Cytotoxicity and phytotoxicity of trichothecene macrolides from Myrothecium gramminum

(1)H-NMR guided fractionation of the EtOAc extract from the culture of Myrothecium gramminum (strain no. 3.1968) led to the isolation of eight cytotoxic trichothecene macrolides ( 1 - 8), all being substantially inhibitory against HepG2 (human hepatocellular carcinoma) and KB (human nasopharynyeal epidermoid tumor) cell lines with IC (50) values ranging from 2.2 to 12.2 mug/mL. Their inactivity to or weaker action on Vero cells (IC (50) values > 20 microg/mL, originated from the African green monkey kidney) highlighted preliminarily the nature of the selective cytotoxicity of the fungal metabolites against the test cancer cell lines. In addition, verrucarin A ( 1) and roridin A ( 5) were found to be potent inhibitors of the radial growth of Echinochloa crusgalli with corresponding IC (50) values of (7.96 +/- 0.31) x 10 ( - 6) and (9.18 +/- 0.44) x 10 ( - 6) M, respectively, which were more potent than that of the positive control (2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid) [(9.40 +/- 0.04) x 10 ( - 5) M].

Characterization of the microbial community and polyketide biosynthetic potential in the palmerolide-producing tunicate Synoicum adareanum

Palmerolide A (1) is a macrolide isolated from the Antarctic tunicate Synoicum adareanum that is of interest due to its potential as an antimelanoma drug. Biosynthesis is predicted to occur via a hybrid PKS-NRPS pathway within S. adareanum, but the identity of the palmerolide-producing organism (host or putative host-associated microorganism) has not been established. Microscopic observation revealed a dense microbial community inside the tunicate, and evidence from 16S rRNA gene DGGE profiles and clone library sequences suggests that the bacterial community has moderate phylogenetic complexity. The alpha and gamma classes of Proteobacteria account for ∼75% of the cloned 16S rRNA genes, and the majority of these sequences are affiliated with the genera Pseudovibrio and Microbulbifer. DNA sequences encoding type I PKS ketosynthase (KS) domains were detected by PCR. The S. adareanum KS sequences, which affiliate with the trans-AT clade, are similar to portions of PKS proteins that lack integrated acyltransferase domains in pathways for generating bioactive polyketide compounds, including bryostatin, leinamycin, and pederin.

Characterization of polyketide metabolites from foliar endophytes of Picea glauca

A collection of 250 foliar endophytes of Picea glauca (white spruce) yielded several isolates that produced metabolites toxic to Choristoneura fumiferana (spruce budworm). Three of these strains were selected for further study based on their ability to be cultured and produce secondary metabolites under laboratory conditions. The culture filtrate of each was extracted and analyzed by LC-MS and LC-NMR, and the major metabolites were isolated and characterized. Structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analyses including 2D NMR and HRMS and by comparison to literature data. In some cases the extract was methylated in order to facilitate separation, but the original natural structure was determined by comparing the NMR data of the isolated methylated product with that of the stop-flow NMR of the underivatized extract (i.e., 2a, 2b, and 4). Two of these metabolites, 1 and 2a, are new structures, 3 and 4 are reported here for the first time as fungal metabolites, and 5- 10 as known fungal metabolites from other species. Tyrosol (10) was the only common metabolite found in all three extracts but did not account for the observed toxicity to C. fumiferana.

Cyathuscavins A, B, and C, new free radical scavengers with DNA protection activity from the Basidiomycete Cyathus stercoreus

Three new polyketides, cyathuscavins A (1), B (2), and C (3) were isolated from the mycelium culture of Cyathus stercoreus. The structures of the compounds were elucidated on the basis of NMR and mass spectroscopic data. Antioxidant activities of the compounds were evaluated by the scavenging ability against ABTS(+), DPPH, and superoxide anion radicals. Cyathuscavins A-C showed significant antioxidant activity comparable to those of reference antioxidants, BHA and Trolox. Cyathuscavins A-C protected supercoiled plasmid DNA from Fe(2+)/H(2)O(2)-induced breakage.

Isolation and identification of rhizoxin analogs from Pseudomonas fluorescens Pf-5 by using a genomic mining strategy

The products synthesized from a hybrid polyketide synthase/nonribosomal peptide synthetase gene cluster in the genome of Pseudomonas fluorescens Pf-5 were identified using a genomics-guided strategy involving insertional mutagenesis and subsequent metabolite profiling. Five analogs of rhizoxin, a 16-member macrolide with antifungal, phytotoxic, and antitumor activities, were produced by Pf-5, but not by a mutant with an insertion in the gene cluster. The five rhizoxin analogs, one of which had not been described previously, were differentially toxic to two agriculturally important plant pathogens, Botrytis cinerea and Phytophthora ramorum. The rhizoxin analogs also caused swelling of rice roots, a symptom characteristic of rhizoxin itself, but were less toxic to pea and cucumber roots. Of the rhizoxin analogs produced by Pf-5, the predominant compound, WF-1360 F, and the newly described compound 22Z-WF-1360 F were most toxic against the two plant pathogens and three plant species. These rhizoxin analogs were tested against a panel of human cancer lines, and they exhibited potent but nonselective cytotoxicity. This study highlights the value of the genomic sequence of the soil bacterium P. fluorescens Pf-5 in providing leads for the discovery of novel metabolites with significant biological properties.

