Rasfonin is a fungal 2-pyrone metabolite with immunomodulatory and anticancer activity.
Details
Rasfonin is a fungal secondary metabolite first identified as an immunosuppressive compound and later recognized as an inhibitor of KRAS-dependent cancer cell growth. It suppresses Ras/MAPK signaling by reducing Sos1 expression, leading to decreased Ras activation and downstream Raf/MEK/ERK phosphorylation. Rasfonin induces reactive oxygen species generation, activates JNK signaling, and promotes autophagy and caspase-dependent apoptosis. In vivo studies demonstrated inhibition of KRAS-mutant tumor growth.