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Specific inhibitors of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) mediate anticancer effects by augmenting the tumor-killing activity of natural killer (NK) cells. In this study, new PP2A inhibitors, aminocytostatins A-E, were isolated from Kitasatospora sp. MJ654-NF4 and structurally characterized. Aminocytostatins are derivatives of cytostatin, which is a specific PP2A inhibitor isolated from the same organism, and aminocytostatins have a characteristic amino group within the lactone moiety. Compared to cytostatin, aminocytostatin A showed a stronger inhibitory activity against PP2A in vitro and augmented the tumor-killing activity of NK cells in vivo. Furthermore, a docking model was generated to demonstrate the favorable activities of aminocytostatin A.

In the course of screening for new antimicrobial compounds, a new antibiotic substance named saccharobipyrimicin was isolated from the leaf-litter actinomycete Saccharothrix sp. MM696L-181F4. The structure of saccharobipyrimicin was elucidated by various spectral methods, mainly single-crystal X-ray analysis and chemical degradation. It revealed that saccharobipyrimicin contained a 2,2'-bipyridine skeletal structure. Saccharobipyrimicin showed moderate and broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity. Two chemical derivatives of saccharobipyrimicin showed weaker antimicrobial activities than that of saccharobipyrimicin against most test microorganisms except two tolC mutants of Escherichia coli and Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

A Nonomuraea sp. strain MM565M-173N2 was isolated from deep-sea sediment off the Sanriku coast, and new antibiotics were evaluated against carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE), which is a problematic group of bacteria because of their antimicrobial resistance. From 220 l of fermented broth from strain MM565M-173N2, we isolated four new antibiotics by gel filtration and HPLC, designated as sealutomicins A (1.8 mg), B (1.5 mg), C (0.8 mg), and D (0.8 mg). Their structures were determined from MS, NMR, and CD spectra. Sealutomicin A was found to be a new enediyne antibiotic, while sealutomicins B-D were aromatized products from sealutomicin A. Sealutomicin A showed strong antibacterial activity (MIC 0.05-0.2 μg ml-1) against CRE.

Large regions in tumor tissues, particularly pancreatic cancer, are hypoxic and nutrient-deprived because of unregulated cell growth and insufficient vascular supply. Certain cancer cells, such as those inside a tumor, can tolerate these severe conditions and survive for prolonged periods. We hypothesized that small molecular agents, which can preferentially reduce cancer cell survival under nutrient-deprived conditions, could function as anticancer drugs. In this study, we constructed a high-throughput screening system to identify such small molecules and screened chemical libraries and microbial culture extracts. We were able to determine that some small molecular compounds, such as penicillic acid, papyracillic acid, and auranofin, exhibit preferential cytotoxicity to human pancreatic cancer cells under nutrient-deprived compared with nutrient-sufficient conditions. Further analysis revealed that these compounds target to redox systems such as GSH and thioredoxin and induce accumulation of reactive oxygen species in nutrient-deprived cancer cells, potentially contributing to apoptosis under nutrient-deprived conditions. Nutrient-deficient cancer cells are often deficient in GSH; thus, they are susceptible to redox system inhibitors. Targeting redox systems might be an attractive therapeutic strategy under nutrient-deprived conditions of the tumor microenvironment.

NMR spectroscopy has recently been utilized to determine the absolute amounts of organic molecules with metrological traceability since signal intensity is directly proportional to the number of each nucleus in a molecule. The NMR methodology that uses hydrogen nucleus (1H) to quantify chemicals is called quantitative 1H-NMR (1H qNMR). The quantitative method using 1H qNMR for determining the purity or content of chemicals has been adopted into some compendial guidelines and official standards. However, there are still few reports in the literature regarding validation of 1H qNMR methodology. Here, we coordinated an international collaborative study to validate a 1H qNMR based on the use of an internal calibration methodology. Thirteen laboratories participated in this study, and the purities of three samples were individually measured using 1H qNMR method. The three samples were all certified via conventional primary methods of measurement, such as butyl p-hydroxybenzoate Japanese Pharmacopeia (JP) reference standard certified by mass balance; benzoic acid certified reference material (CRM) certified by coulometric titration; fludioxonil CRM certified by a combination of freezing point depression method and 1H qNMR. For each sample, 1H qNMR experiments were optimized before quantitative analysis. The results showed that the measured values of each sample were equivalent to the corresponding reference labeled value. Furthermore, assessment of these 1H qNMR data using the normalized error, En-value, concluded that statistically 1H qNMR has the competence to obtain the same quantification performance and accuracy as the conventional primary methods of measurement.

