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Stonikacidin A ( 1 ), the first representative of a new class of 4-bromopyrrole alkaloids containing an aldonic acid core, was isolated from the marine sponge Lissodendoryx papillosa . The compound is named in honor of Prof. Valentin A. Stonik, who is one of the outstanding investigators in the field of marine natural chemistry. The structure of 1 was determined using NMR, MS analysis, and chemical correlations. The L-idonic acid core was established by the comparison of GC, NMR, MS, and optical rotation data of methyl-pentaacetyl-aldonates obtained from the hydrolysis products of 1 and standard hexoses. The L-form of the idonic acid residue in 1 was confirmed by GC analysis of pentaacetate of ( S )-2-butyl ester of the hydrolysis product from 1 and compared with corresponding derivatives of L- and D-idonic acids. The biosynthetic pathway for stonikacidin A ( 1 ) was proposed. The alkaloid 1 inhibited the growth of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli test strains, as well as affected the formation of S. aureus and E. coli biofilms. Compound 1 inhibited the activity of sortase A. Molecular docking data showed that stonikacidin A ( 1 ) can bind with sortase A due to the interactions between its bromine atoms and some amino acid residues of the enzyme.

Investigation of the Vietnamese marine sponge Rhabdastrella globostellata led to the isolation of two new polar isomalabaricanes: rhabdastrellosides A ( 1 ) and B ( 2 ). Their structures and stereochemistry were elucidated with the application of 1D and 2D NMR, HRESIMS, and HRESIMS/MS methods, as well as chemical modifications and GC-MS analysis. Metabolites 1 and 2 are the first isomalabaricanes with non-oxidized cyclopentane ring in the tricyclic core system. Moreover, having a 3-O-disaccharide moiety in their structures, they increase a very rare group of isomalabaricane glycosides. We report here a weak cytotoxicity of 1 and 2 toward human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells and normal rat H9c2 cardiomyocytes, as well as the cytoprotective activity of rhabdastrelloside B ( 2 ) at 1 µM evaluated using CoCl 2 -treated SH-SY5Y and H9c2 cells.

In our research on sphingolipids from marine invertebrates, a mixture of phytoceramides was isolated from the sponge Monanchora clathrata (Western Australia). Total ceramide, ceramide molecular species (obtained by RP-HPLC, high-performance liquid chromatography on reversed-phase column) and their sphingoid/fatty acid components were analyzed by NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance) spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. Sixteen new ( 1b , 3a , 3c , 3d , 3f , 3g , 5c , 5d , 5f , 5g , 6b - g ) and twelve known ( 2b , 2e , 2f , 3b , 3e , 4a - c , 4e , 4f , 5b , 5e ) compounds were shown to contain phytosphingosine-type backbones i -t17:0 ( 1 ), n -t17:0 ( 2 ), i -t18:0 ( 3 ), n -t18:0 ( 4 ), i -t19:0 ( 5 ), or ai -t19:0 ( 6 ), N -acylated with saturated (2 R )-2-hydroxy C 21 ( a ), C 22 ( b ), C 23 ( c ), i- C 23 ( d ), C 24 ( e ), C 25 ( f ), or C 26 ( g ) acids. The used combination of the instrumental and chemical methods permitted the more detailed investigation of the sponge ceramides than previously reported. It was found that the cytotoxic effect of crambescidin 359 (alkaloid from M. clathrata ) and cisplatin decreased after pre-incubation of MDA-MB-231 and HL-60 cells with the investigated phytoceramides. In an in vitro paraquat model of Parkinson's disease, the phytoceramides decreased the neurodegenerative effect and ROS (reactive oxygen species) formation induced by paraquat in neuroblastoma cells. In general, the preliminary treatment (for 24 or 48 h) of the cells with the phytoceramides of M. clathrata was necessary for their cytoprotective functions, otherwise the additive damaging effect of these sphingolipids and cytotoxic compounds (crambescidin 359, cisplatin or paraquat) was observed.