Mirabalin, [corrected] an antitumor macrolide lactam from the marine sponge Siliquariaspongia mirabilis

A new highly unsaturated macrolide lactam, termed mirabilin ( 1), was isolated from the aqueous extract of the marine sponge Siliquariaspongia mirabilis. Mirabilin is characterized by the presence of a 35-membered macrolide lactam ring bearing a pentadiene conjugated system and a tetrasubstituted tetrahydropyran ring. A linear polyketide moiety is attached to the macrocyclic ring through an amide linkage. The structure of mirabilin was determined using extensive 2D NMR and ESIMS and tandem MS techniques. Mirabilin inhibits the growth of the tumor cell line HCT-116 with an IC 50 value of 0.27 +/- 0.09 microM and is noncytotoxic to several other cell lines.

Polyketides from Penicillium sp. JP-1, an endophytic fungus associated with the mangrove plant Aegiceras corniculatum

Four polyketides, leptosphaerone C (1), penicillenone (2), arugosin I (3) and 9-demethyl FR-901235 (4), as well as five known compounds, bacillosporin A (5), bacillosporin C (6), sequoiamonascin D (7), sequoiatone A (8), and sequoiatone B (9) were isolated from the Penicillium sp. JP-1, an endophytic fungus isolated from Aegiceras corniculatum. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic methods, mainly by 2D NMR spectroscopic analyses. Compound 1 showed cytotoxicity against A-549 cells with an IC50 value of 1.45 microM, while compound 2 showed cytotoxicity against P388 cells with an IC50 value of 1.38 microM.

Antiparasitic, antineuroinflammatory, and cytotoxic polyketides from the marine sponge Plakortis angulospiculatus collected in Brazil

Investigation of the bioactive crude extract from the sponge Plakortis angulospiculatus from Brazil led to the isolation of plakortenone ( 1) as a new polyketide, along with five known polyketides ( 2- 6) previously isolated from other Plakortis sponges. The known polyketides were tested in antileishmanial, antitrypanosomal, antineuroinflammatory, and cytotoxicity assays. The results show that plakortide P ( 3) is a potent antiparasitic compound, against both Leishmania chagasi and Trypanosona cruzi, and exhibited antineuroinflammatory activity. The known polyketides 2- 6 were tested for cytotoxicity against four human cancer cell lines, but displayed only moderate cytotoxic activity.

Palmerolide A, a cytotoxic macrolide from the antarctic tunicate Synoicum adareanum

Palmerolide A, a 20-membered macrocyclic polyketide bearing carbamate and vinyl amide functionality, was isolated from the tunicate Synoicum adareanum collected from the vicinity of Palmer Station on the Antarctic Peninsula. Palmerolide A displays potent and selective cytotoxicity toward melanoma (UACC-66 LC50 = 0.018 muM) and appears to operate via inhibition (IC50 = 2 nM) of V-ATPase.

The berkeleyacetals, three meroterpenes from a deep water acid mine waste Penicillium

Berkeley Pit Lake is a 1500 ft deep abandoned open-pit copper mine filled with over 1140 billion liters of acidic, metal-sulfate-contaminated water. This harsh environment is proving to be a source of unusual microorganisms that produce novel bioactive compounds. We recently reported the structures of berkeleydione (1) and berkeleytrione (2), two novel hybrid polyketide-terpenoid metabolites isolated from a deep water Penicillium sp. growing in Berkeley Pit Lake. In this paper we report the structures of three new compounds, berkeleyacetals A-C ( 3-5) isolated from extracts of this fungus. The structures of these compounds were deduced by comparison of mass spectral and NMR data to that of berkeleydione (1).

