Sparsomycin is a bacterial metabolite and a nucleoside analog of uracil that has been found in S. sparsogenes and has diverse biological activities. It is active against KB carcinoma cells, Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, and fungi. Sparsomycin is an inhibitor of peptidyl transferase that interferes with tRNA binding to the A-site of the peptidyl transfer center and increases the binding of peptidyl-tRNA to the P-site. It inhibits protein synthesis in bacteria, archaea, and eukaryotes. Sparsomycin reduces tumor growth in a P388 mouse leukemia model and in a Walker 256 carcinosarcoma rat model.
