New lactate- and pyruvate-containing polysaccharide and rhamnomannan with xylose residues from the cell wall of Rathayibacter oskolensis VKM Ac-2121T.

The cell wall of endophytic strain Rathayibacter oskolensis VKM Ac-2121T (family Microbacteriaceae, class Actinomycetes) was found to contain neutral and acidic glycopolymers. The neutral polymer is a block-type rhamnomannan partially should be substitutied by xylose residues, [→2)-α-[ß-D-Xylp-(1 â†’ 3)]-D-Manp-(1 â†’ 3)-α-D-Rhap-(1→]∼30 [→2)-α-D-Manp-(1 â†’ 3)-α-D-Rhap-(1→]∼45. The acidic polymer has branched chain, bearing lactate and pyruvate residues, →4)-α-D-[S-Lac-(2-3)-α-L-Rhap-(1 â†’ 3)]-D-Manp-(1 â†’ 3)-α-D-[4,6-R-Pyr]-D-Galp-(1 â†’ 3)-ß-D-Glcp-(1 â†’. The structures of both glycopolymers were not described in the Gram-positive bacteria to date. The glycopolymers were studied by chemical and NMR spectroscopic methods. The results of this study provide new data on diversity of bacterial glycopolymers and may prove useful in the taxonomy of the genus Rathayibacter and for understanding the molecular mechanisms of interaction between plants and plant endophytes.

A highly branched novel galactofuranan in the cell wall of Clavibacter tesselarius VKM Ac-1406T.

The structures of two cell wall glycopolymers were studied in the plant pathogenic bacterium Clavibacter tesselarius VKM Ac-1406T (family Microbacteriaceae, order Micrococcales, class Actinomycetes). The predominant polymer was a novel (1 â†’ 6)-linked ß-d-galactofuranan with a highly branched repeating unit, α-L-Rhap-(1 â†’ 3)-α-D-Galp-(1 â†’ 2)-[α-L-Rhap-(1 â†’ 3)]-α-D-Fucp-(1 →, at O-2 on every second galactofuranose residue. The second polymer present in small amounts was acidic with the repeating unit, →3)-α-D-Galp-(1 â†’ 3)-α-D-[4,6-S-Pyr]-Manp-(1 â†’ 3)-α-D-Manp-[2OAc]0.2-(1→, and was reported in all Clavibacter species investigated to date. The presented results expand our knowledges of structural diversity of phosphate-free cell wall glycopolymers and provide evidence in support of their taxonomic specificity for bacterial species and genera.

Crossiellidines A-F, Unprecedented Pyrazine-Alkylguanidine Metabolites with Broad-Spectrum Antibacterial Activity from Crossiella sp.

Crosiellidines are intriguing pyrazine-alkylguanidine metabolites isolated from the minor actinomycete genus Crossiella. Their structures present an unprecedented 2-methoxy-3,5,6-trialkyl pyrazine scaffold and uncommon guanidine prenylations, including an exotic O-prenylated N-hydroxyguanidine moiety. The novel substitution pattern of the 2-methoxypyrazine core inaugurates a new class of naturally occurring pyrazine compounds, the biosynthetic implications of which are discussed herein. Isotopic feeding and genome analysis allowed us to propose a biosynthetic pathway from arginine. The crossiellidines exhibited remarkable, broad-spectrum antibacterial activity.

A novel cell wall galactofuranan in Clavibacter phaseoli VKM Ac-2641T.

A glycopolymer of novel structure was found in the cell wall of plant pathogen Clavibacter phaseoli VKM Ac-2641T (family Microbacteriaceae, class Actinomycetes). The glycopolymer was (1 â†’ 6)-linked ß-d-galactofuranan with side branched trisaccharide, α-D-Manp-(1 â†’ 2)-[α-D-Manp-(1 â†’ 3)]-α-D-Ribf-(1→ at O-2 on every second galactofuranose residue. The galactofuranan structure was established by chemical and NMR spectroscopic methods using one- and two-dimensional techniques 1H,1H COSY, TOCSY, ROESY and 1H,13C HSQC, HMBC. The results of this study provide new data on diversity of bacterial glycopolymers, may prove useful for bacterial taxonomy and contribute to the understanding of the host plant-microbiota interaction mechanisms.

Undescribed Metabolites from an Actinobacteria Acrocarpospora punica and Their Anti-Inflammatory Activity.

