What is "monastrol"

n. (context biochemistry English) A compound that inhibits mitosis by interfering with a kinesin protein

Monastrol is a cell-permeable small molecule inhibitor discovered by Thomas U. Mayer in the lab of Tim Mitchison. Monastrol was shown to inhibit the kinesin-5 (also known as KIF11, Kinesin Eg5), a motor protein important for spindle bipolarity.