Antiviral activities of photoactive perylenequinones

Lipid-Centric Approaches in Combating Infectious Diseases: Antibacterials, Antifungals and Antivirals with Lipid-Associated Mechanisms of Action

One of the global challenges of the 21st century is the increase in mortality from infectious diseases against the backdrop of the spread of antibiotic-resistant pathogenic microorganisms. In this regard, it is worth targeting antibacterials towards the membranes of pathogens that are quite conservative and not amenable to elimination. This review is an attempt to critically analyze the possibilities of targeting antimicrobial agents towards enzymes involved in pathogen lipid biosynthesis or towards bacterial, fungal, and viral lipid membranes, to increase the permeability via pore formation and to modulate the membranes' properties in a manner that makes them incompatible with the pathogen's life cycle. This review discusses the advantages and disadvantages of each approach in the search for highly effective but nontoxic antimicrobial agents. Examples of compounds with a proven molecular mechanism of action are presented, and the types of the most promising pharmacophores for further research and the improvement of the characteristics of antibiotics are discussed. The strategies that pathogens use for survival in terms of modulating the lipid composition and physical properties of the membrane, achieving a balance between resistance to antibiotics and the ability to facilitate all necessary transport and signaling processes, are also considered.

Photosensitizing Antivirals

Antiviral action of various photosensitizers is already summarized in several comprehensive reviews, and various mechanisms have been proposed for it. However, a critical consideration of the matter of the area is complicated, since the exact mechanisms are very difficult to explore and clarify, and most publications are of an empirical and "phenomenological" nature, reporting a dependence of the antiviral action on illumination, or a correlation of activity with the photophysical properties of the substances. Of particular interest is substance-assisted photogeneration of highly reactive singlet oxygen (1O2). The damaging action of 1O2 on the lipids of the viral envelope can probably lead to a loss of the ability of the lipid bilayer of enveloped viruses to fuse with the lipid membrane of the host cell. Thus, lipid bilayer-affine 1O2 photosensitizers have prospects as broad-spectrum antivirals against enveloped viruses. In this short review, we want to point out the main types of antiviral photosensitizers with potential affinity to the lipid bilayer and summarize the data on new compounds over the past three years. Further understanding of the data in the field will spur a targeted search for substances with antiviral activity against enveloped viruses among photosensitizers able to bind to the lipid membranes.

Axial Chiral Binaphthoquinone and Perylenequinones from the Stromata of Hypocrella bambusae Are SARS-CoV-2 Entry Inhibitors

A new axial chiral binaphtoquinone, hypocrellone (1), and a new perylenequinone, hypomycin F (2), were isolated from the stromata of Hypocrella bambusae, together with five known compounds, 3-7. The structures of 1 and 2 were assigned by spectroscopic and HRESIMS data analyses. The axial chirality of 1 was determined by electronic circular dichroism data analysis, and the absolute configurations of 2 and 3 were determined by X-ray crystallography. The axial chirality of 7 was determined by UV-induced photooxidation from 4. Compounds 1, 4, and 5 showed inhibitory activity against pseudotyped SARS-CoV-2 infection in 293T-ACE2 cells with IC₅₀ values of 0.17, 0.038, and 0.12 μM. Compounds 4 and 5 were also active against live SARS-CoV-2 infection with EC₅₀ values of 0.22 and 0.21 μM, respectively. Further cell-cell fusion assays, surface plasmon resonance assays, and molecular docking studies revealed that 4 and 5 could bind with the receptor-binding domain of SARS-CoV-2 S protein to prevent its interaction with human angiotensin-converting enzyme II receptor. Our results revealed that 4 and 5 are potential SARS-CoV-2 entry inhibitors.

Biophysical Characterization and Anticancer Activities of Photosensitive Phytoanthraquinones Represented by Hypericin and Its Model Compounds

Photosensitive compounds found in herbs have been reported in recent years as having a variety of interesting medicinal and biological activities. In this review, we focus on photosensitizers such as hypericin and its model compounds emodin, quinizarin, and danthron, which have antiviral, antifungal, antineoplastic, and antitumor effects. They can be utilized as potential agents in photodynamic therapy, especially in photodynamic therapy (PDT) for cancer. We aimed to give a comprehensive summary of the physical and chemical properties of these interesting molecules, emphasizing their mechanism of action in relation to their different interactions with biomacromolecules, specifically with DNA.

