Selection of Natural Compounds with HMGA-Interfering Activities and Cancer Cell Cytotoxicity

HMGA proteins are intrinsically disordered (ID) chromatin architectural factors characterized by three DNA binding domains (AT-hooks) that allow them to bind into the DNA minor groove of AT-rich stretches. HMGA are functionally involved in regulating transcription, RNA processing, DNA repair, and chromatin remodeling and dynamics. These proteins are highly expressed and play essential functions during embryonic development. They are almost undetectable in adult tissues but are re-expressed at high levels in all cancers where they are involved in neoplastic transformation and cancer progression. We focused on identifying new small molecules capable of binding into the minor groove of AT-rich DNA sequences that could compete with HMGA for DNA binding and, thus, potentially interfere with their activities. Here, a docking-based virtual screening of a unique high diversity in-house library composed of around 1000 individual natural products identified 16 natural compounds as potential minor groove binders that could inhibit the interaction between HMGA and DNA. To verify the ability of these selected compounds to compete with HMGA proteins, we screened them using electrophoretic mobility shift assays. We identified Sorocein C, a Diels-Alder (D-A)-type adducts, isolated from Sorocea ilicifolia and Sorocea bonplandii with an HMGA/DNA-displacing activity and compared its activity with that of two structurally related compounds, Sorocein A and Sorocein B. All these compounds showed a cytotoxicity effect on cancer cells, suggesting that the Sorocein-structural family may provide new and yet unexplored chemotypes for the development of minor groove binders to be evaluated as anticancer agents.

30th Annual GP2A Medicinal Chemistry Conference

The Group for the Promotion of Pharmaceutical Chemistry in Academia (GP2A) held their 30th annual conference in August 2022 in Trinity College Dublin, Ireland. There were 9 keynote presentations, 10 early career researcher presentations and 41 poster presentations.

Aminobenzofuran-containing analogues of proximicins exhibit higher antiproliferative activity against human UG-87 glioblastoma cells compared to temozolomide

A new series of proximicin analogues containing a benzofuran moiety as the replacement of the di-furan scaffold of the parent compound were synthesised and evaluated for their anti-proliferative activities against human glioblastoma cells U-87 MG. Proximicins A, B, and C are secondary metabolites produced by Verrucosispora Fiedleri MG-37, a Gram-positive actinomycete isolated from deep-sea sediment. Proximicins exhibit significant cytotoxic and apoptotic effects in a number of tumour cell lines, although further investigations on these natural products biological activity are hampered by the challenging synthesis of their constitutive di-furan unit. Therefore, the easily-synthesisable benzofuran ring was elected as a replacement of the di-furan platform, and a library of proximicin analogues was prepared in which different substituents were introduced at both the N-terminus and C-terminus of the benzofuran core unit. The novel compounds were tested against U-87 MG, as it was previously found that proximicins targeted this cancerous cell line, and the human healthy cell line WI-38. Temozolomide, the chemotherapeutic agent of choice for the treatment of glioblastoma, was used as a control. Analysis of growth inhibitory concentration values revealed that a number of furan-benzofuran-containing proximicin analogues, including 23(16) (IC_{50 U-87 MG} = 6.54 μg mL^-1) exhibited higher antiproliferative activity against glioblastoma cells compared to both proximicins A-C and temozolomide (IC_{50 U-87 MG} = 29.19 μg mL^-1) in U-87 MG.

Marine life as a source for breast cancer treatment: A comprehensive review

Breast cancer, one of the most significant tumors among all cancer cells, still has deficiencies for effective treatment. Moreover, substitute treatments employing natural products as bioactive metabolites has been seriously considered. The source of bioactive metabolites are not only the most numerous but also represent the richest source. A unique source is from the oceans or marine species which demonstrated intriguing chemical and biological diversity which represents an astonishing reserve for discovering novel anticancer drugs. Notably, marine sponges produce the largest amount of diverse bioactive peptides, alkaloids, terpenoids, polyketides along with many secondary metabolites whose potential is mostly therapeutic. In this review, our main focus is on the marine derived secondary metabolites which demonstrated cytotoxic effects towards numerous breast cancer cells and have been isolated from the marine sources such as marine sponges, cyanobacteria, fungi, algae, tunicates, actinomycetes, ascidians, and other sources of marine organisms.

