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UCSF colleagues Zachary Knight and Kevan Shokat synthesized and characterized a series of novel inhibitors that span the different PI3 kinase isoforms (described in the May issue of Cell). Qi-Wen Fan in the Weiss lab screened these agents in glioma cell lines. One compound, PI-103, uniquely and potently blocked the growth of glioma cells.

I guess the next question is: are these isoforms, specifically PI-103 (or something equivalent) found in nature? If so, where? And are they in sufficient quantities to have an inhibitory effect?

That could be the next health food 'gold rush', or it might be as simple as eating your veggies like mom told you.

"UCSF colleagues Zachary Knight and Kevan Shokat synthesized and characterized a series of novel inhibitors that span the different PI3 kinase isoforms (described in the May issue of Cell)."

I have to assume PI3 kinase isoforms mean various versions of the enzyme PI3 kinase.

I guess the next question is: are these isoforms, specifically PI-103 (or something equivalent) found in nature? If so, where? And are they in sufficient quantities to have an inhibitory effect?

"One compound, PI-103, uniquely and potently blocked the growth of glioma cells."

I don't know if it's found in nature or not, but if, "PI-103, uniquely and potently blocked the growth of glioma cells," then it sounds like an effective inhibitor.