Structure of aspochracin, an insecticidal metabolite of Aspergillus ochraceus

Antimicrobial and Anti-inflammatory Cyclic Tetrapeptides from the Co-cultures of Two Marine-Derived Fungi

Violaceotides B-E (1-4), four new cyclic tetrapeptides, along with seven known compounds, were identified from the sponge-associated Aspergillus insulicola IMB18-072 co-cultivated with the marine-derived Alternaria angustiovoidea IMB20-805. Their structures were elucidated by extensive analysis of spectroscopic data, including HRESIMS, 1D and 2D NMR, and MS/MS data. The absolute configurations were determined by the advanced Marfey's method. Compounds 2, 3, and violaceotide A (5) displayed selective antimicrobial activities against the aquatic pathogenic bacteria Edwardsiella tarda and E. ictaluri. In addition, compounds 1-5 showed inhibitory activities against the LPS-induced expression of the inflammatory mediator IL-6 in RAW264.7 cells at a concentration of 10 μM.

Aspergillus ochraceus: Metabolites, Bioactivities, Biosynthesis, and Biotechnological Potential

Fungus continues to attract great attention as a promising pool of biometabolites. Aspergillus ochraceus Wilh (Aspergillaceae) has established its capacity to biosynthesize a myriad of metabolites belonging to different chemical classes, such as isocoumarins, pyrazines, sterols, indole alkaloids, diketopiperazines, polyketides, peptides, quinones, polyketides, and sesquiterpenoids, revealing various bioactivities that are antimicrobial, cytotoxic, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, insecticidal, and neuroprotective. Additionally, A. ochraceus produces a variety of enzymes that could have variable industrial and biotechnological applications. From 1965 until June 2022, 165 metabolites were reported from A. ochraceus isolated from different sources. In this review, the formerly separated metabolites from A. ochraceus, including their bioactivities and biosynthesis, in addition, the industrial and biotechnological potential of A. ochraceus are highlighted.

Antibacterial Cyclic Tripeptides from Antarctica-Sponge-Derived Fungus Aspergillus insulicola HDN151418

Three new aspochracin-type cyclic tripeptides, sclerotiotides M–O (1–3), together with three known analogues, sclerotiotide L (4), sclerotiotide F (5), and sclerotiotide B (6), were obtained from the ethyl acetate extract of the fungus Aspergillus insulicola HDN151418, which was isolated from an unidentified Antarctica sponge. Spectroscopic and chemical approaches were used to elucidate their structures. The absolute configuration of the side chain in compound 4 was elucidated for the first time. Compounds 1 and 2 showed broad antimicrobial activity against a panel of pathogenic strains, including Bacillus cereus, Proteus species, Mycobacterium phlei, Bacillus subtilis, Vibrio parahemolyticus, Edwardsiella tarda, MRCNS, and MRSA, with MIC values ranging from 1.56 to 25.0 µM.

Structural Diversity and Biological Activities of Fungal Cyclic Peptides, Excluding Cyclodipeptides

Cyclic peptides are cyclic compounds formed mainly by the amide bonds between either proteinogenic or non-proteinogenic amino acids. This review highlights the occurrence, structures and biological activities of fungal cyclic peptides (excluding cyclodipeptides, and peptides containing ester bonds in the core ring) reported until August 2017. About 293 cyclic peptides belonging to the groups of cyclic tri-, tetra-, penta-, hexa-, hepta-, octa-, nona-, deca-, undeca-, dodeca-, tetradeca-, and octadecapeptides as well as cyclic peptides containing ether bonds in the core ring have been isolated from fungi. They were mainly isolated from the genera Aspergillus, Penicillium, Fusarium, Acremonium and Amanita. Some of them were screened to have antimicrobial, antiviral, cytotoxic, phytotoxic, insecticidal, nematicidal, immunosuppressive and enzyme-inhibitory activities to show their potential applications. Some fungal cyclic peptides such as the echinocandins, pneumocandins and cyclosporin A have been developed as pharmaceuticals.

Kumbicins A–D: Bis-Indolyl Benzenoids and Benzoquinones from an Australian Soil Fungus, Aspergillus kumbius

A soil survey conducted in southern Queensland, Australia, identified a novel isolate belonging to the genus Aspergillus subgenus Circumdati section Circumdati, Aspergillus kumbius FRR6049. Cultivation and fractionation of secondary metabolites from A. kumbius revealed a unique chemotype comprising three new bis-indolyl benzenoids, kumbicins A–C, and a new bis-indolyl benzoquinone, kumbicin D, along with the previously reported compounds asterriquinol D dimethyl ether, petromurins C and D, aspochracin, its N-demethyl analogue JBIR-15, and neohydroxyaspergillic acid. The structures of kumbicins A–D were assigned by detailed spectroscopic analysis. Kumbicin C was found to inhibit the growth of mouse myeloma cells (IC50 0.74 μg mL–1) and the Gram-positive bacterium Bacillus subtilis (MIC 1.6 μg mL–1).

