Re-discovery of MS-347a as a fungicide candidate through a new drug discovery platform with a multidrug-sensitive Saccharomyces cerevisiae screening system and the introduction of a global secondary metabolism regulator, laeA gene.

We found that the culture broth of fungi showed anti-fungal activity against multidrug-sensitive budding yeast. However, we could not identify the anti-fungal compound due to the small quantity. Therefore, we attempted to increase the productivity of the target compound by the introduction of a global secondary metabolism regulator, laeA to the strain, which led to the successful isolation of 10-folds greater amount of MS-347a (1) than Aspergillus sp. FKI-5362. Compound 1 was not effective against Candida albicans and the detailed anti-fungal activity of 1 remains unverified. After our anti-fungal activity screening, 1 was found to inhibit the growth of broad plant pathogenic fungal species belonging to the Ascomycota. It is noteworthy that 1 showed little insecticidal activity against silkworms, suggesting its selective biological activity against plant pathogenic fungi. Our study implies that the combination strategy of multidrug-sensitive yeast and the introduction of laeA is useful for new anti-fungal drug discovery.

Discovery of a Novel Lidocaine Metabolite by Human Liver Microsome and Identification of Microbial Species Which Produces the Same Metabolite.

Preparation of drug metabolites at the milligram scale is essential for determining the structure and toxicity of drug metabolites. However, their preparation using recombinant proteins and human liver microsomes (HLM) is often difficult because of technical and ethical issues. Reproducing human drug metabolism in food-derived microorganisms may be useful for overcoming these challenges. In this study, we identified an unknown metabolite of the anaesthetic drug lidocaine, which is metabolised by HLM. By screening for lidocaine metabolic activity in five types of foods (blue cheese, shiitake mushroom, natto, yoghurt, and dry yeast), we found that bacteria isolated from natto reproduced the lidocaine metabolic reaction that occurs in HLM. A fraction containing the unknown lidocaine metabolite was prepared through mass cultivation of a Bacillus subtilis standard strain, ethyl acetate extraction, open column chromatography, and HPLC purification. We identified the unknown metabolite as 3-(2,6-dimethylphenyl)-1-ethyl-2-methyl-4-imidazolidinone using NMR. Our results showed that food-derived microorganisms can produce large amounts of human drug metabolites via large-scale cultivation. Additionally, food microorganisms that can reproduce drug metabolism in humans can be used to examine drug metabolites at a low cost and without ethical issues.

Oridonin suppresses particulate-induced NLRP3-independent IL-1α release to prevent crystallopathy in the lung.

The human body is exposed to various particulates of industrial, environmental, or endogenous origin. Invading or intrinsic particulates can induce inflammation by aberrantly activating the immune system, thereby causing crystallopathies. When immune cells such as macrophages phagocytose the particulates, their phagolysosomal membranes undergo mechanical damage, eventually leading to pyroptotic cell death accompanied by the release of inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-1α and IL-1ß. The nod-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome is responsible for particulate-induced IL-1ß release and is therefore regarded as a potential therapeutic target for inflammation-mediated crystallopathies. However, IL-1α is released after particulate stimulation in an NLRP3 inflammasome-independent manner and plays a critical role in disease development. Therefore, drugs that exert potent anti-inflammatory effects by comprehensively suppressing particulate-induced responses, including IL-1ß release and IL-1α release, should be developed. Here, we found that oridonin, a diterpenoid isolated from Isodon japonicus HARA, strongly suppressed particulate-induced cell death, accompanied by the release of IL-1α and IL-1ß in mouse and human macrophages. Oridonin reduced particulate-induced phagolysosomal membrane damage in macrophages without affecting phagocytosis of particulates. Furthermore, oridonin treatment markedly suppressed the symptoms of silica particle-induced pneumonia, which was attributed to the release of IL-1α independently of NLRP3. Thus, oridonin is a potential lead compound for developing effective therapeutics for crystallopathies attributed to NLRP3-dependent as well as NLRP3-independent inflammation.

