Sesquiterpenes from the endophytic fungus Periconia sp. F-31.

One new eremophilane sesquiterpene periconianone L (1), together with four known guaiane-type sesquiterpenes 4,10,11-trihydroxyguaiane (2), (-)-guai-1(10)-ene-4α,11-diolhydroxymecuration (3), guaidiol A (4), and epi-guaidiol A (5) were isolated from the endophytic fungus Periconia sp. F-31. The structure of the new compound was established by spectroscopic methods, including UV, IR, HRESIMS, and extensive NMR techniques. Compound 3 was isolated as natural product for the first time.

Roseomonas globiformis sp. nov., an airborne bacteria isolated from an urban area of Beijing.

A novel dark pink pigmented bacterium, designated strain CPCC 100847T (deposited with strain code 0113-15), was isolated from the urban air of Beijing, China. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain CPCC 100847T was related to members of the genus Roseomonas and had the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to Roseomonas aestuarii JC17T (97.5 %). A low level of DNA-DNA relatedness (18.7 %) with its closest type strain R. aestuarii JC17T (KCTC 22692T) proved that strain CPCC 100847T belonged to a unique genomic species. CPCC 100847T had many common characteristics of the genus Roseomonas, but also had a range of cultural, physiological and biochemical characteristics that separated it from related Roseomonas species. Cells were Gram-negative, cocci- to oval-shaped, non-motile, non-endospore-forming and strictly aerobic. The respiratory ubiquinone was Q-10. The polar lipid profile consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine, an unidentified aminolipid and an unidentified phospholipid. The major fatty acids (>5 %) were C18 : 1ω7c, anteiso-C15 : 0, C16 : 0, iso-C15 : 0 and summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c). The combined genotypic and phenotypic data indicated that the isolate represents a novel species of the genus Roseomonas. The name proposed for this species is Roseomonasglobiformis sp. nov., with CPCC 100847T (=KCTC 52094T) as the type strain. The DNA G+C composition is 65.2 mol%.

Oxazole-Containing Diterpenoids from Cell Cultures of Salvia miltiorrhiza and Their Anti-HIV-1 Activities.

Four new oxazole-containing diterpenoids, salvianans A-D (1-4), along with three known diterpenoids (5-7), were isolated from Salvia miltiorrhiza cell cultures. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated using spectroscopic methods and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The evaluation for their anti-HIV-1 activities revealed that 2 and 3 displayed inhibitory activities with IC50 values of 0.03 and 1.2 µM, respectively. The time of addition (TOA) assay and long terminal repeat (LTR) luciferase reporter assay results indicated that compound 2 was an HIV-1 transcription inhibitor and might be a lead compound of antiviral agents acting on HIV-1 transcription.

Stachybotrysins A-G, Phenylspirodrimane Derivatives from the Fungus Stachybotrys chartarum.

Seven new phenylspirodrimane derivatives named stachybotrysins A-G (2-8), together with five known compounds (1, 9-12), were isolated from Stachybotrys chartarum CGMCC 3.5365. Stachybotrysin D (5) is the first reported example of a naturally occurring alcoholic O-sulfation of a phenylspirodrimane, and stachybotrysins F and G (7 and 8) are the first examples possessing an isobenzotetrahydrofuran ring with an acetonyl moiety attached. The structures of these compounds were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic data analysis and by comparison with reported data. The absolute configurations of 1-8 were determined by X-ray single-crystal diffraction, electronic circular dichroism (ECD), and calculated ECD. Compounds 1 and 8 displayed anti-HIV activity with IC50 values of 15.6 and 18.1 µM, respectively, and 2, 7, 9, and 11 showed inhibitory effect on influenza A virus with IC50 values ranging from 12.4 to 18.9 µM.

Griseofulvin Derivative and Indole Alkaloids from Penicillium griseofulvum CPCC 400528.

