Verruculosins A-B, New Oligophenalenone Dimers from the Soft Coral-Derived Fungus Talaromyces verruculosus

Exploring the Nonenzymatic Origin of Duclauxin-like Natural Products

Chemical-biological efforts to increase the diversity of duclauxin (1)-like molecules for medicinal chemistry purposes unveiled the reactivity of duclauxin (1) toward amines and alcohols. To expand the compound class, a semisynthetic strategy conjugating amines to duclauxin (1) was employed. Insights gained from this approach led to the hypothesis that certain duclauxin-like "natural products" such as talaromycesone B (2), bacillisporin G (3), xenoclauxin (4), bacillisporins F (5/6), bacillisporins J (8/9), bacillisporins I (12/13), and verruculosin A (38) may be isolation artifacts rather than enzymatic products. Further experimentation, involving adsorption of 1 onto silica gel, resulted in the production of 2-6. To gain insights into the conditions that generate such molecules, one-step reactions under mild conditions were set. Outcomes from both experiments confirmed that duclauxin-like molecules are generated via nonenzymatic reactions. This article presents analytical evidence, indicating that these molecules originate from 1, with the epimeric mixture of bacillisporins J (8 and 9) acting as the primary intermediate.

Adpressins A-G: Oligophenalenone Dimers from Talaromyces adpressus

Nine new oligophenalenone dimers, adpressins A-G (1-9), together with nine known compounds (10-18), were isolated from the fungus Talaromyces adpressus. Their chemical structures were determined on the basis of spectroscopic and mass spectral analyses. Their relative and absolute configurations were identified by 1H and 13C NMR calculations followed by DP4+ analyses, electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculations, and ECD spectra comparison with related compounds. Compound 1 is the first example of a duclauxin derivative featuring an unusual 6/6/6/5/6/6/6 ring system, while compounds 6 and 7 contained a novel pyrrolidine ring. Compounds 5, 9, and 18 exhibited moderate inhibition against LPS-induced B lymphocyte proliferation with IC50 values ranging from 1.6 to 8.6 μM. Additionally, compounds 9 and 18 exhibited moderate inhibition against Con A-induced T lymphocyte proliferation with IC50 values of 9.3 and 2.6 μM, respectively.

Strategies for the Construction of Benzobicyclo[3.2.1]octane in Natural Product Synthesis

Benzobicyclo[3.2.1]octane is a cage-like unique motif containing a bicyclo[3.2.1]octane structure fused with at least one benzene ring. It is found in various natural products that exhibit structural complexities and important biological activities. The total synthesis of natural products possessing this challenging structure has received considerable attention, and great advances have been made in this field during the past 15 years. This review summarizes thus far achieved chemical syntheses and synthetic studies of natural compounds featuring the benzobicyclo[3.2.1]octane core. It focuses on strategic approaches constructing the bridged structure, aiming to provide a useful reference for inspiring further advancements in strategies and total syntheses of natural products with such a framework.

New diarylcyclopentenone enantiomers and biphenyl derivatives from the fungus Talaromyces adpressus

Ten new compounds, including three pairs of diarylcyclopentenone enantiomers (±) talaromycesins A-C (1-3) and four biphenyl derivatives talaromycesins D-G (4-7), along with four known compounds (8-11), were isolated from the fungus Talaromyces adpressus. Their structures were determined by analyses of extensive NMR spectroscopic and HRESIMS data, and their absolute configurations were elucidated by the dimolybdenum tetraacetate [Mo2(AcO)4]-induced ECD spectra, X-ray crystallographic studies, and ECD calculations. These new compounds were evaluated for their immunosuppressive activities for the first time, and compound 7 probably exerted liver-protective and anti-inflammatory effects on Con A-induced AIH by decreasing the levels of inflammatory cytokines, modulating immune homeostasis, and decreasing hepatocyte apoptosis, which may become a potential drug for the treatment of autoimmune diseases.