Cercospora beticola: The intoxicating lifestyle of the leaf spot pathogen of sugar beet

Cercospora leaf spot, caused by the fungal pathogen Cercospora beticola, is the most destructive foliar disease of sugar beet worldwide. This review discusses C. beticola genetics, genomics, and biology and summarizes our current understanding of the molecular interactions that occur between C. beticola and its sugar beet host. We highlight the known virulence arsenal of C. beticola as well as its ability to overcome currently used disease management strategies. Finally, we discuss future prospects for the study and management of C. beticola infections in the context of newly employed molecular tools to uncover additional information regarding the biology of this pathogen.

TAXONOMY

Cercospora beticola Sacc.; Kingdom Fungi, Phylum Ascomycota, Class Dothideomycetes, Order Capnodiales, Family Mycosphaerellaceae, Genus Cercospora.

HOST RANGE

Well-known pathogen of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris) and most species of the Beta genus. Reported as pathogenic on other members of the Chenopodiaceae (e.g., lamb's quarters, spinach) as well as members of the Acanthaceae (e.g., bear's breeches), Apiaceae (e.g., Apium), Asteraceae (e.g., chrysanthemum, lettuce, safflower), Brassicaceae (e.g., wild mustard), Malvaceae (e.g., Malva), Plumbaginaceae (e.g., Limonium), and Polygonaceae (e.g., broad-leaved dock) families.

DISEASE SYMPTOMS

Leaves infected with C. beticola exhibit circular lesions that are coloured tan to grey in the centre and are often delimited by tan-brown to reddish-purple rings. As disease progresses, spots can coalesce to form larger necrotic areas, causing severely infected leaves to wither and die. At the centre of these spots are black spore-bearing structures (pseudostromata). Older leaves often show symptoms first and younger leaves become infected as the disease progresses.

MANAGEMENT

Application of a mixture of fungicides with different modes of action is currently performed although elevated resistance has been documented in most employed fungicide classes. Breeding for high-yielding cultivars with improved host resistance is an ongoing effort and prudent cultural practices, such as crop rotation, weed host management, and cultivation to reduce infested residue levels, are widely used to manage disease. USEFUL WEBSITE: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/genome/11237?genome_assembly_id=352037.

Perylenequinonoid-catalyzed photoredox activation for the direct arylation of (het)arenes with sunlight

Naturally occurring perylenequinonoid pigments (PQPs) have attracted considerable attention owing to their excellent properties of photosensitization. They have been widely investigated as an aspect of photophysics and photobiology. However, their applications in photocatalysis are yet to be explored. We report here that sunlight along with 1 mol% cercosporin, which is one of the perylenequinonoid pigments, catalyzes the direct C-H bond arylation of (het)arenes by a photoredox process with good regioselectivity and broad functional group compatibility. Furthermore, a gram-scale reaction with great conversions of substrates was achieved even by a cercosporin-containing supernatant without organic solvent extraction and purification after liquid fermentation. Thus we set up a bridge between microbial fermentation and organic photocatalysis for chemical reactions in a sustainable, environmentally friendly manner.

Trends and targets in antiviral phototherapy

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a well-established treatment option in the treatment of certain cancerous and pre-cancerous lesions. Though best-known for its application in tumor therapy, historically the photodynamic effect was first demonstrated against bacteria at the beginning of the 20^th century. Today, in light of spreading antibiotic resistance and the rise of new infections, this photodynamic inactivation (PDI) of microbes, such as bacteria, fungi, and viruses, is gaining considerable attention. This review focuses on the PDI of viruses as an alternative treatment in antiviral therapy, but also as a means of viral decontamination, covering mainly the literature of the last decade. The PDI of viruses shares the general action mechanism of photodynamic applications: the irradiation of a dye with light and the subsequent generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) which are the effective phototoxic agents damaging virus targets by reacting with viral nucleic acids, lipids and proteins. Interestingly, a light-independent antiviral activity has also been found for some of these dyes. This review covers the compound classes employed in the PDI of viruses and their various areas of use. In the medical area, currently two fields stand out in which the PDI of viruses has found broader application: the purification of blood products and the treatment of human papilloma virus manifestations. However, the PDI of viruses has also found interest in such diverse areas as water and surface decontamination, and biosafety.

