Heliomycin and tetracinomycin D: anthraquinone derivatives with histone deacetylase inhibitory activity from marine sponge-associated Streptomyces sp. SP9

Actinomycetes: Treasure trove for discovering novel antibiotic candidates

Actinomycetes are an important source of secondary metabolites such as antibiotics and other active natural products. Many well-known antibiotics, such as streptomycin, oxytetracycline, and tetracycline, are produced by actinomycetes. Different types of antibiotics have distinct mechanisms of action against microorganisms: inhibit protein synthesis, inhibit nucleic acid synthesis, or inhibit cell wall synthesis. For decades, actinomycetes have played a crucial role in clinical treatment for major diseases such as pathogenic bacterial infections, serving as one of the most significant sources of new discoveries. However, due to extensive use of antibiotics, the types and numbers of drug-resistant bacteria, represented by multidrug resistant (MDR) and extensively drug resistant (XDR) bacteria, have increased dramatically in clinical settings, posing a significant threat to human survival. Therefore, there is an urgent need to search for structurally novel antibacterial natural products and develop new antibiotics. In this review, a total of 170 antibacterial secondary metabolites from actinomycetes, published in the 54 literatures (2020 to September 2024) and some synthetic analogs, are discussed with emphasis on their structures and biological activities.

Water-soluble 4-(dimethylaminomethyl)heliomycin exerts greater antitumor effects than parental heliomycin by targeting the tNOX-SIRT1 axis and apoptosis in oral cancer cells

The antibiotic heliomycin (resistomycin), which is generated from Streptomyces resistomycificus, has multiple activities, including anticancer effects. Heliomycin was first described in the 1960s, but its clinical applications have been hindered by extremely low solubility. A series of 4-aminomethyl derivatives of heliomycin were synthesized to increase water solubility; studies showed that they had anti-proliferative effects, but the drug targets remained unknown. In this study, we conducted cellular thermal shift assays (CETSA) and molecular docking simulations to identify and validate that heliomycin and its water-soluble derivative, 4-(dimethylaminomethyl)heliomycin (designated compound 4-dmH) engaged and targeted with sirtuin-1 (SIRT1) in p53-functional SAS and p53-mutated HSC-3 oral cancer cells. We further addressed the cellular outcome of SIRT1 inhibition by these compounds and found that, in addition to SIRT1, the water-soluble 4-dmH preferentially targeted a tumor-associated NADH oxidase (tNOX, ENOX2). The direct binding of 4-dmH to tNOX decreased the oxidation of NADH to NAD+ which diminished NAD+-dependent SIRT1 deacetylase activity, ultimately inducing apoptosis and significant cytotoxicity in both cell types, as opposed to the parental heliomycin-induced autophagy. We also observed that tNOX and SIRT1 were both upregulated in tumor tissues of oral cancer patients compared to adjacent normal tissues, suggesting their clinical relevance. Finally, the better therapeutic efficacy of 4-dmH was confirmed in tumor-bearing mice, which showed greater tNOX and SIRT1 downregulation and tumor volume reduction when treated with 4-dmH compared to heliomycin. Taken together, our in vitro and in vivo findings suggest that the multifaceted properties of water-soluble 4-dmH enable it to offer superior antitumor value compared to parental heliomycin, and indicated that it functions through targeting the tNOX-NAD+-SIRT1 axis to induce apoptosis in oral cancer cells.

Antibiotic heliomycin and its water-soluble 4-aminomethylated derivative provoke cell death in T24 bladder cancer cells by targeting sirtuin 1 (SIRT1)