Two new guanidine alkaloids, batzelladines O ( 1 ) and P ( 2 ), were isolated from the deep-water marine sponge Monanchora pulchra. The structures of these metabolites were determined by NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and ECD. The isolated compounds exhibited cytotoxic activity in human prostate cancer cells PC3, PC3-DR, and 22Rv1 at low micromolar concentrations and inhibited colony formation and survival of the cancer cells. Batzelladines O ( 1 ) and P ( 2 ) induced apoptosis, which was detected by Western blotting as caspase-3 and PARP cleavage. Additionally, induction of pro-survival autophagy indicated as upregulation of LC3B-II and suppression of mTOR was observed in the treated cells. In line with this, the combination with autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine synergistically increased the cytotoxic activity of batzelladines O ( 1 ) and P ( 2 ). Both compounds were equally active in docetaxel-sensitive and docetaxel-resistant prostate cancer cells, despite exhibiting a slight p-glycoprotein substrate-like activity. In combination with docetaxel, an additive effect was observed. In conclusion, the isolated new guanidine alkaloids are promising drug candidates for the treatment of taxane-resistant prostate cancer.

Oceanalin B ( 1 ), an α,ω-bipolar natural product belonging to a rare family of sphingoid tetrahydoisoquinoline β-glycosides, was isolated from the EtOH extract of the lyophilized marine sponge Oceanapia sp. as the second member of the series after oceanalin A ( 2 ) from the same animal. The compounds are of particular interest due to their biogenetically unexpected structures as well as their biological activities. The structure and absolute stereochemistry of 1 as a α,ω-bifunctionalized sphingoid tetrahydroisoquinoline β-glycoside was elucidated using NMR, CD and MS spectral analysis and chemical degradation. Oceanalin B exhibited in vitro antifungal activity against Candida glabrata with a MIC of 25 μg/mL.

The structural elucidation of primary and secondary peroxidation products, formed from complex lipids, is a challenge in lipid analysis. In the present study, rare minor oxidized cerebrosides, isolated from the extract of a far eastern deep-sea glass sponge, Aulosaccus sp., were analyzed as constituents of a multi-component RP-HPLC (high-performance liquid chromatography on reversed-phase column) fraction using NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance) spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, GC (gas chromatography), and chemical transformations (including hydrogenation or derivatization with dimethyl disulfide before hydrolysis). Eighteen previously unknown β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→1)-ceramides ( 1a - a // , 1b - b // , 2a - a // , 2b - b // , 3c - c // , 3d - d // ) were shown to contain phytosphingosine-type backbones (2 S ,3 S ,4 R ,11 Z )-2-aminoeicos-11-ene-1,3,4-triol (in 1 ), (2 S ,3 S ,4 R ,13 Z )-2-aminoeicos-13-ene-1,3,4-triol (in 2 ), and (13 S *,14 R *)-2-amino-13,14-methylene-eicosane-1,3,4-triol (in 3 ). These backbones were N -acylated with straight-chain monoenoic (2 R )-2-hydroxy acids that had allylic hydroperoxy/hydroxy/keto groups on C-17 / in the 15 / E -23:1 chain ( a - a // ), C-16 / in the 17 / E -23:1 ( b - b // ) and 14 / E -22:1 ( c - c // ) chains, and C-15 / in the 16 / E -22:1 chain ( d - d // ). Utilizing complementary instrumental and chemical methods allowed for the first detailed structural analysis of a complex mixture of glycosphingolipids, containing allylically oxygenated monoenoic acyl chains.

Seven new unusual polysulfated steroids-topsentiasterol sulfate G ( 1 ), topsentiasterol sulfate I ( 2 ), topsentiasterol sulfate H ( 3 ), bromotopsentiasterol sulfate D ( 4 ), dichlorotopsentiasterol sulfate D ( 8 ), bromochlorotopsentiasterol sulfate D ( 9 ), and 4 β -hydroxyhalistanol sulfate C ( 10 ), as well as three previously described-topsentiasterol sulfate D ( 7 ), chlorotopsentiasterol sulfate D ( 5 ) and iodotopsentiasterol sulfate D ( 6 ) have been isolated from the marine sponge Halichondria vansoesti . Structures of these compounds were determined by detailed analysis of 1D- and 2D-NMR and HRESIMS data, as well as chemical transformations. The effects of the compounds on human prostate cancer cells PC-3 and 22Rv1 were investigated.