Cytotoxic activity of cordycepin produced by marine-derived fungus Emericella sp. against HT29 human colon cancer cell lines.

Colorectal cancer accounted for the third most common cancer in the world. The search for new drug candidates that can be used for colorectal cancer treatment from marine-derived fungi, Emericella sp. The present study was performed to isolate the cytotoxic compound from Emericella sp. The isolation method was carried out by using a combination of chromatographic techniques to afford compound 1. The cytotoxic activity and the exosome production property were determined by using proliferation and luciferase assay against HT29 CD63 Nluc cells, respectively. The chemical structure of compound 1 was identified as cordycepin based on spectroscopy methods such as mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance (1D and 2D NMR) analyses and comparison with authentic spectral data. The biological activity assay showed that cordycepin exhibited cytotoxic activity with an IC50 value of 92.05 µM through proliferation assay, and also inhibited the exosome production by luciferase assay with an IC50 value of 86.47 µM. Cordycepin was isolated from culture broth Emericella sp., exhibiting moderate cytotoxic activity and inhibitory activity of exosome production. Thus, cordycepin is a potential compound to be investigated further for its exosome production inhibition activity for further use as an anticancer lead compound.

Single-step construction of an acetoxypyrroloindole skeleton via tandem iodocyclization/acetoxylation of indoles.

A method for the synthesis of C3a acetoxy hexahydropyrrolo[2,3-b]indole derivatives via a PhI(OAc)2/nBu4NI mediated tandem iodocyclization/acetoxylation has been developed. The newly developed synthetic strategy features the single-step assembly of various C3a acetoxylated tetrahydropyrrole-, tetrahydrofuran-, and lactone-fused indolines under mild reaction conditions, which enabled efficient asymmetric synthesis of (-)-protubonine B.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of cajaninstilbene acid and amorfrutins A-D as cytotoxic agents against human pancreatic carcinoma PANC-1 cells.

A concise synthesis of cajaninstilbene acid was achieved in 7 steps from (E)-3,5-dimethoxystilbene in 8.6% overall yield via the Claisen rearrangement of an aryl reverse-prenyl ether as the key step. Cytotoxic activities against human pancreatic carcinoma PANC-1 cells of cajaninstilbene acid and amorfrutins A-D were also evaluated.

Mitochondrial Targeting in an Anti-Austerity Approach Involving Bioactive Metabolites Isolated from the Marine-Derived Fungus Aspergillus sp.

The tumor microenvironment is a nutrient-deficient region that alters the cancer cell phenotype to aggravate cancer pathology. The ability of cancer cells to tolerate nutrient starvation is referred to as austerity. Compounds that preferentially target cancer cells growing under nutrient-deficient conditions are being employed in anti-austerity approaches in anticancer drug discovery. Therefore, in this study, we investigated physcion (1) and 2-(2',3-epoxy-1',3',5'-heptatrienyl)-6-hydroxy-5-(3-methyl-2-butenyl) benzaldehyde (2) obtained from a culture extract of the marine-derived fungus Aspergillus species (sp.), which were isolated from an unidentified marine sponge, as anti-austerity agents. The chemical structures of 1 and 2 were determined via spectroscopic analysis and comparison with authentic spectral data. Compounds 1 and 2 exhibited selective cytotoxicity against human pancreatic carcinoma PANC-1 cells cultured under glucose-deficient conditions, with IC50 values of 6.0 and 1.7 µM, respectively. Compound 2 showed higher selective growth-inhibitory activity (505-fold higher) under glucose-deficient conditions than under general culture conditions. Further analysis of the mechanism underlying the anti-austerity activity of compounds 1 and 2 against glucose-starved PANC-1 cells suggested that they inhibited the mitochondrial electron transport chain.

Investigations into the efficacy of multi-component cocaine vaccines.

