Undescribed specialised metabolites from the endophytic fungus Emericella sp. XL029 and their antimicrobial activities

Emerindanols A and B: Two Bipolyhydroindenol Sesterterpenes with 5/6-6/5 Coupled Ring System Discovered by Genome Mining

Genome mining of Emericella sp. XL-029 achieved a new type E sesterterpene synthase, EmES, which affored a novel bipolyhydroindenol sesterterpene, emerindanol A. Heterologous coexpression with the upstream P450 oxidase revealed C-4 hydroxylated product, emerindanol B. Notably, emerindanols A and B represented the first sesterterpenes featuring a unique 5/6-6/5 coupled ring system. EmES was postulated to initiate through C1-IV-V pathway and convert the fused ring intermediate into the final coupled ring product through a spiro skeleton.

Chae-type cytochalasans from coculture of Aspergillus flavipes and Chaetomium globosum

Cocultivation of the high cytochalasan-producing fungi Aspergillus flavipes and Chaetomium globosum resulted in the isolation of 11 undescribed Chae-type cytochalasans. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic data and NMR data calculations. Asperchaetoglobin A (1) was the first Chae-type cytochalasan possessing an unprecedented nitrogen bridge between C-17 and C-20 to generate a surprising 5/6/12/5 multiple ring system; asperchaetoglobins B and C (2 and 3) displayed higher oxidation with an additional epoxide at the thirteen-member ring; asperchaetoglobin D (4) was the second Chae-type cytochalasin featuring a 5/6/12 tricyclic ring system. The cytotoxic activities against five human cancer cell lines and antibacterial activities against Staphylococcus aureus and Colon bacillus of selected compounds were evaluated in vitro.

Fungal Endophytes: Microfactories of Novel Bioactive Compounds with Therapeutic Interventions; A Comprehensive Review on the Biotechnological Developments in the Field of Fungal Endophytic Biology over the Last Decade

The seminal discovery of paclitaxel from endophytic fungus Taxomyces andreanae was a milestone in recognizing the immense potential of endophytic fungi as prolific producers of bioactive secondary metabolites of use in medicine, agriculture, and food industries. Following the discovery of paclitaxel, the research community has intensified efforts to harness endophytic fungi as putative producers of lead molecules with anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, cardio-protective, and immunomodulatory properties. Endophytic fungi have been a valuable source of bioactive compounds over the last three decades. Compounds such as taxol, podophyllotoxin, huperzine, camptothecin, and resveratrol have been effectively isolated and characterized after extraction from endophytic fungi. These findings have expanded the applications of endophytic fungi in medicine and related fields. In the present review, we systematically compile and analyze several important compounds derived from endophytic fungi, encompassing the period from 2011 to 2022. Our systematic approach focuses on elucidating the origins of endophytic fungi, exploring the structural diversity and biological activities exhibited by these compounds, and giving special emphasis to the pharmacological activities and mechanism of action of certain compounds. We highlight the tremendous potential of endophytic fungi as alternate sources of bioactive metabolites, with implications for combating major global diseases. This underscores the significant role that fungi can play in the discovery and development of novel therapeutic agents that address the challenges posed by prevalent diseases worldwide.