Camalexin

Camalexin is a phytoalexin isolated from Camelina sativa. It has antifungal, antibacterial, antiproliferative, and anticancer activities. Camalexin can induce ROS production.Camalexin shows antiproliferative activity against a human breast cancer cell line. For the oomycetes, Phytophthora and Pythium Nep1-like proteins are the initial triggers of Camalexin synthesis and formation of ROS. ROS appear to be of general relevance for Camalexin formation. In a screen for enhanced susceptibility to Alternaria brassicicola the esa1 mutant is identified, which shows delayed Camalexin induction. Particularly in response to ROS inducing agents reduced Camalexin levels are synthesized. This crucial role for ESA1 is confirmed by the inability of esa1 mutants to synthesize Camalexin in response to Leptosphaeria maculans.