Citromycetins and bilains A-C: new aromatic polyketides and diketopiperazines from Australian marine-derived and terrestrial Penicillium spp

Chemical analysis of an Australian marine-derived isolate of Penicillium bilaii, collected from the Huon estuary, Port Huon, Tasmania, yielded the known fungal aromatic polyketides citromycetin (1) and citromycin (2) together with two dihydro analogues, (-)-2,3-dihydrocitromycetin (3) and (-)-2,3-dihydrocitromycin (4). An Australian terrestrial isolate of Penicillium striatisporum collected near Shalvey, New South Wales, also yielded citromycetin (1), citromycin (2), and the new dihydro analogue (-)-2,3-dihydrocitromycetin (3), together with fulvic acid (5), anhydrofulvic acid (6), and a selection of new methoxylated analogues, 12-methoxycitromycetin (7), 12-methoxycitromycin (8), (-)-12-methoxy-2,3-dihydrocitromycetin (9), and 12-methoxyanhydrofulvic acid (10). P. bilaii also yielded the rare siderophore pistillarin (11), the known diketopiperazines cyclo-(L-Phe -L-Pro) (12), cyclo-(L-Pro-L-Tyr) (13), cyclo-(L-Pro-L-Val) (14), and cis-bis(methylthio)silvatin (15), and three new diketopiperazines, bilains A-C (16-18). The structures for the Penicillium metabolites 1- 18 were assigned by a combination of detailed spectroscopic analysis, including correlation with relevant literature data, chemical derivatization, degradation, and biosynthetic considerations. The citromycin polyketides 2 and 4 and the diketopiperazine 15 were weakly cytotoxic.

Cytotoxic polyketides containing tetramic acid moieties isolated from the fungus Myceliophthora Thermophila: elucidation of the relationship between cytotoxicity and stereoconfiguration

Five new polyketides that contain tetramic acids, myceliothermophins A-E, were isolated from the thermophilic fungus Myceliophthora thermophila. Two sets of 5-alkyl-5-hydroxyl (or 5-methoxyl)-1H-pyrrol-2(5H)-one diastereomers, myceliothermophins A/B and C/D, were separated as pure compounds by using silica-gel column chromatography and recycling reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). The relative configurations of the chiral centers in 5-alkyl-5-hydroxyl (or 5-methoxyl)-1H-pyrrol-2(5H)-one moieties were deduced from NOESY correlations. In the cytotoxic assay, the 5-(2-methylpropyldiene)-1H-pyrrol-2(5H)-one analogue (myceliothermophin E) exhibited inhibition against four cancer cell lines. In addition, the significant inhibitory effect of myceliothermophins A and C and the inactivity of myceliothermophins B and D revealed the importance of the relative configurations of 5-alkyl-5-hydroxyl (or 5-methoxyl)-1H-pyrrol-2(5H)-one moieties on their cytotoxicity potency against cancer cells.

Amphidinolides B6 and B7, cytotoxic macrolides from a symbiotic dinoflagellate Amphidinium species

Two 26-membered macrolides, amphidinolides B6 ( 2) and B7 ( 1), have been isolated from a marine symbiotic dinoflagellate Amphidinium sp., and the structures were elucidated on the basis of detailed analyses of 2D NMR data. The relative and absolute configurations for 1 and 2 were assigned by comparison of NMR data and CD data with those of known amphidinolides.

Iriomoteolides-1b and -1c, 20-membered macrolides from a marine dinoflagellate Amphidinium species

Two 20-membered macrolides, iriomoteolides-1b ( 1) and -1c ( 2), have been isolated from a marine dinoflagellate Amphidinium sp. (strain HYA024), and the structures were elucidated on the basis of detailed analyses of 2D NMR data and chemical correlation.

Thuggacins, macrolide antibiotics active against Mycobacterium tuberculosis: isolation from myxobacteria, structure elucidation, conformation analysis and biosynthesis

Two novel antibiotics, thuggacin A (1) and B (2), were isolated from the myxobacterium Sorangium cellulosum. 1 and 2 are unique thiazole-containing macrolides with side chains on both sides of the lactone group. Upon standing in solution, thuggacin A (1) rearranges by acyl migration of the lactone group to give a mixture with thuggacins B (2) and C (3). NOEs and vicinal coupling constants within the lactone ring provided distinct data for the generation of a structure model by PM3 calculations, which allowed an analysis of the conformation in solution and the relative configuration of six asymmetric centres. A minor sorangium metabolite was identified as 13-methyl-thuggacin A (4). Furthermore, two natural thuggacin variants, 5 and 6, were found in another myxobacterium, Chondromyces crocatus. In these variants, one side chain is replaced by a methyl group and a hydroxy group is repositioned to give a primary alcohol at the former methyl site, in an alpha position with respect to the thiazole ring. 1 proved to be active against clinical isolates and reference strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Preliminary studies on the mechanism of action indicate inhibition of the cellular electron-transport chain.