The photoactivity of natural products - An overlooked potential of phytomedicines?

BACKGROUND

Photoactivity, though known for centuries, is only recently shifting back into focus as a treatment option against cancer and microbial infections. The external factor light is the ingenious key-component of this therapy: Since light activates the drug locally, a high level of selectivity is reached and side effects are avoided. The first reported photoactive medicines were plant extracts. Synthetic entities (so-called photosensitizers PSs), however, paved the route towards the clinical approval of the so-called photodynamic therapy (PDT), and thus natural PSs took a backseat in the past.

HYPOTHESIS

Many isolated bioactive phytochemicals hold a hidden photoactive potential, which is overlooked due to the reduced common awareness of photoactivity.

METHODS

A systematic review of reported natural PSs and their supposed medicinal application was conducted by employing PubMed, Scifinder, and Web of Science. The identified photoactive natural products were compiled including information about their natural sources, their photoyield, and their pharmacological application. Furthermore, the common chemical scaffolds of natural PS are shown to enable the reader to recognize potentially overlooked natural PSs.

RESULTS

The literature review revealed over 100 natural PS, excluding porphyrins. The PSs were classified according to their scaffold. Thereby it was shown that some PS-scaffolds were analyzed in a detailed way, while other classes were only scarcely investigated, which leaves space for future discoveries. In addition, the literature revealed that many PSs are phytoalexins, thus the selection of the starting material significantly matters in order to find new PSs.

CONCLUSION

Photoactive principles are ubiquitous and can be found in various plant extracts. With the increasing availability of light-irradiation setups for the identification of photoactive natural products, we anticipate the discovery of many new natural PSs in the near future. With the accumulation of chemically diverse PSs, PDT itself might finally reach its clinical breakthrough as a promising alternative treatment against multi-resistant microbes and cancer types.

Perylenequinonoid-Catalyzed [4 + 1] and [4 + 2] Annulations of Azoalkenes: Photocatalytic Access to 1,2,3-Thiadiazole/1,4,5,6-Tetrahydropyridazine Derivatives

Nitrogen-containing heterocycles are especially considered "privileged" structural scaffolds for the development of new drugs. However, traditional methods of organic synthesis are mainly based on thermal cycloaddition reaction; thus, the exploration of new strategies for the rapid assembly of N-heterocycles under mild conditions is highly desirable. Here, we developed a new method that visible light along with 1 mol % cercosporin, which is one of the perylenequinonoid pigments with excellent properties of photosensitization and can be easily produced by a new isolated endophytic fungus Cercospora sp. JNU001 strain with high yield through microbial fermentation, catalyzes the synthesis of 1,2,3-thiadiazoles and 1,4,5,6-tetrahydropyridazines by a photocatalytic process with good regioselectivity and broad functional-group compatibility under mild conditions. Thus, a bridge between microbial fermentation and organic photocatalysis for the construction of nitrogen-containing heterocycles was set up in a sustainable, environmentally friendly manner.

Gene cluster conservation identifies melanin and perylenequinone biosynthesis pathways in multiple plant pathogenic fungi

Perylenequinones are a family of structurally related polyketide fungal toxins with nearly universal toxicity. These photosensitizing compounds absorb light energy which enables them to generate reactive oxygen species that damage host cells. This potent mechanism serves as an effective weapon for plant pathogens in disease or niche establishment. The sugar beet pathogen Cercospora beticola secretes the perylenequinone cercosporin during infection. We have shown recently that the cercosporin toxin biosynthesis (CTB) gene cluster is present in several other phytopathogenic fungi, prompting the search for biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) of structurally similar perylenequinones in other fungi. Here, we report the identification of the elsinochrome and phleichrome BGCs of Elsinoë fawcettii and Cladosporium phlei, respectively, based on gene cluster conservation with the CTB and hypocrellin BGCs. Furthermore, we show that previously reported BGCs for elsinochrome and phleichrome are involved in melanin production. Phylogenetic analysis of the corresponding melanin polyketide synthases (PKSs) and alignment of melanin BGCs revealed high conservation between the established and newly identified C. beticola, E. fawcettii and C. phlei melanin BGCs. Mutagenesis of the identified perylenequinone and melanin PKSs in C. beticola and E. fawcettii coupled with mass spectrometric metabolite analyses confirmed their roles in toxin and melanin production.