A new griseofulvin derivative, 4'-demethoxy-4'-N-isopentylisogriseofulvin (1), three new indole alkaloids, 2-demethylcyclopiamide E (2), 2-demethylsperadine F (3), and clopiamine C (4), and five known metabolites (5-9) were isolated from Penicillium griseofulvum CPCC 400528. Compound 1 is the first reported griseofulvin analogue with an N-isopentane group and the first example of a naturally occurring N-containing griseofulvin analogue. Their structures and absolute configurations were elucidated through extensive spectroscopic analyses, calculated ECD, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction (Cu Kα). The possible biogenetic pathway of 1-3 was proposed. Compounds 1, 2, and 5 exhibited anti-HIV activities with IC50 values of 33.2, 20.5, and 12.6 µM, respectively.

Metabolites from the Plant Endophytic Fungus Aspergillus sp. CPCC 400735 and Their Anti-HIV Activities.

Thirty-three metabolites including five phenalenone derivatives (1-5), seven cytochalasins (6-12), thirteen butenolides (13-25), and eight phenyl derivatives (26-33) were isolated from Aspergillus sp. CPCC 400735 cultured on rice. The structures of all compounds were elucidated by NMR, MS, and CD experiments, of which 1-5 (asperphenalenones A-E), 6 (aspochalasin R), and 13 (aspulvinone R) were identified as new compounds. Specifically, asperphenalenones A-E (1-5) represent an unusual structure composed of a linear diterpene derivative linked to a phenalenone derivative via a C-C bond. Compounds 1, 4, 10, and 26 exhibited anti-HIV activity with IC50 values of 4.5, 2.4, 9.2, and 6.6 µM, respectively (lamivudine 0.1 µM; efavirenz, 0.4 × 10-3 µM).

Four new monoterpenoids from an endophytic fungus Periconia sp. F-31.

Five monoterpenoids were isolated from the endophytic fungus Periconia sp. F-31, including three new carene-type monoterpenoids, 2-carene-5,8-diol (1), 2-carene-8,10-diol (2), 2-carene-8-acetamide (3), one new menthene-type monoterpenoid 8-hydroxy-1,7-expoxy-2-menthene (4), and one known monoterpenoid anethofuran (5). The structures of all compounds were elucidated based on a comprehensive spectroscopic data analysis, electronic circular dichroism (ECD), and calculated ECD.

Eremophilane Sesquiterpenes from an Endophytic Fungus Periconia Species.

Nine new polyoxygenated eremophilane sesquiterpenes, periconianones C-K (1-9), including one unusual isoeremophilane sesquiterpene, periconianone C (1), and four trinor-eremophilane sesquiterpenes, periconianones H-K (6-9), were isolated from the endophytic fungus Periconia sp. F-31. Compound 1 is the first furan-type isoeremophilane reported containing a linkage of C-8/C-11 and a 7,12-epoxy moiety. These compound structures, including absolute configurations, were elucidated through extensive spectroscopic data analysis, electronic circular dichroism, Mo2(AcO)4-induced circular dichroism, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction (Cu Kα). Compounds 2, 5, and 9 showed inhibition effects on lipopolysaccharide-induced NO production in BV2 cells by 10.2%, 18.3%, and 16.1% at a concentration of 1.0 µM, respectively, which is comparable to the positive control curcumin (12.9% at 1.0 µM).

New 2-arylbenzofuran metabolite from cell cultures of Morus alba.

A new 2-arylbenzofuran compound, 5-dehydroxy-moracin U (1), along with 10 known compounds (2-11), were isolated from cell cultures of Morus alba. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analyses. The anti-inflammatory activity assay of 1-8 showed that 2 and 8 exhibited significant inhibitory effect on LPS-induced NO production with the values of 76.4% and 98.7% at 10(- 5) M, respectively.

Regio-selective deglycosylation of icariin by cell suspension cultures of Glycyrrhiza uralensis and Morus alba.

Biotransformations of icariin (1) by cell suspension cultures of Glycyrrhiza uralensis and Morus alba yielded two new metabolites, icaruralins A and B (2 and 3), and one known metabolite, baohuoside I (4). Their structures were determined on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis. This is the first report that the cell suspension cultures of G. uralensis and M. alba possess deglycosylation functionality.

[A new lactone derivative from plant endophytic fungus Periconia sp. F-31].

