Mensacarcin, a highly complex polyketide compound, exhibits multifaceted effects on cellular processes. Specifically, it targets mitochondria, perturbs energy metabolism within these organelles, and activates caspase-dependent apoptotic pathways. Functionally, Mensacarcin can serve as a cytotoxic constituent in antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs). Furthermore, this antibiotic compound displays broad-spectrum inhibition of cell growth across various cancer cell lines and demonstrates potent induction of apoptosis in melanoma cells.

Mensacarcin exhibits potent cytostatic properties (mean of 50% growth inhibition=0.2 μM) in almost all cell lines of the National Cancer Institute (NCI)-60 cell line screen and relatively selective cytotoxicity against melanoma cells. Mensacarcin is a highly oxygenated polyketide that was first isolated from soil-dwelling Streptomyces bacteria. Mensacarcin impairs mitochondrial function in melanoma cells[1].Mensacarcin (0-100 μM;?24 hours) exhibits general cytostatic but type-specific cytotoxic effects for melanoma cells[1].?Mensacarcin (2-50 μM;?15 hours) induces rapid apoptotic cell death in melanoma cells[1].