Colletodiol derivatives of the endophytic fungus Trichocladium sp

The OSMAC (one strain many compounds) concept is a cultivation-based approach to increase the diversity of secondary metabolites in microorganisms. In this study, we applied the OSMAC-approach to the endophytic fungus Trichocladium sp. by supplementation of the cultivation medium with 2.5% phenylalanine. This experiment yielded five new compounds, trichocladiol (1), trichocladic acid (2), colletodiolic acid (3), colletolactone (4) and colletolic acid (5), together with five previously described ones (6-10). The structures were elucidated via comprehensive spectroscopic measurements, and the absolute configurations of compound 1 was elucidated by using TDDFT-ECD calculations. For formation of compounds 3-5, a pathway based on colletodiol biosynthesis is proposed. Compound 6 exhibited strong antibacterial activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus with a minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 0.78 μM as well as a strong cytotoxic effect against the human monocytic cell line THP1 with an IC50 of 0.7 μM. Compound 8 showed moderate antibacterial activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis with a MIC of 25 μM and a weak cytotoxic effect against THP1 cells with an IC50 of 42 μM.

Reverse N-Substituted Hydroxamic Acid Derivatives of Fosmidomycin Target a Previously Unknown Subpocket of 1-Deoxy-d-xylulose 5-Phosphate Reductoisomerase (DXR)

Reverse analogs of the phosphonohydroxamic acid antibiotic fosmidomycin are potent inhibitors of the nonmevalonate isoprenoid biosynthesis enzyme 1-deoxy-d-xylulose 5-phosphate reductoisomerase (DXR, IspC) of Plasmodium falciparum. Some novel analogs with large phenylalkyl substituents at the hydroxamic acid nitrogen exhibit nanomolar PfDXR inhibition and potent in vitro growth inhibition of P. falciparum parasites coupled with good parasite selectivity. X-ray crystallographic studies demonstrated that the N-phenylpropyl substituent of the newly developed lead compound 13e is accommodated in a subpocket within the DXR catalytic domain but does not reach the NADPH binding pocket of the N-terminal domain. As shown for reverse carba and thia analogs, PfDXR selectively binds the S-enantiomer of the new lead compound. In addition, some representatives of the novel inhibitor subclass are nanomolar Escherichia coli DXR inhibitors, whereas the inhibition of Mycobacterium tuberculosis DXR is considerably weaker.

Synthesis, Electronic, and Antibacterial Properties of 3,7-Di(hetero)aryl-substituted Phenothiazinyl N-Propyl Trimethylammonium Salts

In this study, a library of 3,7-di(hetero)aryl-substituted 10-(3-trimethylammoniumpropyl)10H-phenothiazine salts is prepared. These title compounds and their precursors are reversible redox systems with tunable potentials. The Hammett correlation gives a very good correlation of the first oxidation potentials with σp parameters. Furthermore, the title compounds and their precursors are blue to green-blue emissive. Screening of the salts reveals for some derivatives a distinct inhibition of several pathogenic bacterial strains (Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Aconetobacter baumannii, and Klebsiella pneumoniae) in the lower micromolar range.

Architecture, Function, Regulation, and Evolution of α-Glucans Metabolic Enzymes in Prokaryotes

Bacteria have acquired sophisticated mechanisms for assembling and disassembling polysaccharides of different chemistry. α-d-Glucose homopolysaccharides, so-called α-glucans, are the most widespread polymers in nature being key components of microorganisms. Glycogen functions as an intracellular energy storage while some bacteria also produce extracellular assorted α-glucans. The classical bacterial glycogen metabolic pathway comprises the action of ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase and glycogen synthase, whereas extracellular α-glucans are mostly related to peripheral enzymes dependent on sucrose. An alternative pathway of glycogen biosynthesis, operating via a maltose 1-phosphate polymerizing enzyme, displays an essential wiring with the trehalose metabolism to interconvert disaccharides into polysaccharides. Furthermore, some bacteria show a connection of intracellular glycogen metabolism with the genesis of extracellular capsular α-glucans, revealing a relationship between the storage and structural function of these compounds. Altogether, the current picture shows that bacteria have evolved an intricate α-glucan metabolism that ultimately relies on the evolution of a specific enzymatic machinery. The structural landscape of these enzymes exposes a limited number of core catalytic folds handling many different chemical reactions. In this Review, we present a rationale to explain how the chemical diversity of α-glucans emerged from these systems, highlighting the underlying structural evolution of the enzymes driving α-glucan bacterial metabolism.

Novel 4-nitroimidazole analogues: synthesis, in vitro biological evaluation, in silico studies, and molecular dynamics simulation

A new series of 4-nitroimidazole bearing aryl piperazines 7-16, tetrazole 17 and 1,3,4-thiadiazole 18 derivatives was synthesized. All derivatives were screened for their anticancer activity against eight diverse human cancer cell lines (Capan-1, HCT-116, LN229, NCI-H460, DND-41, HL-60, K562, and Z138). Compound 17 proved the most potent compound of the series inhibiting proliferation of most of the selected human cancer cell lines with IC50 values in the low micromolar range. In addition, compound 11 exhibited IC50 values ranging 8.60-64.0 μM against a selection of cancer cell lines. These findings suggest that derivative 17 can potentially be a new lead compound for further development of novel antiproliferative agents. Additionally, 17-18 were assessed for their antibacterial and antituberculosis activity. Derivatives 17 and 18 were the most potent compounds of this series against both Staphylococcus aureus strain Wichita and a methicillin resistant strain of S. aureus (MRSA), as well as against Mycobacterium tuberculosis strain mc26230. The antiviral activity of 7-18 was also evaluated against diverse viruses, but no activity was detected. The docking study of compound 17 with putative protein targets in acute myeloid leukemia had been studied. Furthermore, the molecular dynamics simulation of 17 and 18 had been investigated.

Homo-BacPROTAC-induced degradation of ClpC1 as a strategy against drug-resistant mycobacteria

Antimicrobial resistance is a global health threat that requires the development of new treatment concepts. These should not only overcome existing resistance but be designed to slow down the emergence of new resistance mechanisms. Targeted protein degradation, whereby a drug redirects cellular proteolytic machinery towards degrading a specific target, is an emerging concept in drug discovery. We are extending this concept by developing proteolysis targeting chimeras active in bacteria (BacPROTACs) that bind to ClpC1, a component of the mycobacterial protein degradation machinery. The anti-Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) BacPROTACs are derived from cyclomarins which, when dimerized, generate compounds that recruit and degrade ClpC1. The resulting Homo-BacPROTACs reduce levels of endogenous ClpC1 in Mycobacterium smegmatis and display minimum inhibitory concentrations in the low micro- to nanomolar range in mycobacterial strains, including multiple drug-resistant Mtb isolates. The compounds also kill Mtb residing in macrophages. Thus, Homo-BacPROTACs that degrade ClpC1 represent a different strategy for targeting Mtb and overcoming drug resistance.

