Search

Nitrogen-nitrogen bond-containing functional groups are rare, but they are found in a considerably wide class of natural products. Recent clarifications of the biosynthetic routes for such functional groups shed light onto overlooked biosynthetic genes distributed across the bacterial kingdom, highlighting the presence of yet-to-be identified natural products with peculiar functional groups. Here, the genome-mining approach targeting a unique hydrazine-forming gene led to the discovery of actinopyridazinones A (

Thioviridamide, prethioviridamide, and JBIR-140, which are ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptides (RiPPs) possessing five thioamide bonds, induce selective apoptosis in various cancer cells, especially those expressing the adenovirus oncogene E1A. However, the target protein of this unique family of bioactive compounds was previously unknown. To investigate the mechanism of action, we adopted a combined approach of genome-wide shRNA library screening, transcriptome profiling, and biochemical identification of prethioviridamide-binding proteins. An shRNA screen identified 63 genes involved in cell sensitivity to prethioviridamide, which included translation initiation factors, aminoacyl tRNA synthetases, and mitochondrial proteins. Transcriptome profiling and subsequent analysis revealed that prethioviridamide induces the integrated stress response (ISR) through the GCN2-ATF4 pathway, which is likely to cause cell death. Furthermore, we found that prethioviridamide binds and inhibits respiratory chain complex V (F1Fo-ATP synthase) in mitochondria, suggesting that inhibition of complex V leads to activation of the GCN2-ATF4 pathway. These results imply that the members of a unique family of RiPPs with polythioamide structure target mitochondria to induce the ISR.

Peptidyl nucleoside antibiotics (PNAs) are a diverse class of natural products with promising biomedical activities. These compounds have tripartite structures composed of a core saccharide, a nucleobase, and one or more amino acids. In particular, amipurimycin and the miharamycins are novel 2-aminopurinyl PNAs with complex nine-carbon core saccharides and include the unusual amino acids (–)-cispentacin and N(5)-hydroxyarginine, respectively. Despite their interesting structures and properties, these PNAs have heretofore eluded biochemical scrutiny. Herein is reported the discovery and initial characterization of the miharamycin gene cluster in Streptomyces miharaensis (mhr) and the amipurimycin gene cluster (amc) in Streptomyces novoguineensis and Streptomyces sp. SN-C1. The gene clusters were identified using a comparative genomics approach, and heterologous expression of the amc cluster as well as gene interruption experiments in the mhr cluster support their role in the biosynthesis of amipurimycin and the miharamycins, respectively. The mhr and amc biosynthetic gene clusters characterized encode enzymes typical of polyketide biosynthesis instead of enzymes commonly associated with PNA biosynthesis, which along with labeled precursor feeding studies, implies that the core saccharides found in the miharamycins and amipurimycin are partially assembled as polyketides rather than derived solely from carbohydrates. Furthermore, in vitro analysis of Mhr20 and Amc18 established their roles as ATP-grasp ligases involved in the attachment of the pendant amino acids found in these PNAs, and Mhr24 was found to be an unusual hydroxylase involved in the biosynthesis of N(5)-hydroxyarginine. Finally, analysis of the amc cluster and feeding studies also led to the proposal of a biosynthetic pathway for (–)-cispentacin.

During genome mining for thioviridamide-like biosynthetic gene clusters that could produce polythioamide RiPP (ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptides), we discovered a novel cryptic biosynthetic gene cluster. During efforts to express this biosynthetic gene using heterologous expression of this biosynthetic gene cluster, a novel compound designated as neothioviridamide was produced. We report herein the cloning and heterologous expression of the neothioviridamide biosynthetic gene cluster and the isolation, structure determination, and cytotoxic activity of neothioviridamide.

JBIR-78 (1) and JBIR-95 (2), both of which are heptapeptide derivatives isolated from Kibdelosporangium sp. AK-AA56, have the same amino acid sequences except for the second amino acid: phenylacetic acid (Paa)-l-Val-d-Asp (1)/d-cysteic acid (2)-l-Ala-(3S)-3-hydroxy-d-Leu-Gly-d-Ala-l-Phe. Heterologous expression of the biosynthetic gene cluster including genes encoding nonribosomal peptide synthetases (NRPS) and in vitro assays with recombinant Orf3, an l-cysteic acid synthase homologue, suggested the single A domain in module 2 activates both l-Asp and l-cysteic acid to yield 1 and 2, respectively, although the substrate specificities of the A domains of NRPSs are usually strict. Biosynthetic mechanism of introduction of N-terminal Paa was also investigated. Recombinant Orf1 and Orf2 similar to subunits of pyruvate dehydrogenase complex catalyzed the conversion of phenylpyruvate into phenylacetyl-CoA together with dihydrolipoyl dehydrogenase whose encoding gene is located outside of the gene cluster. Moreover, we showed that phenylacetyl-CoA was directly condensed with l-Val, which was tethered to a peptidyl carrier protein, at the first condensation domain in the NRPS.

