Antimicrobial activity of ergokonin A from Trichoderma longibrachiatum

AIMS

Natural fungal products were screened for antifungal compounds. The mode of action of one of the hits found and the taxonomy of the producing organism were analysed.

METHODS AND RESULTS

An extract from a Trichoderma species showed a more potent activity in an agar-based assay against the null mutant fks1::HIS strain than against the wild-type strain, suggesting that it could contain a glucan synthesis inhibitor. The active component was identified as the known compound ergokonin A. The compound exhibited activity against Candida and Aspergillus species, but was inactive against Cryptococcus species. It induced alterations in the hyphal morphology of Aspergillus fumigatus. The identification of the producing isolate was confirmed by sequencing of the rDNA internal transcribed spacers and comparison with the sequences of other Trichoderma species. The analysis showed that the producing fungus had a high homology with other strains classified as Trichoderma longibrachiatum and its teleomorph Hypocrea schweinitzii.

CONCLUSIONS

The antifungal activity spectrum of ergokonin A and the morphology alterations induced on A. fumigatus are consistent with glucan synthesis as the target for ergokonin A. The production of ergokonin A is not uncommon, but is probably restricted to Trichoderma species.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

The discovery that ergokonin A could be an inhibitor of glucan synthesis, having a structure very different to other inhibitors, increases the likelihood that orally active agents with this fungal-specific mode of action may be developed.

Arundifungin, a novel antifungal compound produced by fungi: biological activity and taxonomy of the producing organisms

Echinocandins, the lipopeptide class of glucan synthase inhibitors, are an alternative to ergosterol-synthesis inhibitors to treat candidiasis and aspergillosis. Their oral absorption, however, is low and they can only be used parenterally. During a natural product screening program for novel types of glucan synthesis inhibitors with improved bioavailability, a fungal extract was found that inhibited the growth of both a wild-type Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain and the null mutant of the FKS1 gene (fks1::HIS). The mutant strain was more sensitive to growth inhibition, suggesting that the fungal extract could contain an inhibitor of glucan synthesis. A novel acidic steroid, named arundifungin, was purified from a fungal extract obtained from a liquid culture of Arthrinium arundinis collected in Costa Rica. Arundifungin caused the same pattern of hallmark morphological alterations in Aspergillus fumigatus hyphae as echinocandins, further supporting the idea that arundifungin belongs to a new class of glucan synthesis inhibitors. Moreover, its antifungal spectrum was comparable to those of echinocandins and papulacandins, preferentially inhibiting the growth of Candida and Aspergillus strains, with very poor activity against Cryptococcus. Arundifungin was also detected in nine other fungal isolates which were ecologically and taxonomically unrelated, as assessed by sequencing of the ITS1 region. Further, it was also found in two more Arthrinium spp from tropical and temperate regions, in five psychrotolerant conspecific isolates collected on Macquarie Island (South Pacific) and belonging to the Leotiales, and in two endophytes collected in central Spain (a sterile fungus belonging to the Leotiales and an undetermined coelomycete).

The discovery of enfumafungin, a novel antifungal compound produced by an endophytic Hormonema species biological activity and taxonomy of the producing organisms

In a screening of natural products with antifungal activity derived from endophytic fungi, we detected a potent activity in a culture belonging to the form-genus Hormonema, isolated from leaves of Juniperus communis. The compound is a new triterpene glycoside, showing an antifungal activity highly potent in vitro against Candida and Aspergillus and with moderate efficacy in an in vivo mouse model of disseminated candidiasis. The agent is especially interesting since its antifungal spectrum and its effect on morphology of Aspergillus fumigatus is comparable to that of the glucan synthase inhibitor pneumocandin B,,, the natural precursor of the clinical candidate MK-0991 (caspofungin acetate). An additional search for other Hormonema isolates producing improved titers or derivatives resulted in the isolation of two more strains recovered from the same plant host showing identical activity. The producing isolates were compared with other non-producing Hormonema strains by DNA fingerprinting and sequencing of the rDNA internal transcribed spacers. Comparison of rDNA sequences with other fungal species suggests that the producing fungus could be an undetermined Kabatina species. Kabatina is a coelomycetous genus whose members are known to produce Hormonema-like states in culture.

Coprophilin: an anticoccidial agent produced by a dung inhabiting fungus

Coprophilin, a decalin pentanedienoic acid methyl ester, was isolated from an unidentified fungus by bioassay guided separation. It inhibited (MIC = 1.5 microM) the growth of Eimeria tenella in an in vitro assay. The isolation, structure elucidation, absolute stereochemistry and biology are described.

Discovery of an angiotensin II binding inhibitor from a Cytospora sp. using semi-automated screening procedures

Cytosporin A, B and C, three antagonists of [125I]-angiotensin II binding to rat adrenal glands were discovered in fermentations of an endophytic Cytospora sp. during routine screening using semi-automated procedures. The most potent of these displayed an IC50 of 1.5-3 microM and was specific for angiotensin II AT2.