Bladder cancer is one of the most frequent cancers among males, and a poor survival rate reflects problems with aggressiveness and chemo-resistance. Accumulating evidence indicates that SIRT1 is involved in bladder cancer tumorigenesis and is positively associated with chemo-resistance and poor prognosis. We recently synthesized water-soluble chemical derivatives of heliomycin, an antibiotic from Streptomyces resistomycificus, and demonstrated that they possess anticancer properties. In this present study, we used the cellular thermal shift assay (CETSA) in T24 bladder cancer cells to show that heliomycin (designated compound (H1)) and its 4-(tert-butylamino)methyl derivative (HD2) directly engaged with SIRT1 in the native cellular environment, whereas another derivative (HD3) did not. Upon binding, heliomycin downregulated SIRT1 protein expression without altering its transcript level, and subsequently induced autophagy. Interestingly, the derivative (HD2) triggered apoptosis. The interaction between SIRT1 protein and heliomycin or its derivatives was also speculated by a molecular docking simulation, suggesting heliomycin (H1) and derivative (HD2) acting with the different binding modes to SIRT1. Given the increased water-solubility, hydrogen bonds were found on Ala262 and Ile347 residues in the docked complex of derivative (HD2) to produce more steady interaction and initiate signaling pathways that were not observed in the case of heliomycin. Meanwhile, it is evident that derivative (HD3) did not engage with SIRT1 by CETSA or molecular docking studies, nor did it downregulate SIRT1 expression. Taken together, these findings clearly show that SIRT1 is targeted and downregulated by heliomycin and its water-soluble 4-aminomethylated derivative (HD2) possibly through autophagic and/or proteasomal degradation, leading to cell death and growth suppression of T24 bladder cancer cells.

Chlororesistoflavins A and B, Chlorinated Benzopyrene Antibiotics Produced by the Marine-Derived Actinomycete Streptomyces sp. Strain EG32

As part of a collaborative biomedical investigation of actinomycete bacteria isolated from sediments collected along the northern coast of Egypt (Mediterranean Sea), we explored the antibacterial metabolites from a bacterium identified as a Streptomyces sp., strain EG32. HPLC analysis and antibacterial testing against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) resulted in the identification of six compounds related to the resistoflavin and resistomycin class. Two of these metabolites were the chlorine-containing analogues chlororesistoflavins A (1) and B (2). The absolute configurations of the lone stereogenic center (C-11b) in these metabolites were assigned by analysis of their ECD spectra. Interestingly, the ECD spectrum of chlororesistoflavin A (1) shows a Cotton effect of the n-π* transition antipodal to that of the parent natural product, a consequence of 1,3-allylic strain induced by the adjacent bulky chlorine atom that distorts the coplanarity of the carbonyl group with the π-system. The chiroptical analysis thus resolves the paradox and uniformly aligns the configuration of all analogues as identical to that reported for natural resistoflavin. Chlororesistoflavins A (1) and B (2) exhibited antibacterial activity against MRSA with a minimum inhibitory concentration of 0.25 and 2.0 μg/mL, respectively.

Marine Anthraquinones: Pharmacological and Toxicological Issues

The marine ecosystem, populated by a myriad of animals, plants, and microorganisms, is an inexhaustible reservoir of pharmacologically active molecules. Among the multiple secondary metabolites produced by marine sources, there are anthraquinones and their derivatives. Besides being mainly known to be produced by terrestrial species, even marine organisms and the uncountable kingdom of marine microorganisms biosynthesize anthraquinones. Anthraquinones possess many different biological activities, including a remarkable antitumor activity. However, due to their peculiar chemical structures, anthraquinones are often associated with toxicological issues, even relevant, such as genotoxicity and mutagenicity. The aim of this review is to critically describe the anticancer potential of anthraquinones derived from marine sources and their genotoxic and mutagenic potential. Marine-derived anthraquinones show a promising anticancer potential, although clinical studies are missing. Additionally, an in-depth investigation of their toxicological profile is needed before advocating anthraquinones as a therapeutic armamentarium in the oncological area.