Macrolactin is the polyketide biosynthesis product of the pks2 cluster of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens FZB42

In the genome of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens FZB42, three operons pks1, pks2, and pks3 were identified which encode the biosynthesis of polyketides. pks1 and pks3 have been attributed to the production of bacillaene and difficidin/oxydifficidin, respectively, while the pks2 product remained hitherto unknown. Mass spectrometric analysis of the culture filtrates of the wild-type B. amyloliquefaciens FZB42 and mutants revealed pks2-specific metabolites. By combination of the mass spectrometric and UV/vis data with a database search, these compounds were attributed to four members of the macrolactin family, macrolactin A and D as well as 7-O-malonyl- and 7-O-succinyl-macrolactin. This conclusion was verified by the isolation and structure elucidation of macrolactin A using mass spectrometric and 2D-NMR studies. Macrolactin biosynthesis was investigated using feeding experiments with (13)C-acetate. (13)C-labelled macrolactin A revealed an alternating labelling of its carbon skeleton with (13)C, indicating that acetate/malonate was used as the sole precursor. The macrolactin structure is compatible with the domain organization of the pks2-operon. Similarly to pks1 and pks3, pks2 is a modular polyketide synthase system of type I which exhibits a trans-acyltransferase architecture using a discrete acyltransferase enzyme iteratively in the assembly of macrolactin. Finally, the potential for macrolactin production on a genetic and metabolic basis was found to be widely distributed among Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strains.

Sponge-derived fijianolide polyketide class: further evaluation of their structural and cytotoxicity properties

The sponge-derived polyketide macrolides fijianolides A (1) and B (2), isolaulimalide and laulimalide, have taxol-like microtubule-stabilizing activity, and the latter exhibits potent cytotoxicity. Insight on the biogeographical and phenotypic variations of Cacospongia mycofijiensis is presented that will enable a future study of the biosynthetic pathway that produces the fijianolides. In addition to fijianolides A and B, six new fijianolides, D-I (7-12), were isolated, each with modifications to the C-20 side chain of the macrolide ring. Compounds 7-12 exhibited a range of in vitro activities against HCT-116 and MDA-MB-435 cell lines. Fijianolides 8 and 10 were shown to disrupt interphase and mitotic division, but were less potent than 2. An in vivo evaluation of 2 using tumor-bearing severe combined immuno-deficiency mice demonstrated significant inhibition of growth in HCT-116 tumors over 28 days.

Kibdelones: novel anticancer polyketides from a rare Australian actinomycete

The kibdelones are a novel family of bioactive heterocyclic polyketides produced by a rare soil actinomycete, Kibdelosporangium sp. (MST-108465). Complete relative stereostructures were assigned to kibdelones A-C (1-3), kibdelone B rhamnoside (5), 13-oxokibdelone A (7), and 25-methoxy-24-oxokibdelone C (8) on the basis of detailed spectroscopic analysis and chemical interconversion, as well as mechanistic and biosynthetic considerations. Under mild conditions, kibdelones B (2) and C (3) undergo a facile equilibration to kibdelones A-C (1-3), while kibdelone B rhamnoside (5) equilibrates to a mixture of kibdelone A-C rhamnosides (4-6). A plausible mechanism for this equilibration is proposed and involves air oxidation, quinone/hydroquinone redox transformations, and a choreographed sequence of keto/enol tautomerizations that aromatize ring C via a quinone methide intermediate. Kibdelones exhibit potent and selective cytotoxicity against a panel of human tumor cell lines and display significant antibacterial and nematocidal activity.

Amphidinolactone B, a New 26-Membered Macrolide from Dinoflagellate Amphidinium sp

A new 26-membered macrolide, amphidinolactone B, has been isolated from a marine dinoflagellate Amphidinium sp., and the structure and relative stereochemistry were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data. Amphidinolactone B (1) showed modest cytotoxicity.

Etnangien, a macrolide-polyene antibiotic from Sorangium cellulosum that inhibits nucleic acid polymerases

Etnangien (1), a new macrolide antibiotic active against Gram-positive bacteria, was isolated from the culture broth of the myxobacterium Sorangium cellulosum, strains So ce750 and So ce1045. Spectroscopic structure elucidation of 1 revealed a complex macrocyclic lactone bearing a modified C21 carboxylic acid side chain. The latter contains two allylic hydroxyl groups and an all-E hexaene unit, which provides the characteristic UV chromophore of 1. Initial studies toward the mechanism of action showed that bacterial and viral nucleic acid polymerases are inhibited by etnangien (1).

Two New β-Class Milbemycins from Streptomyces bingchenggensis: Fermentation, Isolation, Structure Elucidation and Biological Properties

Two new beta-class milbemycins from Streptomyces bingchenggensis, named milbemycin beta(13) and beta(14), have been isolated and characterized. The producing organism has been deposited at the China General Microbiology Culture Collection Center (Accession No: CGMCC1734). On the basis of detailed spectroscopic analysis and comparison with reported data, their structures were determined to be the hydroxyl derivatives at C-27 of milbemycin beta(3) and 25-ethylmilbemycin beta(3), respectively. Milbemycins beta(13) and beta(14) possess potent acaricidal and nematocidal activity. The discovery of these two compounds plays an important role in understanding and perfecting the proposed pathways of milbemycins.

