A-seco-oleane-type triterpenes from Phomopsis sp. (strain HKI0458) isolated from the mangrove plant Hibiscus tiliaceus.

From the fermentation broth of an unidentified Phomopsis sp. (strain HKI0458) isolated from the mangrove plant Hibiscus tiliaceus, four A-seco-oleane-type triterpenes, namely 3,4-seco-olean-11,13-dien-4,15alpha, 22beta,24-tetraol-3-oic acid (1), 3,4-seco-olean-11,13-dien-4,7beta,22beta,24-tetraol-3-oic acid (2), 3,4-seco- olean-13-en-4,7,15,22,24-pentaol-3-oic acid (3), and 3,4-seco-olean-13-en-4,15,22,24-tetraol-3-oic acid (4) were obtained. Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic (UV, IR, FABMS, and 2D NMR) data analyses.

Plasticity in gilvocarcin-type C-glycoside pathways: discovery and antitumoral evaluation of polycarcin V from Streptomyces polyformus.

Gilvocarcin-type polyketide glycosides represent some of the most powerful antitumor therapeutics. Bioactivity-guided fractionation of a culture extract of Streptomyces polyformus sp. nov. (YIM 33176) yielded the known gilvocarcin V (2) and a novel related compound, polycarcin V (1). Structure elucidation by NMR and chemical derivatization revealed that the congener (1) features a C-glycosidically linked alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl moiety in lieu of the D-fucofuranose. The concomitant production of two distinct furanosyl and pyranosyl C-glycosides that share the same aglycone is unprecedented in bacteria. A conversion of both isoforms via a quinone methide intermediate can be ruled out, thus pointing to two individual C-glycosylation pathways. Cytotoxicity profiling of polycarcin V in a panel of 37 tumor cell lines indicated significant antitumoral activity with a pronounced selectivity for non-small-cell lung cancer, breast cancer and melanoma cells. As the antiproliferative fingerprint is identical to that of actinomycin D, the known DNA interaction of gilvocarcins was established as a general principle of antitumorigenic activity.

Structure, derivatization, and antitumor activity of new griseusins from Nocardiopsis sp.

Four new griseusins, 4'-dehydro-deacetylgriseusin A (1) and 2a,8a-epoxy-epi-deacetylgriseusin B (2) as new constitutional derivatives and epi-deacetylgriseusin A (3) and epi-deacetylgriseusin B (4) as new stereoisomers, were isolated from Nocardiopsis sp. (YIM80133, DSM16644). 4'-Dehydro-deacetylgriseusin A (1) showed pronounced cytotoxic potency (mean IC50 = 0.430 microM) combined with a significant selectivity for mammary cancer, renal cancer, and melanoma in a panel consisting of 37 tumor cell lines. In a clonogenic assay with tumor cells from 51 solid tumors, 1 inhibited anchorage independent growth and in vitro colony formation of tumor cells in a concentration-dependent and tumor type selective manner. As 1 was only a minor product, a semisynthetic preparation from the major metabolite, epi-deacetylgriseusin A (3), was achieved. Our studies also yielded 9-hydroxy-epi-deacetylgriseusin B methylester (5), 4'-dehydro-9-hydroxy-deacetylgriseusin B methylester (6), and 4'-dehydro-2a,8a-epoxy-deacetylgriseusin B (7) as new synthetic isochromanequinone derivatives, which provided a basic structure-activity relationship study.

Abyssomicin E, a highly functionalized polycyclic metabolite from Streptomyces species.

Abyssomicin E (1), a new polycyclic metabolite with a C19 skeleton, was isolated from Streptomyces sp. (HKI0381). Its chemical structure was determined by comprehensive NMR and MS spectroscopic analyses. For the first time in this recently discovered class of compounds, the absolute stereochemistry was directly established by subsequent single-crystal X-ray diffraction study using anomalous dispersion with copper radiation.

Design and evaluation of an oligonucleotide-microarray for the detection of different species of the genus Kitasatospora.

An oligonucleotide-microarray method was developed for the detection of Kitasatospora species in soil samples. The 16S-23S rDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequence of these antibiotics-producing actinomycetes was applied to design short oligonucleotide probes. Two different 26-mers were synthesized, specific to each species used. Additionally, four oligonucleotide probes were designed to evaluate the system. The oligonucleotides were spotted onto slides of the ArrayTube microarray system and examined with a new silver-labeling detection technique. Prior to hybridization analysis, the 16S-23S rDNA were amplified by polymerase chain reaction both from bacterial cells and environmental samples using two actinomycetes specific primers containing a 5' biotin labeling. The type strains of eight Kitasatospora species included in this study were K. phosalacinea DSM 43860, K. setae DSM 43861, K. cochleata DSM 41652, K. cystarginea DSM 41680, K. azatica DSM 41650, K. mediocidica DSM 43929, K. paracochleata DSM 41656, and K. griseola DSM 43859. The actinomycetes-specific primers were shown to amplify the entire 16S-23S rDNA ITS region from all tested strains. More importantly, the described technique allows the detection of Kitasatospora strains from soil samples by extracting metagenomic DNA followed by a PCR amplification step. This indicates that the oligonucleotide-microarray method developed in this study is a reliable tool for the detection of Kitasatospora species in environmental samples.