Guitarrins A-E (1-5), the first natural 5-azaindoles, and aluminumguitarrin A (1a), the first aluminum-containing compound from marine invertebrates, were isolated from the sponge Guitarra fimbriata. The structures of these compounds were established using detailed analysis of 1D and 2D NMR data, mass spectra, and X-ray analysis of 1 and 1a. Compound 3 was proved to be a natural inhibitor of alkaline phosphatase.

In our research on biologically active compounds from Vietnamese marine invertebrates, rare melibiose-containing glycosphingolipids were found in a sample of a sponge-coral association (Desmapsamma anchorata/Carijoa riisei). Melibiosylceramides were analyzed as constituents of some multi-component RP-HPLC fractions, and the structures of 14 new (1b, 3b, 4a-4c, 6a-6c, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10b, 11a, 11b) and five known (2b, 5a-5c, 7b) natural compounds were elucidated using NMR, mass spectrometry, optical rotation, and chemical transformations. These α-d-Galp-(1→6)-β-d-Glcp-(1 ↔ 1)-ceramides (presumably sponge-derived compounds) were shown to contain phytosphingosine-type n-t17:0 (1), (6E)-n-t17:1 (2), i-t17:0 (3), n-t18:0 (4), (6E)-n-t18:1 (5), i-t18:0 (6), (6E)-i-t18:1 (7), i-t19:0 (8), (6E)-i-t19:1 (9), ai-t19:0 (10), and (6E)-ai-t19:1 (11) backbones N-acylated with saturated straight-chain (2R)-2-hydroxy C 21 (a), C 22 (b), and C 23 (c) acids. Characteristic trends in the fragmentations of the terminal parts of tetraacetylated normal-chain and iso- and anteiso-branched sphingoid bases were observed using GC/MS. The total sum of melibiosylceramides and compound 5b caused a reduction in colony formation of human melanoma cells., (© 2019 Wiley-VHCA AG, Zurich, Switzerland.)

Melonoside B (1) and melonosins B (2) and A (3), new lipids based on polyoxygenated fatty acid amides, and known melonoside A (4) were isolated from two different collections of the marine sponge Melonanchora kobjakovae. The structures of these compounds, including their absolute configurations, were established using detailed analysis of 1D and 2D NMR, ECD, and mass spectra as well as chemical transformations. Melonosins 2 and 3 inhibit AP-1- and NF-kB-dependent transcriptional activities in JB6 Cl41 cells at noncytotoxic concentrations, demonstrating potential cancer preventive activity.

Seven new triterpene glycosides, erylosides F 8 (1), V 1 (2), V 2 (3), V 3 (4), W (5), W 1 (6) and W 2 (7), were isolated from a Carribean sponge Erylus goffrilleri collected from the Carribean Sea near the Arrecife-Seco reef (Cuba). Structures of the glycosides were determined using 1 H and 13 C NMR spectroscopy, including 2D NMR procedures ( 1 H- 1 H COSY, 1 H- 13 С HMBC, 1 H- 13 С HSQC and NOESY) and HR ESI mass spectrometry. Erylosides 1 and 4 have 14-carboxy-24,25-dimethyllanost-8(9)-en-3β,25-diol as aglycone whereas glycosides 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7 are 14-carboxy-24-acetoxy-24-methyllanost-8(9)-en-3β-ol glycoconjugates. Cytotoxic activities of the isolated compounds against Ehrlich carcinoma cells and hemolysis were examined and their dependence on eryloside structure was evaluated., (Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Melonoside A (1), the first representative of a new class of ω-glycosylated fatty acid amides, was isolated from the Far Eastern marine sponge Melonanchora kobjakovae. The structure of 1, including absolute configuration, was established using detailed analysis of 1D and 2D NMR, CD, and mass spectra as well as chemical transformations. Compound 1 induces autophagy of human cisplatin-resistant germinal tumor cells NCCIT-R.

