Pycnidione, a fungus-derived agent, induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in A549 human lung cancer cells

Investigation of the activity of a novel tropolone in osteosarcoma

Osteosarcoma (OS) is a primary malignant bone tumor characterized by frequent metastasis, rapid disease progression, and a high rate of mortality. Treatment options for OS have remained largely unchanged for decades, consisting primarily of cytotoxic chemotherapy and surgery, thus necessitating the urgent need for novel therapies. Tropolones are naturally occurring seven-membered non-benzenoid aromatic compounds that possess antiproliferative effects in a wide array of cancer cell types. MO-OH-Nap is an α-substituted tropolone that has activity as an iron chelator. Here, we demonstrate that MO-OH-Nap activates all three arms of the unfolded protein response (UPR) pathway and induces apoptosis in a panel of human OS cell lines. Co-incubation with ferric chloride or ammonium ferrous sulfate completely prevents the induction of apoptotic and UPR markers in MO-OH-Nap-treated OS cells. MO-OH-Nap upregulates transferrin receptor 1 (TFR1) protein levels, as well as TFR1, divalent metal transporter 1 (DMT1), iron-regulatory proteins (IRP1, IRP2), ferroportin (FPN), and zinc transporter 14 (ZIP14) transcript levels, demonstrating the impact of MO-OH-Nap on iron-homeostasis pathways in OS cells. Furthermore, MO-OH-Nap treatment restricts the migration and invasion of OS cells in vitro. Lastly, metabolomic profiling of MO-OH-Nap-treated OS cells revealed distinct changes in purine and pyrimidine metabolism. Collectively, we demonstrate that MO-OH-Nap-induced cytotoxic effects in OS cells are dependent on the tropolone's ability to alter cellular iron availability and that this agent exploits key metabolic pathways. These studies support further evaluation of MO-OH-Nap as a novel treatment for OS.

Engineered and total biosynthesis of fungal specialized metabolites

Filamentous fungi produce a very wide range of complex and often bioactive metabolites, demonstrating their inherent ability as hosts of complex biosynthetic pathways. Recent advances in molecular sciences related to fungi have afforded the development of new tools that allow the rational total biosynthesis of highly complex specialized metabolites in a single process. Increasingly, these pathways can also be engineered to produce new metabolites. Engineering can be at the level of gene deletion, gene addition, formation of mixed pathways, engineering of scaffold synthases and engineering of tailoring enzymes. Combination of these approaches with hosts that can metabolize low-value waste streams opens the prospect of one-step syntheses from garbage.

One-pot synthesis of cyclic-aminotropiminium carboxylate derivatives with DNA binding and anticancer properties

Tropolone, a nonbenzenoid aromatic molecule, is a constituent of troponoid natural products possessing a wide range of bioactivities, including anticancer. This report describes the one-pot synthesis and mechanistic studies of fifteen fluorescent C^aryl-N^alkyl-substituted cyclic-aminotroponiminium carboxylate (cATC) derivatives by unusual cycloaddition and rearrangement reactions. Herein, the biochemical studies of four cATC derivatives reveal a non-intercalative binding affinity with DNA duplex. In vitro/in vivo studies show strong anti-tumor activity in three cATC derivatives. These derivatives enter the cells and localize to the nucleus and cytoplasm, which are easily traceable due to their inherent fluorescence properties. These three cATC derivatives reduce the proliferation and migration of HeLa cells more than the non-cancer cell line. They induce p38-p53-mediated apoptosis and inhibit EMT. In xenograft-based mouse models, these cATC derivatives reduce tumor size. Overall, this study reports the synthesis of DNA binding fluorescent C^aryl-N^alkyl-cyclic-aminotroponiminium derivatives which show anti-tumor activity with the minimum side effect.