Abyssomicins G and H and atrop-Abyssomicin C from the Marine Verrucosispora Strain AB-18-032†

Abyssomicin C is a complex polyketide-type antibiotic and the first natural inhibitor of the p-aminobenzoate biosynthesis produced by the marine Verrucosispora strain AB-18-032. We have now isolated three novel naturally produced abyssomicins, among them the even more active atrop-abyssomicin C. The chemical structures were elucidated by mass spectrometry and NMR spectroscopy.

Iriomoteolide-1a, a Potent Cytotoxic 20-Membered Macrolide from a Benthic Dinoflagellate Amphidinium Species

A potent cytotoxic 20-membered macrolide, iriomoteolide-1a (1), has been isolated from a benthic dinoflagellate Amphidinium sp. (strain HYA024), and the structure was elucidated on the basis of detailed analyses of 2-D NMR data. The relative and absolute stereochemistries were assigned by the combination of conformational analyses using NMR data and modified Mosher's method of 1.

Fermentation, isolation, purification and biological activity of SJA-95, a heptaene polyene macrolide antibiotic produced by the Streptomyces sp. strain S24

A new strain, Streptomyces sp. S24 was isolated from a soil sample collected from Japan. Preliminary morphological, cultural, physiological and biochemical studies on this strain were carried out. Under submerged culture conditions the strain produced heptaene polyene macrolide (SJA-95), which elicits promising antifungal activity in vitro against yeasts, filamentous fungi including clinical isolates and plant pathogens. Its antifungal activity is comparable to that of hamycin and amphotericin B. SJA-95 was found to be toxic when given by the parenteral route in mice and not absorbed by the oral route like other polyene heptaene macrolides. The physicochemical data, spectral studies and elemental analysis suggest that SJA-95 is a polyene macrolide antibiotic. However, the chemical structure needs to be elucidated by further spectroscopic studies viz. 13C NMR, FEB-MS, EL MS and other tests.

Production and fungitoxic activity of Sch 642305, a secondary metabolite of Penicillium canescens

Production of fungitoxic extrolites was evaluated in culture filtrates of several isolates belonging to Penicillium canescens and P. janczewskii that showed some extent of inhibitory activity against the plant pathogenic fungus Rhizoctonia solani. In addition to griseofulvin and dechlorogriseofulvin that are already known in these species, curvulinic acid, previously unreported in Penicillium, was produced by all isolates assayed. Another extrolite recently characterized from a P. verrucosum strain by the name of Sch 642305 was detected in 5 isolates of P. canescens only. The purified compound completely inhibited mycelial growth of isolates of Rhizoctonia solani and other plant pathogenic fungi in vitro. The role of this extrolite as a possible biochemical determinant of antagonism toward plant pathogenic fungi, and implications concerning chemotaxonomy are discussed.

Isolation, structure determination, and anti-cancer activity of apoptolidin D

The isolation, characterization, and preliminary biological activity of apoptolidin D, a new apoptolidin that exhibits anti-proliferative activity against H292 human lung carcinoma cells at nanomolar concentrations, are reported. Its equilibration with isoapoptolidin D and characterization of the latter are also described. [structure: see text].

Enzyme inhibitors from marine invertebrates

Marine invertebrates are rich sources of small molecules with unique chemical skeletons and potent bioactivities. Historically, such compounds were discovered mainly through the use of assays for phenotype-oriented activities, such as cytotoxicity or antimicrobial effects. More recently, target-oriented searches for bioactive substances, as exemplified by enzyme inhibitors, have become much more common, given a growing need for small-molecule inhibitors essential for studies of complex processes at the interface of chemistry and biology. In this review, selected enzyme inhibitors from marine invertebrates are presented.

Nematicidal Resorcylides from the Aquatic Fungus Caryospora callicarpa YMF1.01026

This study investigated metabolites with activities against plant parasite nematodes from the fresh-water fungus Caryospora callicarpa YMF1.01026. We obtained three novel tetradecalactone metabolites, caryospomycins A-C, with such activities. The chemical structures of these were determined through NMR spectroscopic analysis and were found to belong to the 14-membered macrolides with a fused 1,2-dimethoxy-4-hydroxybenzene ring, a rare structure among the resorcylides. In the in vitro tests, all three compounds exhibited moderate killing activity against the nematode Bursaphelenchus xylophilus. To our knowledge, this is the first report of secondary metabolites in the aquatic fungal genus Caryospora.

