential pharmacological properties relevant to obesity and diabetes research due to its impact on lipid biosynthesis pathways[7]. However—despite its potency (IC50 ~ 5 nM for ACC inhibition)—its complex structure limits drug development potential; it is not approved for clinical use due to toxicity concerns.

Other names

C11300C-11300C 11300(1S,2S,3Z,5R,6S,11S,14S,15R,16R,17S,18S)-15,17-dihydroxy-5,6,16-trimethoxy-2,14,18-trimethyl-11-phenyl-12,19-dioxabicyclo[13.3.1]nonadec-3-en-13-one