Enantiomeric α-pyrone derivatives with immunosuppressive activity from Talaromyces adpressus

Five pairs of undescribed enantiomeric α-pyrone derivatives (±)-adprepyrones A-E (±1-±5), together with an unreported congener adprepyrone F (6), and 6-[(E)-3-Hydroxyprop-1-enyl]-4-methoxy-5-methyl-2-pyrone (7), recently reported as synthetic compound, were isolated from the fungus Talaromyces adpressus. Their structures with absolute configurations were elucidated by HRESIMS, 1D and 2D NMR, electronic circular dichroism calculations, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. (±)-Adprepyrone A (±1) possesses an unreported carbon skeleton formed by the fusion of an α-pyrone derivative with nicotinamide. Compounds (+)-2, (±)-4, (±)-5, and 7 showed moderate inhibitory activity against concanavalin A (ConA)-induced T lymphocyte proliferation with IC50 values ranging from 8.9 to 19.8 μM.

Harnessing the Reactivity of Duclauxin toward Obtaining hPTP1B1-400 Inhibitors

Duclauxin (1) from Talaromyces sp. IQ-313 was reported as a putative allosteric modulator of human recombinant protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (400 amino acids) (hPTP1B1-400), a validated target for the treatment of type II diabetes. Based on these findings, a one-strain-many-compound (OSMAC) experiment on the IQ-313 strain generated derivatives 5a, 6, and 7. Moreover, a one-/two-step semisynthetic approach guided by docking toward hPTP1B1-400 produced 38 analogs, a series (A) incorporating a lactam functionalization at C-1 (8a-15a, 36a, and 37a) and a series (B) containing a lactam at C-1 and an extra unsaturation between C-7 and C-8 (5b, 11b-37b). In vitro evaluation and structure-activity relationship (SAR) analysis revealed that analogs from the B series are up to 10-fold more active than 1 and derivatives from the A series. Furthermore, duclauxin (1) and 36b were assessed for their potential acute toxicity, estimating their LD50 to be higher than 300 mg/kg. Moreover, 36b significantly reduced glycemia in an insulin tolerance test in mice, suggesting that its mechanism of action is through the PTP1B inhibition.

The Outstanding Chemodiversity of Marine-Derived Talaromyces

Fungi in the genus Talaromyces occur in every environment in both terrestrial and marine contexts, where they have been quite frequently found in association with plants and animals. The relationships of symbiotic fungi with their hosts are often mediated by bioactive secondary metabolites, and Talaromyces species represent a prolific source of these compounds. This review highlights the biosynthetic potential of marine-derived Talaromyces strains, using accounts from the literature published since 2016. Over 500 secondary metabolites were extracted from axenic cultures of these isolates and about 45% of them were identified as new products, representing a various assortment of chemical classes such as alkaloids, meroterpenoids, isocoumarins, anthraquinones, xanthones, phenalenones, benzofurans, azaphilones, and other polyketides. This impressive chemodiversity and the broad range of biological properties that have been disclosed in preliminary assays qualify these fungi as a valuable source of products to be exploited for manifold biotechnological applications.

Talarolactones A-G, α-Pyrone Dimers with Anti-inflammatory Activities from Talaromyces adpressus, and Their Biosynthetic Pathways

Talarolactones A-G (1-7), seven novel α-pyrone adducts with unprecedented scaffolds, together with two pairs of α-pyrone monomers [(±)-8 and (±)-9)] were isolated from Talaromyces adpressus. Compounds 1-7 are highly modified α-pyrone dimers with a 4,7,7,8-tetrasubstitued 5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-2H-chromen-2-one. Compounds 5 and 6 possessed a significant NO production inhibitory effect, with IC₅₀ values of 2.3 ± 0.1 and 3.7 ± 0.3 μM, respectively. Plausible biosynthetic pathways were proposed and supported by the results of heterologous expression experiments.