Neopeltolide, a macrolide from a lithistid sponge of the family Neopeltidae

A new marine-derived macrolide designated as neopeltolide (1) has been isolated from a deep-water sponge of the family Neopeltidae. Its structure was elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data interpretation. Neopeltolide (1) is a potent inhibitor of the in vitro proliferation of the A-549 human lung adenocarcinoma, the NCI-ADR-RES human ovarian sarcoma, and the P388 murine leukemia cell lines, with IC50's of 1.2, 5.1, and 0.56 nM, respectively. Neopeltolide (1) also inhibited the growth of the fungal pathogen Candida albicans with a minimum inhibitory concentration of 0.62 microg/mL.

Bioactive macrolides and polyketides from marine dinoflagellates of the genus Amphidinium

Marine microorganisms such as bacteria, cyanobacteria, dinoflagellates, and others have attracted many natural product chemists as the real producers of marine toxins such as fish and algal poisons as well as bioactive substances isolated from marine invertebrates such as sponges and tunicates. Among marine microorganisms, dinoflagellates have proved to be important sources of marine toxins and have been investigated worldwide by natural product chemists. We have continued investigations on chemically interesting and biologically significant secondary metabolites from Amphidinium spp., of a genus of symbiotic marine dinoflagellates separated from inside cells of Okinawan marine flatworms. This review covers the results described in our recent publications on a series of cytotoxic macrolides, designated amphidinolides, and long-chain polyketides isolated from Amphidinium spp. In this review, topics include the isolation, structure elucidation, synthesis, biosynthesis, and bioactivity of amphidinolides and long-chain polyketides.

Bispolides, Novel 20-Membered Ring Macrodiolide Antibiotics from Microbispora

Seven new related compounds named bispolides A1, A2, A3, B1, B2a, B2b and B3, have been found in a culture of Microbispora sp. A34030, isolated from a Malaysian soil sample. The planar structures were elucidated to be new 20-membered ring macrodiolide antibiotics on the basis of MS and NMR spectroscopic analyses. These antibiotics showed a good anti-MRSA activity in vitro.

Structural assignment of poecillastrins B and C, macrolide lactams from the deep-water Caribbean sponge Poecillastra species

Two new chondropsin-type macrolide lactams, poecillastrins B (1) and C (2), were isolated from aqueous extracts of the marine sponge Poecillastra sp. These trace metabolites were isolated in low yield (400-600 microg), and their structures were determined primarily by analysis of NMR data acquired using a cyrogenically cooled probe. High-quality 1D and 2D NMR data sets allowed complete assignment of the spectroscopic data and defined the new structures as 35-membered ring analogues of poecillastrin A (3). Compounds 1 and 2 showed potent cytotoxic activity against a human melanoma tumor cell line (LOX) with an IC50 value of less than 1 microg/mL.

Inhibition of bone resorption in cultures of mouse calvariae by apicularen A

Apicularens A and B were isolated from the myxobacterial genus Chondromyces apiculatus JW184. Apicularen A inhibited bafilomycin A1-sensitive ATP-dependent proton transport into microsome vesicles more potently than apicularen B. Bone resorption in cultures of mouse calvariae induced by human parathyroid hormone (PTH) or interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) was inhibited by apicularen A at 10 and 100 nM, while apicularen B had no effect. The bisphosphonate incadronate inhibited bone resorption at 100 nM, being less effective than apicularen A. Our findings indicate that apicularen A inhibits bone resorption induced by PTH or IL-1beta more potently than apicularen B, probably due to inhibition of the V-ATPase.

Lipase-mediated purification of methyl nonactate, an important natural product building block for diversity-oriented synthesis

Methyl nonactate is a valuable starting material for the production of natural product-like combinatorial libraries and ketide amino acids, a series of novel conformationally constrained amino acid analogues. Fermentation of Streptomyces griseus generates high titers of macrotetrolide antibiotics from which methyl nonactate can be generated by methanolysis. Unfortunately, this approach generates mixtures of homologues that are not economically separable. We report a specific lipase-mediated hydrolysis of nonactate derivatives that discriminates between homologues and is the foundation of an economically tractable preparation of methyl nonactate in scale.

A new antifungal macrolide, eushearilide, isolated from Eupenicillium shearii

In screening for antifungal substances, a new macrolide, eushearilide (1), was isolated from Eupenicillium shearii IFM54447. The structure of 1 was established to be 24-membered macrolide having a non-conjugated diene and a choline phosphate ester moetiy on the basis of detailed investigation of NMR, UV, IR and MS spectral data. Compound 1 showed antifungal activity against various fungi and yeasts, including human pathogens Aspergillus fumigatus, Trichophyton spp. and Candida spp.

Marine cytotoxic macrolides haterumalides and biselides, and related natural products

Marine animals and plants are rich sources of bioactive natural products. Haterumalides and biselides, isolated from Okinawan marine animals, are 14-membered macrolides with strong cytotoxicity against human cancer cell lines. This review highlights the isolation, structures, bioactivities, and total synthesis of haterumalides, biselides, and related natural products.