New Meroterpenoid Derivatives from the Pomegranate-Derived Endophytic Fungus Talaromyces purpureogenus

In this study, we report the isolation of two new meroterpenoids, miniolutelide D (1) and miniolutelide E (13-epi-miniolutelide C) (2), along with two meroterpenoidal analogues (3 and 4) and two phenolic compounds (5 and 6) from the endophytic fungus Talaromyces purpureogenus derived from Punica granatum fruits. Their structures were elucidated using extensive MS, 1D, and 2D NMR spectroscopic analyses as well as by comparing with data in the literature. The absolute configurations of 1 and 2 were determined using TDDFT-ECD calculations. Antimicrobial activity was evaluated. Compound 5 displayed significant activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strain ATCC 700699 and moderate activity against S. aureus strain ATCC 29213.

Asperphenalenones Isolated from the Biocontrol Agent Clonostachys rosea and Their Antimicrobial Activities

Clonostachys rosea is a fungus widely distributed on Earth and has a high capacity to adapt to complex environments in soil, plants, or sea. It is an endophyte that can be used as a potential biocontrol agent to protect plants from pathogenic fungi, nematodes, and insects. However, the spectrum of secondary metabolites produced by C. rosea has only scarcely been studied. In the present study, eight new phenalenones, asperphenalenones F-M (1-8), together with two known derivatives, asperphenalenones E and B (9 and 10), were isolated from the axenic rice culture of this fungus. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by nuclear magnetic resonance, high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, electronic circular dichroism, and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analyses. Asperphenalenones J-M (5-8) are unusual phenalenone adducts that are conjugated to diterpenoid glycosides. Asperphenalenones F and H showed moderate antibacterial activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, with minimal inhibitory concentrations of 12.5 and 25 μM, respectively. Asperphenalenone B exhibited low antiviral activity against the human immunodeficiency virus replication. Furthermore, asperphenalenones F and H exhibited low cytotoxicity against Jurkat cells, while all other compounds were devoid of cytotoxicity.

Austalide derivative from marine-derived Aspergillus sp. and evaluation of its cytotoxic and ADME/TOPKAT properties

In-depth chemical investigation of an ethyl acetate extract of Aspergillus sp. isolated from the soft coral Sinularia species resulted in the isolation of one new meroterpenoid, austalide Z (1), one known austalide W (2), six known prenylated indole diketopiperazine alkaloids (3-8), and phthalic acid and its ethyl derivative (9-10). The structures were established by means of 1D and 2D NMR (one- and two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance) experiments supported by UV analysis and ESI-MS (electrospray ionization mass spectrometry). In vitro cytotoxic evaluation was performed against the Caco-2 cancer cell line using the MTT assay, which showed that the examined compounds had weak to moderate activities, with the new meroterpenoid austalide Z (1) displaying an IC₅₀ value of 51.6 μg mL^-1. ADME/TOPKAT (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity) predication performed in silico showed that most of the isolated compounds possessed reasonable pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic, and toxicity properties. Thus, it can be concluded that Aspergillus sp. could act as a source of drug leads for cancer prevention with promising pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties and thus could be incorporated in pharmaceutical dosage forms.

Clp-targeting BacPROTACs impair mycobacterial proteostasis and survival

The ClpC1:ClpP1P2 protease is a core component of the proteostasis system in mycobacteria. To improve the efficacy of antitubercular agents targeting the Clp protease, we characterized the mechanism of the antibiotics cyclomarin A and ecumicin. Quantitative proteomics revealed that the antibiotics cause massive proteome imbalances, including upregulation of two unannotated yet conserved stress response factors, ClpC2 and ClpC3. These proteins likely protect the Clp protease from excessive amounts of misfolded proteins or from cyclomarin A, which we show to mimic damaged proteins. To overcome the Clp security system, we developed a BacPROTAC that induces degradation of ClpC1 together with its ClpC2 caretaker. The dual Clp degrader, built from linked cyclomarin A heads, was highly efficient in killing pathogenic Mycobacterium tuberculosis, with >100-fold increased potency over the parent antibiotic. Together, our data reveal Clp scavenger proteins as important proteostasis safeguards and highlight the potential of BacPROTACs as future antibiotics.

Azide-Masked Fluorescence Turn-On Probe for Imaging Mycobacteria

A fluorescence turn-on probe, an azide-masked and trehalose-derivatized carbazole (Tre-Cz), was developed to image mycobacteria. The fluorescence turn-on is achieved by photoactivation of the azide, which generates a fluorescent product through an efficient intramolecular C-H insertion reaction. The probe is highly specific for mycobacteria and could image mycobacteria in the presence of other Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Both the photoactivation and detection can be accomplished using a handheld UV lamp, giving a limit of detection of 10³ CFU/mL, which can be visualized by the naked eye. The probe was also able to image mycobacteria spiked in sputum samples, although the detection sensitivity was lower. Studies using heat-killed, stationary-phase, and isoniazid-treated mycobacteria showed that metabolically active bacteria are required for the uptake of Tre-Cz. The uptake decreased in the presence of trehalose in a concentration-dependent manner, indicating that Tre-Cz hijacked the trehalose uptake pathway. Mechanistic studies demonstrated that the trehalose transporter LpqY-SugABC was the primary pathway for the uptake of Tre-Cz. The uptake decreased in the LpqY-SugABC deletion mutants ΔlpqY, ΔsugA, ΔsugB, and ΔsugC and fully recovered in the complemented strain of ΔsugC. For the mycolyl transferase antigen 85 complex (Ag85), however, only a slight reduction of uptake was observed in the Ag85 deletion mutant ΔAg85C, and no incorporation of Tre-Cz into the outer membrane was observed. The unique intracellular incorporation mechanism of Tre-Cz through the LpqY-SugABC transporter, which differs from other trehalose-based fluorescence probes, unlocks potential opportunities to bring molecular cargoes to mycobacteria for both fundamental studies and theranostic applications.

In Vitro Biological Activity of Natural Products from the Endophytic Fungus Paraboeremia selaginellae against Toxoplasma gondii

Toxoplasma gondii is an apicomplexan pathogen able to infect a wide range of warm-blooded animals, including humans, leading to toxoplasmosis. Current treatments for toxoplasmosis are associated with severe side-effects and a lack efficacy to eradicate chronic infection. Thus, there is an urgent need for developing novel, highly efficient agents against toxoplasmosis with low toxicity. For decades, natural products have been a useful source of novel bioactive compounds for the treatment of infectious pathogens. In the present study, we isolated eight natural products from the crude extract of the endophytic fungus Paraboeremia selaginellae obtained from the leaves of the plant Philodendron monstera. The natural products were tested for inhibiting Toxoplasma gondii proliferation, and their cytotoxicity was evaluated in different human cell lines. Six natural products showed antitoxoplasma activity with low or no cytotoxicity in human cell lines. Together, these findings indicate that biphenyl ethers, bioxanthracenes, and 5S,6S-phomalactone from P. selaginellae are potential candidates for novel anti-toxoplasma drugs.