Cytotoxic and Photocytotoxic Effects of Cercosporin on Human Tumor Cell Lines

Cercosporin is a naturally occurring perylenequinone. Although other perylenequinones have been extensively studied as photosensitizers in photodynamic therapy of cancer (PDT), cercosporin has been studied in this light only within the remits of phytopathology. Herein, we investigated the photocytotoxicity of cercosporin against two glioblastoma multiforme (T98G and U87) and one breast adenocarcinoma (MCF7) human cell lines. Cercosporin was found to be a potent singlet oxygen producer upon 532 nm excitation, while its cell loading was similar for MCF7 and U87, but approximately threefold higher for T98G cells. The subcellular localization of cercosporin was in all cases in both mitochondria and the endoplasmic reticulum. Light irradiation of cercosporin-incubated cells around 450 nm showed that T98G cells were more susceptible to cercosporin PDT, mainly due to their higher cercosporin uptake. Metabolic studies before and 1 h following cercosporin PDT showed that cercosporin PDT instigated a bioenergetic collapse in both the respiratory and glycolytic activities of all cell lines. In the dark, cercosporin exhibited a synergistic cytotoxicity with copper only in the most respiratory cell lines (MCF7 and T98G). Cercosporin is a potent photosensitizer, but with a short activation wavelength, mostly suitable for superficial PDT treatments, especially when it is necessary to avoid perforations.

Adaptive Responses to Oxidative Stress in the Filamentous Fungal Shiraia bambusicola

Shiraia bambusicola can retain excellent physiological activity when challenged with maximal photo-activated hypocrellin, which causes cellular oxidative stress. The protective mechanism of this fungus against oxidative stress has not yet been reported. We evaluated the biomass and hypocrellin biosynthesis of Shiraia sp. SUPER-H168 when treated with high concentrations of H₂O₂. Hypocrellin production was improved by nearly 27% and 25% after 72 h incubation with 10 mM and 20 mM H₂O₂, respectively, while the inhibition ratios of exogenous 20 mM H₂O₂ on wild S. bambusicola and a hypocrellin-deficient strain were 20% and 33%, respectively. Under exogenous oxidative stress, the specific activities of catalase, glutathione reductase, and superoxide dismutase were significantly increased. These changes may allow Shiraia to maintain normal life activities under oxidative stress. Moreover, sufficient glutathione peroxidase was produced in the SUPER-H168 and hypocrellin-deficient strains, to further ensure that S. bambusicola has excellent protective abilities against oxidative stress. This study creates the possibility that the addition of high H₂O₂ concentrations can stimulate fungal secondary metabolism, and will lead to a comprehensive and coherent understanding of mechanisms against oxidative stresses from high hydrogen peroxide concentrations in the filamentous fungal Shiraia sp. SUPER-H168.

Rigid amphipathic nucleosides suppress reproduction of the tick-borne encephalitis virus

Rigid amphipathic fusion inhibitors (RAFIs), 5-arylethynyl uracil nucleosides with bulky aryl groups, appeared to have considerable activity against tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) in cell culture.

Trapping toxins within lipid droplets is a resistance mechanism in fungi

Lipid droplets (LDs) act as intracellular storage organelles in most types of cells and are principally involved in energy homeostasis and lipid metabolism. However, the role of LDs in resistance to toxins in fungi remains largely unknown. Here, we show that the trapping of endogenous toxins by LDs is a self-resistance mechanism in the toxin producer, while absorbing external lipophilic toxins is a resistance mechanism in the toxin recipient that acts to quench the production of reactive oxygen species. We found that an endolichenic fungus that generates phototoxic perylenequinones (PQs) trapped the PQs inside LDs. Using a model that incorporates the fungicidal action of hypocrellin A (HA), a PQ derivative, we showed that yeast cells escaped killing by trapping toxins inside LDs. Furthermore, LD-deficient mutants were hypersusceptible to HA-mediated phototoxins and other fungicides. Our study identified a previously unrecognised function of LDs in fungi that has implications for our understanding of environmental adaptation strategies for fungi and antifungal drug discovery.

