Review Article
Lik Tong Tan
Abstract
Cyanobacteria, in particular those found living in the ocean, are emerging as an important source of unique bioactive secondary metabolites. A plethora of natural products, mostly nitrogencontaining molecules, have been reported with majority belonging to the polyketide synthase (PKS) and/or non-ribosomal polypeptide synthetase (NRPS) structural class. Curacin A and the dolastatins are examples of important marine cyanobacterial metabolites possessing exquisite anticancer properties. Genetic studies on the biosynthetic capacity of these marine microalgae revealed many novel biochemical features pertaining to the enzymology of secondary metabolism. Biodiscovery of marine cyanobacteria for new therapeutic agents as well as harnessing its biosynthetic gene clusters represent an exciting and fruitful area of research in marine biotechnology