Total Synthesis of the Antimycobacterial Natural Product Chlorflavonin and Analogs via a Late-Stage Ruthenium(II)-Catalyzed ortho-C(sp2)-H-Hydroxylation

The continuous, worldwide spread of multidrug-resistant (MDR) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) tuberculosis (TB) endanger the World Health Organization’s (WHO) goal to end the global TB pandemic by the year 2035. During the past 50 years, very few new drugs have been approved by medical agencies to treat drug-resistant TB. Therefore, the development of novel antimycobacterial drug candidates to combat the threat of drug-resistant TB is urgent. In this work, we developed and optimized a total synthesis of the antimycobacterial natural flavonoid chlorflavonin by selective ruthenium(II)-catalyzed ortho-C(sp²)-H-hydroxylation of a substituted 3′-methoxyflavonoid skeleton. We extended our methodology to synthesize a small compound library of 14 structural analogs. The new analogs were tested for their antimycobacterial in vitro activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) and their cytotoxicity against various human cell lines. The most promising new analog bromflavonin exhibited improved antimycobacterial in vitro activity against the virulent H37Rv strain of Mtb (Minimal Inhibitory Concentrations (MIC₉₀) = 0.78 μm). In addition, we determined the chemical and metabolic stability as well as the pK_a values of chlorflavonin and bromflavonin. Furthermore, we established a quantitative structure–activity relationship model using a thermodynamic integration approach. Our computations may be used for suggesting further structural changes to develop improved derivatives.

Prenylated cyclohexene-type meroterpenoids and sulfur-containing xanthones produced by Pseudopestalotiopsis theae

Chemical investigation of the fungal endophyte Pseudopestalotiopsis theae isolated from leaves of Caloncoba welwitschii, collected in Cameroon, resulted in two previously undescribed sulfur-containing xanthone derivatives sydoxanthones D and E, in addition to three previously undescribed monomeric diisoprenyl-cyclohexene-type meroterpenoids biscognienynes D-F and five known natural products. The structures of the undescribed compounds were unambiguously identified by their mass spectra and by extensive 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic analysis. Mosher's reaction was performed to determine the absolute configuration of sydoxanthones D and E while TDDFT-ECD calculations were used to assign the configuration of biscognienyne D. Biscognienynes B and D showed significant cytotoxicity against the mouse lymphoma cell line L5178Y with IC₅₀ values of 7.7 and 6.7 μM and against the human leukemic cell lines HL60, and Hal-01 with IC₅₀ values ranging from 4.3 to 12.1 μM.

The Mycotoxin Beauvericin Exhibits Immunostimulatory Effects on Dendritic Cells via Activating the TLR4 Signaling Pathway

Beauvericin (BEA), a mycotoxin of the enniatin family produced by various toxigenic fungi, has been attributed multiple biological activities such as anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and anti-microbial functions. However, effects of BEA on dendritic cells remain unknown so far. Here, we identified effects of BEA on murine granulocyte–macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF)-cultured bone marrow derived dendritic cells (BMDCs) and the underlying molecular mechanisms. BEA potently activates BMDCs as signified by elevated IL-12 and CD86 expression. Multiplex immunoassays performed on myeloid differentiation primary response 88 (MyD88) and toll/interleukin-1 receptor (TIR) domain containing adaptor inducing interferon beta (TRIF) single or double deficient BMDCs indicate that BEA induces inflammatory cytokine and chemokine production in a MyD88/TRIF dependent manner. Furthermore, we found that BEA was not able to induce IL-12 or IFNβ production in Toll-like receptor 4 (Tlr4)-deficient BMDCs, whereas induction of these cytokines was not compromised in Tlr3/7/9 deficient BMDCs. This suggests that TLR4 might be the functional target of BEA on BMDCs. Consistently, in luciferase reporter assays BEA stimulation significantly promotes NF-κB activation in mTLR4/CD14/MD2 overexpressing but not control HEK-293 cells. RNA-sequencing analyses further confirmed that BEA induces transcriptional changes associated with the TLR4 signaling pathway. Together, these results identify TLR4 as a cellular BEA sensor and define BEA as a potent activator of BMDCs, implying that this compound can be exploited as a promising candidate structure for vaccine adjuvants or cancer immunotherapies.

PPE51 mediates uptake of trehalose across the mycomembrane of Mycobacterium tuberculosis

The disaccharide trehalose is essential for viability of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which synthesizes trehalose de novo but can also utilize exogenous trehalose. The mycobacterial cell wall encompasses two permeability barriers, the cytoplasmic membrane and the outer mycolic acid-containing mycomembrane. The ABC transporter LpqY-SugA-SugB-SugC has previously been demonstrated to mediate the specific uptake of trehalose across the cytoplasmic membrane. However, it is still unclear how the transport of trehalose molecules across the mycomembrane is mediated. In this study, we harnessed the antimycobacterial activity of the analogue 6-azido trehalose to select for spontaneous resistant M. tuberculosis mutants in a merodiploid strain harbouring two LpqY-SugA-SugB-SugC copies. Mutations mediating resistance to 6-azido trehalose mapped to the proline-proline-glutamate (PPE) family member PPE51 (Rv3136), which has recently been shown to be an integral mycomembrane protein involved in uptake of low-molecular weight compounds. A site-specific ppe51 gene deletion mutant of M. tuberculosis was unable to grow on trehalose as the sole carbon source. Furthermore, bioorthogonal labelling of the M. tuberculosis Δppe51 mutant incubated with 6-azido trehalose corroborated the impaired internalization. Taken together, the results indicate that the transport of trehalose and trehalose analogues across the mycomembrane of M. tuberculosis is exclusively mediated by PPE51.

Insights in the Antimicrobial Potential of the Natural Nisin Variant Nisin H

Lantibiotics are a growing class of antimicrobial peptides, which possess antimicrobial activity against mainly Gram-positive bacteria including the highly resistant strains such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus or vancomycin-resistant enterococci. In the last decades numerous lantibiotics were discovered in natural habitats or designed with bioengineering tools. In this study, we present an insight in the antimicrobial potential of the natural occurring lantibiotic nisin H from Streptococcus hyointestinalis as well as the variant nisin H F₁I. We determined the yield of the heterologously expressed peptide and quantified the cleavage efficiency employing the nisin protease NisP. Furthermore, we analyzed the effect on the modification via mass spectrometry analysis. With standardized growth inhibition assays we benchmarked the activity of pure nisin H and the variant nisin H F₁I, and their influence on the activity of the nisin immunity proteins NisI and NisFEG from Lactococcus lactis and the nisin resistance proteins SaNSR and SaNsrFP from Streptococcus agalactiae COH1. We further checked the antibacterial activity against clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecium and Enterococcus faecalis via microdilution method. In summary, nisin H and the nisin H F₁I variant possessed better antimicrobial potency than the natural nisin A.

