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Updated: Nov 7, 2025

Mimicking the Function of Signaling Proteins: Toward Artificial Signal Transduction Therapy
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Mimicking the Function of Signaling Proteins: Toward Artificial Signal Transduction Therapy

Published on: September 29, 2016

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Cellular Signal Transductions and Their Inhibitors Derived from Deep-Sea Organisms

Liyan Wang1, Kazuo Umezawa2

  • 1Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresource and Eco-Environmental Science, College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China.

Marine Drugs
|April 30, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Deep-sea organisms yield novel cell signaling inhibitors. These compounds offer new therapeutic avenues for diseases by modulating key cellular pathways, including Ras-ERK and PI3K-Akt.

Area of Science:

  • Cellular Biology
  • Pharmacology
  • Marine Biotechnology

Background:

  • Cellular signal transduction pathways (e.g., Ras-ERK, PI3K-Akt, JAK-STAT, SMAD, NF-κB) are crucial for both normal physiology and disease pathogenesis.
  • Existing methods for identifying cell signaling inhibitors rely on limited sources like plants and chemical libraries.
  • Biodegradation systems, including the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway and autophagy, also play significant roles in health and disease.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current understanding of cell signaling systems implicated in diseases.
  • To highlight novel cell signaling inhibitors discovered from deep-sea organisms.
  • To explore the potential of these marine-derived compounds as therapeutic agents.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of cell signaling pathways and their roles in disease.
  • Compilation and analysis of studies reporting bioactive metabolites from deep-sea organisms.
  • Examination of the structures and biological activities of identified deep-sea compounds.

Main Results:

  • Deep-sea organisms are a rich source of structurally unique compounds with cell signaling inhibitory activities.
  • Identified inhibitors show potential as anti-inflammatory, metabolic modulators, antimicrobial, and anticancer agents.
  • The screening of marine-derived metabolites represents a promising strategy for discovering new therapeutic leads.

Conclusions:

  • Targeting cellular signaling pathways with low-molecular-weight agents offers innovative disease treatment strategies.
  • Deep-sea organisms provide a valuable, largely untapped resource for novel drug discovery.
  • Marine-derived cell signaling inhibitors hold significant promise for developing new therapeutics across various disease areas.
Keywords:
anti-inflammatory agentanticancer agentbioactive metabolitecellular signal transductiondeep-sea organisms

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