Sample preparation strategy for the simultaneous determination of macrolide antibiotics in animal feedingstuffs by liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection (HPLC-ECD)

A novel and suitable clean-up method that allows, for the first time, the simultaneous determination of a rather large number of macrolide antibiotics (erythromycin, rosamicin, spiramycin, tylosin, kitasamycin and josamycin in feedingstuffs by high performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection (HPLC-ECD) is presented in this work. The effectiveness of the developed clean-up method allows the quantification of the target macrolides in poultry feed using standard calibration curves instead of matrix matched standards, which overcomes the general problem of finding representative blanks. Furthermore an additional back extraction included in the sample preparation procedure allows the determination of an additional macrolide (oleandomycin) with detection limits, expressed as apparent concentration in poultry feed, ranging from 0.04 to 0.22 mg kg(-1) and relative standard deviation values ranging from 3.6 to 10.1% depending on the target analyte. Moreover, this additional step has been proven to enlarge the scope of the method by the extension of its applicability, at the target level of concentration, to other animal feedingstuffs such as pig and cattle. The analysis of real feedingstuffs containing macrolides demonstrated the fitness for purpose of the whole analytical procedure as well as a good fitting between real and spiked samples. The proposed methods appeared therefore as a sound alternative in the frame of control (e.g. for post-screening purposes) and/or monitoring surveillance programmes at the target level of 1.0 mg kg(-1) established according to the reported lowest dosage of additive needed to lead a growth promoting effect.

On the First Polyarsenic Organic Compound from Nature: Arsenicin A from the New Caledonian Marine SpongeEchinochalina bargibanti

Reported here is the first polyarsenic compound ever found in nature. Denominated arsenicin A, it was isolated along a bioassay-guided fractionation of the organic extract of the poecilosclerid sponge Echinochalina bargibanti collected from the north-eastern coast of New Caledonia. In defining an adamantine-type polyarsenic structure for this compound, deceptively simple NMR spectra were complemented by extensive mass spectral analysis. However, it was only the synthesis of a model compound that provided the basis to discriminate structure 4 from other spectrally compatible structures for arsenicin A; to this end, a comparative ab initio simulation of IR spectra for the natural and the synthetic compounds was decisive. Arsenicin A is endowed with potent bactericidal and fungicidal activities on human pathogenic strains. All this may revive pharmacological interest in arsenic compounds while prompting us to rethink the arsenic cycle in nature.

Heterologous biosynthesis of amidated polyketides with novel cyclization regioselectivity from oxytetracycline polyketide synthase

Heterologous expression of the minimal oxytetracycline polyketide synthase and the amidotransferase OxyD in Streptomyces coelicolor strain CH999 afforded two novel amidated polyketides, WJ85 (4) and WJ85b (5). WJ85 is a C-9 unreduced decaketide that is primed by a malonamyl starter unit. WJ85 is cyclized via an unusual C-11 to C-16 intramolecular aldol condensation not observed among known aromatic polyketides. The structures of WJ85 and the previously characterized WJ35 suggest that the presence of an amide starter unit has a profound effect on the cyclization regioselectivity and reactivity of a polyketide backbone. WJ85b is an anthraquinone and is an oxidized product of WJ85.

Inhibitory Activity of the Hypoxia-inducible Factor-1 Pathway by Tartrolone C

Hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) is a central mediator of cellular responses to low oxygen and has recently become an important therapeutic target for solid tumor therapy. To identify small molecule inhibitors of the HIF-1 transcriptional activation, we have established a high through-put assay system using a stable transformant of mammalian cells that express a luciferase reporter gene construct containing a HIF-1 binding site. Using this system, we screened 5000 cultured broths of microorganisms, and we found that fermentation broth produced by Streptomyces strain 1759-27 showed significant inhibition of the reporter activity induced by hypoxic conditions. The active substance NBRI759-27 was purified and determined to be tartrolone C by several methods including X-ray crystallography. In the reporter gene assay, tartrolone C inhibited the HIF-1 transcriptional activity under hypoxic conditions with an IC50 value of 0.17 microg/ml.