We recently revealed that a Streptomyces strain possesses the gene encoding amino group carrier protein (AmCP). AmCP is involved in the biosynthesis of a previously unidentified nonproteinogenic amino acid, (2S,6R)-diamino-(5R,7)-dihydroxy-heptanoic acid (DADH), which is a core compound for the synthesis of the dipeptide-containing novel natural product vazabitide A. We used polymerase chain reaction (PCR) screening to investigate the diversity of the biosynthetic machinery that uses AmCP; the results revealed that genes encoding AmCP are widely distributed among actinomycetes. The heterologous expression of the AmCP-containing gene cluster from Streptomyces sp. SoC090715LN-17 led to the discovery of s56-p1, a novel natural product. The structure of s56-p1 was determined by spectroscopic analysis; the results revealed that s56-p1 has a putative DADH-derived molecule as the core and also possesses a unique hydrazone unit that is rarely observed in natural products. Our results pave the way for investigations of unexploited AmCP-mediated biosynthesis routes among actinomycetes and of the biosynthetic mechanism of the unique hydrazone unit.

Two benzo analogues of cytotoxic spiromamakone A, comprising carbon atoms with the same oxidation state and unsaturation degree as those of the natural products, are synthesized and biologically evaluated. Substitution of α,α'-dioxoketene dithioacetals, derived from 1,3-cyclopentanediones with protected (2-formylphenyl)magnesium bromide and 1,8-dihydroxynaphthalene, followed by deprotection, generated these analogues via an intramolecular aldol reaction. The cytotoxicity of benzo analogues and synthetic intermediates against cervical carcinoma HeLa cells shows the necessity of the 4-cyclopentene-1,3-dione moiety for biological activity.

JBIR-141 (1) and JBIR-142 (2) were discovered as potent Foxo3a inhibitors that consist of three quite unique substructures, a 1-((dimethylamino)ethyl)-5-methyl-4,5-dihydrooxazole-4-carboxylic acid that is originated from Ala-Thr amino acid residues, a 3-acetoxy-4-amino-7-(hydroxy(nitroso)amino)-2,2-dimethylheptanoic acid, and an α-acyl tetramic acid fused with a 2-methylpropan-1-ol moiety. Their structures involving absolute configurations were determined by spectroscopic data, chemical degradation, anisotropy methods, and LC-MS analyses of diastereomeric derivatives. Compounds 1 and 2 exhibited specific inhibition against Foxo3a transcriptional activity with IC50 values of 23.1 and 166.2 nM, respectively.

The planar and stereostructures of JBIR-108 isolated from Streptomyces gramineus IR087Pi-4 were determined partly by spectral analysis, and these structural assignments were confirmed and completed by the total synthesis of both 1-epimers. The key stereocenters in JBIR-108 were constructed via a Corey-Bakshi-Shibata (CBS) reduction (C-1), vinylogous Mukaiyama aldol reaction (C-7), and Brown crotylation (C-14 and C-15). Although it was difficult to determine the stereochemistries at the C-1 and C-7 positions in the natural product using the modified Mosher's method, the synthesis of two possible C-1 diastereomers enabled the identification of the configurations at the hitherto unknown stereocenters.

Development of efficient methods for preparation of bioactive nonribosomal peptides, containing densely functionalized nonproteinogenic amino acids, is an important task in organic synthesis. We have employed a concise synthesis for such amino acids by asymmetric aldol addition coupled with an isomeric resolution via diastereoselective cyclization. This approach is successfully applied to the first total synthesis of the cyclic hexapeptide aglycone of the mannopeptimycins, a group of glycopeptides known for potent activity against drug-resistant bacteria. The facile preparation of the key amino acids and the synthesis of the aglycone pave the way for further studies on this class of antibiotics and the development of new lead compounds with therapeutic potential. In addition, our studies have led to the revision of the stereochemistry of the β-methylphenylalanine residue in the mannopeptimycin aglycone.