A temperature-sensitive Mycobacterium smegmatis glgE mutation leads to a loss of GlgE enzyme activity and thermostability and the accumulation of α-maltose-1-phosphate

Background

The bacterial GlgE pathway is the third known route to glycogen and is the only one present in mycobacteria. It contributes to the virulence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The involvement of GlgE in glycogen biosynthesis was discovered twenty years ago when the phenotype of a temperature-sensitive Mycobacterium smegmatis mutation was rescued by the glgE gene. The evidence at the time suggested glgE coded for a glucanase responsible for the hydrolysis of glycogen, in stark contrast with recent evidence showing GlgE to be a polymerase responsible for its biosynthesis.

Methods

We reconstructed and examined the temperature-sensitive mutant and characterised the mutated GlgE enzyme.

Results

The mutant strain accumulated the substrate for GlgE, α-maltose-1-phosphate, at the non-permissive temperature. The glycogen assay used in the original study was shown to give a false positive result with α-maltose-1-phosphate. The accumulation of α-maltose-1-phosphate was due to the lowering of the k_cat of GlgE as well as a loss of stability 42 °C. The reported rescue of the phenotype by GarA could potentially involve an interaction with GlgE, but none was detected.

Conclusions

We have been able to reconcile apparently contradictory observations and shed light on the basis for the phenotype of the temperature-sensitive mutation.

General significance

This study highlights how the lowering of flux through the GlgE pathway can slow the growth mycobacteria.

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A single amino acid substitution in GlgE leads to loss of activity and stability.

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Temperature-sensitivity leads to the accumulation of GlgE's substrate in vivo.

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Reduced bacterial growth can be attributed to the accumulation of this substrate.

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It was shown how a glycogen assay can give a false positive with this substrate.

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This reconciles apparently contradictory observations published previously.

Nature-Inspired (di)Azine-Bridged Bisindole Alkaloids with Potent Antibacterial In Vitro and In Vivo Efficacy against Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Natural bisindole alkaloids such as Hyrtinadine A and Alocasin A, which are known to exhibit diverse bioactivities, provide promising chemical scaffolds for drug development. By optimizing the Masuda borylation-Suzuki coupling sequence, a library of various natural product-derived and non-natural (di)azine-bridged bisindoles was created. While unsubstituted bisindoles were devoid of antibacterial activity, 5,5'-chloro derivatives were highly active against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and further Gram-positive pathogens at minimal inhibitory concentrations ranging from 0.20 to 0.78 μM. These compounds showed strong bactericidal killing effects but only moderate cytotoxicity against human cell lines. Furthermore, the two front-runner compounds 4j and 4n exhibited potent in vivo efficacy against MRSA in a mouse wound infection model. Although structurally related bisindoles were reported to specifically target pyruvate kinase in MRSA, antibacterial activity of 4j and 4n is independent of pyruvate kinase. Rather, these compounds lead to bacterial membrane permeabilization and cellular efflux of low-molecular-weight molecules.

Azacoccones F-H, new flavipin-derived alkaloids from an endophytic fungus Epicoccum nigrum MK214079

Three new flavipin-derived alkaloids, azacoccones F-H (1-3), along with six known compounds (4-9) were isolated from the endophytic fungus Epicoccum nigrum MK214079 associated with leaves of Salix sp. The structures of the new compounds were established by analysis of their 1D/2D nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectroscopy (HRESIMS) data. The absolute configuration of azacoccones F-H (1-3) was determined by comparison of experimental electronic circular dichroism (ECD) data with reported ones and biogenetic considerations. Epicocconigrone A (4), epipyrone A (5), and epicoccolide B (6) exhibited moderate antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213 with minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) values ranging from 25 to 50 μM. Furthermore, epipyrone A (5) and epicoccamide A (7) displayed mild antifungal activity against Ustilago maydis AB33 with MIC values of 1.6 and 1.8 mM, respectively. Epicorazine A (8) showed pronounced cytotoxicity against the L5178Y mouse lymphoma cell line with an IC₅₀ value of 1.3 μM.

Sesterterpenes and macrolide derivatives from the endophytic fungus Aplosporella javeedii

Five sesterterpenes (1-5) including two new compounds (1 and 2), as well as a new (6) and a known macrolide (7) were isolated from the endophytic fungus Aplosporella javeedii. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by analysis of their 1D and 2D NMR and HRMS data as well as by comparison with the literature. Compound 4 and its acetyl derivatives 4a, 4b, 4c which were prepared by acetylation of 4 exhibited moderate cytotoxicity against the mouse lymphoma cell line L5178Y with IC₅₀ values ranging from 6.2 to 12.8 μM, respectively. Moreover, 4a and 4c exhibited also cytotoxicity against human leukemia (Jurkat J16) and lymphoma (Ramos) cell lines. Compound 7 showed strong cytotoxicity against the L5178Y cell line, as well as against human Jurkat J16 and Ramos cells with IC₅₀ values of 0.4, 5.8, and 4.4 μM, respectively. Mechanistic studies indicated that 7 induces apoptotic cell death. In addition, compounds 3, 4 and 7 showed low antibacterial activities against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv and compound 6 against Staphylococcus aureus, respectively, with MICs of 100 μM. Preliminary structure-activity relationships are discussed.

Natural brominated phenoxyphenols kill persistent and biofilm-incorporated cells of MRSA and other pathogenic bacteria

Due to a high unresponsiveness to chemotherapy, biofilm formation is an important medical problem that frequently occurs during infection with many bacterial pathogens. In this study, the marine sponge-derived natural compounds 4,6-dibromo-2-(2',4'-dibromophenoxy)phenol and 3,4,6-tribromo-2-(2',4'-dibromophenoxy)phenol were found to exhibit broad antibacterial activity against medically relevant gram-positive and gram-negative pathogens. The compounds were not only bactericidal against both replicating and stationary phase-persistent planktonic cells of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa; they also killed biofilm-incorporated cells of both species while not affecting biofilm structural integrity. Moreover, these compounds were active against carbapenemase-producing Enterobacter sp. This simultaneous activity of compounds against different growth forms of both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria is rare. Genome sequencing of spontaneous resistant mutants and proteome analysis suggest that resistance is mediated by downregulation of the bacterial EIIBC phosphotransferase components scrA and mtlA in MRSA likely leading to a lower uptake of the molecules. Due to their only moderate cytotoxicity against human cell lines, phenoxyphenols provide an interesting new scaffold for development of antimicrobial agents with activity against planktonic cells, persisters and biofilm-incoporated cells of ESKAPE pathogens. KEY POINTS: • Brominated phenoxyphenols kill actively replicating and biofilm-incorporated bacteria. • Phosphotransferase systems mediate uptake of brominated phenoxyphenols. • Downregulation of phosphotransferase systems mediate resistance.

