Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Mitogens and the Cell Cycle02:38

Mitogens and the Cell Cycle

7.4K
Mitogens and their receptors play a crucial role in controlling the progression of the cell cycle. However, the loss of mitogenic control over cell division leads to tumor formation. Therefore, mitogens and mitogen receptors play an important role in cancer research. For instance, the epidermal growth factor (EGF) - a type of mitogen and its transmembrane receptor (EGFR), decides the fate of the cell's proliferation. When EGF binds to EGFR, a member of the ErbB family of tyrosine kinase...
7.4K
Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

8.1K
The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against...
8.1K
Drugs that Destabilize Microtubules01:10

Drugs that Destabilize Microtubules

2.2K
Microtubules are dynamic structures and can be regulated by microtubule targeting agents (MTAs). Microtubule destabilizing drugs are a class of MTAs that destabilize and prevent microtubules' polymerization. Both natural and synthetic chemicals can be found under this class of drugs. Vincristine and vinblastine, two vinca alkaloids, and colchicine were among the first to be discovered. These drugs can affect cells in various ways, either by inducing a change in cell morphology, preventing...
2.2K
Drugs that Stabilize Microtubules01:15

Drugs that Stabilize Microtubules

2.4K
Microtubules are dynamic structures that undergo cycles of catastrophe and rescue. The microtubules play a central role in cell division by forming the spindle apparatus for segregating the chromosomes. This makes them ideal targets for regulating dividing cells in tumors and malignant cancer cells. Microtubule stabilizing drugs help stabilize the microtubule formation and promote its polymerization. Paclitaxel was the first microtubule stabilizing agent used as anticancer drug in chemotherapy...
2.4K
Metastasis02:30

Metastasis

6.1K
Metastasis is the spread of cancer cells from the original site to distant locations in the body. Cancer cells can spread via blood vessels (hematogenous) as well as lymph vessels in the body.
Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition
The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition or EMT is a developmental process commonly observed in wound healing, embryogenesis, and cancer metastasis. EMT is induced by transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) or receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) ligands, which further...
6.1K
Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine02:50

Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine

5.6K
Combining two or more treatment methods increases the life span of cancer patients while reducing damage to vital organs or tissue from the overuse of a single treatment. Combination therapy also targets different cancer-inducing pathways, thus reducing the chances of developing resistance to treatment.
The combination of the drug acetazolamide and sulforaphane is a good example of combination therapy to treat cancer. The cells in the interior of a large tumor often die due to the hypoxic and...
5.6K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

AAV.hBAG3 Gene Therapy Improves Phenotype in a Valosin Containing Protein Mouse Model of Hereditary Inclusion Body Myositis.

Human gene therapy·2026
Same author

Autophagy activation via BAG3 gene therapy improves phenotype in a mouse model of LGMD1A.

Molecular therapy. Advances·2026
Same author

The NORAD-Pumilio regulatory axis in the evolution of inclusion body myositis.

Journal of neuropathology and experimental neurology·2026
Same author

AAVrh74.tMCK.NT-3 Surrogate Gene Therapy in a Mouse Model of CMT2A.

International journal of molecular sciences·2026
Same author

Blue light and ultraviolet radiation: comparative biophysical properties and their roles in skin carcinogenesis and photoaging.

Journal of dermato-oncology·2026
Same author

Disability-Free Life Expectancy and Its Drivers Among Adults Aged 60 and Above - China, 2018 and 2023.

China CDC weekly·2026

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Nov 20, 2025

Through the Looking Glass: Time-lapse Microscopy and Longitudinal Tracking of Single Cells to Study Anti-cancer Therapeutics
06:00

Through the Looking Glass: Time-lapse Microscopy and Longitudinal Tracking of Single Cells to Study Anti-cancer Therapeutics

Published on: May 14, 2016

11.3K

Mathermycin, an anti-cancer molecule that targets cell surface phospholipids.

Cuilin Cheng1, Haotong Chen2, Lingying Tong3

  • 1Edison Biotechnology Institute, Ohio University, Athens, OH 45701, USA; School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150001, China.

Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology
|January 21, 2021
PubMed
Summary

Mathermycin, an antibiotic, selectively targets cancer cell membranes by binding to phosphatidylethanolamine (PE). This mechanism offers a promising new avenue for anti-tumor chemotherapy with reduced resistance development.

Keywords:
Anti-cancerMathermycinPhosphatidylethanolamine

More Related Videos

Using Mouse Mammary Tumor Cells to Teach Core Biology Concepts: A Simple Lab Module
10:39

Using Mouse Mammary Tumor Cells to Teach Core Biology Concepts: A Simple Lab Module

Published on: June 18, 2015

13.5K
Analysis of Combinatorial miRNA Treatments to Regulate Cell Cycle and Angiogenesis
11:44

Analysis of Combinatorial miRNA Treatments to Regulate Cell Cycle and Angiogenesis

Published on: March 30, 2019

7.8K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Nov 20, 2025

Through the Looking Glass: Time-lapse Microscopy and Longitudinal Tracking of Single Cells to Study Anti-cancer Therapeutics
06:00

Through the Looking Glass: Time-lapse Microscopy and Longitudinal Tracking of Single Cells to Study Anti-cancer Therapeutics

Published on: May 14, 2016

11.3K
Using Mouse Mammary Tumor Cells to Teach Core Biology Concepts: A Simple Lab Module
10:39

Using Mouse Mammary Tumor Cells to Teach Core Biology Concepts: A Simple Lab Module

Published on: June 18, 2015

13.5K
Analysis of Combinatorial miRNA Treatments to Regulate Cell Cycle and Angiogenesis
11:44

Analysis of Combinatorial miRNA Treatments to Regulate Cell Cycle and Angiogenesis

Published on: March 30, 2019

7.8K

Area of Science:

  • Marine natural products
  • Antimicrobial and anticancer drug discovery
  • Membrane biophysics

Background:

  • Mathermycin is a lantipeptide antibiotic from a marine actinomycete.
  • It is known to disrupt bacterial plasma membranes.
  • Phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) is asymmetrically distributed in cell membranes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the potential of mathermycin as an anti-cancer therapeutic.
  • To elucidate the mechanism of mathermycin's action on cancer cell membranes.
  • To assess mathermycin's efficacy against multidrug-resistant cancer cells.

Main Methods:

  • Cell-based assays to determine cytotoxicity (EC50) in cancer and normal cell lines.
  • Inhibition studies using exogenous phospholipids.
  • In silico analysis, High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), and Mass Spectrometry (MS) to confirm complex formation.
  • Mitochondrial function analysis using a Seahorse™ metabolic analyzer.

Main Results:

  • Mathermycin selectively disrupts cancer cell plasma membranes by targeting PE, which is exposed on the outer leaflet of tumor cells but not normal cells.
  • It exhibits potent cytotoxicity against various cancer cell lines (EC50: 4.2–16.9 μM) but spares normal cells (EC50: 113–129 μM).
  • Cytotoxicity is reversed by exogenous PE and mathermycin inhibits mitochondrial function, showing efficacy against multidrug-resistant cells.

Conclusions:

  • Mathermycin demonstrates significant anti-cancer activity through selective targeting of PE in cancer cell membranes.
  • Its unique mechanism of action, including mitochondrial inhibition, suggests potential for overcoming drug resistance.
  • Mathermycin represents a promising novel class of anti-tumor chemotherapeutics.