The cleavage of perylenequinones through photochemical oxidation acts as a detoxification mechanism for the producer

The light driven oxygenation cleavage of perylenequinones into nontoxic agents acts as a detoxification mechanism for the toxin producer.

Reactive oxygen species in plant pathogenesis: the role of perylenequinone photosensitizers

SIGNIFICANCE

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play multiple roles in interactions between plants and microbes, both as host defense mechanisms and as mediators of pathogenic and symbiotic associations. One source of ROS in these interactions are photoactivated, ROS-generating perylenequinone pigments produced via polyketide metabolic pathways in plant-associated fungi. These natural products, including cercosporin, elsinochromes, hypocrellins, and calphostin C, are being utilized as medicinal agents, enzyme inhibitors, and in tumor therapy, but in nature, they play a role in the establishment of pathogenic associations between fungi and their plant hosts.

RECENT ADVANCES

Photoactivated perylenequinones are photosensitizers that use light energy to form singlet oxygen (¹O₂) and free radical oxygen species which damage cellular components based on localization of the perylenequinone molecule. Production of perylenequinones during infection commonly results in lipid peroxidation and membrane damage, leading to leakage of nutrients from cells into the intercellular spaces colonized by the pathogen. Perylenequinones show almost universal toxicity against organisms, including plants, mice, bacteria, and most fungi. The producing fungi are resistant, however, and serve as models for understanding resistance mechanisms.

CRITICAL ISSUES

Studies of resistance mechanisms by perylenequinone-producing fungi such as Cercospora species are leading to an understanding of cellular resistance to ¹O₂ and oxidative stress. Recent studies show commonalities between resistance mechanisms in these fungi with extensive studies of ¹O₂ and oxidative stress responses in photosynthetic organisms.

FUTURE DIRECTIONS

Such studies hold promise both for improved medical use and for engineering crop plants for disease resistance.

Inhibition of HIV-1 Replication by Secondary Metabolites From Endophytic Fungi of Desert Plants

Most antiretroviral drugs currently in use to treat an HIV-1 infection are chemically synthesized and lead to the development of viral resistance, as well as cause severe toxicities. However, a largely unexplored source for HIV-1 drug discovery is endophytic fungi that live in a symbiotic relationship with plants. These fungi produce biologically active secondary metabolites, which are natural products that are beneficial to the host. We prepared several hundred extracts from endophytic fungi of desert plants and evaluated the inhibitory effects on HIV-1 replication of those extracts that showed less than 30% cytotoxicity in T-lymphocytes. Those extracts that inhibited viral replication were fractionated in order to isolate the compounds responsible for activity. Multiple rounds of fractionation and antiviral evaluation lead to the identification of four compounds, which almost completely impede HIV-1 replication. These studies demonstrate that metabolites from endophytic fungi of desert plants can serve as a viable source for identifying potent inhibitors of HIV-1 replication.

Phytotoxic secondary metabolites and peptides produced by plant pathogenic Dothideomycete fungi

Many necrotrophic plant pathogenic fungi belonging to the class of Dothideomycetes produce phytotoxic metabolites and peptides that are usually required for pathogenicity. Phytotoxins that affect a broad range of plant species are known as non-host-specific toxins (non-HSTs), whereas HSTs affect only a particular plant species or more often genotypes of that species. For pathogens producing HSTs, pathogenicity and host specificity are largely defined by the ability to produce the toxin, while plant susceptibility is dependent on the presence of the toxin target. Non-HSTs are not the main determinants of pathogenicity but contribute to virulence of the producing pathogen. Dothideomycetes are remarkable for the production of toxins, particularly HSTs because they are the only fungal species known so far to produce them. The synthesis, regulation, and mechanisms of action of the most important HSTs and non-HSTs will be discussed. Studies on the mode of action of HSTs have highlighted the induction of programed cell death (PCD) as an important mechanism. We discuss HST-induced PCD and the plant hypersensitive response upon recognition of avirulence factors that share common pathways. In this respect, although nucleotide-binding-site-leucine-rich repeat types of resistance proteins mediate resistance against biotrophs, they can also contribute to susceptibility toward necrotrophs.

