The preparation of zaragozic acid A analogues by directed biosynthesis.

Zaragozic acid A analogues are produced by an unidentified sterile fungus when it is exogenously supplied with 2-thiophenecarboxylic acid, 3-thiophenecarboxylic acid, 2-furoic acid, 2-fluorobenzoic acid, 3-fluorobenzoic acid, or 4-fluorobenzoic acid. The analogues carry 2-thiophenyl, 3-thiophenyl, 2-furyl, o-fluorophenyl, m-fluorophenyl, or p-fluorophenyl group, respectively, at C-6' of the C-1 alkyl side chain replacing the phenyl group of natural zaragozic acid A. All the new analogues of zaragozic acid A possess picomolar inhibitory activity against squalene synthase in vitro.

Microbial transformation of L-696,474, a novel cytochalasin as an inhibitor of HIV-1 protease.

The microbiological transformation of L-696,474 [1], a novel cytochalasin that is an inhibitor of HIV-1 protease, was investigated using Actinoplanes sp. ATCC 53771. Six hydroxylated metabolites 2-7 of 1 were isolated and purified using reversed-phase hplc. All six metabolites were found to have undergone hydroxylation at the C-16 methyl group (C-22) of 1. Three of the compounds, 3, 4, and 5, were further hydroxylated at the para (C-29), the meta (C-28), and both the para and the meta, positions of the phenyl ring, respectively. Metabolites 6 and 7 were shown to result from vicinal dihydroxylation on both C-16 and its attached Me (C-22). The metabolite 7 was further hydroxylated on the meta position of the phenyl ring. The structures of the metabolites were established using spectroscopic techniques including ms, 1H nmr, 13C nmr, and various 2D nmr spectroscopy experiments.

Improvement in the titer of echinocandin-type antibiotics: a magnesium-limited medium supporting the biphasic production of pneumocandins A0 and B0.

We have developed a liquid fermentation medium for the submerged culture of the fungus, Zalerion arboricola, which supports the rapid production of an echinocandin-type antibiotic, pneumocandin A0 (formerly L-671,329), in yields increased at least 4-fold over those reported previously. The improvements were achieved through medium simplification, substitution of high levels of mannitol for glycerol as the major source of carbon, and restriction of available magnesium. Antibiotic formation in batch cultures with this mannitol-based medium is not confined to the idiophase; rather production appears to be biphasic, with synthesis beginning during growth (i.e., at day 3) and increasing in rate at day 11, well after rapid growth has ended. Accumulation of antibiotic continues beyond 14 days, and by 21 days titers greater than 500 micrograms/ml are attained. For the synthesis of a related compound, pneumocandin B0, by a mutant strain of Z. arboricola, the medium gives similar production kinetics and a titer of 800 micrograms/ml. Although supplementation of the medium with magnesium ions stimulates growth, it decreases titer by preferentially affecting the second phase of antibiotic synthesis. This decline in synthesis in the magnesium-supplemented medium is explained by the depletion of mannitol before the second phase of synthesis can begin. In contrast, mannitol in the magnesium-limited medium is used more slowly with approximately half still available at day 11 to support continued antibiotic formation.

Microbial hydroxylation and glucuronidation of the angiotensin II (AII) receptor antagonist MK 954.

The microbial metabolism of MK 954 (Fig. 1), a novel nonpeptide angiotensin II receptor antagonist, was investigated using 40 microorganisms in an initial screen for cultures that will produce metabolites similar to those produced in the mammalian liver. The microbial transformation occurred under aerobic conditions in shake flasks incubated at 27 degrees C. Three metabolites of MK 954 were isolated and identified as the 1'-hydroxy M2, 3'-hydroxy M1, and glucuronic acid conjugated M3 derivatives. The structures of the metabolites were established by UV, 1H-NMR spectroscopy and FAB-MS spectrometry and are identical to metabolites produced by incubation of MK 954 with mammalian liver slices.

L-696,474, a novel cytochalasin as an inhibitor of HIV-1 protease. I. The producing organism and its fermentation.

A novel cytochalasin, L-696,474, (18-dehydroxy cytochalasin H) that inhibits HIV-1 protease was discovered in fermentations of a bark-inhabiting Ascomycete, Hypoxylon fragiforme. The product was first identified from extracts of an agar medium. Fermentation studies on a number of media indicated that the product can be made on several solid and liquid media. Optimum production was obtained from growth in a complex medium composed of glycerol, glucose, citrate, Ardamine, soybean meal, tomato paste, and inorganic salts. Other Hypoxylon spp., related species of Xylariales, and other fungi known to produce cytochalasins, were also surveyed for their ability to make L-696,474. Only one other Hypoxylon fragiforme isolate was found to make this novel cytochalasin; none of the other cultures surveyed made L-696,474 or any other compounds which inhibit HIV-1 protease.

Microbial transformation of immunosuppressive compounds. I. Desmethylation of FK506 and immunomycin (FR 900520) by Actinoplanes sp. ATCC 53771.