Marine-Inspired Drugs and Biomaterials in the Perspective of Pancreatic Cancer Therapies

Despite its low prevalence, pancreatic cancer (PC) is one of the deadliest, typically characterised as silent in early stages and with a dramatically poor prognosis when in its advanced stages, commonly associated with a high degree of metastasis. Many efforts have been made in pursuing innovative therapeutical approaches, from the search for new cytotoxic drugs and other bioactive compounds, to the development of more targeted approaches, including improved drug delivery devices. Marine biotechnology has been contributing to this quest by providing new chemical leads and materials originating from different organisms. In this review, marine biodiscovery for PC is addressed, particularly regarding marine invertebrates (namely sponges, molluscs, and bryozoans), seaweeds, fungi, and bacteria. In addition, the development of biomaterials based on marine-originating compounds, particularly chitosan, fucoidan, and alginate, for the production of advanced cancer therapies, is also discussed. The key role that drug delivery can play in new cancer treatments is highlighted, as therapeutical outcomes need to be improved to give further hope to patients.

Promising bioactive compounds from the marine environment and their potential effects on various diseases

Background

The marine environment hosts a wide variety of species that have evolved to live in harsh and challenging conditions. Marine organisms are the focus of interest due to their capacity to produce biotechnologically useful compounds. They are promising biocatalysts for new and sustainable industrial processes because of their resistance to temperature, pH, salt, and contaminants, representing an opportunity for several biotechnological applications. Encouraged by the extensive and richness of the marine environment, marine organisms’ role in developing new therapeutic benefits is heading as an arable field.

Main body of the abstract

There is currently much interest in biologically active compounds derived from natural resources, especially compounds that can efficiently act on molecular targets, which are involved in various diseases. Studies are focused on bacteria and fungi, isolated from sediments, seawater, fish, algae, and most marine invertebrates such as sponges, mollusks, tunicates, coelenterates, and crustaceans. In addition to marine macro-organisms, such as sponges, algae, or corals, marine bacteria and fungi have been shown to produce novel secondary metabolites (SMs) with specific and intricate chemical structures that may hold the key to the production of novel drugs or leads. The marine environment is known as a rich source of chemical structures with numerous beneficial health effects. Presently, several lines of studies have provided insight into biological activities and neuroprotective effects of marine algae, including antioxidant, anti-neuroinflammatory, cholinesterase inhibitory activity, and neuronal death inhibition.

Conclusion

The application of marine-derived bioactive compounds has gained importance because of their therapeutic uses in several diseases. Marine natural products (MNPs) display various pharmaceutically significant bioactivities, including antibiotic, antiviral, neurodegenerative, anticancer, or anti-inflammatory properties. The present review focuses on the importance of critical marine bioactive compounds and their role in different diseases and highlights their possible contribution to humanity.

Evaluation of the anticarcinogenic potential of the endophyte, Streptomyces sp. LRE541 isolated from Lilium davidii var. unicolor (Hoog) Cotton

BACKGROUND

Endophytic actinomycetes, as emerging sources of bioactive metabolites, have been paid great attention over the years. Recent reports demonstrated that endophytic streptomycetes could yield compounds with potent anticancer properties that may be developed as chemotherapeutic drugs.

RESULTS

Here, a total of 15 actinomycete-like isolates were obtained from the root tissues of Lilium davidii var. unicolor (Hoog) Cotton based on their morphological appearance, mycelia coloration and diffusible pigments. The preliminary screening of antagonistic capabilities of the 15 isolates showed that isolate LRE541 displayed antimicrobial activities against all of the seven tested pathogenic microorganisms. Further in vitro cytotoxicity test of the LRE541 extract revealed that this isolate possesses potent anticancer activities with IC50 values of 0.021, 0.2904, 1.484, 4.861, 6.986, 8.106, 10.87, 12.98, and 16.94 μg/mL against cancer cell lines RKO, 7901, HepG2, CAL-27, MCF-7, K562, Hela, SW1990, and A549, respectively. LRE541 was characterized and identified as belonging to the genus Streptomyces based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. It produced extensively branched red substrate and vivid pink aerial hyphae that changed into amaranth, with elliptic spores sessile to the aerial mycelia. To further explore the mechanism underlying the decrease of cancer cell viability following the LRE541 extract treatment, cell apoptosis and cell cycle arrest assays were conducted in two cancer cell lines, RKO and 7901. The result demonstrated that LRE541 extract inhibited cell proliferation of RKO and 7901 by causing cell cycle arrest both at the S phase and inducing apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. The chemical profile of LRE541 extract performed by the UHPLC-MS/MS analysis revealed the presence of thirty-nine antitumor compounds in the extract. Further chemical investigation of the LRE541 extract led to the discovery of one prenylated indole diketopiperazine (DKP) alkaloid, elucidated as neoechinulin A, a known antitumor agent firstly detected in Streptomyces; two anthraquinones 4-deoxy-ε-pyrromycinone (1) and epsilon-pyrromycinone (2) both displaying anticancer activities against RKO, SW1990, A549, and HepG2 with IC50 values of 14.96 ± 2.6 - 20.42 ± 4.24 μg/mL for (1); 12.9 ± 2.13, 19.3 ± 4.32, 16.8 ± 0.75, and 18.6 ± 3.03 μg/mL for (2), respectively.