Winter is coming - Impact of temperature on the variation of beta-lactamase and mcr genes in a wastewater treatment plant

Wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) play a key role in the dissemination of antibiotic resistance and analyzing the abundance of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and resistant bacteria is necessary to evaluate the risk of proliferation caused by WWTPs. Since few studies investigated the seasonal variation of antibiotic resistance, this study aimed to determine the abundance of beta-lactamase and mcr genes and to characterize phenotypic resistant strains in a WWTP in Germany over the seasons. Wastewater, sewage sludge and effluent samples were collected over a one year period and analyzed using quantitative real-time PCR. Resistant strains were isolated, followed by identification and antibiotic susceptibility testing using VITEK 2. The results show a significantly higher occurrence of nearly all investigated ARGs in the wastewater compared to sewage sludge and effluent. ARG abundance and temperature showed a negative correlation in wastewater and significant differences between ARG abundance during warmer and colder seasons were determined, indicating a seasonal effect. Co-occurrence of mcr-1 and carbapenemase genes in a multi-drug resistant Enterobacter cloacae and Escherichia coli producing extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) was determined. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first detection of mcr-1, bla_VIM and bla_OXA-48 in an ESBL-producing E. coli. Although wastewater treatment reduced the abundance of ARGs and resistant strains, a dissemination into the river might be possible because carbapenemase-, CTX-M- and mcr-1-gene harboring strains were still present in the effluent.

Polyketide Derivatives from Mangrove Derived Endophytic Fungus Pseudopestalotiopsis theae

Chemical investigation of secondary metabolites from the endophytic fungus Pseudopestalotiopsis theae led to the isolation of eighteen new polyketide derivatives, pestalotheols I–Q (1–9) and cytosporins O–W (15–23), together with eight known analogs (10–14 and 24–26). The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by HRMS and 1D and 2D NMR data, as well as by comparison with literature data. Modified Mosher’s method was applied to determine the absolute configuration of some compounds. Compound 23 showed significant cytotoxicity against the mouse lymphoma cell line L5178Y with an IC₅₀ value of 3.0 μM. Furthermore, compounds 22 and 23 showed moderate antibacterial activity against drug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (ATCC BAA-1605) in combination with sublethal colistin concentrations.

Cladosins L-O, new hybrid polyketides from the endophytic fungus Cladosporium sphaerospermum WBS017

The endophytic fungus Cladosporium sphaerospermum WBS017 was obtained from healthy bulbs of Fritillaria unibracteata var. wabuensis. Fermentation of C. sphaerospermum on solid rice medium yielded three new hybrid polyketides, cladosins L-N (1-3), and a known derivative cladodionen (4). Further cultivation of this fungus on white bean medium afforded an additional new hybrid polyketide, cladosin O (5) along with three known analogues (6-8). The structures of the new compounds were elucidated using a combination of NMR and HRESIMS data. The absolute configurations of compounds 2 and 3 were determined by Mosher's method and TDDFT-ECD calculations. All isolated compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxic and antimicrobial activities. Cladodionen (4) exhibited cytotoxicity against the mouse lymphoma cell line L5178Y with an IC₅₀ value of 3.7 μM, and also exhibited antifungal activity against Ustilago maydis and Saccharomyces cerevisiae, while cladosin L (1) displayed week antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213 and S. aureus ATCC 700699 with MIC values of 50 and 25 μM, respectively.

Didymellanosine, a new decahydrofluorene analogue, and ascolactone C from Didymella sp. IEA-3B.1, an endophyte of Terminalia catappa

Didymellanosine (1), the first analogue of the decahydrofluorene-class of natural products bearing a 13-membered macrocyclic alkaloid conjugated with adenosine, and a new benzolactone derivative, ascolactone C (4) along with eight known compounds (2, 3, 5–10), were isolated from a solid rice fermentation of the endophytic fungus Didymella sp. IEA-3B.1 derived from the host plant Terminalia catappa. In addition, ascochitamine (11) was obtained when (NH₄)₂SO₄ was added to rice medium and is reported here for the first time as a natural product. Didymellanosine (1) displayed strong activity against the murine lymphoma cell line L5178Y, Burkitt's lymphoma B cells (Ramos) and adult lymphoblastic leukemia T cells (Jurkat J16), with IC₅₀ values of 2.0, 3.3 and 4.4 µM, respectively. When subjected to a NFκB inhibition assay, didymellanosine (1) moderately blocked NFκB activation in the triple-negative breast cancer cell line MDA-MB 231. In an antimicrobial assay, ascomylactam C (3) was the most active compound when tested against a panel of Gram-positive bacteria including drug-resistant strains with MICs of 3.1–6.3 µM, while 1 revealed weaker activity. Interestingly, both compounds were also found active against Gram-negative Acinetobacter baumannii with MICs of 3.1 µM, in the presence of a sublethal concentration (0.1 µM) of colistin.

An unusual decahydrofluorene-class alkaloid from Didymella sp. exhibited NFκB inhibitory and antimicrobial activities.

The mycolic acid reductase Rv2509 has distinct structural motifs and is essential for growth in slow-growing mycobacteria

The final step in mycolic acid biosynthesis in Mycobacterium tuberculosis is catalysed by mycolyl reductase encoded by the Rv2509 gene. Sequence analysis and homology modelling indicate that Rv2509 belongs to the short‐chain fatty acid dehydrogenase/reductase (SDR) family, but with some distinct features that warrant its classification as belonging to a novel family of short‐chain dehydrogenases. In particular, the predicted structure revealed a unique α‐helical C‐terminal region which we demonstrated to be essential for Rv2509 function, though this region did not seem to play any role in protein stabilisation or oligomerisation. We also show that unlike the M. smegmatis homologue which was not essential for growth, Rv2509 was an essential gene in slow‐growing mycobacteria. A knockdown strain of the BCG2529 gene, the Rv2509 homologue in Mycobacterium bovis BCG, was unable to grow following the conditional depletion of BCG2529. This conditional depletion also led to a reduction of mature mycolic acid production and accumulation of intermediates derived from 3‐oxo‐mycolate precursors. Our studies demonstrate novel features of the mycolyl reductase Rv2509 and outline its role in mycobacterial growth, highlighting its potential as a new target for therapies.

Rapid detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in sputum with a solvatochromic trehalose probe

Tuberculosis (TB) is the leading cause of death from an infectious bacterial disease. Poor diagnostic tools to detect active disease plague TB control programs and affect patient care. Accurate detection of live Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), the causative agent of TB, could improve TB diagnosis and patient treatment. We report that mycobacteria and other corynebacteria can be specifically detected with a fluorogenic trehalose analog. We designed a 4-N,N-dimethylamino-1,8-naphthalimide-conjugated trehalose (DMN-Tre) probe that undergoes >700-fold increase in fluorescence intensity when transitioned from aqueous to hydrophobic environments. This enhancement occurs upon metabolic conversion of DMN-Tre to trehalose monomycolate and incorporation into the mycomembrane of Actinobacteria. DMN-Tre labeling enabled the rapid, no-wash visualization of mycobacterial and corynebacterial species without nonspecific labeling of Gram-positive or Gram-negative bacteria. DMN-Tre labeling was detected within minutes and was inhibited by heat killing of mycobacteria. Furthermore, DMN-Tre labeling was reduced by treatment with TB drugs, unlike the clinically used auramine stain. Lastly, DMN-Tre labeled Mtb in TB-positive human sputum samples comparably to auramine staining, suggesting that this operationally simple method may be deployable for TB diagnosis.