The minor cerebrosides from a Far-Eastern glass sponge Aulosaccus sp. were analyzed as constituents of some multi-component RP-HPLC fractions. The structures of eighteen new and one known cerebrosides were elucidated on the basis of NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, optical rotation data and chemical transformations. These β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→1)-ceramides contain sphingoid bases N-acylated with straight-chain (2R)-2-hydroxy fatty acids, namely, (2S,3S,4R,11Z)-2-aminoeicos-11-ene-1,3,4-triol, acylated with 15E-22:1, 16Z-21:1, 15Z-21:1, 15Z-20:1, 15E-20:1, 19:0, 18:0 acids, (2S,3S,4R)-2-amino-13-methyltetradecane-1,3,4-triol--with 19Z-26:1, 16Z-23:1, 23:0, 22:0 acids, (2S,3S,4R)-2-amino-14-methylpentadecane-1,3,4-triol--with 16Z-23:1, 16E-23:1, 15Z-22:1, 22:0 acids, (2S,3S,4R)-2-amino-14-methylhexadecane-1,3,4-triol, linked to 16Z-23:1, 15Z-22:1 acids, (2S,3S,4R)-2-amino-9-methylhexadecane-1,3,4-triol--to 16Z-23:1 acid, and (2S,3S,4R)-2-aminohexadecane-1,3,4-triol, attached to 15Z-22:1 acid. The 13-methyl and 9-methyl-branched trihydroxy sphingoid base backbones (C15 and C17, respectively) have not been found previously in sphingolipids. The ceramide parts, containing other backbones, present new variants of N-acylation of the marine sphingoid bases with the 2-hydroxy fatty acids. The combination of the instrumental and chemical methods used in this study improved the efficiency of the structural analysis of such complex cerebroside mixtures that gave more detailed information on glycosphingolipid metabolism of the organism.

The guanidine alkaloids, dihydropulchranin A (2), prepared from pulchranin A from the sponge Monanchora pulchra, and hexadecylguanidine (3), a synthetic analog of pulchranins, were studied for their TRPV channel-regulating activities. Compound 2 was active as an inhibitor of rTRPV1 and hTRPV3 receptors with EC50 values of 24.3 and 59.1 μM, respectively. Hexadecylguanidine (3) was not active against these receptors.

Neopetrosides A (1) and B (2), new naturally occurring ribosides of nicotinic acid with extremely rare α-N-glycoside linkages and residues of p-hydroxybenzoic and pyrrole-2-carboxylic acids attached to C-5', were isolated from a marine Neopetrosia sp. sponge. Structures 1 and 2 were determined by NMR and MS methods and confirmed by the synthesis of 1 and its β-riboside analogue (3). Neopetroside A (1) upregulates mitochondrial functions in cardiomyocytes.

New pentacyclic guanidine alkaloids, normonanchocidins A, B and D (1-3) along with the earlier known monanchocidin A were isolated from the Far-Eastern marine sponge Monanchora pulchra. Structures of 1-3 were elucidated using ID- and 2D-NMR spectroscopic and mass spectrometric data. Compound 1 and a mixture of 2 and 3 (1:1) exhibited cytotoxic activities against human leukemia THP-1 cells with IC50 values of 2.1 μM and 3.7 μM, respectively, and against cervix epithelial carcinoma HeLa cells with IC50 of 3.8 μM and 6.8 μM, respectively.