In an effort to explore bioactive anti-inflammatory compounds from natural Actinobacteria resources from all over Taiwan and various ecological environments, an active strain of Acrocarpospora punica was collected at Taitung County in Taiwan, prepared from soil origin. A bioassay-guided fractionation of the BuOH extract of a culture broth of a new strain of the actinomycete Acrocarpospora punica led to the isolation of five previously undescribed compounds: acrocarpunicains A-F (1-6). The structures were elucidated by 1D and 2D Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. Furthermore, the isolated compounds were subjected to in vitro testing to evaluate their anti-inflammatory activity. Of these isolates, acrocarpunicains A (1), B (2), C (3) and F (6) showed NO inhibitory activity with IC50 values of 9.36 ± 0.25, 10.11 ± 0.47, 5.15 ± 0.18, and 27.17 ± 1.87 µM, stronger than the positive control, quercetin (IC50 = 35.95 ± 2.34 µM). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on azaphilone and phenanthrene-type metabolites from the genus Acrocarpospora.

Marinacarboline glucuronide, a new member of ß-carboline alkaloids from sponge-derived actinomycete Actinoalloteichus cyanogriseus LHW52806.

A new member of ß-carboline alkaloids, Marinacarboline glucuronide (1), along with nine known compounds (2-10), were isolated from static liquid fermentation extracts of Actinoalloteichus cyanogriseus LHW52806 isolated from the marine sponge Phakellia fusca. Their structures were elucidated by NMR, mass spectrometry and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. All compounds exhibited neither antimicrobial activity nor cytotoxicity. Compounds 1, 8 and 10 showed anti-inflammatory potential of significant decreasing the expressions of IL- 6 in vitro at 20 µM.

Lentzeacins A-E, New Bacterial-Derived 2,5- and 2,6-Disubstituted Pyrazines from a BGC-Rich Soil Bacterium Lentzea sp. GA3-008.

Pyrazines (1,4-diazirines) are an important group of natural products that have tremendous monetary value in the food and fragrance industries and can exhibit a wide range of biological effects including antineoplastic, antidiabetic and antibiotic activities. As part of a project investigating the secondary metabolites present in understudied and chemically rich Actinomycetes, we isolated a series of six pyrazines from a soil-derived Lentzea sp. GA3-008, four of which are new. Here we describe the structures of lentzeacins A-E (1, 3, 5 and 6) along with two known analogues (2 and 4) and the porphyrin zincphyrin. The structures were determined by NMR spectroscopy and HR-ESI-MS. The suite of compounds present in Lentzea sp. includes 2,5-disubstituted pyrazines (compounds 2, 4, and 6) together with the new 2,6-disubstituted isomers (compounds 1, 3 and 5), a chemical class that is uncommon. We used long-read Nanopore sequencing to assemble a draft genome sequence of Lentzea sp. which revealed the presence of 40 biosynthetic gene clusters. Analysis of classical di-modular and single module non-ribosomal peptide synthase genes, and cyclic dipeptide synthases narrows down the possibilities for the biosynthesis of the pyrazines present in this strain.

Identification and Total Synthesis of an Unstable Anticancer Macrolide Presaccharothriolide Z Produced by Saccharothrix sp. A1506.

Saccharothriolides A-F are 10-membered microbial macrolides proposed to be generated from their precursors presaccharothriolides X-Z. Previously, we isolated presaccharothriolide X, and its unique natural prodrug-like properties have intrigued us. However, the other congeners were not detected. Herein, we detected presaccharothriolide Z using our highly sensitive labeling reagent. Moreover, chemical synthesis of presaccharothriolide Z, the first total synthesis of saccharothriolide-class macrolides, was achieved, and the structure and biological activity of presaccharothriolide Z were determined.

Saccharobipyrimicin, a new antibiotic from the leaf-litter actinomycete Saccharothrix sp. MM696L-181F4.

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.

Glaciibacter flavus sp. nov., isolated from a lichen sample.