Optimization of culture conditions for production of antimalarial menisporopsin A by the seed fungusMenisporopsis theobromaeBCC 4162

AIMS

The aim of this work was to optimize the production of a novel antimaralial menisporopsin A by the seed fungus Menisporopsis theobromae BCC 4162.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Fungal cultures were grown in shake flasks at 25 degrees C in the basal medium with varying carbon and nitrogen sources, aeration rates and initial pH levels. The optimal carbon and nitrogen sources that improved the production of menisporopsin A were 1% fructose and 2.5% meat extract respectively. The production was further enhanced when the culture incubated on a shaker at 200 rev min(-1) with an initial pH of 8. The yield of menisporopsin A cultured under the optimized conditions was increased from 348.30 (obtained from basal medium) to 889.02 mg l(-1), and the cultivation time was reduced from 28 to only 4 days. As a result, the productivity of menisporopsin A was greatly enhanced to 222.26 mg l(-1) day(-1) which is 18-fold higher than that of basal conditions. Larger scale production in a fermenter was also achieved, yielding menisporopsin A at a maximal level of 594.32 mg l(-1) in 4 days.

CONCLUSIONS

The optimized culture conditions for menisporopsin A production by M. theobromae BCC 4162 was the cultivation under shaking or agitation at 25 degrees C in fructose-meat extract medium with an initial pH of 8.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

The production of menisporopsin A in a fermenter with a relatively short incubation period could be valuable for further utilization for chemical structure modification and derivatization.

Cruentaren, a New Antifungal Salicylate-Type Macrolide from Byssovorax cruenta (Myxobacteria) with Inhibitory Effect on Mitochondrial ATPase Activity

The novel macrolide cruentaren A was produced at levels up to 3.2 mg/liter by cultures of the myxobacterium Byssovorax cruenta. The new compound strongly inhibited the growth of yeasts and filamentous fungi and showed high cytotoxicity against L929 mouse fibroblast cells. A minor co-metabolite of cruentaren A, named cruentaren B, and identified as a six-membered lactone isomer of cruentaren A, showed only marginal cytotoxicity and no antifungal activity. Cruentaren A inhibited F0F1 mitochondrial ATP-hydrolysis in submitochondrial particles of yeasts and beef heart.

Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase inhibitors from the Northeastern Pacific Marine Hydroid Garveia annulata

Crude extracts of the marine hydroid Garveia annulata show potent inhibition of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO). Fractionation of the extract led to the identification of the new polyketides annulin C (1), 2-hydroxygarveatin E (4), garveatin E (5), and garvin C (9). Annulins A (2), B (3), and C (1) were found to be submicromolar inhibitors of IDO.

Cytotoxic Macrolides from a New Species of the Deep-Water Marine Sponge Leiodermatium

Chemical investigation of a new species of the deep-water marine sponge Leiodermatium, collected by manned submersible at a depth of 740 feet in Palau, resulted in the isolation of two cytotoxic macrolides, leiodolides A (1) and B (2). The leiodolides represent the first members of a new class of 19-membered ring macrolides, incorporating several unique functional groups including a conjugated oxazole ring, a bromine substituent, and an alpha-hydroxy-alpha-methyl carboxylic acid side-chain terminus. The structures of these new metabolites were established by spectroscopic analysis, chemical modification, and degradation. The relative and absolute stereochemistries at most chiral centers were assigned on detailed interpretation of spectroscopic data, coupled with chemical degradation and application of the modified Mosher ester method. Leiodolide A showed significant cytotoxicity (average GI(50) = 2.0 microM) in the National Cancer Institute's 60 cell line panel with enhanced activity against HL-60 leukemia and OVCAR-3 ovarian cancer cell lines.

Antimitotic Rhizoxin Derivatives from a Cultured Bacterial Endosymbiont of the Rice Pathogenic Fungus Rhizopus microsporus

The potent antimitotic polyketide macrolide rhizoxin, the causal agent of rice seedling blight, is not produced by the fungus Rhizopus microsporus, as has been believed for over two decades, but by endosymbiotic bacteria that reside within the fungal mycelium. Here we report the successful isolation and large-scale fermentation of the bacterial endosymbiont ("Burkholderia rhizoxina") in pure culture, which resulted in a significantly elevated (10x higher) production of antimitotics. In addition to several known rhizoxin derivatives, numerous novel natural and semisynthetic variants were isolated, and their structures were fully elucidated. Cell-based assays as well as tubulin binding experiments revealed that methylated seco-rhizoxin derivatives are 1000-10000 times more active than rhizoxin and thus rank among the most potent antiproliferative agents known to date. Furthermore, more stable didesepoxy rhizoxin analogues were obtained by efficiently inhibiting a putative P-450 monooxygenase involved in macrolide tailoring.

Antineoplastic diterpene-benzoate macrolides from the Fijian red alga Callophycus serratus

[structures: see text] Three diterpene-benzoate natural products, with novel carbon skeletons and an unusual proposed biosynthesis, were isolated from extracts of the Fijian red alga Callophycus serratus and identified by a combination of X-ray crystallographic, NMR, and mass spectral analyses. Bromophycolide A (1) displayed cytotoxicity against several human tumor cell lines via specific apoptotic cell death. This represents the first discovery of natural products incorporating a diterpene and benzoate skeleton into a macrolide system.