Although cocaine addiction remains a serious health and societal problem in the United States, no FDA-approved treatment has been developed. Vaccines offer an exciting strategy for the treatment of cocaine addiction; however, vaccine formulations need to be optimized to improve efficacy. Herein, we examine the effectiveness of a tricomponent cocaine vaccine, defined as having its hapten (GNE) and adjuvant (cytosine-guanine oligodeoxynucleotide 1826, CpG ODN 1826) covalently linked via the immunogenic protein ovalbumin (OVA). The tricomponent vaccine (GNE-OVA-CpG 1826) and a vaccine of analogous, individual components (GNE-OVA+CpG ODN 1826) were found to similarly induce highly specific anticocaine antibody production in mice and block cocaine's stimulant effects in hyperlocomotor testing.

Cocaine Vaccine Development: Evaluation of Carrier and Adjuvant Combinations That Activate Multiple Toll-Like Receptors.

Although cocaine abuse and addiction continue to cause serious health and societal problems, an FDA-approved medication to treat cocaine addiction has yet to be developed. Employing a pharmacokinetic strategy, an anticocaine vaccine provides an attractive avenue to address these issues; however, current vaccines have shown varying degrees of efficacy, indicating that further formulation is necessary. As a means to improve vaccine efficacy, we examined the effects of varying anticocaine vaccine formulations by combining a Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) agonist with a TLR5 agonist in the presence of alum. The TLR9 agonist used was cytosine-guanine oligodeoxynucleotide 1826 (CpG 1826), while the TLR5 agonist was flagellin (FliC). Formulations with the TLR9 agonist elicited superior anticocaine antibody titers and blockade of hyperlocomotor effects compared to vaccines without CpG 1826. This improvement was seen regardless of whether the TLR5 agonist, FliC, or the nonadjuvanting Tetanus Toxoid (TT) was used as the carrier protein. Additional insights into the value of FliC as a carrier versus adjuvant was also investigated by generating two unique formats of the protein, wild-type and mutated flagellin (mFliC). While the mFliC conjugate retained its ability to stimulate mTLR5, it yielded reduced cocaine sequestration and functional blockade relative to FliC and TT. Overall, this work indicates that activation of TLR9 can improve the function of cocaine vaccines in the presence of TLR5 activation by FliC, with any potential additive effects limited by the inefficiency of FliC as a carrier protein as compared to TT.

Combatting Synthetic Designer Opioids: A Conjugate Vaccine Ablates Lethal Doses of Fentanyl Class Drugs.

Fentanyl is an addictive prescription opioid that is over 80 times more potent than morphine. The synthetic nature of fentanyl has enabled the creation of dangerous "designer drug" analogues that escape toxicology screening, yet display comparable potency to the parent drug. Alarmingly, a large number of fatalities have been linked to overdose of fentanyl derivatives. Herein, we report an effective immunotherapy for reducing the psychoactive effects of fentanyl class drugs. A single conjugate vaccine was created that elicited high levels of antibodies with cross-reactivity for a wide panel of fentanyl analogues. Moreover, vaccinated mice gained significant protection from lethal fentanyl doses. Lastly, a surface plasmon resonance (SPR)-based technique was established enabling drug-specificity profiling of antibodies derived directly from serum. Our newly developed fentanyl vaccine and analytical methods may assist in the battle against synthetic opioid abuse.

Secalonic acid D as a selective cytotoxic substance on the cancer cells adapted to nutrient starvation.

Cancer cells adapted to the microenvironment in tumor such as hypoxic and nutrient-starved conditions are now paid much attention as the therapeutic target of cancer. In the course of search for selective cytotoxic substances against cancer cells adapted to nutrient starvation, xanthone derivative of secalonic acid D (1) was isolated from culture extract of marine-derived Penicillium oxalicum. Compound 1 showed cytotoxic activity on the human pancreatic carcinoma PANC-1 cells adapted to glucose-starved conditions with IC50 value of 0.6 µM, whereas IC50 value of compound 1 against PANC-1 cells under general culture conditions was calculated to be more than 1000 µM. Further study indicated that compound 1 inhibited the Akt signaling pathway under glucose-starved conditions, and slightly affected the induction of glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78), and these effects would be mediated by the uncoupling action of compound 1 on the mitochondria.