Conjugation of small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) to protein (SUMOylation) regulates multiple biological systems by changing the functions and fates of a large number of proteins. Consequently, abnormalities in SUMOylation have been linked to multiple diseases, including breast cancer. Using an in situ cell-based screening system, we have identified spectomycin B1 and related natural products as novel SUMOylation inhibitors. Unlike known SUMOylation inhibitors such as ginkgolic acid, spectomycin B1 directly binds to E2 (Ubc9) and selectively blocks the formation of the E2-SUMO intermediate; that is, Ubc9 is the direct target of spectomycin B1. Importantly, either spectomycin B1 treatment or Ubc9 knockdown inhibited estrogen-dependent proliferation of MCF7 human breast-cancer cells. Our findings suggest that Ubc9 inhibitors such as spectomycin B1 have potential as therapeutic agents against hormone-dependent breast cancers.

Three new prenylated flavonoids, namely, solophenols B (1), C (2), and D (3), as well as a new prenylated stilbene, solomonin (4), were isolated from propolis collected from the Solomon Islands. In addition, 17 known compounds were identified. The structures of the new compounds were determined by a combination of methods, including mass spectrometry and NMR. These new compounds and several known compounds were tested for antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Most of them exhibited potent antibacterial activity. These findings may indicate that propolis from the Solomon Islands has potential applications as an ingredient in food additives or pharmaceuticals.

JBIR-129 was isolated as the potent cytotoxic compound, which consists of the 34-membered polyol macrolide skeleton with five sugar moieties. The relative configuration of the aglycone moiety (C7-C27 and C33-C39) was established by the J-based configuration analysis using vicinal (1)H-(1)H (from (1)H NMR and PS-DQF-COSY spectra) and long-range (1)H-(13)C coupling constants (from sge-HETLOC and several J-resolved HMBC spectra) with steric information obtained from ROESY.

Tyrosyl-DNA phosphodiesterase 1 (Tdp1) is an enzyme that catalyzes hydrolysis of 3'-phosphotyrosyl bonds and is involved in repair of irreversible topoisomerase I (Top1)-DNA covalent complexes. Tdp1 inhibitors are regarded as potential cancer therapeutics in combination with Top1 inhibitors, which are currently used to treat human cancers. While screening for Tdp1 inhibitors, we discovered a novel compound, JBIR-21 (1), from the culture of an anamorphic fungus, RF-13305. The structure of 1 was established by extensive NMR and MS analyses. Compound 1 showed inhibitory activity against Tdp1 (IC(50) value, 18 μM) and cytotoxic activity against cancer cell lines (IC(50) values, 3.5-13 μM). Compound 1 also exhibited antitumor activity in a mouse xenograft model without adverse effects.

Searching for metabolites from Streptomyces sp. RI051-SDHV6 resulted in the discovery of a novel peptide, JBIR-96 (1). The structure of 1 was established as an N-phenylacetylated pentapeptide involving a cysteic acid and a peptide lactone structure by extensive NMR and MS analyses. In addition, the absolute configuration of 1 was established by Marfey's and modified Mosher's methods.

The total synthesis of destruxin E (1) has been achieved for the first time, and the stereochemistry of its chiral center at the epoxide has been determined to be (S). The cyclization precursor 3a was synthesized by solid-phase peptide synthesis. Macrolactonization of 3a utilizing MNBA-DMAPO, followed by formation of the epoxide, then furnished destruxin E. Its diastereomer, epi-destruxin E (2), was also synthesized in the same manner. Furthermore, the biological evaluation indicated that destruxin E exhibits V-ATPase inhibitory activity 10-fold greater than that of epi-destruxin E.

Ribosomally produced thiopeptide antibiotics are highly promising lead compounds targeting the GTPase-associated region (GAR) of the bacterial ribosome. A representative panel of GAR mutants suspected to confer resistance against thiopeptide antibiotics was reconstituted in vitro and quantitatively studied with fluorescent probes. It was found that single-site mutations of the ribosomal 23S rRNA binding site region directly affect thiopeptide affinity. Quantitative equilibrium binding data clearly identified A1067 as the base contributing most strongly to the binding environment. The P25 residue on the ribosomal protein L11 was essential for binding of the monocyclic thiopeptides micrococcin and promothiocin B, confirming that the mutation of this residue in the producer organism confers self-resistance. For the bicyclic thiopeptides thiostrepton and nosiheptide, all studied single-site resistance mutations on the L11 protein were still fully capable of ligand binding in the upper pM range, both in the RNA-protein complex and in isolated 70S ribosomes. These single-site mutants were then specifically reconstituted in Bacillus subtilis, confirming their efficacy as resistance-conferring. It is thus reasoned that, in contrast to modifications of the 23S rRNA in the GAR, mutations of the L11 protein do not counteract binding of bicyclic thiopeptides, but allow the ribosome to bypass the protein biosynthesis blockade enforced by these antibiotics in the wild type.

