Abstract :
The formation of new blood vessels, termed angiogenesis, Is a central process In the evolution of a tumor and its subsequent metastasis. Angiogenesis is potently inhibited by the fumagillins, a family of epoxide-containing natural products. The recent identification of a protein target for these compounds may help decipher the mechanisms underlying endothelial cell growth. The fact that binding is irreversible may Inspire the design of electrophilic inhibitors of other, poorly understood cellular processes.