Leucinostatin Y, a new peptaibiotic, was isolated from the culture broth of the entomoparasitic fungus Purpureocillium lilacinum 40-H-28. The planar structure was elucidated by detailed analysis of its NMR and MS/MS data. The absolute configurations of the amino acids were partially determined by an advanced Marfey's method. The biological activities of leucinostatin Y were assessed using human pancreatic cancer cells, revealing the importance of the C-terminus of leucinostatins for preferential cytotoxicity to cancer cells under glucose-deprived conditions and inhibition of mitochondrial function.

Influenza virus RNA polymerase has cap-dependent endonuclease activity that produces capped RNA fragments for priming viral mRNA synthesis. This enzymatic activity is essential for viral propagation, but it is not present in any host cellular enzyme, making it an attractive target for the development of anti-influenza drugs. Here, we isolated a novel inhibitor of cap-dependent endonuclease, named flupyranochromene, from the fermentation broth of the fungus Penicillium sp. f28743. Structural analysis revealed that this compound bears a putative pharmacophore that chelates divalent metal ion(s) present in the endonuclease active site in the PA subunit of the polymerase. Consistently, in vitro endonuclease assays showed that flupyranochromene exerts its inhibitory effects by blocking endonucleolytic cleavage by the PA subunit of viral RNA polymerase complex.

A series of analogs of vegfrecine, a natural quinone vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor, was synthesized via oxidative amination of 2,5-dihydroxybenzamide with functionalized arylamine followed by ammonolysis and substitution of the quinone ring. The inhibitory activities of the analogs against the VEGFR-1 and -2 tyrosine kinases were assayed in vitro with the aim to identify a compound suitable to treat cancer and inflammatory diseases. Alterations of the functionality of the phenyl group, substitution of the quinone ring, and oxidative cyclization of the 1-carboxamide-2-aminoquinone moiety to form an isoxazole quinone ring were examined. Introduction of halo- and alkyl-substituents at the 5'-position of the phenyl ring resulted in potent inhibition of the VEGFR-1 and -2 tyrosine kinases. In particular, structural modification at C-5' on the phenyl ring was shown to significantly affect the selectivity of the inhibition between the VEGFR-1 and -2 tyrosine kinases. Compound 8, 5'-methyl-vegfrecine, showed superior selectivity toward the VEGFR-2 tyrosine kinase over the VEGFR-1 tyrosine kinase.

Metacytofilin (MCF) was isolated from the fungus Metarhizium sp. TA2759. Although MCF possesses anti-Toxoplasma activity, the effects of this compound against other parasites are unknown. Here, we evaluated the in vitro anti-malarial activity of MCF against the 3D7 strain and the chloroquine-resistant K1 strain of Plasmodium falciparum. The half maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC50) of MCF against the 3D7 and K-1 strains following culture for 48 h were 666 nM and 605 nM, respectively. Artemisinin was more potent than MCF against both strains (3D7 IC50: 17.4 nM; K-1 IC50: 18.3 nM), while chloroquine was ineffective against the chloroquine-resistant strain (3D7 IC50: 39.1 nM; K-1 IC50: 1.62 μM). MCF affected the ring stage of the parasites, resulting in their death as shown by spots within red blood cells. MCF also inhibited parasite growth following culture for 72 h (3D7 IC50, 285 nM). Four optical isomers of cyclo[Leu-Phe]-diketopiperazine derivatives with modified methoxy and/or hydroxyl groups lost anti-malarial activity, suggesting that the spatial positions of the methoxy and hydroxyl groups in MCF play an important role in its anti-malarial effects. Together, these data suggest that MCF may represent a promising lead compound for treatment of drug-resistant malarial parasites.

Two new dimeric cyclohexapeptides, chloptosins B and C, were discovered from the culture broth of Embleya sp. MM621-AF10 together with the known compounds chloptosin and L-156,602. The structures of the new chloptosins were determined by spectroscopic studies and advanced Marfey’s methods. The stereo structure of the constituent isoleucine was determined by C3 Marfey’s analysis. Chloptosins demonstrated potent antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria including drug-resistant strains of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and vancomycin-resistant enterococci with MICs of 0.5–2 µg ml−1. The antimicrobial activities of chloptosins were enhanced by addition of co-producing compound L-156,602, as shown by checkerboard analysis.