Dithiodiketopiperazine derivatives from endophytic fungi Trichoderma harzianum and Epicoccum nigrum

A new epidithiodiketopiperazine (ETP), pretrichodermamide G (1), along with three known (epi)dithiodiketopiparazines (2-4) were isolated from cultures of Trichoderma harzianum and Epicoccum nigrum, endophytic fungi associated with medicinal plants Zingiber officinale and Salix sp., respectively. The structure of the new compound (1) was established on the basis of spectroscopic data, including 1D/2D NMR and HRESIMS. The isolated compounds were investigated for their antifungal, antibacterial and cytotoxic potential against a panel of microorganisms and cell lines. Pretrichodermamide A (2) displayed antimicrobial activity towards the plant pathogenic fungus Ustilago maydis and the human pathogenic bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis with MIC values of 1 mg/mL (2 mM) and 25 µg/mL (50 µM), respectively. Meanwhile, epicorazine A (3) exhibited strong to moderate cytotoxicity against L5178Y, Ramos, and Jurkat J16 cell lines with IC₅₀ values ranging from 1.3 to 28 µM. Further mechanistic studies indicated that 3 induces apoptotic cell death.

Induction of Secondary Metabolites from the Marine-Derived Fungus Aspergillus versicolor through Co-cultivation with Bacillus subtilis

A new cyclic pentapeptide, cotteslosin C (1: ), a new aflaquinolone, 22-epi-aflaquinolone B (3: ), and two new anthraquinones (9: and 10: ), along with thirty known compounds (2, 4:  - 8, 11:  - 34: ) were isolated from a co-culture of the sponge-associated fungus Aspergillus versicolor with Bacillus subtilis. The new metabolites were only detected in the co-culture extract, but not when the fungus was grown under axenic conditions. Furthermore, the co-culture extract exhibited an enhanced accumulation of the known constituents versicolorin B (14: ), averufin (16: ), and sterigmatocyctin (19: ) by factors of 1.5, 2.0, and 4.7, respectively, compared to the axenic fungal culture. The structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated on the basis of 1D and 2D NMR spectra and mass spectrometry as well as by comparison with literature data. The absolute configuration of compounds 3, 9: , and 10: was determined by ECD (electronic circular dichroism) analysis aided by TDDFT-ECD (time-dependent density functional theory electronic circular dichroism) calculations. Compounds 15, 18:  - 21: , and 26: exhibited strong to moderate cytotoxic activity against the mouse lymphoma cell line L5178Y, with IC₅₀ values ranging from 2.0 to 21.2 µM, while compounds 14, 16, 31, 32: , and 33: displayed moderate inhibitory activities against several gram-positive bacteria, with MIC values ranging from 12.5 to 50 µM.

Induction of cryptic metabolites of the endophytic fungus Trichocladium sp. through OSMAC and co-cultivation

The endophytic fungus Trichocladium sp. isolated from roots of Houttuynia cordata was cultured on solid rice medium, yielding a new amidepsine derivative (1) and a new reduced spiro azaphilone derivative (3) together with eight known compounds (4–11). Co-cultivation of Trichocladium sp. with Bacillus subtilis resulted in induction of a further new compound (2) and a 10-fold increase of 11 compared to the axenic fungal culture. Moreover, when the fungus was cultivated on peas instead of rice, a new sesquiterpene derivative (13) and two known compounds (12 and 14) were obtained. Addition of 2% tryptophan to rice medium led to the isolation of a new bismacrolactone (15). The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by HRESIMS, 1D and 2D NMR as well as by comparison with the literature. A combination of TDDFT-ECD, TDDFT-SOR, DFT-VCD and DFT-NMR calculations were applied to determine the absolute and relative configurations of 13 and 15. Compounds 7, 11 and 15 exhibited strong cytotoxicity against the L5178Y mouse lymphoma cell line with IC₅₀ values of 0.3, 0.5 and 0.2 μM, respectively.

The endophytic fungus Trichocladium sp. isolated from roots of Houttuynia cordata yielded fifteen compounds including five new ones through OSMAC and co-cultivation approaches.

Co-culture of the fungus Fusarium tricinctum with Streptomyces lividans induces production of cryptic naphthoquinone dimers

Co-cultivation of the endophytic fungus Fusarium tricinctum with Streptomyces lividans on solid rice medium led to the production of four new naphthoquinone dimers, fusatricinones A–D (1–4), and a new lateropyrone derivative, dihydrolateropyrone (5), that were not detected in axenic fungal controls. In addition, four known cryptic compounds, zearalenone (7), (−)-citreoisocoumarin (8), macrocarpon C (9) and 7-hydroxy-2-(2-hydroxypropyl)-5-methylchromone (10), that were likewise undetectable in extracts from fungal controls, were obtained from the co-culture extracts. The known antibiotically active compound lateropyrone (6), the depsipeptides enniatins B (11), B1 (12) and A1 (13), and the lipopeptide fusaristatin A (14), that were present in axenic fungal controls and in co-culture extracts, were upregulated in the latter. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by 1D and 2D NMR spectra as well as by HRESIMS data. The relative and absolute configuration of dihydrolateropyrone (5) was elucidated by TDDFT-ECD calculations.

Naphthoquinone dimers from co-culture of Fusarium tricinctum with Streptomyces lividans.

A proteomics approach for the identification of species-specific immunogenic proteins in the Mycobacterium abscessus complex

The Mycobacterium abscessus complex can cause fatal pulmonary disease, especially in cystic fibrosis patients. Diagnosing M. abscessus complex pulmonary disease is challenging. Immunologic assays specific for M. abscessus are not available. In this study seven clinical M. abscessus complex strains and the M. abscessus reference strain ATCC19977 were used to find species-specific proteins for their use in immune assays. Six strains showed rough and smooth colony morphotypes simultaneously, two strains only showed rough mophotypes, resulting in 14 separate isolates. Clinical isolates were submitted to whole genome sequencing. Proteomic analysis was performed on bacterial lysates and culture supernatant of all 14 isolates. Species-specificity for M. abscessus complex was determined by a BLAST search for proteins present in all supernatants. Species-specific proteins underwent in silico B- and T-cell epitope prediction. All clinical strains were found to be M. abscessus ssp. abscessus. Mutations in MAB_4099c as a likely genetic basis of the rough morphotype were found in six out of seven clinical isolates. 79 proteins were present in every supernatant, of which 12 are exclusively encoded by all members of M. abscessus complex plus Mycobacterium immunogenum. In silico analyses predicted B- and T-cell epitopes in all of these 12 species-specific proteins.

