Journal of Coastal Zone Management

Abstract

Biomedical Potential of Marine Cyanobacteria

Lik Tong Tan

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