CONCLUSION

Our work evaluated the anticarcinogenic potential of the endophyte, Streptomyces sp. LRE541 and obtained one prenylated indole diketopiperazine alkaloid and two anthraquinones. Neoechinulin A, as a known antitumor agent, was identified for the first time in Streptomyces. Though previously found in Streptomyces, epsilon-pyrromycinone and 4-deoxy-ε-pyrromycinone were firstly shown to possess anticancer activities.

Marine peptides in breast cancer: Therapeutic and mechanistic understanding

Breast cancer is the most prevalent invasive form of cancer in females and posing a great challenge for overcoming disease burden. The growth in global cancer deaths mandates the discovery of new efficacious natural anti-tumor treatments. In this regard, aquatic species offer a rich supply of possible drugs. Studies have shown that several marine peptides damage cancer cells by a broad range of pathways, including apoptosis, microtubule balance disturbances, and suppression of angiogenesis. Traditional chemotherapeutic agents are characterized by a plethora of side effects, including immune response suppression. The discovery of novel putative anti-cancer peptides with lesser toxicity is therefore necessary and timely, especially those able to thwart multi drug resistance (MDR). This review addresses marine anti-cancer peptides for the treatment of breast cancer.

Endophytic actinobacteria of Hymenachne amplexicaulis from the Brazilian Pantanal wetland produce compounds with antibacterial and antitumor activities

The increase in the number of deaths from infections caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria and cancer diseases highlights the need for new molecules with biological activity. Actinobacteria represent a potential source of new compounds, as these microorganisms have already produced a great diversity of clinically employed antibiotics. Endophytes from unexplored biomes, such as the Pantanal (the largest wetland in the world), can be a source of new molecules. Hymenachne amplexicaulis is among the unexplored native plants of the Pantanal in terms of its endophytic community. This plant is considered a weed in other countries due to its ability to adapt and compete with native plants, and there is evidence to suggest that the endophytic community of H. amplexicaulis plays an important role in this competitiveness. To explore its therapeutic potential, the present study isolated, identified (using partial sequence of the 16S rDNA) and bioprospected H. amplexicaulis endophytic actinobacteria. Ten isolates belonging to the genera Streptomyces, Microbispora, Leifsonia, and Verrucosispora were obtained from root fragments. The susceptibility profile of the isolates to the different classes of antibiotics was evaluated, with 80 % of the isolates showing resistance to the antibiotics Nalidixic Acid, Ampicillin, Chloramphenicol, Oxacillin, and Rifampicin. To assess antibacterial and antitumor activities, methanolic extracts were obtained by fermentation in SG culture medium at 36 °C at 180 rpm for 10 days. The extract produced from the S. albidoflavus CMRP4854 isolate was the only one to show activity against the Gram-negative bacterium Acinetobacter baumanii. Due to the great clinical importance of this pathogen and the difficulty in obtaining active compounds against it, the CMRP4854 isolate should be further investigated for the identification of active compounds and mode of action. We also emphasize the results obtained by the extract of the isolates Streptomyces albidoflavus CMRP4852 and Verrucosispora sp. CMRP4860 that presented antibacterial effect against Methicilin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) (MIC: 1.5 μg/mL and 13 μg/mL, respectively) and Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) (MIC: 40 μg/mL for both extracts). Extracts (200 μg/mL) of these two endophytes also showed selective cytotoxicity action against murine B16-F10 melanoma cells. However, the CMRP4852 extract also affected the density of normal cells. Due to these results, the crude extract of isolate CMRP4860 Verrucosispora sp., which was the only one that presented cytotoxicity and reduced cell density only in tumor cells, was selected for subsequent analysis involving scale-up fermentation of the CMRP4860 resulting in 9 fractions that were tested against both bacteria and tumor cells, with particular fractions showing promise and meriting further investigation. Taken together, the results of this study not only show for the first time that the endophytic community of H. amplexicaulis actinobacteria can produce secondary metabolites that potentially possess important antibacterial and cytotoxic properties, but also reinforce the pressing need to conserve biomes such as the Brazilian Pantanal.

