Novel phenalenone derivatives from a marine-derived fungus exhibit distinct inhibition spectra against eukaryotic DNA polymerases

Research elucidates the mechanism of inhibition of DNA polymerase by two phenalenone derivatives from marine-derived fungus. Results show that sculezonone-B selectively inhibits DNA pol alpha and gamma, whereas sculezonone-A inhibits pol beta. Data suggest that the different inhibition spectra is due to differences in the distribution of electrostatic potential on their molecular surfaces.