New cyclopentenone derivatives from an endophytic Streptomyces sp. isolated from the mangrove plant Aegiceras comiculatum.

From the mangrove plant Aegiceras comiculatum collected in South China an endophytic Streptomyces sp. was isolated. Following cultivation in a seawater-based medium, four new cyclopentenone derivatives, namely (5R) 3-amino-5-hydroxy-5-vinyl-2-cyclopenten-1-one (1), (5R) 5-hydroxy-3-[(methoxycarbonyl)amino]-5-vinyl-2-cyclopenten-1-one (2), (5R) 5-hydroxy-3-[[2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethyl]amino]-5-vinyl-2-cyclopenten-l-one (3), and 3-isobutylpropanamide-2-cyclopenten-l-one (4), were obtained from the fermentation broth. Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic (UV, IR, ESIMS, and 2D NMR) data analyses.

Jenamidines A to C: unusual alkaloids from Streptomyces sp. with specific antiproliferative properties obtained by chemical screening.

Three new naturally occurring bicyclic alkaloids, jenamidines A (1), B (2) and C (3), were discovered and isolated from the culture broth of Streptomyces sp. (strain HKI0297) via the chemical screening approach. Fermentation, isolation, structure and biological activities of these three new secondary metabolites are reported. The jenamidines have an unusual octahydro-pyrido[1,2-a]pyrimidine skeleton. Jenamidine A (1) shows antiproliferative effects against the chronic myeloid leukaemic cell line K-562. In addition, the new tricyclic sesquiterpenoid, africantriol (4) was isolated from the same strain.

New 2-o-methylrhamno-isoflavones from Streptomyces sp.

Chemical screening with extracts of Actinomycetes strains resulted in the detection, isolation and structure elucidation of five new isoflavone glycosides from Streptomyces sp. (GT 51173): 5-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl genestein (genestein G1, 1), 5-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-7-O-[2-O-(methyl)-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl] genestein (genestein G2, 2), 7,4'-O-di-[2-O-(methyl)-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl] daidzein (daidzein G1, 3), 6-O-methyl-7-O-[2-O-(methyl)-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl] daidzein (daidzein G2, 4) and 7-O-[2-O-(methyl)-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl] daidzein (daidzein G3, 5). As a striking structural feature, 2-5 bear one or two alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl sugar moieties with methoxy groups in an axial position at C-2.

A protein linkage map of the ESAT-6 secretion system 1 (ESX-1) of Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Tuberculosis is a chronic infectious disease caused by bacteria of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex. One of the major contributors to virulence and intercellular spread of M. tuberculosis is the ESAT-6 secretion system 1 (ESX-1) that has been lost by the live vaccines Mycobacterium bovis BCG (Bacille Calmette Guérin) and Mycobacterium microti as a result of independent deletions. ESX-1 consists of at least 10 genes (Rv3868-Rv3877) encoding the T-cell antigens ESAT-6 and CFP-10 as well as AAA-ATPases, chaperones, and membrane proteins which probably form a novel export system. To better understand the mode of action of the ESX-1 proteins, as a prelude to drug development, we examined systematically the interactions between the various proteins using the two-hybrid system in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Interestingly, ESAT-6 and CFP-10 formed both hetero- and homodimers. Moreover, Rv3866, Rv3868, and CFP-10 interacted with Rv3873 which also homodimerized. The data were summarized in a protein linkage map that is consistent with the model for the secretion apparatus and can be used as a basis to identify inhibitors of specific interactions.

Direct detection of Kitasatospora species with a chaperone oligonucleotide microarray method lacking PCR amplification.

Identification of members of the genus Kitasatospora from soil samples has been introduced to evaluate occurrence of potential natural compound producers in different habitats. The microarray hybridization usually involves PCR amplification of the target DNA. Since PCR might lead to biased amplification, a diagnostic Kitasatospora microarray technique was improved by a protocol lacking PCR amplification prior to hybridization. The described advanced hybridization method used chaperone oligonucleotides for direct co-hybridization with genomic DNA on an oligonuclotide microarray with optical readout.

Butyrolactone I derivatives from Aspergillus terreus carrying an unusual sulfate moiety.

In our ongoing search for new bioactive metabolites from microbial resources, Aspergillus terreus (HKI0499) was examined by chemical metabolite profiling. Together with the known butyrolactone I ( 3), the unusual sulfate derivatives butyrolactone I 3-sulfate ( 1) and butyrolactone I 4''-sulfate ( 2) were discovered. The chemical structures were determined by NMR and MS data analyses. All compounds were tested on CDK1/cyclin B, CDK5/p25, DYRK1A, CK1, and GSK-3alpha/beta kinases; compounds 2 and 3 were also evaluated for their cytotoxic and antiproliferative activities. Butyrolactone I 3-sulfate ( 1) exhibited specific inhibitory activity against CDK1/cyclin B and CDK5/p25, yet 15-30-fold less than butyrolactone I ( 3). Likewise, butyrolactone I 3-sulfate ( 1) exhibited moderate cytotoxicity solely against HeLa cells (CC 50 = 80.7 microM).