Rh(ii)-Catalyzed denitrogenative 1-sulfonyl-1,2,3-triazole-1-alkyl-1,2,3-triazole cross-coupling as a route to 3-sulfonamido-1H-pyrroles and 1,2,3-triazol-3-ium ylides

The reaction of 1-alkyl-1H-1,2,3-triazoles with rhodium(ii) azavinyl carbenes, generated from 1-sulfonyl-1H-1,2,3-triazoles, was utilized to prepare 3-sulfonamido-1H-pyrroles and 1,2,3-triazol-3-ium ylides in good yields.

Antiangiogenic molecules from marine actinomycetes and the importance of using zebrafish model in cancer research

Blood vessel sprouting from pre-existing vessels or angiogenesis plays a significant role in tumour progression. Development of novel biomolecules from marine natural sources has a promising role in drug discovery specifically in the area of antiangiogenic chemotherapeutics. Symbiotic actinomycetes from marine origin proved to be potent and valuable sources of antiangiogenic compounds. Zebrafish represent a well-established model for small molecular screening and employed to study tumour angiogenesis over the last decade. Use of zebrafish has increased in the laboratory due to its various advantages like rapid embryo development, optically transparent embryos, large clutch size of embryos and most importantly high genetic conservation comparable to humans. Zebrafish also shares similar physiopathology of tumour angiogenesis with humans and with these advantages, zebrafish has become a popular model in the past decade to study on angiogenesis related disorders like diabetic retinopathy and cancer. This review focuses on the importance of antiangiogenic compounds from marine actinomycetes and utility of zebrafish in cancer angiogenesis research.

Proximicins F and G and Diproximicin A: Aminofurans from the Marine-Derived Verrucosispora sp. SCSIO 40062 by Overexpression of PPtase Genes

Overexpression of phosphopantetheinyl transferase (PPtase)-encoding genes sfp and svp in the marine-derived Verrucosispora sp. SCSIO 40062 led to the production of two new aminofuran monomers, proximicin F (1) and proximicin G (3) and a new dimer diproximicin A (2), along with two known compounds, proximicins B (4) and C (5). Their structures were unambiguously elucidated on the basis of detailed NMR spectroscopic analysis and high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HRESIMS) data. Proximicin B (4) showed moderate antibacterial activities against Staphylococcus aureus, methicillin-resistant S. aureus, and Bacillus subtilis.

A new abyssomicin polyketide with anti-influenza A virus activity from a marine-derived Verrucosispora sp. MS100137

Marine microorganisms live in dramatically different environments and have attracted much attention for their structurally unique natural products with potential strong biological activity. Based on the one strain-many compounds (OSMAC) strategy and liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS) methods, our continuing efforts on the investigation of novel active compounds from marine Verrucosispora sp. MS100137 has led to the identification of a new polycyclic metabolite, abyssomicin Y (1), together with six known abyssomicin and proximicin analogs (2-7). Abyssomicin Y is a type I abyssomicin with an epoxide group at C-8 and C-9. Compounds 1-3 showed potent inhibitory effects against the influenza A virus; their observed inhibition rates were 97.9%, 98.3%, and 95.9%, respectively, at a concentration of 10 μM, and they displayed lower cytotoxicity than 4. The structures were determined by different NMR techniques and HRMS experiments. This investigation revealed that OSMAC could serve as a useful method for enabling the activation of the silent genes in the microorganism and for the formation of previously unreported active secondary metabolites.