Novel Venetin-1 nanoparticle from earthworm coelomic fluid as a promising agent for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer

The present research shows the antitumor activity of a protein-polysaccharide complex Venetin-1 obtained from the coelomic fluid of Dendrobaena veneta earthworms against A549 cancer cells. The investigations are a continuation of experiments on the antitumor activity of coelomic fluid obtained from this species. The Venetin-1 nanoparticle was obtained after thermal treatment of the coelomic fluid, separation from coelomocytes, filtration, and lyophilization. The preparation showed a selective effect on cancer cells, whereas normal cells were unaffected. Venetin-1 was effective against the lung cancer cells at doses of 31.3 and 62.5 µg/ml, and the results were imaged using light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The cells died mainly via the apoptosis pathway. Necrotic cells appeared sporadically in the microscopic view. SEM imaging revealed complete destruction of the A549 cells after the incubation with Venetin-1. The atomic force microscopy (AFM) analyses showed changes in the topography, peak force error images, and Young's modulus (elasticity) of the A549 cells after the incubation with Venetin-1. The transmission electron cryomicroscopy (Cryo-TEM) analysis indicated a polymeric nature of the analyzed preparation. The samples of Venetin-1 showed a very homogeneous size profile with the microparticle size of approximately 58.23 nm. A significant decrease in Venetin-1 binding to sphingomyelin was observed. Venetin-1 lost its pore-forming activity or deactivation of the pore-forming activity occurred. This confirms the absence of hemolytic capacity of Venetin-1 towards red blood cells. The conducted analyses show the suitability of the obtained complex for biomedical research. The next step will consist in analyses of the effect of Venetin-1 on the immune system in mice.

Stereochemical and Biosynthetic Rationalisation of the Tropolone Sesquiterpenoids

This review summarises the known structures, biological activities, and biosynthetic pathways of the tropolone sesquiterpenoid family of fungal secondary metabolites. Synthesis of this knowledge allows likely structural and stereochemical misassignments to be revised and shows how the compounds can be divided into three main biosynthetic classes based on the stereochemistry of key biosynthetic steps.

Understanding and Engineering the Stereoselectivity of Humulene Synthase

The non-canonical terpene cyclase AsR6 is responsible for the formation of 2E,6E,9E-humulene during the biosynthesis of the tropolone sesquiterpenoid (TS) xenovulene A. The structures of unliganded AsR6 and of AsR6 in complex with an in crystallo cyclized reaction product and thiolodiphosphate reveal a new farnesyl diphosphate binding motif that comprises a unique binuclear Mg2+ -cluster and an essential K289 residue that is conserved in all humulene synthases involved in TS formation. Structure-based site-directed mutagenesis of AsR6 and its homologue EupR3 identify a single residue, L285/M261, that controls the production of either 2E,6E,9E- or 2Z,6E,9E-humulene. A possible mechanism for the observed stereoselectivity was investigated using different isoprenoid precursors and results demonstrate that M261 has gatekeeping control over product formation.

Total Mycosynthesis: Rational Bioconstruction and Bioengineering of Fungal Natural Products

Total biosynthesis in fungi is beginning to compete with traditional chemical total synthesis campaigns. Herein, the advantages, disadvantages and future opportunities are discussed within the scope of several recent examples.

1 Introduction

2 Synthetic Examples

2.1 2-Pyridones

2.2 Cytochalasans

2.3 Sorbicillinoids

2.4 Decalins: Solanapyrone

2.5 α-Pyrone Polyenes: Citreoviridin and Aurovertin

2.6 Anditomin and Related Meroterpenoids

2.7 Tropolone Sesquiterpenoids

3 Conclusion

Synthetic Biology Driven Biosynthesis of Unnatural Tropolone Sesquiterpenoids

Tropolone sesquiterpenoids (TS) are an intriguing family of biologically active fungal meroterpenoids that arise through a unique intermolecular hetero Diels-Alder (hDA) reaction between humulene and tropolones. Here, we report on the combinatorial biosynthesis of a series of unprecedented analogs of the TS pycnidione 1 and xenovulene A 2. In a systematic synthetic biology driven approach, we recombined genes from three TS biosynthetic gene clusters (pycnidione 1, xenovulene A 2 and eupenifeldin 3) in the fungal host Aspergillus oryzae NSAR1. Rational design of the reconstituted pathways granted control over the number of hDA reactions taking place, the chemical nature of the fused polyketide moiety (tropolono- vs. monobenzo-pyranyl) and the degree of hydroxylation. Formation of unexpected monobenzopyranyl sesquiterpenoids was investigated using isotope-feeding studies to reveal a new and highly unusual oxidative ring contraction rearrangement.