New abietane diterpenoids from the mangrove Avicennia marina.

Phytochemical investigations of the twigs of Avicennia marina yielded three new abietane diterpenoids 11-hydroxy-8,11,13-abietatriene 12- O-beta-xylopyranoside ( 1), and a pair of inseparable epimers 6 Halpha-11,12,16-trihydroxy-6,7-secoabieta-8,11,13-triene-6,7-dial 11,6-hemiacetal ( 2) and 6 Hbeta-11,12,16-trihydroxy-6,7-secoabieta-8,11,13-triene-6,7-dial 11,6-hemiacetal ( 3), as well as the new lignan (7' S,8' R)-4,4',9'-trihydroxy-3,3',5,5'-tetramethoxy-7,8-dehydro-9-al-2,7'-cyclolignan ( 5), together with 6,11,12,16-tetrahydroxy-5,8,11,13-abitetetraen-7-one ( 4), lyoniresinol ( 6), lyoniresinol 9'- O-beta- D-glucopyranoside ( 7), and diacetylmartynoside ( 8). Structure elucidation of the new compounds was accomplished by analysis of their spectroscopic data. Compounds 2 - 4 showed moderate cytotoxic and antimicrobial activities.

Fatty acyl benzamido antibacterials based on inhibition of DnaK-catalyzed protein folding.

We have reported that the hsp70 chaperone DnaK from Escherichia coli might assist protein folding by catalyzing the cis/trans isomerization of secondary amide peptide bonds in unfolded or partially folded proteins. In this study a series of fatty acylated benzamido inhibitors of the cis/trans isomerase activity of DnaK was developed and tested for antibacterial effects in E. coli MC4100 cells. N(alpha)-[Tetradecanoyl-(4-aminomethylbenzoyl)]-l-asparagine is the most effective antibacterial with a minimal inhibitory concentration of 100 +/- 20 microg/ml. The compounds were shown to compete with fluorophore-labeled sigma(32)-derived peptide for the peptide binding site of DnaK and to increase the fraction of aggregated proteins in heat-shocked bacteria. Despite its inability to serve as a folding helper in vivo a DnaK-inhibitor complex was still able to sequester an unfolded protein in vitro. Structure activity relationships revealed a distinct dependence of DnaK-assisted refolding of luciferase on the fatty acyl chain length, whereas the minimal inhibitory concentration was most sensitive to the structural nature of the benzamido core. We conclude that the isomerase activity of DnaK is a major survival factor in the heat shock response of bacteria and that small molecule inhibitors can lead to functional inactivation of DnaK and thus will display antibacterial activity.

Unusual naphthoquinone derivatives from the twigs of Avicennia marina.

In a continuing search for novel bioactive compounds from marine mangrove plants, seven new naphthoquinone derivatives were isolated from Avicennia marina, namely, avicennone A (1), avicennone B (2), avicennone C (3), avicennone D (4), avicenone E (5), avicennone F (6), and avicennone G (7), along with the known compounds avicequinone A (8), stenocarpoquinone B (9), avicequinone C (10), avicenol A (11), and avicenol C (12). The chemical structures of 1-7 were elucidated by spectroscopic methods. Compounds 8-10, and a mixture of 4 and 5, which all contain a 4,9-dione group, showed strong antiproliferative and moderate cytotoxic activities, as well as antibacterial effects.

Structure elucidation of a new friedelane triterpene from the mangrove plant Hibiscus tiliaceus.

From the stem and bark of the mangrove plant Hibiscus tiliaceus, a new friedelane-type triterpene named 27-oic-3-oxo-28-friedelanoic acid (1) together with eight known triterpenoids involving five friedelane-type derivatives was isolated. The structure of 1 was determined by extensive 2D NMR (DQF-COSY, HMQC, HMBC, and NOESY) data analyses. All the compounds were obtained from mangrove plants for the first time.

Proteome alterations in human host cells infected with coxsackievirus B3.

Coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) is a common factor in human myocarditis. The interplay between host factors and virus components is crucial for the fate of the infected cells. Despite that, host protein responses, which characterize CVB3-induced diseases, have not yet been determined in detail. To investigate the nature of modified protein patterns in infected human cells compared with uninfected cells, two-dimensional gel electrophoresis in combination with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-mass spectrometry were used. The regulated proteins, e.g. nucleophosmin (nucleolar protein B23), lamin, the RNA-binding protein UNR and the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase, were sorted according to their functional groups and interpreted in the context of the myocarditis process.

New aromatic compounds from the marine mangrove Bruguiera gymnorrhiza.

The phytochemical investigation of the stem of Bruguiera gymnorrhiza yielded five new aromatic compounds (1-5), of which the bruguierols A - C (1-3) represent a new structural skeleton in natural product chemistry. All structures have been determined by NMR spectroscopic studies. Among them, 3 showed moderate activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria including mycobacteria and resistant strains (MICs 12.5 microg/mL).