Mechanism for the Binding of Netropsin to Hairpin DNA Revealed Using Nanoscale Ion Emitters in Native Mass Spectrometry

Netropsin is one of the first ligands to be discovered that selectively binds to the minor groove of DNA and is actively used as a scaffold for developing potential anticancer and antibiotic agents. The mechanism by which netropsin binds to hairpin DNA remains controversial with two competing mechanisms having been proposed. In one mechanism, netropsin binding induces a hairpin-to-duplex DNA transition. Alternatively, netropsin binds in two thermodynamically different modes at a single duplexed AATT site. Here, results from native mass spectrometry (MS) with nanoscale ion emitters indicate that netropsin can simultaneously and sequentially bind to both hairpin and duplex DNA. Duplex DNA was not detected using conventional MS with larger emitters because nanoscale emitters significantly reduce the extent of salt adduction to ligand-DNA complex ions, including in the presence of relatively high concentrations of nonvolatile salts. Based on native MS and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis results, the abundances of hairpin and duplex DNA are unaffected by the addition of netropsin. By native MS, the binding affinities for five ligand-DNA and DNA-DNA interactions can be rapidly obtained simultaneously. This research indicates a "simultaneous binding mechanism" for the interactions of netropsin with DNA.

Silver(i)/base-promoted propargyl alcohol-controlled regio- or stereoselective synthesis of furan-3-carboxamides and (Z)-enaminones

A novel and facile regioselective synthesis of furan-3-carboxamides by a silver(i)/base-promoted reaction of propargyl alcohol with 3-oxo amides has been demonstrated. This one-pot protocol provides a rapid synthetic approach to diverse trisubstituted furan-3-carboxamides via cascade nucleophilic addition, intramolecular cyclization, elimination, and isomerization reactions. Employing a substituted propargyl alcohol, (Z)-enaminones have been obtained with high stereoselectivities by a Ag2CO3-promoted reaction starting from 3-oxo amides via C-N bond cleavage.

Medicinal Purposes: Bioactive Metabolites from Marine-derived Organisms

The environment of marine occupies about 95% biosphere of the world and it can be a critical source of bioactive compounds for humans to be explored. Special environment such as high salt, high pressure, low temperature, low nutrition and no light, etc. has made the production of bioactive substances different from terrestrial organisms. Natural ingredients secreted by marine-derived bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes, Cyanobacteria and other organisms have been separated as active pharmacophore. A number of evidences have demonstrated that bioactive ingredients isolated from marine organisms can be other means to discover novel medicines, since enormous natural compounds from marine environment were specified to be anticancer, antibacterial, antifungal, antitumor, cytotoxic, cytostatic, anti-inflammatory, antiviral agents, etc. Although considerable progress is being made within the field of chemical synthesis and engineering biosynthesis of bioactive compounds, marine environment still remains the richest and the most diverse sources for new drugs. This paper reviewed the natural compounds discovered recently from metabolites of marine organisms, which possess distinct chemical structures that may form the basis for the synthesis of new drugs to combat resistant pathogens of human life. With developing sciences and technologies, marine-derived bioactive compounds are still being found, showing the hope of solving the problems of human survival and sustainable development of resources and environment.

Towards the Shell Biorefinery: Sustainable Synthesis of the Anticancer Alkaloid Proximicin A from Chitin

A shell biorefinery would involve fractionation of crustacean shells and incorporation of the components into value-added products, particularly those that contain nitrogen. In a proof-of-concept study that validates this concept, the anticancer alkaloid proximicin A has been synthesized from the chitin-derived platform chemical 3-acetamido-5-acetylfuran (3A5AF). This study accentuates the leading role chitin is likely to play in the sustainable production of nitrogen-containing fine chemicals that are not directly attainable from lignocellulose.

Verrucosispora rhizosphaerae sp. nov., isolated from mangrove rhizosphere soil

An actinomycete strain, 2603PH03^T, was isolated from a mangrove rhizosphere soil sample collected in Wenchang, China. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain 2603PH03^T indicated high similarity to Verrucosispora gifthornensis DSM 44337^T (99.4%), Verrucosispora andamanensis (99.4%), Verrucosispora fiedleri MG-37^T (99.4%) and Verrucosispora maris AB18-032^T (99.4%). The cell wall was found to contain meso-diaminopimelic acid and glycine. The major menaquinones were identified as MK-9(H₄), MK-9(H₆) and MK-9(H₈), with MK-9(H₂), MK-10(H₂), MK-9(H₁₀) and MK-10(H₆) as minor components. The characteristic whole cell sugars were found to be xylose and mannose. The phospholipid profile was found to contain phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol mannoside, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylserine and an unidentified phospholipid. The DNA G+C content was determined to be 70.1 mol%. The results of physiological and biochemical tests and low DNA-DNA relatedness readily distinguished the isolate from the closely related species. On the basis of these phenotypic and genotypic data, strain 2603PH03^T is concluded to represent a novel species of the genus Verrucosispora, for which the name Verrucosispora rhizosphaerae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 2603PH03^T (=CCTCC AA 2016023^T = DSM 45673^T).