Perylenequinones: Isolation, Synthesis, and Biological Activity

The perylenequinones are a novel class of natural products characterized by pentacyclic conjugated chromophore giving rise to photoactivity. Potentially useful light-activated biological activity, targeting protein kinase C (PKC), has been identified for several of the natural products. Recently discovered new members of this class of compound, as well as several related phenanthroperylenequinones, are reviewed. Natural product modifications that improve biological profiles, and avenues for the total synthesis of analogs, which are not available from the natural product series, are outlined. An overview of structure/function relationships is provided.

Development of an HPLC method to analyze and prepare elsinochrome C and hypocrellin A in the submerged fermentation broth of Shiria sp. SUPER-H168

A rapid and sensitive analytical method based on reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography was first developed to simultaneously determine elsinochrome C (EC) and hypocrellin A (HA) in the submerged fermentation. The mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile-water 60:40 (v/v) with a flow-rate of 1 mL/min. The calibration curves were as follows: y = 37,625x + 249,775 for EC, y = 30,813x + 556,409 for HA and linear at the investigated concentration. The correlation coefficients (R(2) ) were 0.9989 and 0.9998 respectively for EC and HA. The limits of detection and quantification were 175 and 585 µg/L for EC and 205 and 610 µg/L for HA. The precisions of concentration and retention times were less than 2.5 and 0.3%. The recovery of the method was greater than 95.0%. The methodology was applied to analyze simultaneously EC and HA concentrations in a submerged fermentation, and was adequate for analysis of biosynthesis of perylenequinones. The method was also amplified to separate and purify EC and HA using a semi-preparative C(18) column. In addition, elsinochrome C was first identified in the submerged fermentation broth of Shiraia sp. SUPER-H168.

Photocytotoxicity of hypocrellin B (HB) was enhanced by liposomalization in vitro

Hypocrellin B (HB) was encapsulated into a phosphatidylcholine liposome. Encapsulation of HB into liposomes not only improved the delivery of this photosensitizer but also increased its photodynamic efficacy compared to free HB molecules. Liposomal HB showed a higher cellular uptake than free HB as measured by confocal microscopy and was internalized into cultured HeLa cells by caveolar endocytosis, which was lipid-raft-dependent. Cell viability measurements demonstrated that liposomal HB was more phototoxic to HeLa cells than free HB as a result of the higher concentration of intracellular HB delivered by the liposomal formulation. The encapsulation of HB influenced the cell death pathway by an increased rate of necrotic cells after irradiation versus free HB, and a Type II (singlet oxygen) mechanism was responsible for the photocytotoxicity.

Synthesis of the cores of hypocrellin and shiraiachrome: diastereoselective 1,8-diketone aldol cyclization

Intramolecular 1,8-diketone aldol reactions were studied as a tool for the construction of the seven-membered rings of hypocrellin and shiraiachrome. Conditions were identified to obtain the relative stereochemistries present in the two natural products with excellent diastereoselectivity. In addition, a nine-membered ring congener, which has yet to be observed in nature, formed with high selectivity when a hindered amine was used in conjunction with silazide bases.

Raman spectroscopic characteristics of microcosmic and photosensitive damage on space structure of liposomes sensitized by hypocrellin and its derivatives

Raman spect-pic characteristics of microcosmic and photosensitive damage on space structure of DP-PC liposomes sensitized by hypocrellin and its derivatives are obvious. The trans conformation decreased and the gauche conformation increased. The longitudinal order-parameter in chains and the lateral order-parameter between chains decreased in different degrees. The lateral packing became loose. Photodamage on the liposomes sensitized by 5-Br-hypocrellin B was stronger than that by hypocrellins A and B.

Design, synthesis, and investigation of protein kinase C inhibitors: total syntheses of (+)-calphostin D, (+)-phleichrome, cercosporin, and new photoactive perylenequinones

The total syntheses of the PKC inhibitors (+)-calphostin D, (+)-phleichrome, cercosporin, and 10 novel perylenequinones are detailed. The highly convergent and flexible strategy developed employed an enantioselective oxidative biaryl coupling and a double cuprate epoxide opening, allowing the selective syntheses of all the possible stereoisomers in pure form. In addition, this strategy permitted rapid access to a broad range of analogues, including those not accessible from the natural products. These compounds provided a powerful means for evaluation of the perylenequinone structural features necessary to PKC activity. Simpler analogues were discovered with superior PKC inhibitory properties and superior photopotentiation in cancer cell lines relative to the more complex natural products.