Stereospecific β-l-rhamnopyranosylations were conducted using a 1,2-anhydro-l-rhamnopyranose donor and mono-ol or diol acceptors in the presence of a glycosyl-acceptor-derived borinic or boronic ester. Reactions proceeded smoothly to provide the corresponding β-l-rhamnopyranosides (β-l-Rhap) with complete stereoselectivity in moderate to high yields without any further additives under mild conditions. Mechanistic studies of the borinic ester mediated glycosylation using 13 C kinetic isotope effect (KIE) measurements and DFT calculations were consistent with a concerted SN i mechanism with an exploded transition state. In addition, the present glycosylation method was applied successfully to the synthesis of a trisaccharide, α-l-Rhap-(1,2)-β-l-Rhap-(1,4)-Glcp, derived from Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes 7B, 7C, and 7D.

Regio- and 1,2-cis-stereoselective chemical glycosylation of unprotected glycosyl acceptors has been in great demand for the efficient synthesis of natural glycosides. However, simultaneously regulating these selectivities has been a longstanding problem in synthetic organic chemistry. In nature, glycosyl transferases catalyze regioselective 1,2-cis-glycosylations via the SNi mechanism, yet no useful chemical glycosylations based on this mechanism have been developed. In this paper, we report a highly regio- and 1,2-cis-stereoselective SNi-type glycosylation of 1,2-anhydro donors and unprotected sugar acceptors using p-nitrophenylboronic acid (10e) as a catalyst in the presence of water under mild conditions. Highly controlled regio- and 1,2-cis-stereoselectivities were achieved via the combination of boron-mediated carbohydrate recognition and the SNi-type mechanism. Mechanistic studies using the KIEs and DFT calculations were consistent with a highly dissociative concerted SNi mechanism. This glycosylat...

Drug-resistant bacteria are still emerging, and screening of new skeletal antibiotics is important. During our continuous screening for antimicrobial agents, we discovered a new antimicrobial, named quadoctomycin, from solid culture of Streptomyces sp. MM168-141F8. The substance was purified by solvent extraction, silica gel chromatography and HPLC. Structural elucidation of quadoctomycin was performed by MS and NMR analyses and chemical degradation. Quadoctomycin possesses a 48-membered polyol macrolide skeleton in which an α-D-mannoside is connected to C-22 by an O-glycosidic linkage. The structure of quadoctomycin was found to be related to that of monazomycin A based on the analyses of NMR spectra in the same solvent (pyridine-d5). Quadoctomycin showed potent antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, including methicillin-resistant S. aureus, and other Gram-positive pathogenic bacteria such as Enterococcus faecalis and E. faecium (including drug-resistant strains), but did not show activity toward Gram-negative bacteria or Candida albicans.The Journal of Antibiotics advance online publication 15 November 2017; doi:10.1038/ja.2017.140.

In the course of optimizing pargamicin A production in Amycolatopsis sp. ML1-hF4, we discovered novel cyclic depsipeptide compounds in the broth and designated them valgamicins A, C, T and V. The structures of these molecules were determined by spectroscopic studies, advanced Marfey's method and X-ray crystal structural analysis. Valgamicin C contains the extremely rare amino acid cleonine. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a cleonine-containing metabolite from a naturally isolated microorganism without any breeding or mutation treatment. None of the valgamicins showed potent antibacterial activity against either Gram-positive or -negative bacteria. Valgamicins A, C and T exhibited moderate cytotoxicity against human tumor cell lines.The Journal of Antibiotics advance online publication, 15 November 2017; doi:10.1038/ja.2017.135.

Osteoblast and adipocyte are differentiated from mesenchymal stem cells and dysregulation of the differentiation might result in disease, such as osteoporosis and diabetes. To find small compounds that induce osteoblast differentiation, we screened an in-house natural compounds library with mouse preosteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells using alkaline phosphatase (ALP) expression as an early osteoblast marker. We found that phenazine-1-carboxylic acid (PCA), one of the major phenazine derivatives produced by Pseudomonas, induced osteoblast differentiation in the cells at micromolar concentrations. PCA acted synergistically with an agonist of hedgehog signaling in inducing ALP activity in the cells. We also found that 2-hydroxy-PCA (2H-PCA) induced osteoblast differentiation in the cells but 2-methoxy-PCA and 1-hydroxy-phenazine did not. Unexpectedly, treatment of mouse pluripotent mesenchymal C3H10T1/2 cells with PCA or 2H-PCA induced an obvious morphological change. Oil Red O staining and real-time reverse-transcription PCR analysis revealed that PCA induced not osteoblast differentiation but adipocyte differentiation in C3H10T1/2 cells. These compounds could allow us to investigate the mechanism of osteoblast and adipocyte differentiation in the two model cell systems through a chemical biology approach.