Eight new oxidized lanostane and nor-lanostane derivatives (1-8) along with the previously known penasterol (9) and 24-ethylcholesta-4,24(28)-dien-3-one (10) were isolated from a sponge Penares sp. collected from the Vietnamese waters. Structures of these minor compounds were elucidated by the detailed NMR spectroscopic and mass-spectrometric analyses and by comparison with earlier reported spectroscopic data. A hypothetic scheme of metabolism of the lanostane derivatives in sponges belonging to Penares and Erylus genera was proposed and discussed., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Nine new cerebrosides 1a-d, 2a, 2b, 3a-c were found in the extract of a Far-Eastern glass sponge Aulosaccus sp. (class Hexactinellida). These β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 1)-ceramides contain sphingoid bases (2S,3S,4R,11Z)-2-aminoeicos-11-ene-1,3,4-triol (in 1a-d), (2S,3S,4R,13Z)-2-aminoeicos-13-ene-1,3,4-triol (in 2a, b) and (2S,3S,4R,13S*,14R*)-2-amino-13,14-methylene-eicosane-1,3,4-triol (in 3a-c), which are N-acylated by (2R,15Z)-2-hydroxydocos-15-enoic (in 1a, 2a, 3a), (2R,16Z)-2-hydroxytricos-16-enoic (in 1b, 2b, 3b), (2R,17Z)-2-hydroxytetracos-17-enoic (in 1d) and (2R)-2-hydroxydocosanoic (in 1c, 3c) acids. The monoenoic and cyclopropane-containing sphingoid bases of compounds 1a-d, 2a, 2b, 3a-c have not been found previously in any sphingolipids. The structures of the cerebrosides were elucidated on the basis of (1)H-, (13)C-NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, optical rotation data and chemical transformations. A simplified method for the assignment of the absolute configuration of 2-hydroxy fatty acids by GC analysis of their (2R)- and (2S)-oct-2-yl esters was proposed.

Urupocidins A and B (1 and 2), bisguanidine alkaloids with an unprecedented skeleton system, derived from polyketide precursors and containing an unusual N-alkyl-N-hydroxyguanidine moiety, have been isolated from the sponge Monanhora pulchra. The structures of 1 and 2, including absolute configuration, were established using the detailed analysis of 1D and 2D NMR, CD, and mass spectra as well as chemical transformations. Compound 1 increases nitric oxide production in murine macrophages via inducing iNOS expression.

A new pentacyclic guanidine alkaloid, monanchomycalin C (1), along with the earlier known ptilomycalin A (2), were isolated from the Far-Eastern marine sponge Monanchora pulchra. The structure of 1 was elucidated using 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic and ma ss spectrometric da ta. Compounds 1 and 2 exhibited cytotoxic activities against human breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells with IC50 values of 8.2 microM and 4.3 pM, respectively.

New marine natural products, pulchranins B and C (2 and 3), were isolated from the marine sponge Monanchora pulchra and their structures were established using NMR and MS analysis. Compounds 2 and 3 were moderately active as inhibitors of TRPV1 (EC50 value of 95 and 183 microM, respectively) and less potent against TRPV3 and TRPA1 receptors.

Three new sulfated meroterpenoids containing sesquiterpene and hydroquinone moieties, namely siphonodictyal A sulfate (1), akadisulfate A (2) and akadisulfate B (3), along with the known siphonodictyal B3 and bis(sulfato)-cyclosiphonodictyol A were isolated from the sponge Aka coralliphaga. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data. Akadisulfate B and siphonodictyal B3 showed a radical-scavenging activity comparable with that of the known lipophylic antioxidant BHT.

Seven new triterpene glycosides, erylosides R(1) (1), T(1) (3), T(2) (4), T(3) (5), T(4) (6), T(5) (7), and T(6) (8) along with the known formoside (2) were isolated from the sponge Erylus formosus collected along the Caribbean coast of Mexico. Glycoside 1 was determined as a trisaccharide, glycoside 2 as a tetrasaccharide while glycosides 3-8 were hexasaccharide. Their carbohydrate chains were unprecedented and have never been found in oligosaccharides from other biological sources, except Erylus spp. Three carbohydrate chains in the glycosides 3 and 6, 4 and 7, 5 and 8 correspondingly are new. The glycosides 1-5 have penasterol as aglycone while glycosides 6-8 proved to be glycoconjugates of 24-methylene-14-carboxy-lanost-8(9)-en-3β-ol., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

New unusual polycyclic guanidine alkaloids monanchocidins B-E (2-5) along with monanchocidin A (1), which we recently described, were isolated from the Far-Eastern marine sponge Monanchora pulchra. Their structures were established using spectroscopic data and chemical transformations. Compounds 1-5 show potent cytotoxic activities against HL-60 human leukemia cells with IC50 values of 540, 200, 110, 830, and 650 nM, respectively.

