Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 23, 2025
Author Spotlight: Porphyrin-Modified Beads for Use as Compensation Controls in Flow Cytometry
Published on: March 24, 2023
A Cytotoxic Porphyrin from North Pacific Brittle Star Ophiura sarsii
Antonina Klimenko1,2, Robin Huber3,4, Laurence Marcourt3,4
1Translational Research Center in Oncohaematology, Department of Cell Physiology and Metabolism, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, CH-1211 Geneva, Switzerland.
Abstract:
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) represents the deadliest form of gynecological tumors currently lacking targeted therapies. The ethanol extract of the North Pacific brittle star Ophiura sarsii presented promising anti-TNBC activities. After elimination of the inert material, the active extract was submitted to a bioguided isolation approach using high-resolution semipreparative HPLC-UV, resulting in one-step isolation of an unusual porphyrin derivative possessing strong cytotoxic activity. HRMS and 2D NMR resulted in the structure elucidation of the compound as (3S,4S)-14-Ethyl-9-(hydroxymethyl)-4,8,13,18-tetramethyl-20-oxo-3-phorbinepropanoic acid. Never identified before in Ophiuroidea, porphyrins have found broad applications as photosensitizers in the anticancer photodynamic therapy. The simple isolation of a cytotoxic porphyrin from an abundant brittle star species we describe here may pave the way for novel natural-based developments of targeted anti-cancer therapies.
Insights
Researchers discovered a novel porphyrin derivative from the brittle star Ophiura sarsii with potent anti-cancer activity against triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). This natural compound offers a promising avenue for developing new targeted therapies for this aggressive cancer.
Area of Science:
- Marine Natural Products Chemistry
- Cancer Therapeutics
- Organic Chemistry
Background:
- Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive gynecological tumor with limited targeted treatment options.
- The North Pacific brittle star Ophiura sarsii has shown potential in preliminary anti-TNBC activity studies.
- Natural products offer a rich source for discovering novel therapeutic agents.
Purpose of the Study:
- To isolate and identify bioactive compounds from Ophiura sarsii with anti-TNBC activity.
- To elucidate the chemical structure of the isolated compound.
- To evaluate the potential of this natural compound as a basis for new cancer therapies.
Main Methods:
- Bioguided isolation using high-resolution semipreparative HPLC-UV.
- Structure elucidation using High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry (HRMS) and 2D Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR).
- Cytotoxicity assays to evaluate anti-cancer activity.
Main Results:
- A novel porphyrin derivative, (3S,4S)-14-Ethyl-9-(hydroxymethyl)-4,8,13,18-tetramethyl-20-oxo-3-phorbinepropanoic acid, was isolated in one step.
- The compound exhibited significant cytotoxic activity against TNBC cells.
- This is the first identification of a porphyrin in the Ophiuroidea class.
Conclusions:
- A novel, cytotoxic porphyrin has been successfully isolated from Ophiura sarsii.
- This discovery provides a potential lead for developing natural-based targeted therapies for triple-negative breast cancer.
- The abundant availability of the brittle star species supports further development.
Related Concept Videos
01:28Anoxygenic Phototrophic Bacteria
01:30Anoxygenic Photosynthesis