Botryorhodines K and L, two new cytotoxic depsidones from a fungus of the genus Arcopilus.

Botryorhodines K (1) and L (2), two new depsidone derivatives, along with one known metabolite, 4-O-demethylbarbatic acid (3), were isolated from the culture extract of a fungus of the genus Arcopilus. The structures of 1‒3 were determined by the analysis of NMR and MS spectral data and the absolute configuration of 1 was established by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Compounds 1 and 2 showed antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria and cytotoxicity against murine leukemia P388 cells.

Marinoquinolones and Marinobactoic Acid: Antimicrobial and Cytotoxic ortho-Dialkylbenzene-Class Metabolites Produced by a Marine Obligate Gammaproteobacterium of the Genus Marinobacterium.

Chemical investigation of the culture extract of a marine obligate proteobacterium, Marinobacterium sp. C17-8, isolated from scleractinian coral Euphyllia sp., led to the discovery of three new o-dialkylbenzene-class metabolites, designated marinoquinolones A (1) and B (2) and marinobactoic acid (3). Spectroscopic analysis using MS and NMR revealed the structures of 1 and 2 to be 4-quinolones with an o-dialkylbenzene-containing side chain at C3 and 3 to be a fatty acid bearing an o-dialkylbenzene substructure. The 4-quinolone form of 1 and 2 was unequivocally determined by comparison of the 1H, 13C, and 15N chemical shifts of 1 with those predicted for 2-methyl-4-quinolone A and its tautomer 2-methyl-4-quinolinol B by quantum chemical calculation. Compound 1 was proven to be racemic by X-ray crystallographic analysis and chiral-phase HPLC analysis of its chemical degradation product. Compounds 1-3 exhibited antimicrobial activity against bacteria and filamentous fungi at MIC of 6.3-50 µg/mL. In addition, all compounds showed cytotoxicity against P388 murine leukemia cells at micromolar ranges.

Kumemicinones A-G, Cytotoxic Angucyclinones from a Deep Sea-Derived Actinomycete of the Genus Actinomadura.

Chemical investigation of the fermentation products of a deep sea water-derived actinomycete, Actinomadura sp. KD439, identified seven new angucyclinones, designated as kumemicinones A-G (1-7), together with the known SF2315B and miaosporone E. NMR and MS spectroscopic analyses, combined with X-ray crystallography and quantum chemical calculations of NMR chemical shifts and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectra, uncovered the structures of new angucyclinones as regioisomers of SF2315B at the allyl alcohol unit (1 and 2), an epoxy ring-opened γ-hydroxy enone isomer (3), a B/C-ring-rearranged product (4), or dimers with a new mode of bridging (5-7), adding new structural variation to this antibiotic group. The absolute configuration of SF2315B was also determined by comparison of ECD spectra with those of 1 and 2. All the angucyclinones exhibited cytotoxicity against P388 murine leukemia cells, with IC50 values ranging from 1.8 to 53 µM.

Structural study of the recognition mechanism of tau antibody Tau2r3 with the key sequence (VQIINK) in tau aggregation.

One of the histopathological features of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is higher order neurofibrillary tangles formed by abnormally aggregated tau protein. The sequence 275VQIINK280 in the microtubule-binding domain of tau plays a key role in tau aggregation. Therefore, an aggregation inhibitor targeting the VQIINK region in tau may be an effective therapeutic agent for AD. We have previously shown that the Fab domain (Fab2r3) of a tau antibody that recognizes the VQIINK sequence can inhibit tau aggregation, and we have determined the tertiary structure of the Fab2r3-VQIINK complex. In this report, we determined the tertiary structure of apo Fab2r3 and analyzed differences in the structures of apo Fab2r3 and Fab2r3-VQIINK to examine the ligand recognition mechanism of Fab2r3. In comparison with the Fab2r3-VQIINK structure, there were large differences in the arrangement of the constant and variable domains in apo Fab2r3. Remarkable structural changes were especially observed in the H3 and L3 loop regions of the complementarity determining regions (CDRs) in apo Fab2r3 and the Fab2r3-VQIINK complex. These structural differences in CDRs suggest that formation of hydrophobic pockets suitable for the antigen is important for antigen recognition by tau antibodies.