Three new aaptamine-type alkaloids, 2,3-dihydro-2,3-dioxoaaptamine (1), 6-(N-morpholinyl)-4,5-dihydro-5-oxo-demethyl(oxy)aaptamine (2) and 3-(methylamino)demethyl(oxy)aaptamine (3), along with known aaptamines were isolated from the sponge Aaptos sp. Their structures were determined on the basis of detailed analysis of their 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic and mass spectral data. The isolated compounds induced apoptosis in human leukemia THP-1 cells.

Monanchocidin (1), a guanidine alkaloid with an unprecedented skeleton system derived from a polyketide precursor, (ω-3)-hydroxy fatty acid, and containing a 2-aminoethyl- and 3-aminopropyl-substituted morpholine hemiketal ring, has been isolated from the sponge Monanhora pulchra. The structure of 1 was assigned on the basis of detailed analysis of 1D and 2D NMR spectra, mass spectrometry, and results of chemical transformations. Compound 1 shows pro-apoptotic and cytoxic activities.

Isorhizochalin (1) was isolated as its peracetate from the EtOH extract of the sponge Rhizochalina incrustata. Its structure and absolute stereochemistry were elucidated as (2S,3R,26R,27R)-2,27-diamino-3-O-beta-D: -galactopyranosyl-oxy-26-hydroxyoctacosan-18-one by extensive NMR, MS studies, chemical transformations, including micromolar-scale Baeyer-Villiger oxidation, and by analysis of CD spectra of isorhizochalinin perbenzoate (2b). Isorhizochalin is an unprecedented C-2 epimer of rhizochalin having an erythro configuration at the glycosylated 2-amino-3-alkanol alpha-terminus in contrast with a canonical threo configuration for other representatives of this structural group. Probable biogenesis of 1 is discussed in the context of known sphingolipid biosynthesis beginning with condensation of alanine with a fatty acyl CoA thioester. The aglycone, isorhizochalinin (2a), shows cytotoxicity against human leukemia HL-60 and THP-1 cells with IC(50) values of 2.90 and 2.20 microM, respectively.

A series of aaptamines, including one new alkaloid (1), were isolated from the marine sponge Aaptos sp. collected in Vietnamese waters. The structure of 1 was elucidated using NMR and HRESIMS, as well as by chemical transformation of 1 to the previously known aaptamine and established as 3-N-morpholinyl-9-demethyl(oxy)aaptamine. The isolated compounds showed a potential cancer preventive activity.

Eight new triterpene glycosides, erylosides R ( 1), S ( 2), T ( 3), U ( 4), F 5-F 7 ( 5- 7), and V ( 8), were isolated from the sponge Erylus goffrilleri collected near Arresife-Seko Reef (Cuba). Structures of 1 and 2 were determined as the corresponding monosides having aglycons related to penasterol with additional oxidation and methylation patterns in their side chains. Eryloside T ( 3) was structurally identified as the Delta (7)-isomer of 1, containing an unusual (14-->9)-lactone ring in the tetracyclic aglycon moiety, and eryloside U ( 4) was shown to be the 7,8-epoxide of 3. Erylosides F 5-F 7 ( 5- 7) and V ( 8) contain new variants of carbohydrate chains with two ( 5- 7) and three ( 8) sugar units, respectively.

Rhizochalins C and D ( 1, 2), new representatives of two-headed glycosphingolipids, were isolated from the sponge Rhizochalina incrustata. Rhizochalin D is an unexpected C 29 homologue of the canonical C 28 dimeric sphingolipid structures. Their structures including absolute configurations were established using spectroscopic data, micromolar-scale Baeyer-Villiger oxidation, and LCMS interpretation of the products. Application of the latter method leads to a revision of the structure of oceanapiside and placement of the keto group at C-18 rather than C-11.

