What is "aphidicolin"

n. A tetracyclic diterpene antibiotic with antiviral and antimitotical properties.

Aphidicolin is a tetracyclic diterpene antibiotic isolated from the fungus, Cephalosporum aphidicola with antiviral and antimitotic properties. Aphidicolin is a reversible inhibitor of eukaryotic nuclear DNA replication. It blocks the cell cycle at early S phase. It is a specific inhibitor of DNA polymerase A,D in eukaryotic cells and in some viruses ( vaccinia and herpesviruses) and an apoptosis inducer in HeLa cells. Natural aphidicolin is a secondary metabolite of the fungus Nigrospora oryzae.