This cyclic hexapeptide antitumor agent (FW = 772.86 g/mol; CAS 64755- 14-2), from Bouvardia ternifolia (scarlet bourvardia or trumpetilla), also known as NSC 259968, inhibits protein synthesis in intact eukaryotic cells and cell-free systems. Bouvardin inhibits EF1-dependent binding of aminoacyl-tRNA and EF2-dependent translocation of peptidyl-tRNA but does not affect the nonenzymic translocation since this reaction does not require EF2. Bouvardin contains L- and D-alanine, and N-methyl-L-tyrosine.
