Camalexin

Chemical type

• Indole-type phytoalexin (indolic phytoalexins/alkaloids)

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• Indole phytoalexin (Plant-derived secondary metabolite)

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Key properties

• Synthesized from tryptophan via indole-3-acetaldoxime (IAOx)
• Broad antimicrobial activity against fungi and bacteria
• Induced by pathogen-triggered immunity (PTI/ETI)
• Regulated by WRKY TFs and SA/JA signaling

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• Antiproliferative and cancer chemopreventive effects
• Induces oxidative stress (Reactive Oxygen Species - ROS) in cancer cells
• Promotes lysosomal membrane permeabilization (LMP) and cathepsin D (CD) release
• Selectively more cytotoxic towards aggressive/metastatic prostate cancer cell lines (e.g., C4-2, ARCaPM) compared to less aggressive ones (e.g., LNCaP, ARCaPE)

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• Antimicrobial defense in Arabidopsis and crucifers
• Inhibits pathogen growth and contributes to innate immunity

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• Potential novel therapeutic agent for the treatment of metastatic prostate cancer
• Research tool for studying ROS-induced and lysosome-mediated apoptosis pathways

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Classification by use

• Phytoalexins used in fungal and bacterial resistance
• Inducible secondary metabolites for biotic stress response

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• Chemicals with potential therapeutic use in cancer treatment
• Chemicals used in biological/mechanistic research (apoptosis, oxidative stress)

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1. [1] Redefining phytoalexins as engineered defenses for plant disease resistance, Current Plant Biology, Volume 45, January 2026, 100577
2. [2] Camalexin-Induced Apoptosis in Prostate Cancer Cells Involves Alterations of Expression and Activity of Lysosomal Protease Cathepsin D, Molecules, 2014, 19(4), 3988-4005