Two new 4’-acetylated analogs of chrysomycin were discovered during the screening for antitumor agents from the metabolites of actinomycetes. Their structures and physicochemical properties were determined by standard spectrometric analyses. Their cytotoxicities and antimicrobial activities were evaluated against a panel of cancer cell lines and microbes. While acetylation reinforced the cytotoxicity of chrysomycin B, it weakened the activity of chrysomycin A. Chrysomycin A and its acetylated analog showed high cytotoxicity toward most of the cancer cells with IC50s less than 10 ng ml−1. The 4’-acetyl-chrysomycin A was predominantly observed in nuclei at concentrations where the autofluorescence was observable. Chrysomycins were effective toward Gram-positive bacteria. The 4’-acetylated-chrysomycin A and B had MICs of 0.5–2 μg ml−1 and 2 to greater than 64 μg ml−1, respectively, toward Gram-positive bacteria including MRSA and VRE.

Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways that direct cellular responses are involved in various biological processes; the RAS-RAF-MEK-ERK pathway is one of the most important MAPK pathways. It is frequently activated in human malignant tumors such as melanomas, thyroid tumors and colorectal carcinomas. Therefore, targeting this pathway has been considered an attractive strategy for new anticancer drugs. In particular, MEK is a promising target because it is a kinase that directly phosphorylates ERK. We performed a screening to discover new MEK inhibitors, and found a guanine derivative produced by Streptomyces sp. MK63-43F2. This guanine derivative was identified to be 2-amino-4-methoxy-5-cyanopyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine (1) through spectroscopic analysis. Compound 1 inhibited MEK1 kinase activity in an ATP-dependent manner and suppressed the phosphorylation of ERK in cancer cells and cell proliferation. Therefore, 1 might be a potent lead compound for new MEK inhibitors.The Journal of Antibiotics advance online publication, 6 September 2017; doi:10.1038/ja.2017.100.

Structure and antibacterial activities of new cyclic peptide antibiotics, pargamicins B, C and D, from Amycolatopsis sp. ML1-hF4

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is a severe malignancy with early and widespread metastasis, and novel therapeutic drugs are needed. To identify cytotoxic natural compounds against SCLC, we screened libraries of microbial fermentation broths using several lung cancer cell lines. We found that the actinomycete strain MG372-hF19 produces a compound that has not been isolated from natural sources but previously chemically synthesized, 6-chloro-1H-indole-3-carboxaldehyde (1), and an entirely new compound, named 6-deoxy-α-L-talopyranose 1-(6-chloro-1H-indole-3-carboxylate) (2), together with leptomycins. The molecular formulas of the compounds were established as C9H6ClNO and C15H16ClNO6, respectively, via high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, and their structures were determined using detailed NMR. Absolute configurational analysis of the sugar unit of compound 2 revealed that the compound incorporates the rare deoxyhexose 6-deoxy-α-L-talopyranose. Both compounds exhibited weak growth-inhibiting activities against human lung cancer cell lines.

application/pdf, Natural resources are recognized as important sources of potential drugs for treating various infections, and microorganisms are a rich natural source of diverse compounds. Among the world's microorganisms, actinomycetes, which are abundant in soil and marine, are the well-known producers of a wide range of bioactive secondary metabolites and antibiotics. In the present study, four actinomycetes (samples N25, N6, N18, and N12) were isolated from soil samples in Mongolia. Phylogenetic analysis of these isolates revealed that they share the highest similarity with Streptomyces canus (N25), S. cirratus (N6), S. bacillaris (N18) and S. peucetius (N12), based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Crude extracts were obtained from them using ethyl acetate, and the crude fractions were separated by thin layer chromatography. The fractions were then evaluated for their cytotoxicities and their anti-Toxoplasma and antimalarial activities in vitro. The S. canus (N25) crude extract was selected for further chemical characterization based on its antiprotozoal activities. Using liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry, phenazine-1-carboxylic acid (PCA) was detected and identified in the active fractions of the metabolites from strain N25. We next confirmed that commercially available PCA possesses antiprotozoal activity against T. gondii (IC50: 55.5 μg/ml) and Plasmodium falciparum (IC50: 6.4 μg/ml) in vitro. The results of this study reveal that soil actinomycetes are potential sources of antiprotozoal compounds, and that PCA merits further investigation as an anti-protozoal agent.

A resveratrol (Res) hexamer (vaticanol M ( 1 )) and two O -glucosides of 1 (vatcasides E ( 2 ) and F ( 3 )) and an epimer of 2 (vatcaside G ( 4 )) were isolated from three Vatica species— Vatica bantamensis , Vatica chinensis , and Vatica albiramis . The structures with a 3-(3,5-dihydroxyphenyl)-4,6-dihydroxy-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2,3-dihydro-1 H -inden-1-yl group on the C-12 position of (−)-vaticanol B ( 5 ) were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis, including NMR experiments, conformational search by a MacroModel module, and circular dichroism data.