A novel Actinobacterium strain YIM 131861 T, was isolated from lichen collected from the South Bank Forest of the Baltic Sea, Germany. It was Gram-stain-positive, strictly aerobic, catalase positive and oxidase negative, yellow pigmented. Cells were motile with a polar flagellum, irregular rod shaped and did not display spore formation. The strain grew at 15 - 30 °C (optimum 25 °C), at pH 6.0 - 10.0 (optimum pH 7.0) and in the presence of 0 - 1.5% (w/v) NaCl (optimum 1%). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain YIM 131861 T belonged to the genus Glaciibacter, and exhibited a high sequence similarity (96.4%) with Glaciibacter superstes NBRC 104264 T. The genomic DNA G + C content of strain YIM 131861 T was 68.2 mol%. The average nucleotide identity (ANI) and digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) values between strain YIM 131861 T and Glaciibacter superstes NBRC 104264 T were 73.2 and 19.9% based on the draft genome sequence. The cell-wall peptidoglycan type was B2γ and contained the 2, 4-diaminobutyric acid as the diagnostic amino acid. Whole cell sugars were galactose, rhamnose, ribose and glucose. It contained MK-12 and MK-13 as the predominant menaquinones. The major cellular fatty acids (> 10%) were identified as anteiso-C15:0, iso-C16:0 and anteiso-C17:0. The polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and two unknown glycolipids. Based on the results of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic analyses, strain YIM 131861 T should belong to the genus Glaciibacter and represents a novel species of the genus Glaciibacter, for which the name Glaciibacter flavus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YIM 131861 T (= CGMCC 1.16588 T = NBRC 113572 T).

Bioactive Streptomycetes from Isolation to Applications: A Tasmanian Potato Farm Example.

The genus Streptomyces constitutes approximately 50% of all soil actinomycetes, playing a significant role in the soil microbial community through vital functions including nutrient cycling, production of bioactive metabolites, disease-suppression and plant growth promotion. Streptomyces produce many bioactive compounds and are prime targets for industrial and biotechnological applications. In addition to their agrobiological roles, some Streptomyces spp. can, however, be phytopathogenic, examples include, common scab of potato that causes economic losses worldwide. Currently used chemical control measures can have detrimental effect to environmental and human health as a result alternative methods to chemical disease control are being investigated. One alternative is the use of streptomycete specific phages to remove this pathogenic bacterium before it can cause the disease on potatoes. However, due to co-existence of non-common scab-causing species belonging to the genus Streptomyces, phage treatment is likely to affect a wide range of non-target streptomycete species including the beneficial ones in the soil. Therefore, before such treatment starts the host range of the phages within the targeted family of bacteria should be determined. In a study conducted using soil samples from a Tasmanian potato farm, streptomycetes were isolated and tested against streptomycete-specific phages. Their antifungal activity was also determined using multiple assays against selected phytopathogens. The four strongest antifungal activity-displaying isolates were further tested for their persistent antifungal activity using wheat and Fusarium solani in a pot trial. A second pot trial was also conducted to evaluate whether the beneficial streptomycetes were affected by streptophage treatment and whether their removal via the phage battery would cause opportunistic fungal infections to plants in soil. The streptomycetes prevented the reduction in wheat shoot weight caused by F. solani indicating their disease suppressive effect. However, when phages were added into the pots, the growth of wheat was detrimentally impacted. This finding might suggest that the reduced presence of antifungal streptomycetes via phage-induced lysis might encourage opportunistic fungal infections in plants.

Nonomuraea terrae sp. nov., isolated from arid soil.

During the course of isolating rare actinobacteria from unexplored habitats, strain CH32T was obtained from an arid soil sample in eastern Anatolia, Turkey. Polyphasic characterization and comprehensive genome analyses showed that the strain is a member of the genus Nonomuraea and it is closely related to Nonomuraea gerenzanensis ATCC 39727T, Nonomuraea polychroma DSM 43925T and Nonomuraea maritima FXJ7.203T with gene identity level of 98.7%, 98.2% and 98.1%, respectively. The whole-cell hydrolysates contain meso-diaminopimelic acid as diagnostic diaminoacid and glucose, ribose, galactose, mannose and madurose as whole cell sugars. The predominant menaquinones are MK-9(H4), MK-9(H6) and MK-9(H2) while MK-9 exists as minor component. The polar lipid profile consists of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol, glycolipid, glycophospholipids, phospholipids and unidentified lipids. The major cellular fatty acids are iso-C16:0 and C17:0 10-methyl. The total genome size is about 9.6 Mb and the G + C content is 71.0%. The genome contains biosynthetic gene clusters encoding for terpenes, siderophores, a type III polyketide synthase, a non-ribosomal polypeptide synthetase and a bacteriocin. The genome-based comparisons of the strain with its phylogenetic neighbours, as indicated by digital DNA-DNA hybridization and average nucleotide identity analyses, reveal that strain CH32T (= JCM 33876T = KCTC 49368T) is a novel member of the genus Nonomuraea, for which Nonomuraea terrae sp. nov. is proposed.