Isolation and screening of proangiogenic and antiangiogenic metabolites producing rare actinobacteria from soil

AIMS

Angiogenesis is a physiological process that has important impacts on the pathology and healing of various diseases, and its induction or inhibition by bioactive actinobacterial metabolites can help the treatment of some diseases. In this study, the effects of actinobacterial extract in the process of angiogenesis have been explored.

METHODS AND RESULTS

In this research, proangiogenic and antiangiogenic metabolites producing actinobacteria were isolated from soil samples and their fermentation broth were extracted and after evaluation of their toxicity by MTT assay, antiangiogenic and proangiogenic activities were screened against human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) by in vitro tube formation and migration assay. Isolated strains were identified through molecular techniques. The results showed that Nocardiopsis arvandica UTMC 103 and Nonomuraea sp. UTMC 2180 extracts had a high potential of anti-angiogenic activity on HUVECs.

CONCLUSIONS

For the first time proangiogenic potency of a rare actinobacterium, Kribbella sp. UTMC 522, was reported, and N. arvandica UTMC 103 and Nonomuraea sp. UTMC 2180 extracts inhibits the proliferation, migration and angiogenesis activity of HUVECs with reasonable potency.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

Metabolites of the introduced rare actinobacteria are potent proangiogenic and angiogenic inhibitors. Identification of angiogenic-antiangiogenic mechanisms and purification of the extracts would be useful in therapeutic angiogenesis.

Rh(ii)-catalyzed cycloadditions of 1-tosyl 1,2,3-triazoles with 2H-azirines: switchable reactivity of Rh-azavinylcarbene as [2C]- or aza-[3C]-synthon

The Rh(ii)-catalyzed formal [3+2] and [3+3] cycloadditions of 1-tosyl 1,2,3-triazoles with 2H-azirines have been developed, which enable the efficient synthesis of polysubstituted 3-amino-pyrroles and 1,2-dihydropyrazines, respectively.

Marine actinobacteria: an important source of bioactive natural products

Marine environment is largely an untapped source for deriving actinobacteria, having potential to produce novel, bioactive natural products. Actinobacteria are the prolific producers of pharmaceutically active secondary metabolites, accounting for about 70% of the naturally derived compounds that are currently in clinical use. Among the various actinobacterial genera, Actinomadura, Actinoplanes, Amycolatopsis, Marinispora, Micromonospora, Nocardiopsis, Saccharopolyspora, Salinispora, Streptomyces and Verrucosispora are the major potential producers of commercially important bioactive natural products. In this respect, Streptomyces ranks first with a large number of bioactive natural products. Marine actinobacteria are unique enhancing quite different biological properties including antimicrobial, anticancer, antiviral, insecticidal and enzyme inhibitory activities. They have attracted global in the last ten years for their ability to produce pharmaceutically active compounds. In this review, we have focused attention on the bioactive natural products isolated from marine actinobacteria, possessing unique chemical structures that may form the basis for synthesis of novel drugs that could be used to combat resistant pathogenic microorganisms.

Compounds from marine-derived Verrucosispora sp. FIM06054 and their potential antitumour activities

Strain FIM06054 was isolated from a marine sponge sample collected from the East China Sea and was characterised as a strain of Verrucosispora genus on the basis of its 16S rRNA gene sequence. One new compound, FW054-1 (1), together with a known aminofuran compound proximicin A (2), was isolated from the culture broth of Verrucosispora sp. FIM06054. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectral analysis. 1 and 2 showed antiproliferative activity against several human tumour cell lines.

Verrucosispora andamanensis sp. nov., isolated from a marine sponge

An actinomycete strain, SP03-05T, was isolated from a marine sponge sample (Xestospongia sp.) collected from Phuket Province of Thailand. The strain was aerobic, Gram-stain-positive and produced single spores at the tips of the substrate mycelium. Strain SP03-05T contained meso-diaminopimelic acid in the peptidoglycan; whole-cell sugars were arabinose, galactose, glucose, rhamnose, ribose and xylose. The polar lipid profile of strain SP03-05T consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylinositol mannosides and unknown polar lipids. Morphological and chemotaxonomic characteristics of the strain identified it as a member of the family Micromonosporaceae . Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed similarity of the strain to Verrucosispora lutea YIM 013T (96.90 %), Verrucosispora sediminis MS426T (96.90 %), Verrucosispora gifhornensis DSM 44337T (96.80 %), Verrucosispora maris AB-18-032T (96.80 %) and Verrucosispora qiuiae RtIII47T (95.40 %). The DNA G+C content was 72.4 mol%. The phenotypic, genotypic and DNA–DNA hybridization results supported the classification of this strain as a representative of a novel species in the genus Verrucosispora , for which the name Verrucosispora andamanensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is SP03-05T ( = BCC 45620T = NBRC 109075T).