New asteltoxins C (3) and D (4) were found in the extract of the entomopathogenic fungus Pochonia bulbillosa 8-H-28. Compound 2, which was spectroscopically identical with the known asteltoxin B, was isolated, and structural analysis led to a revision of the structure of asteltoxin B. Compounds 2 and 4 have a novel tricyclic ring system connected to a dienyl α-pyrone structure. Compound 3 has a 2,8-dioxabicyclo[3.3.0]octane ring similar to that of asteltoxin (1). Compound 3 showed potent antiproliferative activity against NIAS-SL64 cells derived from the fat body of Spodoptera litura larvae, while 2 and 4 were inactive.

Terpene cyclization reactions are fascinating owing to the precise control of connectivity and stereochemistry during the catalytic process. Cyclooctat-9-en-7-ol synthase (CotB2) synthesizes an unusual 5-8-5 fused-ring structure with six chiral centers from the universal diterpene precursor, the achiral C20 geranylgeranyl diphosphate substrate. An unusual new mechanism for the exquisite CotB2-catalyzed cyclization that involves a carbon-carbon backbone rearrangement and three long-range hydride shifts is proposed, based on a powerful combination of in vivo studies using uniformly (13)C-labeled glucose and in vitro reactions of regiospecifically deuterium-substituted geranylgeranyl diphosphate substrates. This study shows that CotB2 elegantly demonstrates the synthetic virtuosity and stereochemical control that evolution has conferred on terpene synthases.

Quinofuracins A-E, novel anthraquinone derivatives containing β-D-galactofuranose that were isolated from the fungus Staphylotrichum boninense PF1444, induced p53-dependent cell death in human tumor cells. The structures of quinofuracins A-E, including absolute configurations, were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analysis and chemical transformation studies. Quinofuracins were classified into three groups according to the aglycone moieties. 5'-Oxoaverantin was present in quinofuracins A-C, whereas averantin and versicolorin B were identified in quinofuracins D and E, respectively. These quinofuracins induced p53-dependent growth suppression in human glioblastoma LNZTA3 cells.

New 36-membered polyol macrolides deplelides A and B were isolated from the culture of Streptomyces MM581-NF15 by bioassay-guided fractionation using an ATP depletion assay. The planar structures of these novel compounds were identified by interpretation of the spectroscopic data (1D/2D NMR, MS, and IR). The relative stereochemistry was partially established using the universal NMR database method and J-based configuration analysis using 1H–1H and long-range 1H–13C coupling constants determined by 1H NMR or E.COSY and J-resolved HMBC analysis or another HMBC-based technique, respectively. The absolute stereochemistry was partially determined by a modified Mosher’s method. These new compounds displayed highly potent ATP depletion activities (IC50 33 nM) and antiproliferative activities against several tumor cell lines, such as HGC-27 (IC50 47 nM).

Correction to: The Journal of Antibiotics (2008) 61, 577–582; doi:10.1038/ja.2008.78 The authors of the above article misjudged the stereochemistry of constituent serine residue that was determined by Marfey’s method using HPLC, which was the same as the accompanied corrigendum. Our recent analysis using advanced Marfey’s method (LC/MS) revealed that the stereochemistry of serine residue was proved to be D-form, as shown below.

Correction to: The Journal of Antibiotics (2004) 57, 52–58; doi:10.7164/antibiotics.57.52 The authors of the above article did misjudgment the stereochemistry of tripropeptins-constituent serine residue which was determined by Marfey’s method using HPLC. From our recent analysis using advanced Marfey’s method (LC/MS) revealed that the stereochemistry of serine residue was proved to be D-form as shown below.

Coccoquinones A and B, new anthraquinone derivatives produced by Staphylotrichum coccosporum PF1460

Deoxynucleosides were reacted in a lipid peroxidation model system, emulsified hemin-ethyl linoleate, and the adducts thus produced were analyzed by HPLC. Substantial amounts of stable adducts were detected in the dA- and dC-reaction mixtures. The structures of the major dA and dC adducts, other than the known 4-oxo-2-nonenal adducts, were determined to be etheno-type adducts, with a C₆ side chain bearing an α-hydroxyl-group. These results suggested that the substance involved in adduct formation is 2,3-epoxyoctanal. This compound showed mutagenicity in Salmonella strains TA 100 and TA 104 without the S-9 mix. In addition, based on the structure of a minor dC adduct, another possibly involved mutagen, 4-oxo-2-octenal, was proposed. These mutagens may be formed during storage and cooking of food, or during digestion, and may be involved in human cancers.

Castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) is the most aggressive form of this disease. CRPC remains dependent on androgen receptor (AR) signaling. Therefore, a novel AR antagonist, enzalutamide, is used clinically for the treatment of men with metastatic CRPC. However, enzalutamide-resistant AR has appeared, and a new type of AR antagonist is desired. Previously, in the course of screening for a new type of AR antagonist, we isolated a series of compounds, designated antarlides A-E, that share a novel 22-membered-ring macrocyclic structure and are produced by Streptomyces sp. BB47. In the present study, we found that this strain also produces antarlides F-H as minor components. Antarlide F is a novel geometric isomer of known antarlides. On the other hand, antarlides G and H are new members of the antarlide family that have a 20-membered-ring macrocyclic structure. Antarlides G and H inhibited the binding of androgen to AR in vitro at concentrations similar to those observed with antarlides A-E. In addition, antarlide G inhibited the transcriptional activity of not only wild-type AR but also enzalutamide-resistant AR, suggesting that antarlides with either 22- or 20-membered rings may serve as potent third-generation AR antagonists capable of overcoming resistance to enzalutamide.

Yeast capping enzymes differ greatly from those of mammalian, both structurally and mechanistically. Yeast-type capping enzyme repressors are therefore candidate antifungal drugs. The 5′-guanine-N7 cap structure of mRNAs are an essential feature of all eukaryotic organisms examined to date and is the first co-transcriptional modification of cellular pre-messenger RNA. Inhibitors of the RNA 5′-triphosphatase in yeast are likely to show fungicidal effects against pathogenic yeast such as Candida. We discovered a new RNA 5′-triphosphatase inhibitor, designated as the kribellosides, by screening metabolites from actinomycetes. Kribellosides belong to the alkyl glyceryl ethers. These novel compounds inhibit the activity of Cet1p (RNA 5′-triphosphatase) from Saccharomyces cerevisiae in vitro with IC50s of 5–8 μM and show antifungal activity with MICs ranging from 3.12 to 100 μg ml−1 against S. cerevisiae.

The histone acetyltransferase (HAT) activity of p300 is essential for androgen receptor (AR) function. Androgen-independent prostate cancer cells require AR-mediated transcriptional activation for their growth. These observations indicate that p300 HAT is a promising target to overcome such hormone-resistant cancer cells. We sought p300 HAT inhibitors among microbial metabolites. By culturing a production strain belonging to Penicillium, we identified two new compounds, NK13650A and NK13650B, which were obtained as specific p300 HAT inhibitors. Structural analyses of these compounds elucidated that NK13650s have novel chemical structures comprising several amino acids and citrate. We applied a newly developed biosynthesis-based method to reveal the absolute configuration at the citrate quaternary carbon. This was accomplished by feeding a (13)C-labeled biosynthetic precursor of citrate. NK13650s selectively inhibited the activity of p300 HAT but not that of Tip60 HAT. NK13650s showed inhibitory activity against agonist-induced AR transcriptional activation, and NK13650A treatment inhibited hormone-dependent and -independent growth of prostate cancer cells.

NMR spectroscopy is a very important and useful method for the structural analysis of oligosaccharides, despite its low sensitivity. We first applied conventional measuring methods, 2D DQF COSY, (1)H-(13)C HSQC, and (1)H-(13)C HMBC, and also the Double Pulsed Field Gradient Spin Echo (DPFGSE)-TOCSY and DPFGSE-NOESY/ROESY techniques to analyze a branched mannose pentasaccharide as a model of high mannose type N-glycans in natural abundance. The NMR spectra of the model compound are very complex and difficult to analyze owing to overlapping signals. The superior selective irradiation capability of the DPFGSE technique is useful for fine structural and conformational analyses of such complex oligosaccharides. We here introduce a novel technique called DPFGSE-Double-Selective Population Transfer (SPT)-Difference and DPFGSE-NOE/ROE-SPT-Difference spectroscopy. The DPFGSE-Double-SPT-Difference method involves irradiation of two peaks from one proton and the subtraction of higher and lower peaks from each spectrum. The DPFGSE-NOE/ROE-SPT-Difference method involves the transfer of the magnetization polarized by NOE/ROE from the nuclei to the spin-coupled nuclei through scalar spin-spin interaction using the SPT method. Even if the signals in the NMR spectra overlap, each signal can be accurately assigned. In particular, DPFGSE-NOE/ROE-SPT-Difference is very useful for identifying sugar connectivity.