The immunosuppressants FK506 and FR 900520 were desmethylated by Actinoplanes sp. ATCC 53771 to yield various O-desmethylated products. The products were isolated and purified by solvent extraction and HPLC chromatography, and identified by NMR and MS spectroscopy.

L-671,329, a new antifungal agent. I. Fermentation and isolation.

In screening for new antifungal agents from fungi, a new lipopeptide antifungal agent, L-671,329, similar to echinocandin B, has been isolated from Zalerion arboricola. Studies indicate that L-671,329 is produced under both solid and liquid fermentation conditions.

Novel cholecystokinin antagonists from Aspergillus alliaceus. I. Fermentation, isolation, and biological properties.

The discovery and biological properties of four novel cholecystokinin antagonists produced by Aspergillus alliaceus is described. One of these was seven times more potent than the previously reported asperlicin.

Difficidin and oxydifficidin: novel broad spectrum antibacterial antibiotics produced by Bacillus subtilis. I. Production, taxonomy and antibacterial activity.

Difficidin and oxydifficidin, two novel macrocyclic polyene lactone phosphate esters were discovered in fermentation broths of each of two strains of Bacillus subtilis: ATCC 39320 and ATCC 39374. Difficidin and oxydifficidin each showed a broad spectrum of activity against aerobic and anaerobic bacteria. Many of the susceptible aerobes and anaerobes were human pathogens resistant to one or more antibiotics. Difficidin and oxydifficidin when administered intraperitoneally protected mice against an otherwise lethal bacteremia caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae (ED50 in mg/kg of 1.31 and 15.6 respectively). Neither difficidin nor oxydifficidin were effective when administered via the subcutaneous route.

L-681,217, a new and novel member of the efrotomycin family of antibiotics.

L-681,217 is a new broad spectrum antibiotic isolated from fermentation broth. The compound is a structurally unique member of the efrotomycin family of growth permittant antibiotics.

Asperlicin, a novel non-peptidal cholecystokinin antagonist from Aspergillus alliaceus. Fermentation, isolation and biological properties.

The fermentation and isolation of a new, non-peptide cholecystokinin antagonist, asperlicin, produced by Aspergillus alliaceus is described. The potent and specific interaction of asperlicin with cholecystokinin receptors was shown using in vitro biochemical assays.

A potent nonpeptide cholecystokinin antagonist selective for peripheral tissues isolated from Aspergillus alliaceus.

A new, competitive, nonpeptide cholecystokinin (CCK) antagonist, asperlicin, was isolated from the fungus Aspergillus alliaceus. The compound has 300 to 400 times the affinity for pancreatic, ileal, and gallbladder CCK receptors than proglumide, a standard agent of this class. Moreover, asperlicin is highly selective for peripheral CCK receptors relative to brain CCK and gastrin receptors. Since asperlicin also exhibits long-lasting CCK antagonist activity in vivo, it should provide a valuable tool for investigating the physiological and pharmacological actions of CCK.

L-155,175: a new antiparasitic macrolide. Fermentation, isolation and structure.

A new antiparasitic macrolide, L-155,175, produced by a strain of Streptomyces hygroscopicus, has been isolated; its structure was determined by physico-chemical means. It is active against the tapeworm Hymenolepis diminuta in rats.

Discovery, production and purification of the Na+, K+ activated ATPase inhibitor, L-681,110 from the fermentation broth of Streptomyces sp. MA-5038.

The maximum yield for the production of L-681,110 by Streptomyces sp. MA-5038 (ATCC 31587) was observed after 5 days' incubation at 28 degrees C and pH about 8.3. L-681,110 was isolated from the fermentation broth by acetone extraction of the mycelia, absorption to Amberlite XAD-2 resin and two separations by thin-layer chromatography. The structure of L-681,110 was found to consist of a sixteen-membered lactone with a new type of substitution. The inhibition of ATPase, activity against Caenorhabditis elegans and stimulation of gamma-aminobutyric acid release indicate that L-681,110 possesses some characteristics of both oligomycin and avermectin. L-681,110 was also active against tapeworm and ticks in an in vivo assay.

[R-(Z)]-4-amino-3-chloro-2-pentenedioic acid, a new antibiotic. Fermentation, isolation and characterization.

A new unsaturated glutamic acid analog, 4-amino-3-chloro-2-pentenedioic acid ( ACPA ) was isolated from a fermentation broth produced by a strain of Streptomyces. ACPA has a very narrow antibacterial spectrum, which is virtually limited to Micrococcus luteus.

Epithienamycins-novel beta-lactams related to thienamycin. I. Production and antibacterial activity.

The epithienamycins are cell wall active antibiotics structurally related to N-acetylthienamycin. We have found forty-three isolated of Streptomyces flavogriseus which are capable of producing members of the epithienamycin family. Six major epithienamycin components, and xanthomycin, have been isolated from fermentation broth. Fermentation conditions can be varied to enrich for certain members of the epithienamycin family. All six components show activity in vitro versus a broad spectrum of bacterial species. The weight potencies vary 27 fold from the most active to least active.