Spectroscopic studies on the interaction of hypocrellin A and hemoglobin

The spectrophotometric and spectrofluorimetric studies revealed that hemoglobin (Hb) could interact with hypocrellin A, a photosensitizing drug used in photodynamic therapy. It was found that this kind of interaction can induce the conformational changes in Hb. In addition, based on fluorescence quenching titration and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy results, the binding parameters, thermodynamic parameters are obtained. The quenching mechanism is also proposed.

Cellular toxicity of elsinochrome phytotoxins produced by the pathogenic fungus, Elsinoë fawcettii causing citrus scab

Elsinochromes are the red/orange pigments produced by many Elsinoë fungal species and are structurally similar to the phytotoxin, cercosporin. Here, pigments were extracted from cultures of a citrus pathogen, Elsinoë fawcettii and tested for cellular toxicity. On irradiation with light, elsinochromes rapidly killed suspension cultured citrus and tobacco cells. The toxicity was decreased by adding the singlet oxygen ((1)O(2)) quenchers (bixin (carotenoid carboxylic acid), DABCO (1, 4-diazabicyco octane), ascorbate or reduced glutathione). Application of elsinochromes onto rough lemon leaves resulted in necrotic lesions, whereas lesion development was inhibited by the addition of bixin, DABCO or ascorbate, but not a-tocopherol. Incubation of rough lemon leaf discs with elsinochromes in the light induced a steady increase of electrolyte leakage. Compared with two photosensitizing compounds, hematoporphyrin and cercosporin, the accumulation of (1)O(2) induced by elsinochromes after irradiation was indicated by successful detection of the cholesterol oxidation product, 5a-hydroperoxide. Addition of a potent quencher, beta-carotene prevented 5alpha-hydroperoxide production. Elsinochromes generated superoxide ions (O(2)(*-)), whereas accumulation of O(2)(*-)was blocked by addition of the superoxide dismutase, a scavenger of O(2)(*-), but not the (1)O(2)-quencher, DABCO. Our study indicated that elsinochromes are functioning as photosensitizing compounds that produce (1)O(2)and O(2)(*-), and exert toxicity to plant cells.

Photodynamic Properties of Dipeptide-Modified Hypocrellin B Derivatives: The Role of Tyrosine and Tryptophan Groups

Three long-wavelength absorbing dipeptide-modified hypocrellin B (HB) derivatives, Gly-HB, Tyr-HB, and Trp-HB, were prepared for application in photodynamic therapy (PDT). Their abilities to produce free radicals and singlet oxygen were compared in detail with EPR technique, and their binding interactions with calf thymus DNA (CT DNA) were studied by absorption spectra and DNA melting temperature measurements. Tyr-HB and Trp-HB distinguish themselves from Gly-HB and HB remarkably by their significantly improved efficiencies to generate semiquinone anion radicals, superoxide anion radicals, and hydroxyl radicals, as well as their affinity to CT DNA, as the result of the electron-donating properties and intercalating abilities of tyrosine and tryptophan groups. Tyr-HB and Trp-HB show remarkably enhanced photodamage capabilities on CT DNA than their parent HB in aerobic conditions. Moreover, they possess moderate photodamage abilities on CT DNA even in anaerobic conditions, indicating the role of Type I mechanism in their photodynamic behaviors.

Differential effects of photofrin, 5-aminolevulinic acid and calphostin C on glioma cells

The invasive nature of malignant gliomas makes treatment by surgery alone extremely difficult. However, the preferential accumulation of photosensitisers in neoplastic tissues suggests photodynamic therapy (PDT) may be useful as an adjuvant therapy following tumour resection. In this study, the potential use of three different photosensitisers, namely Photofrin, 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) and calphostin C in the treatment of glioma was investigated. The uptake, cytotoxicity on U87 and GBM6840 glioma cell lines were determined by flow cytometry and MTT assay respectively. Their effect on glioma cell invasiveness was evaluated by (1) measuring the levels of matrix degradation enzymes matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and -9 using gelatin zymography, and (2) Matrigel invasion assay. The results showed that uptake of calphostin C reached saturation within 2 h, while Photofrin and 5-ALA induced protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) levels elevated steadily up to 24 h. Photocytotoxic effect on the two glioma cell lines was similar with LD50 at optimal uptake: 1 microg/mL Photofrin at 1.5 J/cm(2); 1 mM 5-ALA at 2 J/cm(2) and 100 nM calphostin C at 2 J/cm(2). The inhibition in cell proliferation after Photofrin treatment was similar for both cell lines, which correlated to more cells being arrested in the G0/G1 phase of the cell cycle (P<0.01). By contrast, U87 was more sensitive to calphostin C whereas GBM6840 was more susceptible to 5-ALA treatment. The ability of both cell lines to migrate through the Matrigel artificial basement membrane was significantly reduced after PDT (P<0.001). This might be due to a decreased production in MMP-2 and MMP-9, together with the reduction of adhesion molecule expression. Photofrin was most superior in inhibiting cell invasion and calphostin C was least effective in reducing adhesion molecule expression. Taken together, PDT could be useful in the treatment of gliomas but the choice of photosensitisers must be taken into consideration.