A rotational isomeric shoreaketone (1), identified as a skeletal member of resveratrol tetramers, was isolated from three species of Dipterocarpaceaeous plants: Shorea uliginosa, Shorea hemsleyana, and Vateria indica. The structure was elucidated by spectroscopic analysis including NMR experiments and their absolute configurations determined based on circular dichroism data. Shoreaketone has 10 asymmetric carbons and a framework of fused heptacyclic ring system including a spiro ring and an α,β-unsaturated carbonyl group that has not been reported in any other natural product. NMR experiments using shoreaketone indicate the presence of two conformers due to restricted rotation of a C–C bond in solution. The complex stereochemistry is due to its skeleton, 10 asymmetric carbons, and a chiral axis. The conformations of rotational isomeric stilbenoid were studied by variable-temperature NMR, ROESY, a skeletal conversion. The coexistence of two conformers for shoreaketone (1) was confirmed to be 1a and 1b, in which the diaryl-dihydrobenzofuran moiety (unit 1B) is extended below or above the plane of the cyclopentane ring (unit 1A), respectively.

Antipain Y, a new antipain analog that inhibits neurotransmitter release from rat dorsal root ganglion neurons

SummaryCyclooctatin, a diterpene characterized by a 5-8-5 fused ring system, is a potent inhibitor of lysophospholipase. Here we report the cloning and characterization of a complete cyclooctatin biosynthetic gene cluster from Streptomyces melanosporofaciens MI614-43F2 and heterologous production of cyclooctatin in S. albus. Sequence analysis coupled with subcloning and gene deletion revealed that the minimal cyclooctatin biosynthetic gene cluster consists of four genes, cotB1 to cotB4, encoding geranylgeranyl diphosphate (GGDP) synthase, terpene cyclase (CotB2), and two cytochromes P450, respectively. Incubation of the recombinant CotB2 with GGDP resulted in the formation of cyclooctat-9-en-7-ol, an unprecedented tricyclic diterpene alcohol. The present study establishes the complete biosynthetic pathway of cyclooctatin and provides insights into both the stereospecific diterpene cyclization mechanism of the GGDP cyclase and the molecular bases for the stereospecific and regiospecific hydroxylation.

Branched chain amino acids are often utilized as the precursors of many lipid-containing bacterial secondary metabolites. The effect of isoleucine on the composition of the mixture of cyclic lipopeptide antibiotics, tripropeptins from Lysobacter sp. BMK333-48F3 was evaluated. As expected, a novel tripropeptin analog with an anteiso-branched fatty acid was produced. The new compound, TPPaiC shows potent antibacterial activity against Gram-positive bacteria including MRSA and VRE. On the other hand, no increase was observed in the production of other tripropeptins by the addition of isoleucine.

The effectiveness of antibacterial agents against 70 strains of clinically isolated multiple-drug resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MDRP) was measured by the micro dilution method. Fifty of all strains (71%) produced metallo-beta-lactamase and the IMP-1 gene was detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The MIC90 (the minimum inhibitory concentration of an antibiotic necessary to inhibit the growth of 90% of bacterial strains) values of biapenem (BIPM), meropenem (MEPM), tazobactam/piperacillin (TAZ/PIPC), sulbactam/ cefoperazone (SBT/CPZ), cefepime (CFPM), ciprofloxacin (CPFX), pazufloxacin (PZFX), amikacin (AMK) and aztreonam (AZT) were found to be 265, 512, 256, 512, 512, 64, 128, 128 and 128 microg/mL, respectively. The in vitro combination effects of antibacterial agents were examined against 62 strains of MDRP and the synergy or additive effects were evaluated by fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC) index calculated by the checkerboard method. The combination of AMK and AZT showed synergy effects on 15/59 (25.4%) strains of MDRP. The synergy and additive effects on the MDRP strains were also found by the other antibacterial agents combination such as TAZ/PIPC and AMK, CFPM and AMK, and SBT/CPZ and AZT. These results suggested the necessity of further investigation of clinical usefulness.

A new resveratrol tetramer, shoreaketone, was isolated from the stem bark of Shorea uliginosa (Dipterocarpaceae). The structure and the relative configuration were confirmed on the basis of 1D- and 2D-NMR spectral data. The structure has a novel framework of fused heptacyclic ring system including an α,β-unsaturated carbonyl group. In NMR spectra, shoreaketone is observed as two different conformers due to rotational isomerism.

Sacchathridine A (1) was isolated from the fermentation broth of strain Saccharothrix sp. MI559-46F5. The structure was determined as a new naphthoquinone derivative with an acetylhydrazino moiety by a combination of NMR, MS spectral analyses, and chemical degradation. Compound 1 showed inhibitory activity of prostaglandin E2 release in a concentration-dependent manner from human synovial sarcoma cells, SW982, with an IC50 value of 1.0 μM, but had no effect on cell growth up to 30 μM.

