Small wonder: Atrop‐abyssomicin C is a small, yet complex spirotetronate (see scheme) that is active against Gram‐positive bacteria, such as MRSA. Feeding studies and genetic manipulation of its producer, Verrucosispora maris AB‐18‐032, for the first time give insight into its biosynthesis and demonstrate how closely related the members of this important class of molecules are.

A general overview of the activation mechanisms of programmed cell death or apoptosis following an irradiation is given in this review. First, are summarized the main induction pathways of radiation-induced apoptosis by which extracellular (tumor necrosis factor (TNF), Fas ligand, TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL)) and intracellular (mitochondria and caspases) signals are integrated. A second part is then devoted to the importance of p53 and of its regulators (ATR, ATM, DNA-PKcs) in the process of radiation-induced apoptosis. Thereafter, signal transduction pathways and more specially the role of some protein kinases (MEKK, SAPK/JNK, p38-MAPK) is treated. At last, a chapter concerns the clinical interest of radiation-induced apoptosis and the implication of apoptosis in the treatment of certain diseases.