Selective cytotoxicity of marine-derived fungal metabolite (3S,6S)-3,6-dibenzylpiperazine-2,5-dione against cancer cells adapted to nutrient starvation.

The cancer cells that are adapted to the hypoxic and nutrient-starved conditions of the tumor microenvironment have become a key target for anticancer therapies. In the course of search for selective cytotoxic substances against cancer cells adapted to nutrient starvation, (3S,6S)-3,6-dibenzylpiperazine-2,5-dione (1) was isolated from culture extract of marine-derived Paecilomyces formous 17D47-2. Compound 1 showed cytotoxic activity on the human pancreatic carcinoma PANC-1 cells adapted to glucose-starved conditions with IC50 value of 28 µM, whereas no effect was observed against PANC-1 cells under general culture conditions up to 1000 µM. Further studies on the mechanism of the selective cytotoxicity of 1 against the glucose-starved PANC-1 cells suggest that it may function via uncoupling of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation.

Selective cytotoxicity of epidithiodiketopiperazine DC1149B, produced by marine-derived Trichoderma lixii on the cancer cells adapted to glucose starvation.

The core of solid tumors is characterized by hypoxia and a nutrient-starved microenvironment and has gained much attention as targets of anti-cancer drugs. In the course of search for selective growth inhibitors against the cancer cells adapted to nutrient starvation, epidithiodiketopiperazine DC1149B (1) together with structurally related compounds, trichodermamide A (2) and aspergillazine A (3), were isolated from culture extract of marine-derived Trichoderma lixii. Compounds 1 exhibited potent selective cytotoxic activity against human pancreatic carcinoma PANC-1 cells cultured under glucose-starved conditions with IC50 values of 0.02 µM. The selective index of the compound 1 was found to be 35,500-fold higher for cells cultured under glucose-starved conditions than those under the general culture conditions. The mechanistic analysis indicated that compound 1 inhibited the response of the ER stress signaling. In addition, these effects of compound 1 could be mediated by inhibiting complex II in the mitochondrial electron transport chain.

Mycobacterium smegmatis alters the production of secondary metabolites by marine-derived Aspergillus niger.

It is generally accepted that fungi have a number of dormant gene clusters for the synthesis of secondary metabolites, and the activation of these gene clusters can expand the diversity of secondary metabolites in culture. Recent studies have revealed that the mycolic acid-containing bacterium Tsukamurella pulmonis activates dormant gene clusters in the bacterial genus Streptomyces. However, it is not clear whether the mycolic acid-containing bacteria activate dormant gene clusters of fungi. We performed co-culture experiments using marine-derived Aspergillus niger with Mycobacterium smegmatis, a mycolic acid-containing bacteria. The co-cultivation resulted in the production of a pigment by A. niger and increased cytotoxic activity of the extract against human prostate cancer DU145 cells. An analysis of secondary metabolites in the extract of the co-culture broth revealed that the increase in cytotoxic activity was caused by the production of malformin C (1), and that TMC-256A1 (2), desmethylkotanin (3), and aurasperone C (4) were selectively produced under co-culture conditions. In addition, further study suggested that direct interaction between the two microorganisms was necessary for the production of the pigment and the cytotoxic compound malformin C (1) from A. niger. Given the biological activities of malformin C, including cytotoxic activity, our approach for increasing the production of bioactive secondary metabolites has important practical applications and may facilitate structural analyses of novel bioactive compounds.

Direct visualization of an antidepressant analog using surface-enhanced Raman scattering in the brain.