Two new anthracyclines, tetracenoquinocin (1) and 5-iminoaranciamycin (2), together with the known compounds aranciamycin (3) and antibiotic SM 173B were isolated from the culture of Streptomyces sp. Sp080513GE-26 associated with a marine sponge, Haliclona sp. The structures of 1 and 2 were established on the basis of extensive NMR and MS analyses along with (13)C-labeling experiments. The compounds 1-3 were evaluated for cytotoxicity against two cancer cell lines.

In the course of our screening program for isoprenoids of marine actinobacterial origin, 523 actinobacterial strains were isolated from marine samples. Actinobacteria usually use the 2-C-methyl-d-erythritol 4-phosphate pathway for the production of primary metabolites, but some have been reported to use the mevalonate (MVA) pathway for the production of isoprenoids as secondary metabolites. 3-Hydroxy-3-methyl glutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMGR) is a key enzyme and plays an important role in the MVA pathway. Therefore, we screened strains possessing the HMGR gene from the 523 strains mentioned above and also investigated isoprenoid compounds from cultures of strains possessing HMGR genes. As a result, Streptomyces sp. SpC080624SC-11 isolated from a marine sponge, Cinachyra sp., was shown to possess the HMGR gene and produce novel isoprenoids, JBIR-46 (1), -47 (2), and -48 (3). On the basis of extensive NMR and MS analyses, the structures of 1-3 were determined to be phenazine derivatives harboring dimethylallyl moieties. Furthermore, the isoprene units of 2 and 3 were confirmed to be synthesized via the MVA pathway in a feeding experiment using [1-(13)C]acetate.

[structure: see text] Versipelostatin is the first compound which specifically inhibits the expression of GRP78 and the resultant robust cell death under stress conditions, in contrast to the weak cytotoxicity under normal conditions. Versipelostatin consists of a macrocyclic aglycone with an alpha-acyltetronic acid and three sugar moieties. The relative and absolute configuration of the aglycone moiety was established to be 4S, 5S, 6R, 9S, 10S, 13S, 16R, 18R, 19R, 20R, 24R, 27R, and 29S utilizing NMR techniques.

Two new modified indole-containing peptides, JBIR-34 (1) and JBIR-35 (2), were isolated from the fermentation broth of a sponge-derived actinomycete identified by phylogenetic methods as a Streptomyces sp. (strain Sp080513GE-23). The planar structures of 1 and 2 were assigned on the basis of 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy and MS analyses. Further, the absolute configurations of the amino acid residues were determined using Marfey's method.

A novel compound, benthophoenin {1}, was isolated from the mycelium of Streptomyces prunicolor. The structure of 1 was determined mainly by nmr spectral analysis to be a phenazine carboxylic acid with a geranyl and two benzoyl residues

Telomestatin is a natural product isolated from Streptomyces anulatus 3533-SV4 and has been shown to be a very potent telomerase inhibitor. The structural similarity between telomestatin and a G-tetrad suggested to us that the telomerase inhibition might be due to its ability either to facilitate the formation of or trap out preformed G-quadruplex structures, and thereby sequester single-stranded d[T(2)AG(3)](n) primer molecules required for telomerase activity. Significantly, telomestatin appears to be a more potent inhibitor of telomerase (5 nM) than any of the previously described G-quadruplex-interactive molecules. In this communication we provide the first experimental evidence that telomestatin selectively facilitates the formation of or stabilizes intramolecular G-quadruplexes, in particular, that produced from the human telomeric sequence d[T(2)AG(3)](4). A simulated annealing (SA) docking approach was used to study the binding interactions of telomestatin with the intramolecular antiparallel G-quadruplex structure. Each intramolecular G-quadruplex molecule was found to bind two telomestatin molecules (unpublished results). A 2:1 model for the telomestatin bound in the external stacking mode in an energy minimized complex with the human telomeric basket-type G-quadruplex was constructed. Our observation that a G-quadruplex-interactive molecule without significant groove interactions is able to reorient in a G-quadruplex structure proints to the importance of core interaction with an asymmetric G-quadruplex structure in producing selective binding. Furthermore, the G-quadruplex interactions of telomestatin are more selective for the intramolecular structure in contrast to other G-quadruplex-interactive agents, such as TMPyP4.