Neoantimycin F, a Streptomyces-Derived Natural Product Induces Mitochondria-Related Apoptotic Death in Human Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Cells

Streptomyces-derived natural products have been become a major focus of anti-tumor drug discovery studies. Neoantimycin F (NAT-F), was isolated from Streptomyces conglobatus by our group. Here, we examined the anti-cancer activities and its underlying molecular mechanisms implicated in NAT-F-induced apoptosis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells. Our results showed that NAT-F exerted excellent growth-inhibitory activity against PC9 and H1299 cells in a concentration-dependent manner. NAT-F-induced cell cycle arrest at S and G₀/G₁ phase in PC9 and H1299 cells, respectively. Further investigation revealed that the key proteins (including cyclinD1, cyclinE1, cyclinB1, CDK2, and CDK4) were involved in the cell regulation by NAT-F. Additionally, NAT-F significantly increased the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), induced DNA damage, nuclear condensation, and cell apoptosis in both cell lines. Moreover, loss of the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) was markedly induced by NAT-F. Additional results revealed that NAT-F could up-regulate pro-apoptotic protein Bax and down-regulate anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2, Mcl-1, and Bcl-x_L, resulting in cytochrome c release from mitochondria and sequential activation of caspase-9 and -3, as well as the cleavage of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase. Meanwhile, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), p38 MAPK (p38), and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling pathway were also involved in anti-cancer activity of NAT-F in NSCLC cells. Taken together, these findings indicated that NAT-F possessed anti-proliferative effect and induced apoptosis in NSCLC cells in vitro and may be conducive to promote the development of novel anti-NSCLC agents.

Enzymatic Intermolecular Hetero-Diels-Alder Reaction in the Biosynthesis of Tropolonic Sesquiterpenes

Diels-Alder reactions are among the most powerful synthetic transformations to construct complex natural products. Despite that increasing of enzymatic intramolecular Diels-Alder reactions have been discovered, natural intermolecular Diels-Alderases are rarely described. Here, we report an intermolecular hetero-Diels-Alder reaction in the biosynthesis of tropolonic sesquiterpenes and functionally characterize EupfF as the first fungal intermolecular hetero-Diels-Alderase. We demonstrate that EupfF catalyzed the dehydration of a hydroxymethyl-containing tropolone (5) to generate a reactive tropolone o-quinone methide (6) and might further stereoselectively control the subsequent intermolecular hetero-Diels-Alder reaction with (1E,4E,8Z)-humulenol (8) to produce enantiomerically pure neosetophomone B (1). Our results reveal the biosynthetic pathway of 1 and expand the repertoire of activities of Diels-Alder cyclases.

Crystal structure of 2-(methyl-amino)-tropone

The title compound, 2-(methyl-amino)-cyclo-hepta-2,4,6-trien-1-one, C8H9NO, crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P21/c, with three independent mol-ecules in the asymmetric unit. The planarity of the mol-ecules is indicated by planes fitted through the seven ring carbon atoms. Small deviations from the planes, with an extremal r.m.s. deviation of 0.0345 Å, are present. In complexes of transition metals with similar ligands, the large planar seven-membered aromatic rings have shown to improve the stability of the complex. Two types of hydrogen-bonding inter-actions, C-H⋯O and N-H⋯O, are observed, as well as bifurcation of these inter-actions. The N-H⋯O inter-actions link mol-ecules to form infinite chains. The packing of mol-ecules in the unit cell shows a pattern of overlapping aromatic rings, forming column-like formations. π-π inter-actions are observed between the overlapping aromatic rings at 3.4462 (19) Å from each other.