Nyuzenamides A and B: Bicyclic Peptides with Antifungal and Cytotoxic Activity from a Marine-Derived Streptomyces sp.

Two bicyclic peptides, nyuzenamides A (1) and B (2), were discovered from Streptomyces isolated from suspended matter in deep sea water collected in the Sea of Japan. Their structures were determined through nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectrometry analyses in combination with X-ray crystallography and the chiral-phase gas chromatography-mass spectrometry method to comprise ten amino acid residues containing four unusual amino acids along with aromatic acyl units. Both compounds displayed antifungal activity against pathogenic fungi and cytotoxicity against P388 murine leukemia cells.

Carapanins A-C: new limonoids from andiroba (Carapa guianensis) fruit oil.

Carapanins A-C (1-3) were isolated from the fruit oil of Carapa guianensis. Compounds 1 and 2 are limonoids with unique structures. Namely, compound 1 is an andirobin-type limonoid with a C-15/C-30 γ-lactone instead of the δ-lactone of the D-ring, and compound 2 is a mexicanolide-type limonoid with a C-16/C-30 δ-lactone ring. The absolute structures of 1 and 2 were determined using X-ray crystallography, whereas the structure of 3 was established mainly via NMR and mass spectroscopy. The inhibitory effects of 1-3 on nitric oxide production were evaluated, and it was revealed that 2 and 3 were potent nitric oxide inhibitors.

Crystal structure of the human tau PHF core domain VQIINK complexed with the Fab domain of monoclonal antibody Tau2r3.

Neurofibrillary tangles formed by abnormally aggregated tau protein are a histopathological feature of tauopathies. A tau aggregation inhibitor is a potential therapeutic agent for tauopathies. In this study, we prepared a monoclonal antibody for tau, monoclonal antibody to tau protein (Tau2r3), using as epitope the 272 GGKVQIINKKLD283 peptide in the microtubule-binding domain of tau, the key region mediating tau aggregation. We show that Tau2r3 clearly inhibits tau aggregation. To analyze the inhibition mechanism of Tau2r3, we solved the crystal structure of the Fab domain of Tau2r3 (Fab2r3) in complex with the VQIINK peptide. In the Fab2r3-VQIINK structure, the second and sixth polar residues and the fourth hydrophobic residue of VQIINK are crucial for binding to Fab2r3. The structural data for the Fab2r3-VQIINK complex could contribute to the design of new tau aggregation inhibitors.

Dataset on synthesis and crystallographic structure of phenyl(TMP)iodonium(III) acetate.

The data in this article are related to research article ''Efficient N-arylation of azole compounds utilizing selective aryl-transfer TMP-iodonium (III) reagents (Koseki et al., 2019). For the title compound, phenyl(2,4,6-trimethoxyphenyl)iodonium(III) acetate (Ph(TMP)IOAc), the single-crystal X-ray diffraction measurement together with NMR analysis, like also the method of synthesis and crystallization are presented. The X-ray structure analysis has revealed that the two types of geometries regarding the acetate anion attached to phenyl (TMP)iodonium (III) cation are found in the crystal states.

Strophasterols E and F: Rearranged ergostane-type sterols from Pleurotus eryngii.

Strophasterols E (1) and F (2) were isolated from the fruiting bodies of Pleurotus eryngii, together with four new ergostane-type sterols (3-6). Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis performed on the tris-p-bromobenzoate derivatives of compounds 1 and 2 allowed these two compounds to be identified as the structurally rare (22S,23R)- and (22S,23S)-5α,6α-epoxy-3ß,7ß,23-trihydroxy-15(14 → 22)-abeo-ergost-8-en-14-one, respectively. The inhibitory effects on nitric oxide production of the six new steroids thus isolated from the fruiting bodies of P. eryngii were also evaluated.

Silyl Group-Directed 6-exo-dig Iodocyclization of Homopropargylic Carbamates and Amides.

Iodocyclization of silyl group-substituted homopropargylic carbamates and amides proceeded via 6-exo-dig mode to afford 6-vinylene-4,5-dihydro-1,3-oxazines in moderate to quantitative yields. This is the first report for silyl group-solely directed iodocyclization of alkynes utilizing the ß-silyl effect. Under these mild reaction conditions, various functionalities such as secondary alcohol, acetal, urea, and sulfide were tolerated.