Photoactivated perylenequinone toxins in fungal pathogenesis of plants

Several genera of plant pathogenic fungi produce photoactivated perylenequinone toxins involved in pathogenesis of their hosts. These toxins are photosensitizers, absorbing light energy and generating reactive oxygen species that damage the membranes of the host cells. Studies with toxin-deficient mutants and on the involvement of light in symptom development have documented the importance of these toxins in successful pathogenesis of plants. This review focuses on the well studied perylenequinone toxin, cercosporin, produced by species in the genus Cercospora. Significant progress has been made recently on the biosynthetic pathway of cercosporin, with the characterization of genes encoding a polyketide synthase and a major facilitator superfamily transporter, representing the first and last steps of the biosynthetic pathway, as well as important regulatory genes. In addition, the resistance of Cercospora fungi to cercosporin and to the singlet oxygen that it generates has led to the use of these fungi as models for understanding cellular resistance to photosensitizers and singlet oxygen. These studies have shown that resistance is complex, and have documented a role for transporters, transient reductive detoxification, and quenchers in cercosporin resistance.

Raman spectroscopic study on structure of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hypericin-induced photosensitive damage of HIV

The first Raman spectra of HIV1-HIV2 in human sera and hypericin-induced photosensitive damage of the virus have been obtained. The prominent Raman lines in the spectra are assigned respectively to the carbohydrates of viral glycoprotein, RNA, protein and lipid. The spectra are dominated by Raman scattering of the carbohydrates. The lines of D-Mannose and N-acetylglucosamine in carbohydrates are obvious and there is a beta-configuration in the anomeric C1 position in D-Mannose. The viral RNA duplexes bound assumes an A-form geometry. The lines of backbone phosphate group, bases (involving interbase hydrogen bonding) and ribose of the RNA are complete and distinct. The secondary structure of the viral protein maintains alpha-helix, beta-sheet, beta-turn and random coil. Its side chains are rich and vary from tryptophan, phenylalanine and "buried" tyrosine; the stable conformation of the S-S bond of gauche-gauche-gauche; the two forms of C-S bonds of gauche and trans; to sulfhydrl group and ionized and unionized carboxyl groups. The viral lipid bilayer molecules are probably in the liquid ordered phase or the gel phase. It was observed that the hypericin-induced photosensitive damage of HIV1-HIV2 in human sera changed various components of HIV1-HIV2 in different degrees: The orderly A-form viral RNA would become a disordered viral RNA. There were a breakage of interbase hydrogen bonds and disruption of vertical base-base stacking interactions. In addition, the groups of ribos and four bases were damaged obviously. A decrease in ordered structure (alpha-helix and beta-sheet) of viral protein is accompanied by an increase in random coil. The Tyr buried in the three-dimensional structure of protein was damaged, but it was still "buried" and the damage of C-S bond of trans form was stronger. The groups of carbohydrates, including D-Mannos and N-acetyl glucosamine, in viral envelope glycoprotein had also been changed. The hydrophilic C-N bond of choline in viral lipid was damaged, which was the possible binding site to hypericin, whereas the viral lipids bilayers were still probably in the liquid ordered phase or the gel phase. So the space structure of HIV1-HIV2 was damaged under the experimental conditions, which might block viral infection and inhibit its growth and breeding. It is apparent that the laser Raman spectra have provided certain direct evidence at the molecular level for photosensitive damage of HIV1-HIV2.