Unraveling the Numerous Biosynthetic Products of the Marine Sediment-Derived Fungus, Aspergillus insulicola

A new tripeptide, pre-sclerotiotide F (3), was isolated from a marine sediment-derived fungus, Aspergillus insulicola, along with five known compounds, one of which was new at the time of isolation, scerotiotide F (4). The absolute configuration elucidation of the new compound was determined using a combination of NMR, HR-ESI-MS, and optical rotation analyses. Cytotoxicities were measured in vitro against selected cancer cells. The effects of pre-sclerotiotide F (3) and sclerotiotide F (4) on LPS-induced NF-κB and iNOS expression were also measured.

Cyclic tripeptides from the halotolerant fungus Aspergillus sclerotiorum PT06-1

Eleven new aspochracin-type cyclic tripeptides, sclerotiotides A-K (1-11), together with three known compounds, JBIR-15 (12), aspochracin (13), and penicillic acid, were isolated from the ethyl acetate extract of the fermentation broth of the halotolerant Aspergillus sclerotiorum PT06-1 in a hypersaline nutrient-rich medium. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis and chemical methods. Chemical transformations of 12 and 13 proved that sclerotiotides D-K (4-11) were artifacts probably formed during the fermentation or subsequent isolation steps. All 13 cyclic tripeptides have been evaluated for their antimicrobial and cytotoxic effects. Only sclerotiotides A (1), B (2), F (6), and I (9) and JBIR-15 (12) showed selective antifungal activity against Candida albicans with MIC values of 7.5, 3.8, 30, 6.7, and 30 microM, respectively.

JBIR-15, a new aspochracin derivative, isolated from a sponge-derived fungus, Aspergillus sclerotiorum Huber Sp080903f04

In the course of our chemical screening program for novel metabolites by LC-MS monitoring, we isolated a new aspochracin derivative, JBIR-15 (1), together with aspochracin, from the culture broth of a sponge-derived fungus, Aspergillus sclerotiorum Huber Sp080903f04. The structure of 1 was determined to be N-demethyl aspochracin at the alanyl residue on the basis of extensive NMR and MS analyses.

Nonribosomal cyclic peptides: specific markers of fungal infections

Some cyclic peptides and depsipeptides are synthesized in microorganisms by large multienzymes called nonribosomal peptide synthetases. The structures of peptide products originating in this way are complex and diverse and are microorganism-specific. This work proposes the use of fungal cyclic peptides and depsipeptides as extremely specific markers of fungal infections. Since a reliable molecular tool for diagnosing fungal infections at an early stage is still missing, we present mass spectrometry as a new, modern, broadband (with respect to fungal strain) and specific tool for clinical mycologists. More than 40 different fungal species can be rapidly characterized according to specific families of cyclic peptides, and in some cases, a particular fungal strain can be identified on the basis of its cyclopeptide profile. This paper is also aimed at initiating discussion on the biological role of these secondary metabolites, especially of those synthesized by medically important strains. Proven cytotoxic, anti-inflammatory or immunosuppressive activities of some cyclic peptides indicate that these molecules may contribute to the synergistic array of fungal virulence factors and support microbial invasion during fungal infection. In addition to an overview on recent mass spectrometric protocols for cyclic peptide sequencing, the structures of new peptides from Paecilomyces and Pseudallescheria are presented.

Bioassay of mycotoxins using terrestrial and aquatic, animal and plant species

The role of bioassay in the diagnosis of mycotoxicoses in farm animals is discussed. Methods for detecting mycotoxin contamination of animal feeds using biological species (aquatic and terrestrial animals and plants but excluding bacteria and yeast) are reviewed. Factors that need to be considered when choosing and using particular bioassay procedures in a feed-screening programme are discussed in relation to the occurrence of false positives and false negatives.

Microbial metabolites with insecticidal properties

A screen of fungi for insecticidal activity revealed the ability of Aspergillus versicolor to make versimide, methyl-alpha-(methylsuccinimido)acrylate, a novel contact insecticide. The larvicidal activities of Alternaria tenuis and Fusarium lateritium were found to be due to tenuazonic acid and diacetoxyscirpenol, respectively. Thiolutin, cycloheximide, rubratoxin, patulin, trichothecin, an actinomycin, and scirpene-producing fungi also had insecticidal activity.