Guianolactones A and B, Two Rearranged Pentacyclic Limonoids from the Seeds of Carapa guianensis.

Two novel rearranged limonoids, guianolactones A (1) and B (2), were isolated from Carapa guianensis Aubl. (Meliaceae) seeds. The structures of 1 and 2 with their absolute configurations were elucidated in detailed examinations using single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses and 2D NMR spectra. Guianolactone A (1) has a novel 5/6/6/6/6 pentacyclic core including two δ-lactone and a tetrahydropyran ring, while guianolactone B (2) is a novel limonoid with a 6/6/5/6/6 pentacyclic core featuring a δ-lactone and a tetrahydrofuran ring.

Pleurocins A and B: Unusual 11(9 → 7)-abeo-Ergostanes and Eringiacetal B: A 13,14-seco-13,14-Epoxyergostane from Fruiting Bodies of Pleurotus eryngii and Their Inhibitory Effects on Nitric Oxide Production.

Two novel 11(9 → 7)-abeo-ergostane-type steroids, named pleurocins A (1) and B (2), a 13,14-seco-13,14-epoxy ergostane, named eringiacetal B (3), and an ergostane steroid (4) were isolated from the fruiting bodies of Pleurotus eryngii (Pleurotaceae). Their structures were determined by spectroscopic data and X-ray crystallography. A possible biogenesis pathway for 1-3 was also described. Compounds 1-3 exhibited inhibitory activities against NO production with almost no cytotoxicity at concentrations lower than 30 µM.

Nonthmicin, a Polyether Polyketide Bearing a Halogen-Modified Tetronate with Neuroprotective and Antiinvasive Activity from Actinomadura sp.

Nonthmicin (1), a new polyether polyketide bearing a chlorinated tetronic acid, was isolated from the culture extract of a soil-derived Actinomadura strain. The structure of 1 was elucidated by interpretation of NMR and MS spectroscopic data, and the absolute configuration of 1 was proposed on the basis of the crystal structure of its dechloro congener ecteinamycin (2) also isolated from the same strain. Tetronic acids modified by halogenation have never been reported from natural products. Compounds 1 and 2 were found to have neuroprotective activity and antimetastatic properties at submicromolar concentrations in addition to antibacterial activity.

Six new ergostane-type steroids from king trumpet mushroom (Pleurotus eryngii) and their inhibitory effects on nitric oxide production.

Six new ergostane-type steroids; (22E)-3ß,5α,6α,11-tetrahydroxy-9(11)-seco-ergosta-7,22-dien-9-one (1), (22E)-8,14-epoxyergosta-6,22-diene-3ß,5α,9α-triol (2), (22E)-4α,5α-epoxyergosta-7,22-diene-3ß,6ß-diol (3), (22E)-3ß,4ß,5α-trihydroxyergosta-7,22-dien-6-one (4), (22E)-ergosta-7,22-diene-3ß,5ß,6α-triol (5), and (22E)-6ß-methoxyergosta-7,22-diene-3ß,5α-diol 3-O-ß-d-glucopyranoside (6) were isolated from the fruiting bodies of king trumpet mushroom (Pleurotus eryngii), along with fourteen known compounds (7-20). All isolated compounds were evaluated for their inhibitory effects on macrophage activation using a nitric oxide production inhibition assay.

Ulbactins F and G, Polycyclic Thiazoline Derivatives with Tumor Cell Migration Inhibitory Activity from Brevibacillus sp.

Two new structurally unique compounds bearing a nitrogen- and sulfur-containing tricyclic ring system, ulbactin F (1) and its diastereomeric isomer ulbactin G (2), were isolated from the culture extract of a sponge-derived Brevibacillus sp. The structures and absolute configurations of 1 and 2 were determined by NMR analysis and X-ray crystallographic analysis. These compounds inhibit the migration of tumor cells in the submicromolar to micromolar range.

Identification of key amino acids responsible for the distinct aggregation properties of microtubule-associated protein 2 and tau.