Pharmaceutically active secondary metabolites of marine actinobacteria

Marine actinobacteria are one of the most efficient groups of secondary metabolite producers and are very important from an industrial point of view. Many representatives of the order Actinomycetales are prolific producers of thousands of biologically active secondary metabolites. Actinobacteria from terrestrial sources have been studied and screened since the 1950s, for many important antibiotics, anticancer, antitumor and immunosuppressive agents. However, frequent rediscovery of the same compounds from the terrestrial actinobacteria has made them less attractive for screening programs in the recent years. At the same time, actinobacteria isolated from the marine environment have currently received considerable attention due to the structural diversity and unique biological activities of their secondary metabolites. They are efficient producers of new secondary metabolites that show a range of biological activities including antibacterial, antifungal, anticancer, antitumor, cytotoxic, cytostatic, anti-inflammatory, anti-parasitic, anti-malaria, antiviral, antioxidant, anti-angiogenesis, etc. In this review, an evaluation is made on the current status of research on marine actinobacteria yielding pharmaceutically active secondary metabolites. Bioactive compounds from marine actinobacteria possess distinct chemical structures that may form the basis for synthesis of new drugs that could be used to combat resistant pathogens. With the increasing advancement in science and technology, there would be a greater demand for new bioactive compounds synthesized by actinobacteria from various marine sources in future.

Nocardiamides A and B, two cyclohexapeptides from the marine-derived actinomycete Nocardiopsis sp. CNX037

Two new cyclic hexapeptides, nocardiamides A (1) and B (2), were isolated from the culture broth of marine-derived actinomycete CNX037 strain that was identified as a Nocardiopsis species. The planar structures of nocardiamides A (1) and B (2) were assigned on the basis of 1D and 2D NMR and HRESIMS spectroscopic analyses. Their absolute configurations were deduced by the advanced Marfey's method and chiral-phase HPLC analysis. The challenge of locating two d- and one l-valine residue in 1 and 2 was accomplished by total synthesis using solid-phase peptide synthetic methods. Both 1 and 2 showed negligible antimicrobial activities against seven indicator strains and exhibited no cytotoxicity against HCT-116.

Verrucosispora fiedleri sp. nov., an actinomycete isolated from a fjord sediment which synthesizes proximicins

A novel filamentous actinobacterial organism, designated strain MG-37(T), was isolated from a Norwegian fjord sediment and examined using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. The organism was determined to have chemotaxonomic and morphological properties consistent with its classification in the genus Verrucosispora and formed a distinct phyletic line in the Verrucosispora 16S rRNA gene tree. It was most closely related to Verrucosispora maris DSM 45365(T) (99.5 % 16S rRNA gene similarity) and Verrucosispora gifhornensis DSM 44337(T) (99.4 % 16S rRNA gene similarity) but was distinguished from these strains based on low levels of DNA:DNA relatedness (~56 and ~50 %, respectively). It was readily delineated from all of the type strains of Verrucosispora species based on a combination of phenotypic properties. Isolate MG-37(T) (=NCIMB 14794(T) = NRRL-B-24892(T)) should therefore be classified as the type strain of a novel species of Verrucosispora for which the name Verrucosispora fiedleri is proposed.

A simple one-pot dehydration process to convert N-acetyl-D-glucosamine into a nitrogen-containing compound, 3-acetamido-5-acetylfuran

An efficient process for converting N-acetyglucosamine (NAG) into 3-acetamido-5-acetylfuran (3A5AF) is reported. 3A5AF is proposed as an N-containing platform chemical, which contains renewable nitrogen. In the reported method NAG, in the presence of boric acid (B(OH)₃) and sodium chloride (NaCl), produces 58 % yield 3A5AF in dimethylacetamide under microwave irradiation (220 °C, 15 min). A maximum yield of 62 % was obtained in the presence of 4 equivalent NaCl. Performing ICP-MS analysis on NAG from different chemical suppliers highlighted the importance of Cl and B levels in this process. Trace impurities are, therefore, important considerations in biomass transformations. This solution-phase process produces approximately 30 times more 3A5AF than a pyrolysis route reported previously.