Inhibitory and ameliorative effect of heliomycin derived from actinomycete on induced hepatocellular carcinoma in rats

The hepatoprotective activity of heliomycin obtained from the culture broth of actinomycete AB5 against diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-induced hepatic cancer in Wistar rats was estimated. Heliomycin exhibited a significant decrease in the levels of alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) compared to the positive control. For instance, the heliomycin group after 20 weeks showed a significant decline in ALT, AST, and ALP values (70.75 ± 5.12, 140.25 ± 11.75, and 163.25 ± 18.66, respectively) compared to the positive control group (170.00 ± 9.55, 252.75 ± 12.33, and 278.00 ± 21.32, respectively). Additionally, the isolated compound showed a highly significant decrease in serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels. After 8, 16, and 20 weeks, the mean values of AFP in the heliomycin group revealed a highly significant decrease (33.62 ± 2.46, 30.00 ± 4.05, and 28.50 ± 2.64, respectively) compared to the positive control group (49.45 ± 3.03, 81.90 ± 6.70, and 90.75 ± 5.12, respectively). The histopathological investigation of liver sections supported the results of biochemical analysis. It was demonstrated that heliomycin showed histological improvement of hepatocytes and marked increase of nuclear pyknotic with clear cytoplasm, which is a sign of improving the apoptotic pathway of malignant cells. It also displayed marked fibrosis at most of the malignant cells and the development of some regenerative nodules. Heliomycin showed moderate immunoreactivity with alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), and proliferation cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) compared to the positive control group. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to report the anticancer activity of heliomycin against hepatocellular carcinoma in vivo.

Synergistic Effect of Biosynthesized Silver Nanoparticles and Natural Phenolic Compounds against Drug-Resistant Fish Pathogens and Their Cytotoxicity: An In Vitro Study

Fish pathogens causing disease outbreaks represent a major threat to aquaculture industry and food security. The aim of the presented study is to develop safe and effective bioactive agents against two bacterial isolates: Aeromonas hydrophila and Pseudomonas fluorescens. We employed a broth microdilution method to investigate the antibacterial effect of biosynthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs); rutin, a natural flavonoid extracted from Ruta graveneoles; and heliomycin, a secondary metabolite produced by marine actinomycetes AB5, as monotherapeutic agents. Moreover, AgNPs in combination with rutin (AgNP + R) and heliomycin (AgNPs + H) were examined for their synergistic effect. The cytotoxic effect of individual bioactive compounds and in combination with AgNPs was investigated on epithelioma papulosum cyprini (EPC) fish cell lines. Individual treatment of AgNPs, rutin, and heliomycin exhibited a dose-dependent antimicrobial activity against A. hydrophila and P. fluorescens. Rutin minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) showed the lowest cytotoxicity when tested on EPC cell lines, while heliomycin MIC was highly cytotoxic. Combined subtherapeutic doses of AgNPs + R and AgNPs + H displayed additive and synergistic effects against A. hydrophila and P. fluorescens, respectively, with improved results and relative safety profile. The study findings demonstrate that a combination of AgNPs and natural bioactive compounds may represent novel therapeutics fighting fish pathogens potentially affecting the fish farming industry.

Marine Actinomycetes-Derived Secondary Metabolites Overcome TRAIL-Resistance via the Intrinsic Pathway through Downregulation of Survivin and XIAP

Resistance of cancer cells to tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL)-induced apoptosis represents the major hurdle to the clinical use of TRAIL or its derivatives. The discovery and development of lead compounds able to sensitize tumor cells to TRAIL-induced cell death is thus likely to overcome this limitation. We recently reported that marine actinomycetes’ crude extracts could restore TRAIL sensitivity of the MDA-MB-231 resistant triple negative breast cancer cell line. We demonstrate in this study, that purified secondary metabolites originating from distinct marine actinomycetes (sharkquinone (1), resistomycin (2), undecylprodigiosin (3), butylcyclopentylprodigiosin (4), elloxizanone A (5) and B (6), carboxyexfoliazone (7), and exfoliazone (8)), alone, and in a concentration-dependent manner, induce killing in both MDA-MB-231 and HCT116 cell lines. Combined with TRAIL, these compounds displayed additive to synergistic apoptotic activity in the Jurkat, HCT116 and MDA-MB-231 cell lines. Mechanistically, these secondary metabolites induced and enhanced procaspase-10, -8, -9 and -3 activation leading to an increase in PARP and lamin A/C cleavage. Apoptosis induced by these compounds was blocked by the pan-caspase inhibitor QvD, but not by a deficiency in caspase-8, FADD or TRAIL agonist receptors. Activation of the intrinsic pathway, on the other hand, is likely to explain both their ability to trigger cell death and to restore sensitivity to TRAIL, as it was evidenced that these compounds could induce the downregulation of XIAP and survivin. Our data further highlight that compounds derived from marine sources may lead to novel anti-cancer drug discovery.

