Abstract 1186 Desymmetrization of the Norcantharidin Scaffold: An Analysis of Potency as a Function of Enantioenrichment

Protein Phosphatase 5 (PP5) is a serine/threonine phosphatase known to regulate cell signaling cascades that can suppress growth and/or stimulate apoptosis in response to genetic stress. Overexpression of PP5 has been implicated in the progression of certain cancers, including human breast cancer and mouse leukemia, particularly when overexpressed. This connection suggests that targeting PP5 could yield significant anti-tumor effects. Early studies identified cantharidin, a natural toxin from blister beetles, as a potent PP5 inhibitor.