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is considered to cause various inflammatory reactions. We searched among microbial secondary metabolites for compounds that could inhibit LPS-stimulated adhesion between human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) and human myelocytic cell line HL-60 cells. In the course of our screening, we isolated a novel cyclic depsipeptide, which we named heptadepsin, from the whole culture broth of Paenibacillus sp. The addition of heptadepsin prior to LPS stimulation decreased HL-60 cell-HUVEC adhesion without showing any cytotoxicity. It also inhibited the cellular adhesion induced by lipid A, the active component of LPS, but it did not inhibit TNF-α or IL-1β-induced cell adhesion. The result of surface plasmon resonance (SPR) analysis revealed that heptadepsin interacted with lipid A directly. Thus, heptadepsin, a novel naturally occurring cyclic heptadepsipeptide, was shown to inactivate LPS by direct interaction with LPS.

Three new stilbene oligomers (1-3) were isolated from the stem bark of Vatica pauciflora. The structures of a resveratrol heptamer (pauciflorol D) (1), a resveratrol dimer (pauciflorol E) (2), and an indanone derivative (pauciflorol F) (3) were elucidated by means of spectroscopic data interpretation, especially HMBC and NOESY NMR experiments.

Two new stilbene tetramers, grandiphenols A (1) and B (2), along with ten known stilbene oligomers and bergenin were isolated from the stem of Dipterocarpus grandiflorus. The structures of 1 and 2 composed of four resveratrol (=5-[(1E)-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethenyl]benzene-1,3-diol) units had eight asymmetric C-atoms in the partial structures of a tetrahydrofuran and two dihydrobenzofuran moieties. Detailed spectroscopic analyses, especially HMBC and NOESY experiments, allowed to differentiate the configurations of 1 and 2.

Planar structures of tripropeptins (TPPs) were elucidated by spectroscopic studies including various NMR measurements. Stereochemistry of constituent amino acids of tripropeptin C (TPPC) (3) was identified by marfey's method except hydroxyproline which was determined by studies of NMR and CD spectra. The absolute structure of 3 was determined by analyses of the fragments obtained by Birch reduction and LiBH4 reduction of 3. The configuration of the fatty acid, isolated from acid hydrolysate of 3, was determined to be (3R)-hydroxy-13-methyltetradecanoic acid from MS, NMR spectra and negative sign of the optical rotation.

Five new resveratrol oligomers; pauciflorols A–C ( 1–3 ), isovaticanols B ( 6 ) and C ( 8 ), and three new oligostilbene glucosides; pauciflorosides A ( 11 ), B ( 13 ), C ( 14 ), were isolated from the stem bark of Vatica pauciflora (Dipterocarpaceae) together with known 17 resveratrol oligomers ( 4, 5, 7, 9, 10, 12 and 15–25 ) and bergenin ( 26 ). The structures of isolates were established on the basis of detailed spectroscopic analysis. The typical and characteristic spectral properties of some resveratrol oligomers were also discussed.

Two new stilbenoids, vateriaphenols A ( 1 ) and B ( 2 ), were isolated from the stem bark of Vateria indica along with known 10 stilbenoids ( 3–12 ) and bergenin ( 13 ). The structures of isolates were established based on spectroscopic analysis. The structures of vateriaphenols A and B were characterized as an octamer and a tetramer of resveratrol, respectively. The spectral properties of the highly condensed vateriaphenol A were also discussed.

The biosynthetic pathway leading to the cyclitol moiety of pyralomicin 1a (1) in Nonomuraea spiralis MI178-34F18 has been studied using a series of 2H-labeled potential precursors. The results demonstrate that 2-epi-5-epi-valiolone (7), a common precursor for acarbose (4) and validamycin A (5) biosynthesis, is an immediate precursor of pyralomicin 1a. 5-epi-Valiolone (8) was also incorporated into 1, albeit less efficiently than 7. Other potential intermediates, such as valiolone (9), valienone (10), valienol (11), 1-epi-valienol (12), 5-epi-valiolol (13), and 1-epi-5-epi-valiolol (14) were not incorporated into pyralomicin 1a. To explain this surprising observation, it is proposed that either 2-epi-5-epi-valiolone (7) is specifically activated (e.g., to its phosphate) and that the further transformations take place on activated intermediates (which can not be generated directly from their unactivated counterparts), or that the transformation of 7 into 1 involves a substrate-channeling mechanism in which enzyme-bound intermediates are directly transferred from one enzyme active site to the next in a multi-enzyme complex.