Mersaquinone, A New Tetracene Derivative from the Marine-Derived Streptomyces sp. EG1 Exhibiting Activity against Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)

New antibiotics are desperately needed to overcome the societal challenges being encountered with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). In this study, a new tetracene derivative, named Mersaquinone (1), and the known Tetracenomycin D (2), Resistoflavin (3) and Resistomycin (4) have been isolated from the organic extract of the marine Streptomyces sp. EG1. The strain was isolated from a sediment sample collected from the North Coast of the Mediterranean Sea of Egypt. The chemical structure of Mersaquinone (1) was assigned based upon data from a diversity of spectroscopic techniques including HRESIMS, IR, 1D and 2D NMR measurements. Mersaquinone (1) showed antibacterial activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus with a minimum inhibitory concentration of 3.36 μg/mL.

Role of Natural Products in Modulating Histone Deacetylases in Cancer

Histone deacetylases (HDACs) are enzymes that can control transcription by modifying chromatin conformation, molecular interactions between the DNA and the proteins as well as the histone tail, through the catalysis of the acetyl functional sites removal of proteins from the lysine residues. Also, HDACs have been implicated in the post transcriptional process through the regulation of the proteins acetylation, and it has been found that HDAC inhibitors (HDACi) constitute a promising class of pharmacological drugs to treat various chronic diseases, including cancer. Indeed, it has been demonstrated that in several cancers, elevated HDAC enzyme activities may be associated with aberrant proliferation, survival and metastasis. Hence, the discovery and development of novel HDACi from natural products, which are known to affect the activation of various oncogenic molecules, has attracted significant attention over the last decade. This review will briefly emphasize the potential of natural products in modifying HDAC activity and thereby attenuating initiation, progression and promotion of tumors.

Streptomyces tirandamycinicus sp. nov., a Novel Marine Sponge-Derived Actinobacterium With Antibacterial Potential Against Streptococcus agalactiae

A novel actinobacterium, strain HNM0039T, was isolated from a marine sponge sample collected at the coast of Wenchang, Hainan, China and its polyphasic taxonomy was studied. The isolate had morphological and chemical characteristics consistent with the genus Streptomyces. Based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain HNM0039T was closely related to Streptomyces wuyuanensis CGMCC 4.7042T (99.38%) and Streptomyces spongiicola HNM0071T (99.05%). The organism formed a well-delineated subclade with S. wuyuanensis CGMCC 4.7042T and S. spongiicola HNM0071T in the Streptomyces 16S rRNA gene tree. Multi-locus sequence analysis (MLSA) based on five house-keeping gene alleles (atpD, gyrB, rpoB, recA, trpB) further confirmed their relationship. DNA-DNA relatedness between strain HNM0039T and its closest type strains, namely S. wuyuanensis CGMCC 4.7042T and S. spongiicola HNM0071T, were 46.5 and 45.1%, respectively. The average nucleotide identity (ANI) between strain HNM0039T and its two neighbor strains were 89.65 and 91.44%, respectively. The complete genome size of strain HNM0039T was 7.2 Mbp, comprising 6226 predicted genes with DNA G+C content of 72.46 mol%. Thirty-one putative secondary metabolite biosynthetic gene clusters were also predicted in the genome of strain HNM0039T. Among them, the tirandamycin biosynthetic gene cluster has been characterized completely. The crude extract of strain HNM0039T exhibited potent antibacterial activity against Streptococcus agalactiae in Nile tilapia. And tirandamycins A and B were further identified as the active components with MIC values of 2.52 and 2.55 μg/ml, respectively. Based on genotypic and phenotypic characteristics, it is concluded that strain HNM0039T represents a novel species of the genus Streptomyces whose name was proposed as Streptomyces tirandamycinicus sp. nov. The type strain is HNM0039T (= CCTCC AA 2018045T = KCTC 49236T).