Nine new triterpene glycosides, erylosides F1-F4 (1-4), M (5), N (6), O (7), P (8), and Q (9), along with previously known erylosides F (10) and H (11) were isolated from the sponge Erylus formosus collected from the Mexican Gulf (Puerto Morelos, Mexico). Structures of 1-4 were determined as the corresponding biosides having aglycons related to penasterol with additional oxidation patterns in their side chains. Erylosides 5-9 contain new variants of carbohydrate chains with three (5, 6), four (7), and six (8, 9) sugar units, respectively. Erylosides 5, 7, 8, and 6, 9 contain 14-carboxy-24-methylenelanost-8(9)-en-3beta-ol and penasterol as aglycons, respectively. In contrast with its epimer 2, the compound 3 induced the early apoptosis of Ehrlich carcinoma cells at a concentration of 100 microg/mL, while 1 and 10 activated the Ca2+ influx into mouse spleenocytes (130% of the control) at the same doses.

A new diketosteroid, 5alpha-ergost-24(28)-ene-3,6-dione (1), has been isolated from the sponge Geodinella robusta. Its structure was determined by combined spectroscopic methods and chemical evidence.

Total ceramides containing nonbranched and iso-branched C18- and C19-phytosphingosines acylated with non-hydroxylated fatty acids were isolated from a marine sponge Oceanapia sp. The structures of these compounds were determined by HPLC, NMR, MALDI-TOF MS, and GLC-MS of the Me3Si derivatives and by chemical transformations. The English version of the paper: Russian Journal of Bioorganic Chemistry, 2006, vol. 32, no. 3; see also http://www.maik.ru.

[reaction: see text] The novel antifungal compound oceanalin A, an unprecedented "hybrid sphingolipid", was isolated from the marine sponge Oceanapia sp. The structure was elucidated using NMR and MS spectral analysis and chemical degradation. Oceanalin A exhibits in vitro antifungal activity against Candida glabrata with an MIC of 30 mug/mL.

Rhizochalin A (4), the fourth representative of two-headed glycosphingolipids, was isolated as its peracetate from the sponge Rhizochalina incrustata. Its structure has been established as the 2-ethyl carbamoate of rhizochalin on the basis of spectroscopic data and chemical transformations.

New steroidal oligoglycosides mycalosides B-I (2-9) have been isolated from the polar extract of the Caribbean sponge Mycale laxissima, and their structures have been elucidated by 1D and 2D NMR ((1)H, (13)C, DEPT, COSY-45, COSY-RCT, HSQC, HMBC, and NOESY spectra) and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. Mycalosides B (2) and C (3) were shown to be 27- and 28-nor derivatives of the previously known tetraoside mycaloside A (1). Mycaloside D (4) differs from 1 only in the presence of an additional acetyl group in the carbohydrate moiety. Mycaloside E (5) was structurally identified as a 28-nor-4-dehydroxy derivative of 1. Mycalosides F-H (6-8), differing from each other by the structures of their side chains and nonacetylated (7, 8) or acetylated (6) tetrasaccharide carbohydrate moieties, have new 5(6)-unsaturated 3 beta,4 beta,21-trihydroxy-15-keto-steroidal aglycons. Mycaloside I (9) is a tetraoside of a new 7,24(28)-diunsaturated 3beta,15 beta,29-trihydroxystigmastane aglycon. It was established that the total fraction of the mycalosides as well as mycalosides A (1) and G (7) inhibit the fertilization of eggs by sperm of the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus nudus preincubated with these compounds.

New triterpene glycosides, ulososides C, (20S,22S,23R,24S)-3 beta,22, 23-trihydroxy-3-O-(beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-32-nor-24-methyllanost- 8(9)-ene-30-oic acid, D, (20S,22S,23R,24S)-3 beta,22, 23-trihydroxy-3-O-(beta-D-N-acetyl-glucosaminopyranosyl)-32-nor- 24-methyllanost-8(9)-ene-30-oic acid, and E, (20S,22S,23R,24S)-3 beta,22, 23-trihydroxy-3-O-(beta-D-glucuronopyranosyl-(1-->2)-alpha-D- arabinopyranosyl-32-nor-24-methyllanost-8(9)-ene-30-oic acid, were isolated from an Ulosa sp. sponge. Their structures were determined by spectral methods and chemical transformations. Specific features of their structures are discussed.