Cytoskeletal drugs

Some of these drugs have multiple effects on the cytoskeleton: for example, Latrunculin both prevents actin polymerization as well as enhancing its rate of depolymerization.

Typically the microtubule targeting drugs can be found in the clinic where they are used therapeutically in the treatment of some forms of cancer.

Despite this, the actin targeting compounds are still useful tools that can be used on a cellular level to help further our understanding of how this complex part of the cells' internal machinery operates.

[2] Other toxins secreted by sponges, such as jasplakinolide and phalloidin (phallotoxins), isolated from Amanita phalloides (the “death cap” mushroom[3]), contrasts the function of Cytochalasin D and Latrunculin.

The liver and kidneys of humans are most commonly affected by ingestion of the toxin, and can cause symptoms such as jaundice and seizures to name a few, ultimately resulting in death.