Phomanolides C-F from a Phoma sp.: Meroterpenoids Generated via Hetero-Diels-Alder Reactions

Phomanolides C-F (1-4), four new meroterpenoids, were isolated from a Phoma sp., together with the known phomanolides A (5) and B (6); their structures were elucidated primarily by NMR experiments. The absolute configurations of 1-3 were assigned by electronic circular dichroism calculations, and that of 4 was established by X-ray diffraction analysis using Cu Kα radiation. Compounds 1-3 incorporate an unprecedented trioxa[4.4.3]propellane subunit in their skeletons. Compounds 2 and 4 were weakly cytotoxic.

Meroterpenoids from Neosetophoma sp.: A Dioxa[4.3.3]propellane Ring System, Potent Cytotoxicity, and Prolific Expression

Six fungal metabolites, of which five were new, including one (1) with a dioxa[4.3.3]propellane ring system, were discovered, identified, and structurally elucidated from Neosetophoma sp. (strain MSX50044); these compounds are similar to the bis-tropolone, eupenifeldin. Three of the meroterpenoids are potent cytotoxic agents against breast, ovarian, mesothelioma, and lung cancer cells with nanomolar IC₅₀ values while not inducing mitochondrial toxicity at 12.5 μM.

Tropolone natural products

This review on natural products containing a tropolonoid motif highlights analytical methods applied for structural identification and biosynthetic pathway analysis, the ecological context and the pharmacological potential of this compound class.

Tropolone-induced effects on the unfolded protein response pathway and apoptosis in multiple myeloma cells are dependent on iron

Tropolones are naturally occurring seven-membered non-benzenoid aromatic compounds that are of interest due to their cytotoxic properties. MO-OH-Nap is a novel α-substituted tropolone that induces caspase cleavage and upregulates markers associated with the unfolded protein response (UPR) in multiple myeloma (MM) cells. Given previous reports that tropolones may function as iron chelators, we investigated the effects of MO-OH-Nap, as well as the known iron chelator deferoxamine (DFO), in MM cells in the presence or absence of supplemental iron. The ability of MO-OH-Nap to induce apoptosis and upregulate markers of the UPR could be completely prevented by co-incubation with either ferric chloride or ammonium ferrous sulfate. Iron also completely prevented the decrease in BrdU incorporation induced by either DFO or MO-OH-Nap. Ferrozine assays demonstrated that MO-OH-Nap directly chelates iron. Furthermore, MO-OH-Nap upregulates cell surface expression and mRNA levels of transferrin receptor. In vivo studies demonstrate increased Prussian blue staining in hepatosplenic macrophages in MO-OH-Nap-treated mice. These studies demonstrate that MO-OH-Nap-induced cytotoxic effects in MM cells are dependent on the tropolone's ability to alter cellular iron availability and establish new connections between iron homeostasis and the UPR in MM.

Radiosensitizing effect of ellagic acid on growth of Hepatocellular carcinoma cells: an in vitro study

Failure of treatment for cancer in clinic by radio/chemotherapy is generally attributed to tumour resistance. Therefore, it is important to develop strategies to increase the cytotoxicity of tumour cells by radiation in combination with unique tumour selective cytotoxic agents. We evaluated the potential of ellagic acid (EA) as an enhancer of oxidative stress in cancer cells. HepG2 cells were treated with EA (10 µM) for 12 h prior to exposure of single 7.5 Gy dose of irradiation. Treatment of HepG2 cells with EA and gamma radiation showed increased reactive oxygen species generation, up regulation of p53 protein expression, decreased survival markers level like p-Akt, p-NF-kB and p-STAT3 which were significantly higher after radiation treatment alone. We also found that combination treatment increased G2/M phase cell population, decreased IL-6, COX–2 and TNF-α expression and caused a loss in mitochondrial membrane potential with decreased level of angiogenesis marker MMP-9. Over expression of Bax and activation of caspase 3 indicated the apoptosis of the cells. The results provided a strong unique strategy to kill cancer cells HepG2, using less radiation dose along with effective pro-oxidant dose of EA.