Secondary Metabolites from Coral-Associated Fungi: Source, Chemistry and Bioactivities

Our study of the secondary metabolites of coral-associated fungi produced a valuable and extra-large chemical database. Many of them exhibit strong biological activity and can be used for promising drug lead compounds. Serving as an epitome of the most promising compounds, which take the ultra-new skeletons and/or remarkable bioactivities, this review presents an overview of new compounds and bioactive compounds isolated from coral-associated fungi, covering the literature from 2010 to 2021. Its scope included 423 metabolites, focusing on the bioactivity and structure diversity of these compounds. According to structure, these compounds can be roughly classified as terpenes, alkaloids, peptides, aromatics, lactones, steroids, and other compounds. Some of them described in this review possess a wide range of bioactivities, such as anticancer, antimicrobial, antifouling, and other activities. This review aims to provide some significant chemical and/or biological enlightenment for the study of marine natural products and marine drug development in the future.

Talaverrucin A, Heterodimeric Oxaphenalenone from Antarctica Sponge-Derived Fungus Talaromyces sp. HDN151403, Inhibits Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Pathway

The Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway is an evolutionarily conserved signaling cascade involved in a broad range of biological roles. Dysregulation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway is implicated in congenital malformations and various kinds of cancers. We discovered a novel Wnt/β-catenin inhibitor, talaverrucin A (1), featuring an unprecedented 6/6/6/5/5/5/6 fused ring system, from an Antarctica sponge-derived fungus Talaromyces sp. HDN151403. Talaverrucin A exhibits inhibitory activity on the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in both zebrafish embryos in vivo and cultured mammalian cells in vitro, providing a naturally inspired small molecule therapeutic lead to target the Wnt/β-catenin pathway.

Asperbenzophenone A and Versicolamide C, New Fungal Metabolites from the Soft Coral Derived Aspergillus sp. SCSIO 41036

Two new compounds, asperbenzophenone A (1) and versicolamide C (5), together with fifteen known compounds were isolated from a soft coral derived fungus Aspergillus sp. SCSIO 41036. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, ECD analysis, and by a comparison with data from the literature. In bioassay, compound 8 showed significant inhibitory activity against lipopolysaccharide-inducted nitric oxide (NO) in RAW264.7 cells at the concentration of 10 μM. Additionally, the anti-acetylcholinesterase activity assay showed that 14 exhibited weak inhibition with an IC₅₀ value of 157.8 μM.

New Antibacterial Secondary Metabolites from a Marine-Derived Talaromyces sp. Strain BTBU20213036

New polyketide-derived oligophenalenone dimers, bacillisporins K and L (1 and 2) and xanthoradone dimer rugulosin D (3), together with four known compounds, bacillisporin B (4), macrosporusone D (5), rugulosin A and penicillide (6 and 7), were isolated from the marine-derived fungus Talaromyces sp. BTBU20213036. Their structures were determined by detailed analysis of HRESIMS, 1D and 2D NMR data, and the absolute configurations were determined on the basis of calculated and experimental electronic circular dichroism (ECD). The antibacterial and antifungal activities of these compounds were tested against Gram-positive—Staphylococcus aureus, Gram-negative—Escherichia coli, and fungal strain—Candida albicans. These compounds showed potential inhibitory effects against S. aureus with minimum inhibitory concentrations ranging from 0.195 to 100 µg/mL.

Duclauxin Derivatives From Fungi and Their Biological Activities

Duclauxin is a heptacyclic oligophenalenone dimer consisting of an isocoumarin and a dihydroisocoumarin unit. These two tricyclic moieties are joined by a cyclopentane ring to form a unique hinge or castanets-like structure. Duclauxin is effective against numerous tumor cell lines because it prevents adenosine triphosphate (ATP) synthesis by inhibiting mitochondrial respiration. There are about 36 reported natural duclauxin analogs mainly produced by 9 Penicillium and Talaromyces species (T. duclauxii, T. aculeatus, T. stipitatus, T. bacillisporus, T. verruculosus, T. macrosporus, P. herquei, P. manginii, and Talaromyces sp.). These metabolites exhibit remarkable biological activities, including antitumor, enzyme inhibition, and antimicrobial, showing tremendous potential in agricultural and medical applications. This review highlights the chemical structures and biological activities of fungal duclauxins, together with biosynthesis, absolute configuration, and mode of action for important duclauxins. Furthermore, phylogenetic analysis and correct names of Penicillium and Talaromyces species producing duclauxins are presented in this review.

