Systems biology driving drug development: from design to the clinical testing of the anti-ErbB3 antibody seribantumab (MM-121).

The ErbB family of receptor tyrosine kinases comprises four members: epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR/ErbB1), human EGFR 2 (HER2/ErbB2), ErbB3/HER3, and ErbB4/HER4. The first two members of this family, EGFR and HER2, have been implicated in tumorigenesis and cancer progression for several decades, and numerous drugs have now been approved that target these two proteins. Less attention, however, has been paid to the role of this family in mediating cancer cell survival and drug tolerance.

Baker's Yeast-Mediated Reductions of alpha-Keto Esters and an alpha-Keto-beta-Lactam. Two Routes to the Paclitaxel Side Chain.

Baker's yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) has been used to reduce a series of alkyl esters derived from pyruvate and benzoylformate. Both the yield and enantioselectivities of these reductions were maximized when methyl esters were used, and the (R)-alcohols were isolated in all instances. Yeast-mediated ester hydrolysis was a significant side reaction for products derived from long-chain alcohols.