To investigate the secondary metabolites of endophytic fungi Pericinia sp. F-31. Column chromatography on silica gel, Sephadex LH-20 and semi-preparative HPLC were used to separate and purify the compounds. Two compounds were isolated from the fermentation broth of Periconia sp. Their structures were identified as 5-(1-hydroxyhexyl) -6-methyl-2H-pyran-2-one (1) and 2-(3-hydroxy-4-methylphenyl) -propanoic acid (2). Compound 1 was a new lactone compound, compound 2 was new natural product, and the NMR data of compound 2 was reported for the first time.

Exploring the association between rosacea and acne by integrated bioinformatics analysis.

Clinically, rosacea occurs frequently in acne patients, which hints the existence of shared signals. However, the connection between the pathophysiology of rosacea and acne are not yet fully understood. This study aims to unveil molecular mechanism in the pathogenesis of rosacea and acne. We identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs) by limma and weighted gene co-expression network analysis and screened hub genes by constructing a protein-protein interaction network. The hub genes were verified in different datasets. Then, we performed a correlation analysis between the hub genes and the pathways. Finally, we predicted and verified transcription factors of hub genes, performed the immune cell infiltration analysis using CIBERSORT, and calculated the correlation between hub genes and immune cells. A total of 169 common DEGs were identified, which were mainly enriched in immune-related pathways. Finally, hub genes were identified as IL1B, PTPRC, CXCL8, MMP9, CCL4, CXCL10, CD163, CCR5, CXCR4, and TLR8. 9 transcription factors that regulated the expression of hub genes were identified. The infiltration of γδT cells was significantly increased in rosacea and acne lesions and positively linked with almost all hub genes. These identified hub genes and immune cells may play a crucial role in the development of rosacea and acne.

An antiviral oligomerized linear thiopeptide with a nitrile group from soil-derived Streptomyces sp. CPCC 203702.

A new linear thiopeptide, bernitrilecin (1), was isolated from Streptomyces sp. CPCC 203702. Compound 1 is the first example of a nitrile-bearing thiopeptide. Its structure and absolute configuration were elucidated by extensive analysis of spectroscopic data and Marfey's method. The biosynthesis of the nitrile unit for 1 was proposed to be through oxidations, decarboxylation, and dehydration. Compound 1 exhibited significant anti-influenza A virus activity with the IC50 value of 16.7 µM.

Two new diterpenoids from cell cultures of Salvia miltiorrhiza.

A new spiroketallactone, epi-danshenspiroketallactone A (1) and a new C18-norditerpenoid, normiltioane (2) along with 21 known compounds, were isolated from cell cultures of Salvia miltiorrhiza. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analyses. In the in vitro assays, the compounds 9-11, 21-23 exhibited the significant antitumor activity with the IC(50) ranges of 1.0-8.3 µM.

Four new chromone derivatives from the Arctic fungus Phoma muscivora CPCC 401424 and their antiviral activities.

The crude extract of the Arctic fungus Phoma muscivora CPCC 401424 displayed anti-influenza A virus activities which led us to investigated their secondary metabolites. Four new chromone derivatives, phomarcticones A-D (1-4) and five known chromone analogs (5-9) have been isolated from Arctic fungus Phoma muscivora CPCC 401424. Compounds 3 and 4 possess rare sulfoxide groups in chromone derivatives. Their structures and absolute configurations were elucidated by extensive analysis of spectroscopic data, electronic circular dichroism, and comparison with reported data. Compounds 3, 7, and 9 showed significant anti-influenza A virus activities with the IC50 values of 24.4, 4.2, and 2.7 µM, respectively.

Geninthiocins E and F, two new cyclic thiopeptides with antiviral activities from soil-derived Streptomyces sp. CPCC 200267 using OSMAC strategy.

On the basis of the one strain-many compounds (OSMAC) strategy, two new cyclic thiopeptides, geninthiocins E and F, together with four known geninthiocin derivatives, geninthiocins A, B, C, and val-geninthiocin were isolated from Streptomyces sp. CPCC 200267. Their structures and absolute configurations were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analyses and Marfey's method. Geninthiocin E (1), val-geninthiocin (3), geninthiocin A (4), and geninthiocin B (5) exhibited significant anti-influenza A virus activities with the IC50 values of 28.7, 15.3, 7.3, and 18.3 µM, respectively. Compounds 3 and 4 showed moderate antibacterial activities against Staphylococcus aureus.