Deep-sea hydrothermal vent sediments reveal diverse fungi with antibacterial activities

Relatively little is known about the diversity of fungi in deep-sea, hydrothermal sediments. Less thoroughly explored environments are likely untapped reservoirs of unique biodiversity with the potential to augment our current arsenal of microbial compounds with biomedical and/or industrial applications. In this study, we applied traditional culture-based methods to examine a subset of the morphological and phylogenetic diversity of filamentous fungi and yeasts present in 11 hydrothermally influenced sediment samples collected from eight sites on the seafloor of Guaymas Basin, Mexico. A total of 12 unique isolates affiliating with Ascomycota and Basidiomycota were obtained and taxonomically identified on the basis of morphological features and analyses of marker genes including actin, β-tubulin, small subunit ribosomal DNA (18S rRNA), internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and large subunit ribosomal DNA (26S rRNA) D1/D2 domain sequences (depending on taxon). A total of 11 isolates possess congeners previously detected in, or recovered from, deep-sea environments. A total of seven isolates exhibited antibacterial activity against human bacterial pathogens Staphylococcus aureus ATCC-35556 and/or Escherichia coli ATCC-25922. This first investigation suggests that hydrothermal environments may serve as promising reservoirs of much greater fungal diversity, some of which may produce biomedically useful metabolites.

Marine natural products

This review covers the literature published in 2019 for marine natural products (MNPs), with 719 citations (701 for the period January to December 2019) referring to compounds isolated from marine microorganisms and phytoplankton, green, brown and red algae, sponges, cnidarians, bryozoans, molluscs, tunicates, echinoderms, mangroves and other intertidal plants and microorganisms. The emphasis is on new compounds (1490 in 440 papers for 2019), together with the relevant biological activities, source organisms and country of origin. Pertinent reviews, biosynthetic studies, first syntheses, and syntheses that led to the revision of structures or stereochemistries, have been included. Methods used to study marine fungi and their chemical diversity have also been discussed.

Bioactivity Potential of Marine Natural Products from Scleractinia-Associated Microbes and In Silico Anti-SARS-COV-2 Evaluation

Marine organisms and their associated microbes are rich in diverse chemical leads. With the development of marine biotechnology, a considerable number of research activities are focused on marine bacteria and fungi-derived bioactive compounds. Marine bacteria and fungi are ranked on the top of the hierarchy of all organisms, as they are responsible for producing a wide range of bioactive secondary metabolites with possible pharmaceutical applications. Thus, they have the potential to provide future drugs against challenging diseases, such as cancer, a range of viral diseases, malaria, and inflammation. This review aims at describing the literature on secondary metabolites that have been obtained from Scleractinian-associated organisms including bacteria, fungi, and zooxanthellae, with full coverage of the period from 1982 to 2020, as well as illustrating their biological activities and structure activity relationship (SAR). Moreover, all these compounds were filtered based on ADME analysis to determine their physicochemical properties, and 15 compounds were selected. The selected compounds were virtually investigated for potential inhibition for SARS-CoV-2 targets using molecular docking studies. Promising potential results against SARS-CoV-2 RNA dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) and methyltransferase (nsp16) are presented.

Two new bioactive polyphenols from the soft coral-derived fungus Talaromyces sp. SCSIO 041201

Two new polyphenols, talaversatilis A (1) and B (2), together with fifteen known compounds (3-17) were isolated from the extract of the culture broth of a soft coral-derived fungus Talaromyces sp. SCSIO 041201. The structures of these compounds were elucidated by the extensive analyses of spectroscopic data and by comparison with the reported literature. Antifouling and antibacterial activities of all purified compounds were tested and evaluated. Compounds 5 and 6 showed antifouling activity towards Bugula neritina larva, with LC₅₀ values of 3.86 μg/mL and 3.05 μg/mL, respectively. Compounds 7, 8, 10 and 13 exhibited significant antibacterial activities against E. coli, MRSA, S. aureus and E. faecalis, with MIC values ranging from 0.45 to 15.6 μg/mL.