Detailed spatial information of low-molecular weight compound distribution, especially in the brain, is crucial to understanding their mechanism of actions. Imaging techniques that can directly visualize drugs in the brain at a high resolution will complement existing tools for drug distribution analysis. Here, we performed surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) imaging using a bioorthogonal alkyne tag to visualize drugs directly in situ at a high resolution. Focusing on the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor S-citalopram (S-Cit), which possesses a nitrile group, we substituted an alkynyl group into its structure and synthesized alkynylated S-Cit (Alk-S-Cit). The brain transitivity and the serotonin reuptake inhibition of Alk-S-Cit were not significantly different as compared with S-Cit. Alk-S-Cit was visualized in the coronal mouse brain section using SERS imaging with silver nanoparticles. Furthermore, SERS imaging combined with fluorescence microscopy allowed Alk-S-Cit to be visualized in the adjacent neuronal membranes, as well as in the brain vessel and parenchyma. Therefore, our multimodal imaging technique is an effective method for detecting low-molecular weight compounds in their original tissue environment and can potentially offer additional information regarding the precise spatial distribution of such drugs.

Efficient Syntheses of Cocaine Vaccines and Their in Vivo Evaluation.

Though cocaine abuse and addiction continue to have serious implications for health and society, no FDA-approved interventions have been developed. Anticocaine conjugate vaccines offer an attractive opportunity for addiction treatment; however, vaccines have thus far failed in clinical trials. As a result, anticocaine vaccines must be further optimized to achieve clinical translation. Herein, we report a study on the relationship between vaccine efficacy and hapten stability toward hydrolysis. Two haptens developed by our laboratory, GND and GNE, were conjugated to tetanus toxoid (TT) and formulated with alum and cytosine-guanine oligodeoxynucleotide 1826 (CpG ODN 1826) adjuvants, the optimal formulation in anticocaine vaccine design. GND, a diamide, is more hydrolytically stable than GNE, a monoamide, toward butyrylcholinesterases. Ultimately, both vaccines induced antibodies with high affinity for cocaine. In hyperlocomotion testing, GND-TT and GNE-TT vaccinated mice exhibited a robust blockade of cocaine's stimulatory effects at all tested doses. Overall, antibodies raised against both haptens were highly effective in protecting mice from cocaine-induced psychostimulation.

An Advance in Prescription Opioid Vaccines: Overdose Mortality Reduction and Extraordinary Alteration of Drug Half-Life.

Prescription opioids (POs) such as oxycodone and hydrocodone are highly effective medications for pain management, yet they also present a substantial risk for abuse and addiction. The consumption of POs has been escalating worldwide, resulting in tens of thousands of deaths due to overdose each year. Pharmacokinetic strategies based upon vaccination present an attractive avenue to suppress PO abuse. Herein, the preparation of two active PO vaccines is described that were found to elicit high-affinity antiopioid antibodies through a structurally congruent drug-hapten design. Administration of these vaccines resulted in a significant blockade of opioid analgesic activity, along with an unprecedented increase in drug serum half-life and protection against lethal overdose.

A bioconjugate leveraging xenoreactive antibodies to alleviate cocaine-induced behavior.

A method for potentiating the response to an anti-cocaine vaccine by leveraging xenoreactive antibodies against the carbohydrate epitope Galα1,3-Gal (GAL) was found to result in a highly specific anti-cocaine response that was able to significantly attenuate cocaine-induced locomotion at 20 mg kg-1 with superior efficacy compared to a standard conjugate.

Synthesis of (-)-oxycodone.

Our novel synthetic route to (-)-oxycodone, a semisynthetic opioid analgesic, features a palladium-catalyzed direct intramolecular arylation of an aryl bromide, oxidative dearomatization of a dihydrophenanthrenol, formation of a benzylic quaternary carbon by an intramolecular Michael addition of a malonate moiety, and construction of the morphinan skeleton via a Hofmann rearrangement/lactamization cascade.