Cyclopenin (CAS 19553-26-5)

Cyclopenin is a distinctive member of the benzodiazepine metabolite family, produced by several species of the Penicillium genus. Despite being occasionally misidentified as a mycotoxin, cyclopenin exhibits minimal toxicity when tested against mammalian cells, bacteria, or fungi in vitro. Notably, it serves as an intermediary compound in the biosynthesis of the viridicatins, potent inhibitors of tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα)-induced replication of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Additionally, cyclopenin acts as an inhibitor of AChE. As a synthetic molecule, cyclopenin has been designed to target specific biological pathways and facilitate research in the realms of biochemistry and physiology. This small molecule finds utility in laboratory and clinical studies to investigate the impact of diverse biological pathways and their associated processes, including signal transduction, gene regulation, and metabolic pathways. Furthermore, cyclopenin has been employed to examine how various drugs affect biological pathways, particularly their effects on the immune system. Laboratory experiments involving cyclopenin encompass the exploration of its mechanism of action, biochemical and physiological effects, as well as its advantages and limitations. The precise mechanism of action of cyclopenin remains incompletely understood. Nonetheless, it is postulated to engage specific cellular molecules, such as proteins, leading to either the activation or inhibition of their respective activities.