MS-Derived Isotopic Fine Structure Reveals Forazoline A as a Thioketone-Containing Marine-Derived Natural Product.

Forazoline A is a structurally complex PKS-NRPS hybrid produced by marine-derived Actinomadura sp. During the course of studies highlighting the application of IFS analysis as a powerful tool for natural products analysis, we were alerted to an earlier misinterpretation with respect to forazoline A structure elucidation. In particular, IFS reveals that forazoline A contains a thioketone moiety rarely seen in secondary metabolites and, thus, constitutes an even more intriguing structure than originally thought.

Antimicrobial lavandulylated flavonoids from a sponge-derived actinomycete.

Analysis of an antimicrobial culture broth extract of the sponge-derived actinomycete Streptomyces sp. (strain G246) led to the isolation of two new lavandulylated flavonoids, 6-lavandulyl-7-methoxy-5,2',4'-trihydroxylflavanone (1) and 5'-lavandulyl-4'-methoxy-2,4,2',6'-tetrahydroxylchalcone (2), along with eight known compounds 3-10. Their structures were established by spectral data analysis, including MS, 1D, 2D-NMR and CD. The absolute configurations of 1 and 2 were suggested by comparison of their experimental and calculated electronic circular dichroism spectra. All the isolated compounds were evaluated for their antimicrobial activity against a panel of clinically significant microorganisms. Compounds 1 and 2 had a broad-spectrum of antimicrobial activity. Additionally, except the strain Escherichia coli, compound 2 exhibited remarkable inhibitory activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella enterica, Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, and Candida albicans strains.

Nonomuraea phyllanthi sp. nov., an endophytic actinomycete isolated from the leaf of Phyllanthus amarus.

A novel actinomycete, strain PA1-10T, isolated from the leaf of Phyllanthus amarus collected from Bangkok, Thailand, was characterized taxonomically using a polyphasic approach. This strain contained the characteristics consistent with those of members of the genus Nonomuraea. It formed short rugose spore chain on aerial mycelium. The diamino acid in cell wall peptidoglycan was meso-diaminopimelic acid. Galactose, glucose, madurose, mannose, and ribose were found in whole-cell hydrolysates. Predominant menaquinones were MK-9 (H2), MK-9 (H4), and MK-9 (H6). Major cellular fatty acids were iso-C16:0 and C17:0 10-methyl. Phospholipid profiles were composed of phosphatidylinositol mannoside (PIM), lyso-phosphatidylethanolamine (lyso-PE), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), methylphosphatidylethanolamine (PME), diphosphatidylglycerol (DPG), and phosphatidylglycerol (PG). The G + C content of DNA was 71.2 mol%. Strain PA1-10T showed the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with Nonomuraea candida JCM 15928T (98.35%) and shared the same node with Nonomuraea maritima JCM 18321T in the phylogenetic tree analysis. Based on the phenotypic characteristics, DNA-DNA relatedness, and average nucleotide identity (ANI), the strain is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Nonomuraea, for which the name Nonomuraea phyllanthi is proposed. The type strain is PA1-10T (= JCM 33073T = NBRC 112774T = TISTR 2497T).

Amycolatopsis alkalitolerans sp. nov., isolated from Gastrodia elata Blume.