Metabolites from the endophytic fungus Cylindrocarpon sp. isolated from tropical plant Sapium ellipticum

Three new polyketides, cylindrocarpones A-C (1-3), two new pyridone alkaloids, cylindrocarpyridones A-B (5-6), a new pyrone cylindropyrone (7), together with seven know compounds were isolated from the endophytic fungus, Cylindrocarpon sp., obtained from the tropical plant Sapium ellipticum. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by extensive analysis of their spectroscopic data (1D and 2D NMR, HRESIMS). The absolute configuration of 19-O-methyl-pyrrocidine B (13) was confirmed by X-ray analysis. All isolated compounds were screened for their cytotoxic and antibacterial activities. Pyrrocidine A (12) exhibited potent cytotoxicity against the human ovarian cancer cell line A2780 with an IC₅₀ value of 1.7 μM. 19-O-Methyl-pyrrocidine B (13) showed moderate antibacterial activity against S. aureus ATCC25923 and ATCC700699 with MIC values of 50 and 25 μM, respectively.

(Some) current concepts in antibacterial drug discovery

The rise of multidrug resistance in bacteria rendering pathogens unresponsive to many clinical drugs is widely acknowledged and considered a critical global healthcare issue. There is broad consensus that novel antibacterial chemotherapeutic options are extremely urgently needed. However, the development pipeline of new antibacterial drug lead structures is poorly filled and not commensurate with the scale of the problem since the pharmaceutical industry has shown reduced interest in antibiotic development in the past decades due to high economic risks and low profit expectations. Therefore, academic research institutions have a special responsibility in finding novel treatment options for the future. In this mini review, we want to provide a broad overview of the different approaches and concepts that are currently pursued in this research field.

Chlorflavonin Targets Acetohydroxyacid Synthase Catalytic Subunit IlvB1 for Synergistic Killing of Mycobacterium tuberculosis

The flavonoid natural compound chlorflavonin was isolated from the endophytic fungus Mucor irregularis, which was obtained from the Cameroonian medicinal plant Moringa stenopetala. Chlorflavonin exhibited strong growth inhibitory activity in vitro against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MIC₉₀ 1.56 μM) while exhibiting no cytotoxicity toward the human cell lines MRC-5 and THP-1 up to concentrations of 100 μM. Mapping of resistance-mediating mutations employing whole-genome sequencing, chemical supplementation assays, and molecular docking studies as well as enzymatic characterization revealed that chlorflavonin specifically inhibits the acetohydroxyacid synthase catalytic subunit IlvB1, causing combined auxotrophies to branched-chain amino acids and to pantothenic acid. While exhibiting a bacteriostatic effect in monotreatment, chlorflavonin displayed synergistic effects with the first-line antibiotic isoniazid and particularly with delamanid, leading to a complete sterilization in liquid culture in combination treatment. Using a fluorescent reporter strain, intracellular activity of chlorflavonin against Mycobacterium tuberculosis inside infected macrophages was demonstrated and was superior to streptomycin treatment.

Cyclic Cystine-Bridged Peptides from the Marine Sponge Clathria basilana Induce Apoptosis in Tumor Cells and Depolarize the Bacterial Cytoplasmic Membrane

Investigation of the sponge Clathria basilana collected in Indonesia afforded five new peptides, including microcionamides C (1) and D (2), gombamides B (4), C (5), and D (6), and an unusual amide, (E)-2-amino-3-methyl-N-styrylbutanamide (7), along with 11 known compounds, among them microcionamide A (3). The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by one- and two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy as well as by high-resolution mass spectrometry. The absolute configurations of the constituent amino acid residues in 1-7 were determined by Marfey's analysis. Microcionamides A, C, and D (1-3) showed in vitro cytotoxicity against lymphoma (Ramos) and leukemia cell lines (HL-60, Nomo-1, Jurkat J16), as well as against a human ovarian carcinoma cell line (A2780) with IC₅₀ values ranging from 0.45 to 28 μM. Mechanistic studies showed that compounds 1-3 rapidly induce apoptotic cell death in Jurkat J16 and Ramos cells and that 1 and 2 potently block autophagy upon starvation conditions, thereby impairing pro-survival signaling of cancer cells. In addition, microcionamides C and A (1 and 3) inhibited bacterial growth of Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecium with minimal inhibitory concentrations between 6.2 and 12 μM. Mechanistic studies indicate dissipation of the bacterial membrane potential.

New amide and dioxopiperazine derivatives from leaves of Breynia nivosa

The first chemical investigation of leaves of Breynia nivosa from Nigeria resulted in the isolation of two new amide derivatives breynivosamides A and B (1 and 2) and two new dioxopiperazine derivatives breynivosines A and B (4 and 5) together with seven known compounds (3, 6-11). The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by 1D, 2D NMR and HRESIMS data as well as by comparison with the literature. All isolated compounds were tested for the cytotoxic and antimicrobial activities. Only cristatin A (6) showed cytotoxicity against the L5178Y mouse lymphoma cell line with an IC₅₀ value of 13.9μM while breynivosamide A (1) exhibited moderate antimicrobial activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis with an MIC value of 25μM.

Enhanced control of Mycobacterium tuberculosis extrapulmonary dissemination in mice by an arabinomannan-protein conjugate vaccine

Currently there are a dozen or so of new vaccine candidates in clinical trials for prevention of tuberculosis (TB) and each formulation attempts to elicit protection by enhancement of cell-mediated immunity (CMI). In contrast, most approved vaccines against other bacterial pathogens are believed to mediate protection by eliciting antibody responses. However, it has been difficult to apply this formula to TB because of the difficulty in reliably eliciting protective antibodies. Here, we developed capsular polysaccharide conjugates by linking mycobacterial capsular arabinomannan (AM) to either Mtb Ag85b or B. anthracis protective antigen (PA). Further, we studied their immunogenicity by ELISA and AM glycan microarrays and protection efficacy in mice. Immunization with either Abg85b-AM or PA-AM conjugates elicited an AM-specific antibody response in mice. AM binding antibodies stimulated transcriptional changes in Mtb. Sera from AM conjugate immunized mice reacted against a broad spectrum of AM structural variants and specifically recognized arabinan fragments. Conjugate vaccine immunized mice infected with Mtb had lower bacterial numbers in lungs and spleen, and lived longer than control mice. These findings provide additional evidence that humoral immunity can contribute to protection against Mtb.

Vaccine design in the TB field has been driven by the imperative of attempting to elicit strong cell-mediated responses. However, in recent decades evidence has accumulated that humoral immunity can protect against many intracellular pathogens through numerous mechanisms. In this work, we demonstrate that immunization with mycobacterial capsular arabinomannan (AM) conjugates elicited responses that contributed to protection against Mtb infection. We developed two different conjugates including capsular AM linked to the Mtb related protein Ag85b or the Mtb unrelated PA from B. anthracis and found that immunization with AM conjugates elicited antibody populations with different specificities. These surface-specific antibodies could directly modify the transcriptional profile and metabolism of mycobacteria. In addition, we observed a prolonged survival and a reduction in bacterial numbers in lungs and spleen in mice immunized with Ag85b-AM conjugates after infection with Mtb and that the presence of AM-binding antibodies was associated with modest prolongation in survival and a marked reduction in mycobacterial dissemination. Finally, we show that AM is antigenically variable and could potentially form the basis for a serological characterization of mycobacteria based on serotypes.