Description of Verrucosispora qiuiae sp. nov., isolated from mangrove swamp sediment, and emended description of the genus Verrucosispora

A Micromonospora -like strain, RtIII47T, was isolated from a mangrove swamp in Sanya, Hainan Province, China. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that the strain had a close association with the genus Verrucosispora and shared the highest sequence similarity with Verrucosispora lutea YIM 013T (98.0 %). The strain also showed high 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities to Micromonospora olivasterospora DSM 43868T (97.9 %), Plantactinospora mayteni YIM 61359T (97.9 %), Salinispora tropica CNB-440T (97.8 %), Micromonospora peucetia DSM 43363T (97.7 %), Micromonospora auratinigra TT1-11T (97.7 %), Verrucosispora sediminis CGMCC 4.3550T (97.6 %) and Salinispora arenicola CNH-643T (97.5 %). Phylogenetic analysis based on the gyrB gene sequence supported the conclusion that strain RtIII47T should be assigned to the genus Verrucosispora . DNA–DNA relatedness between strain RtIII47T and the most closely related type strain, V. lutea YIM 013T, was less than 40 %. Chemotaxonomic results confirmed the taxonomic position of the isolate in the genus Verrucosispora , and revealed differences at the species level in polar lipids, whole-cell sugars and DNA G+C content. A combination of physiological and biochemical tests also distinguished this strain from other Verrucosispora species. Based on genotypic and phenotypic observations, strain RtIII47T ( = CGMCC 4.5826T  = NBRC 106684T) is proposed as the type strain of a novel species, Verrucosispora qiuiae sp. nov. An emended description of the genus Verrucosispora is also provided.

Spiroindimicins A-D: new bisindole alkaloids from a deep-sea-derived actinomycete

A PCR-based screening approach led to the identification of a deep-sea-derived Streptomyces sp. SCSIO 03032 capable of producing new bisindole alkaloids spiroindimicins A-D (1-4). Structural elucidation of these compounds revealed the presence of unusual [5,6] or [5,5] spiro-ring containing skeletons. Spiroindimicins B-D (2-4) with a [5,5] spiro-ring exhibited moderate cytotoxicities against several cancer cell lines.

Efficient synthesis and biological evaluation of proximicins A, B and C

A quick and efficient synthesis and the biological evaluation of promising antitumor-antibiotics proximicins A, B and C are reported. The characteristic repetitive unit of these molecules, the methyl 4-Boc-aminofuran-2-carboxylate 15, was prepared in three synthetic steps in good yield using an optimised copper-catalysed amidation method. The proximicins were evaluated for their antitumor activity using cellular methods. Proximicin B induced apoptosis in both Hodgkin's lymphoma and T-cell leukemia cell lines and proximicin C exhibited significantly high cytotoxicity against glioblastoma and breast carcinoma cells. The proximicins were also screened against Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis and several strains of methicillin-and multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Proximicin B showed noteworthy activity against antibiotic-resistant Gram-positive cocci.

Expanding the repertoire of natural product-inspired ring pairs for molecular recognition of DNA

A furan amino acid, inspired by the recently discovered proximicin natural products, was incorporated into the scaffold of a DNA-binding hairpin polyamide. While unpaired oligomers of 2,4-disubstituted furan amino acids show poor DNA-binding activity, furan (Fn) carboxamides paired with N-methylpyrrole (Py) and N-methylimidazole (Im) rings demonstrate excellent stabilization of duplex DNA as well as discrimination of noncognate sequences, consistent with function as a Py mimic according to the Py/Im polyamide pairing rules.

Genome sequence of the abyssomicin- and proximicin-producing marine actinomycete Verrucosispora maris AB-18-032

Verrucosispora maris AB-18-032 is a marine actinomycete that produces atrop-abyssomicin C and proximicin A, both of which have novel structures and modes of action. In order to understand the biosynthesis of these compounds, to identify further biosynthetic potential, and to facilitate rational improvement of secondary metabolite titers, we have sequenced the complete 6.7-Mb genome of Verrucosispora maris AB-18-032.