TWEAK/Fn14 signaling may function as a reactive compensatory mechanism against extracellular matrix accumulation in keloid fibroblasts.

Overabundance of the extracellular matrix resulting from hyperproliferation of keloid fibroblasts (KFs) and dysregulation of apoptosis represents the main pathophysiology underlying keloids. TWEAK is a weak apoptosis inducer, and it plays a critical role in pathological tissue remodeling via its receptor, Fn14. However, the role of TWEAK/Fn14 signaling in the pathogenesis of keloids has not been investigated. In this study, we confirmed the overexpression levels of TWEAK and Fn14 in clinical keloid tissue specimens and primary KFs. The extracellular matrix (ECM)-related genes were also evaluated between primary KFs and their normal counterparts to determine the factors leading to the formation or development of keloids. Unexpectedly, exogenous TWEAK significantly reduced the levels of collagen I and collagen III, as well as alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA). Additionally, TWEAK promoted MMPs expression and apoptosis activity of KFs. Furthermore, we verified that the inhibitory effect of TWEAK on KFs is through down-regulation of Polo-like kinase 5, which modulates cell differentiation and apoptosis. The TWEAK-Fn14 axis seems to be a secondary, although less effective, compensatory mechanism to increase the catabolic functions of fibroblasts in an attempt to further decrease the accumulation of collagen. DATA AVAILABILITY: All data generated or analyzed during this study are included in this published article (and its Supporting Information files).

Late-stage cascade of oxidation reactions during the biosynthesis of oxalicine B in Penicillium oxalicum.

Oxalicine B (1) is an α-pyrone meroterpenoid with a unique bispirocyclic ring system derived from Penicillium oxalicum. The biosynthetic pathway of 15-deoxyoxalicine B (4) was preliminarily reported in Penicillium canescens, however, the genetic base and biochemical characterization of tailoring reactions for oxalicine B (1) has remained enigmatic. In this study, we characterized three oxygenases from the metabolic pathway of oxalicine B (1), including a cytochrome P450 hydroxylase OxaL, a hydroxylating Fe(II)/α-KG-dependent dioxygenase OxaK, and a multifunctional cytochrome P450 OxaB. Intriguingly, OxaK can catalyze various multicyclic intermediates or shunt products of oxalicines with impressive substrate promiscuity. OxaB was further proven via biochemical assays to have the ability to convert 15-hydroxdecaturin A (3) to 1 with a spiro-lactone core skeleton through oxidative rearrangement. We also solved the mystery of OxaL that controls C-15 hydroxylation. Chemical investigation of the wild-type strain and deletants enabled us to identify 10 metabolites including three new compounds, and the isolated compounds displayed potent anti-influenza A virus bioactivities exhibiting IC50 values in the range of 4.0-19.9 µmol/L. Our studies have allowed us to propose a late-stage biosynthetic pathway for oxalicine B (1) and create downstream derivatizations of oxalicines by employing enzymatic strategies.

Eleuthemarins A and B, two new isocoumarin derivatives from the Arctic fungus Eleutheromyces sp. CPCC 401592.

Two new isocoumarin derivatives, eleuthemarins A (1) and B (2), were isolated from the Arctic fungus Eleutheromyces sp. CPCC 401592. Their structures and absolute configurations were elucidated through spectroscopic methods, quantum chemical calculations of NMR shifts, and calculated electronic circular dichroism. This is the first report for the chemical investigation of the genus Eleutheromyces. Compounds 1 and 2 showed selective cytotoxic activities against H460, A549, and HCT116 cancer cell lines with IC50 values in the range of 24.1-57.3 µM, respectively. Compound 1 displayed weak antibacterial activities.

New abietane norditerpenoid from Salvia miltiorrhiza with cytotoxic activities.

One new abietane-type norditerpenoid, named militibetin A (1), was isolated from the dry roots of Salvia miltiorrhiza, along with two known diterpenoids, yunnannin A (2) and ferruginol (3). Their structures were established by means of extensive spectroscopic analyses. In vitro, compounds 1-3 were found to show cytotoxicities against selected cancer cells, including P-388, HONE-1, and HT-29, and gave ED(50) values in the range of 2.9-5.4 µg ml(- 1).