The carboxyl-terminal sequence of tau composes the framework for its intracellular inclusions that appear in diverse neurodegenerative disorders known as tauopathies. However, microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2), which contains a homologous carboxyl-terminal sequence of tau, is undetectable in the mature tau inclusions. The mechanisms underlying this phenomenon have remained largely unknown. Here, we show that tau and MAP2 have different aggregation properties: tau aggregates to form filaments but MAP2 remains to be granules. Exchanging (221) YKPV(224) of tau (0N3R) near the PHF6 motif for (340) TKKI(343) of MAP2c profoundly changed aggregation properties, suggesting that the YKPV motif is important for filament formation, whereas the TKKI motif is for granule formation. Thus, these minimal sequences may determine the different fates of tau and MAP2 in the formation of inclusions in tauopathies. Tau and microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2) are homologous microtubule-associated proteins in neurons. So far, it is largely unknown why tau but not MAP2 is selectively involved in the filamentous inclusions (neurofibrillary tangles, NFT) formation in tauopathies, including Alzheimer's disease. In this study, we found that the difference of only two amino acids in tau and MAP2 sequences may determine their different fates in tauopathies. These results may lead to the elucidation of tau deregulation in pathological conditions.

Carapanolides C-I from the seeds of andiroba (Carapa guianensis, Meliaceae).

Five new mexicanolide-type limonoids, carapanolides C-G (1-5), together with two new phragmalin-type limonoids, carapanolides H-I (6, 7), were isolated from the oil of Carapa guianasis AUBLET (Meliaceae) seeds. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analyses using 1D and 2D NMR spectra and FABMS. Carapanolides C (1), E (3), and I (7) exhibited moderate activity in the P388 (IC50 17.9 µM in 1, 15.8 µM in 3) and L1210 cell lines (IC50 13.3 µM in 1, 18.1 µM in 3, 16.9 µM in 7). On the other hand, Carapanolide D (2) exhibited a strong inhibitory effect in the HL-60 cell line (IC50 11.0 µM), Carapanolides F (4) showed inhibitory activity in the L1210 cell line (IC50 15.9 µM), and the cytotoxic activity of Carapanolides I (7) was moderate in all cell lines.

CH-π interaction in VQIVYK sequence elucidated by NMR spectroscopy is essential for PHF formation of tau.

One of the histopathological features of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is higher order neurofibrillary tangles formed by abnormally aggregated tau protein. Investigation of the mechanism of tau aggregation is important for the clarifying the cause of AD and the development of therapeutic drugs. The microtubule-binding domain, which consists of repeats of similar amino acids (R1-R4) is thought to form the core component of paired helical filament (PHF). The hexapeptide(306) VQIVYK(311) of R3 has been shown to take a key role of promoting tau aggregation and assumed that its CH-π interaction between the side chains of Ile308 and Tyr310 would contribute in stabilizing the filament. In this work, we investigated a short isoform of tau (4RTau), R3, VQIVYK peptide and their mutants by thioflavin S (ThS) fluorescence, and NMR measurements, and proved for the first time that this CH-π interaction stabilizes the filament at the atomic level. In addition, by molecular modeling, we revealed that this interaction further supports an extended amphipathic structure for molecular self-association during the process of PHF formation of tau protein. The present work indicates new approach that inhibits the CH-π interaction for developing a therapeutic agent for AD.

Biosynthetic origin of alchivemycin A, a new polyketide from Streptomyces and absolute configuration of alchivemycin B.

Biosynthetic origin of 2H-tetrahydro-4,6-dioxo-1,2-oxazine, an unprecedented structural unit first discovered in alchivemycin A (1), was investigated by feeding (13)C-labeled precursors. Incorporations of both [1-(13)C]glycine and [1-(13)C]-N-hydroxyglycine into the carbon at the 4-position of this six-membered ring indicate that the hydrooxazine ring is assembled through a PKS-NRPS hybrid pathway. Additionally, alchivemycin B (2), a deoxygenated analog of 1, was isolated and its relative and absolute configurations were determined by spectroscopic analysis including NMR and CD and X-ray crystallography.

Guianolides A and B, new carbon skeletal limonoids from the seeds of Carapa guianensis.

Two novel limonoids, named guianolides A (1) and B (2), were isolated from the seeds of Carapa guianensis AUBLET (Meliaceae). Their structures were established by spectroscopic analyses and X-ray crystallography. Guianolides A (1) and B (2) featured an unprecedented carbon skeleton via the formation of a C-11-C-21 bond.