A Gram-staining positive and nonmotile strain designated SYSUP0005T was isolated from tubers of Gastrodia elata Blume. The 16S rRNA gene sequence result showed that strain SYSUP0005T shared highest sequence similarity with the type strain of Amycolatopsis cappadoca (95.7%), Amycolatopsis taiwanensis (95.4%), Amycolatopsis pigmentata (95.4%), Amycolatopsis ruanii (95.1%), and Amycolatopsis helveola (94.8%). Growth occurs at 14-37 °C (optimum temperature, 28 °C), at pH 6-9 (optimum, pH 8) and in the presence of up to 6% (w/v) NaCl. Strain SYSUP0005T had meso-diaminopimelic acid in its peptidoglycan. The whole cell sugars were galactose, ribose, and xylose. The predominant menaquinone was MK-9(H4) and minor menaquinones were MK-9(H2) and MK-9(H8). The polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol (DPG); phosphatidylmonomethylethanolamine (PME), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), phosphatidylinositol (PI), unidentified glycolipid (GL), and unidentified phospholipid (PL). The genomic DNA G + C content was 69.6 mol%. The major fatty acids were iso-C16:0, anteiso-C17:0, C16:0, iso-C14:0, C17:1 ω6c, C17:0, and Summed Feature 3 (C16:1 ω7c/C16:1 ω6c). On the basis of the phenotypic, phylogenetic, chemotaxonomic characters, and genomic comparison, SYSUP0005T represents a novel species of the genus Amycolatopsis, for which the name Amycolatopsis alkalitolerans sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is SYSUP0005T (=KCTC 49024T = CGMCC4.7463T).

Complete NMR assignment and absolute configuration of k4610422, a norditerpenoid inhibitor of testosterone-5α-reductase originally from Streptosporangium: rediscovery from a thermophilic Actinomadura.

A norditerpenoid k4610422 (1), an inhibitor of testosterone-5α-reductase originally discovered from a mesophilic rare actinomycete of the genus Streptosporangium, was isolated from the culture extract of a thermophilic actinomycete Actinomadura sp. The complete 1H and 13C NMR assignment and absolute configuration of 1 were addressed by spectroscopic measurements including NOESY and CD spectra coupled with ECD calculation, which allowed to establish the (5 R,9 S,10 R,13 S)-configuration. Compound 1 was moderately cytotoxic against P388 murine leukemia cells with IC50 30 µM.

Chemical Interactions of Cryptic Actinomycete Metabolite 5-Alkyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinolines through Aggregate Formation.

Organisms often produce secondary metabolites as a mixture of biosynthetically related congeners. However, why are metabolites with minor chemical variations produced simultaneously? 5-Alkyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinolines (5aTHQs) are small, lipophilic metabolites produced by Streptomyces nigrescens HEK616 when cultured with Tsukamurella pulmonis TP-B0596. A mixture of 5aTHQs forms aggregates that show enhanced membrane affinity and biological activity. The ability to form aggregates and membrane-binding activity is regulated by the length of the alkyl chains. Aggregates with long alkyl chains were too stable to fuse with lipid membranes. However, if inactive 5aTHQ congener was mixed with active congener, the mixture showed increased membrane affinity, enabling cellular entry and biological activity. Therefore, it is shown that sloppiness in a biosynthetic pathway, by which minor structural variations can be produced, is functionally rational, as the metabolites show synergistic action.

Madurastatin D1 and D2, Oxazoline Containing Siderophores Isolated from an Actinomadura sp.

Two new siderophores, madurastatin D1 and D2, together with (-)-madurastatin C1, the enantiomer of a known compound, were isolated from marine-derived Actinomadura sp. The presence of an unusual 4-imidazolidinone ring in madurastatins D1 and D2 inspired us to sequence the Actinomadura sp. genome and to identify the mad biosynthetic gene cluster, knowledge of which enables us to now propose a biosynthetic pathway. Madurastatin D1 and D2 are moderately active in antimicrobial assays with M. luteus.

Dokdolipids A-C, Hydroxylated Rhamnolipids from the Marine-Derived Actinomycete Actinoalloteichus hymeniacidonis.

Three new hydroxylated rhamnolipids, dokdolipids A-C (1-3) were obtained from the marine actinomycete Actinoalloteichus hymeniacidonis, which was isolated from a sediment sample collected off the coasts of Dokdo island, Republic of Korea. The structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated on the basis of 1D and 2D NMR and mass spectrometric data analyses. Their absolute configurations were assigned using the modified Mosher's method and specific rotation values, as well as acid hydrolysis, chemical derivatizations and subsequent HPLC analysis to determine the configuration of the sugar moieties. All new compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxicity against six cancer cell lines, HCT-15, NUGC-3, NCI-H23, ACHN, PC-3 and MDA-MB-231. Compounds 1-3 displayed moderate cytotoxicity against all the cell lines tested with IC50 values ranging from 13.7-41.5 µM.