L-735,334, a novel sesquiterpenoid potassium channel-agonist from Trichoderma virens

A novel oleic acid ester of the carotane sesquiterpene 14-hydroxy CAF-603 was isolated from Trichoderma virens grown in a solid brown rice-based medium, a solid millet-based medium, or a mannitol-based liquid medium. Its structure was determined on the basis of ms and nmr analysis. It retains distinct biological activity on the high conductance calcium-activated potassium channel, unlike its analogues 14-hydroxy CAF-603, CAF-603 3-oleate, or CAF-603 3-linoleate.

The discovery of australifungin, a novel inhibitor of sphinganine N-acyltransferase from Sporormiella australis. Producing organism, fermentation, isolation, and biological activity

Potent antifungal activity was detected in fermentation extracts of Sporormiella australis and two related components were isolated from solid fermentations using silica gel and high speed countercurrent chromatography. The most active antifungal component, australifungin, contained a unique combination of alpha-diketone and beta-ketoaldehyde functional groups. Australifungin exhibited broad spectrum antifungal activity against human pathogenic fungi with MICs against Candida spp., Cryptococcus neoformans, and Aspergillus spp. between 0.015 and 1.0 microgram/ml. Mode of action studies revealed that australifungin interfered with fungal lipid metabolism by specifically inhibiting sphingolipid synthesis at the step converting sphinganine to ceramide.

Improvement in the titer of echinocandin-type antibiotics: a magnesium-limited medium supporting the biphasic production of pneumocandins A0 and B0

We have developed a liquid fermentation medium for the submerged culture of the fungus, Zalerion arboricola, which supports the rapid production of an echinocandin-type antibiotic, pneumocandin A0 (formerly L-671,329), in yields increased at least 4-fold over those reported previously. The improvements were achieved through medium simplification, substitution of high levels of mannitol for glycerol as the major source of carbon, and restriction of available magnesium. Antibiotic formation in batch cultures with this mannitol-based medium is not confined to the idiophase; rather production appears to be biphasic, with synthesis beginning during growth (i.e., at day 3) and increasing in rate at day 11, well after rapid growth has ended. Accumulation of antibiotic continues beyond 14 days, and by 21 days titers greater than 500 micrograms/ml are attained. For the synthesis of a related compound, pneumocandin B0, by a mutant strain of Z. arboricola, the medium gives similar production kinetics and a titer of 800 micrograms/ml. Although supplementation of the medium with magnesium ions stimulates growth, it decreases titer by preferentially affecting the second phase of antibiotic synthesis. This decline in synthesis in the magnesium-supplemented medium is explained by the depletion of mannitol before the second phase of synthesis can begin. In contrast, mannitol in the magnesium-limited medium is used more slowly with approximately half still available at day 11 to support continued antibiotic formation.

A novel inositol mono-phosphatase inhibitor from Memnoniella echinata. Producing organism, fermentation, isolation, physicochemical and in vitro biological properties

A novel inositol mono-phosphatase inhibitor, L-671,776 (1), was discovered from a culture of the hyphomycete, Memnoniella echinata (ATCC 20928). 1 has a molecular weight of 388 and a molecular formula of C23H32O5. The mode of inhibition is non-competitive, with a Ki of 450 microM. It shows no inhibition of myo-inositol 1,4-bisphosphate 1-phosphatase or myo-inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate 5-phosphatase, although it weakly inhibits myo-inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate 3-kinase (IC50 = 3 mM). It elevates inositol monophosphates in rat parotid slices (EC50 approximately 3 mM), but abolishes agonist effects. It also produces short-lived contraction of guinea pig trachea at 300 microM.

Sphingofungins A, B, C, and D; a new family of antifungal agents. I. Fermentation, isolation, and biological activity

In screening for antifungal inhibitors from fungi, four related antifungal agents have been isolated from the cultivation of Aspergillus fumigatus ATCC 20857. These agents were initially produced by the microorganism growing on a solid millet-based medium. A liquid medium containing both glucose and glycerol has also been developed in which these antibiotics are produced in two phases. These novel compounds, sphingofungins A, B, C, and D, show a limited spectrum of antifungal activity but were especially effective against Cryptococcus species.

L-696,474, a novel cytochalasin as an inhibitor of HIV-1 protease. I. The producing organism and its fermentation

A novel cytochalasin, L-696,474, (18-dehydroxy cytochalasin H) that inhibits HIV-1 protease was discovered in fermentations of a bark-inhabiting Ascomycete, Hypoxylon fragiforme. The product was first identified from extracts of an agar medium. Fermentation studies on a number of media indicated that the product can be made on several solid and liquid media. Optimum production was obtained from growth in a complex medium composed of glycerol, glucose, citrate, Ardamine, soybean meal, tomato paste, and inorganic salts. Other Hypoxylon spp., related species of Xylariales, and other fungi known to produce cytochalasins, were also surveyed for their ability to make L-696,474. Only one other Hypoxylon fragiforme isolate was found to make this novel cytochalasin; none of the other cultures surveyed made L-696,474 or any other compounds which inhibit HIV-1 protease.

L-671,329, a new antifungal agent. I. Fermentation and isolation

In screening for new antifungal agents from fungi, a new lipopeptide antifungal agent, L-671,329, similar to echinocandin B, has been isolated from Zalerion arboricola. Studies indicate that L-671,329 is produced under both solid and liquid fermentation conditions.