Antibacterial and Cytotoxic Phenolic Metabolites from the Fruits of Amorpha fruticosa

Fourteen new natural products, namely, 2-[(Z)-styryl]-5-geranylresorcin-1-carboxylic acid (1), amorfrutin D (2), 4-O-demethylamorfrutin D (3), 8-geranyl-3,5,7-trihydroxyflavanone (4), 8-geranyl-5,7,3'-trihydroxy-4'-methoxyisoflavone (5), 6-geranyl-5,7,3'-trihydroxy-4'-methoxyisoflavone (6), 8-geranyl-7,3'-dihydroxy-4'-methoxyisoflavone (7), 3-O-demethyldalbinol (8), 6a,12a-dehydro-3-O-demethylamorphigenin (9), (6aR,12aR,5'R)-amorphigenin (10), amorphispironones B and C (11 and 12), resokaempferol 3-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→2)-β-d-glucopyranoside-7-O-α-l-rhamnopyranoside (13), and daidzein 7-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→2)-β-d-glucopyranoside (14), together with 40 known compounds, were isolated from the fruits of Amorpha fruticosa. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic analysis as well as from the mass spectrometry data. ECD calculations were performed to determine the absolute configurations of 11 and 15. Compounds 1, 4-6, and 16-23 showed potent to moderate antibacterial activities against several Gram-positive bacteria with MIC values ranging from 3.1 to 100 μM. In addition, compounds 11 and 24-33 were significantly cytotoxic against the L5178Y mouse lymphoma cell line and exhibited IC₅₀ values from 0.2 to 10.2 μM.

Hydroquinone derivatives from the marine-derived fungus Gliomastix sp

A novel cytotoxic quinone/hydroquinone dimer from the marine-derived fungus Gliomastix sp.

Trehalose-6-Phosphate-Mediated Toxicity Determines Essentiality of OtsB2 in Mycobacterium tuberculosis In Vitro and in Mice

Trehalose biosynthesis is considered an attractive target for the development of antimicrobials against fungal, helminthic and bacterial pathogens including Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The most common biosynthetic route involves trehalose-6-phosphate (T6P) synthase OtsA and T6P phosphatase OtsB that generate trehalose from ADP/UDP-glucose and glucose-6-phosphate. In order to assess the drug target potential of T6P phosphatase, we generated a conditional mutant of M. tuberculosis allowing the regulated gene silencing of the T6P phosphatase gene otsB2. We found that otsB2 is essential for growth of M. tuberculosis in vitro as well as for the acute infection phase in mice following aerosol infection. By contrast, otsB2 is not essential for the chronic infection phase in mice, highlighting the substantial remodelling of trehalose metabolism during infection by M. tuberculosis. Blocking OtsB2 resulted in the accumulation of its substrate T6P, which appears to be toxic, leading to the self-poisoning of cells. Accordingly, blocking T6P production in a ΔotsA mutant abrogated otsB2 essentiality. T6P accumulation elicited a global upregulation of more than 800 genes, which might result from an increase in RNA stability implied by the enhanced neutralization of toxins exhibiting ribonuclease activity. Surprisingly, overlap with the stress response caused by the accumulation of another toxic sugar phosphate molecule, maltose-1-phosphate, was minimal. A genome-wide screen for synthetic lethal interactions with otsA identified numerous genes, revealing additional potential drug targets synergistic with OtsB2 suitable for combination therapies that would minimize the emergence of resistance to OtsB2 inhibitors.

Trehalose biosynthesis is considered an attractive target for the development of new drugs against various microbial pathogens including Mycobacterium tuberculosis. In this human pathogen, two partially redundant pathways mediate trehalose biosynthesis. The OtsA-OtsB2 pathway, which dominates in culture, involves trehalose-6-phosphate (T6P) synthase OtsA and T6P phosphatase OtsB2. While OtsA is dispensable, OtsB2 is strictly essential for growth of M. tuberculosis. Using conditional gene silencing, we here show that essentiality of OtsB2 is linked to accumulation of its substrate T6P, which exhibits direct or indirect toxic effects. Regulated gene expression in vivo revealed that OtsB2 is required to establish an acute infection of M. tuberculosis in a mouse infection model, but is surprisingly fully dispensable during the chronic infection phase. This highlights that trehalose metabolism of M. tuberculosis is substantially remodelled during infection.

Metabolic Network for the Biosynthesis of Intra- and Extracellular α-Glucans Required for Virulence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Mycobacterium tuberculosis synthesizes intra- and extracellular α-glucans that were believed to originate from separate pathways. The extracellular glucose polymer is the main constituent of the mycobacterial capsule that is thought to be involved in immune evasion and virulence. However, the role of the α-glucan capsule in pathogenesis has remained enigmatic due to an incomplete understanding of α-glucan biosynthetic pathways preventing the generation of capsule-deficient mutants. Three separate and potentially redundant pathways had been implicated in α-glucan biosynthesis in mycobacteria: the GlgC-GlgA, the Rv3032 and the TreS-Pep2-GlgE pathways. We now show that α-glucan in mycobacteria is exclusively assembled intracellularly utilizing the building block α-maltose-1-phosphate as the substrate for the maltosyltransferase GlgE, with subsequent branching of the polymer by the branching enzyme GlgB. Some α-glucan is exported to form the α-glucan capsule. There is an unexpected convergence of the TreS-Pep2 and GlgC-GlgA pathways that both generate α-maltose-1-phosphate. While the TreS-Pep2 route from trehalose was already known, we have now established that GlgA forms this phosphosugar from ADP-glucose and glucose 1-phosphate 1000-fold more efficiently than its hitherto described glycogen synthase activity. The two routes are connected by the common precursor ADP-glucose, allowing compensatory flux from one route to the other. Having elucidated this unexpected configuration of the metabolic pathways underlying α-glucan biosynthesis in mycobacteria, an M. tuberculosis double mutant devoid of α-glucan could be constructed, showing a direct link between the GlgE pathway, α-glucan biosynthesis and virulence in a mouse infection model.

Capsule formation is critical for the virulence of many bacterial and fungal pathogens. Mycobacterium tuberculosis cells are known to be surrounded by a capsule layer that is mainly composed of an α-glucan glucose polymer that resembles glycogen. Progress in understanding its role in the virulence of this important human pathogen has been held back by a lack of knowledge of its biosynthesis, preventing the generation of α-glucan-deficient mutants that could be tested in animal infection models. In this work, we unraveled an unexpected metabolic network configuration revealing the exclusive production of both intracellular and capsular α-glucans by the maltosyltransferase GlgE in mycobacteria. GlgE polymerizes an α-maltose 1-phosphate building block, which is generated by two alternative pathways that are connected by a common intermediate allowing rechanneling of flux from one route to the other. Elucidation of this unexpected configuration of the metabolic pathways underlying α-glucan biosynthesis allowed the rational construction of an M. tuberculosis mutant strain devoid of α-glucan, showing a direct link between the GlgE pathway, α-glucan biosynthesis and virulence in a mouse infection model.