Novel tropolones induce the unfolded protein response pathway and apoptosis in multiple myeloma cells

Tropolones are small organic compounds with metal-directing moieties. Tropolones inhibit the proliferation of cancer cell lines, possibly through their effects on metalloenzymes such as select histone deacetylases (HDACs). Pan-HDAC inhibitors are therapeutically beneficial in the treatment of multiple myeloma, however there is interest in the use of more selective HDAC inhibitor therapy to minimize adverse side effects. We hypothesized that tropolones might have anti-myeloma activities. To this end, a series of novel α-substituted tropolones were evaluated for effects on multiple myeloma cells. While all tested tropolones showed some level of cytotoxicity, MO-OH-Nap had consistently low IC50 values between 1-11 μM in all three cell lines tested and was used for subsequent experiments. MO-OH-Nap was found to induce apoptosis in a concentration-dependent manner. Time course experiments demonstrated that MO-OH-Nap promotes caspase cleavage in a time frame that was distinct from the pan-HDAC inhibitor suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA). Furthermore, MO-OH-Nap- and SAHA-treated cells possess unique gene expression patterns, suggesting they promote apoptosis via different mechanisms. In particular, MO-OH-Nap increases the expression of markers associated with endoplasmic reticulum stress and the unfolded protein response. Synergistic cytotoxic effects were observed when cells were treated with the combination of MO-OH-Nap and the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib. However, treatment with MO-OH-Nap did not abrogate the bortezomib-induced increase in aggresomes, consistent with an HDAC6-independent mechanism for the observed synergy. Collectively, these finding support further investigation into the usefulness of α-substituted tropolones as anti-myeloma agents.

Herbicide exposure induces apoptosis, inflammation, immune modulation and suppression of cell survival mechanism in murine model

The present study demonstrates paraquat induced cellular toxicity in spleen and associated ROS generation, mitochondria dependent cellular apoptosis, inflammation and splenomegaly inSwiss Albinomice.

Phomanolides A and B from the Fungus Phoma sp.: Meroterpenoids Derived from a Putative Tropolonic Sesquiterpene via Hetero-Diels-Alder Reactions

Phomanolides A (1) and B (2), unique meroterpenoids with new pentacyclic and tetracyclic skeletons, respectively, and phomanoxide (3), the double-epoxidation product of a putative biosynthetic precursor of 1 and 2, were isolated from the solid substrate fermentation cultures of the fungus Phoma sp., along with the known compound eupenifeldin (4). The structures of 1-3 were elucidated based on NMR spectroscopic data and electronic circular dichroism calculations and further secured by X-ray crystallography. Biogenetically, compounds 1 and 2 could be derived from a hypothetical monotropolonic sesquiterpene intermediate via hetero-Diels-Alder reactions. Compound 4 showed potent antiproliferative effects against three human glioma cell lines, with IC50 values of 0.08-0.13 μM.

Smokeless tobacco consumption impedes metabolic, cellular, apoptotic and systemic stress pattern: A study on Government employees in Kolkata, India

Smokeless tobacco (SLT) remains a threat amongst a large population across the globe and particularly in India. The oral use of tobacco has been implicated to cause physiological stress leading to extreme toxicological challenge. The study included 47 SLT-users and 44 non-users providing a spectrum of pathophysiological, clinico-biochemical, antioxidant parameters, cell cycle progression study of PBMC and morphological changes of red blood cells (RBC). The expressions of p53, p21, Bax, Bcl-2, IL-6, TNF- α, Cox-2, iNOS were analyzed from thirteen representative SLT-users and twelve non-users. Difference in CRP, random glucose, serum cholesterol, TG, HLDL-C, LDL-C, VLDL-C, neutrophil count, monocyte count, ESR, SOD (PBMC) and TBARS (RBC membrane) were found to be statistically significant (p < 0.05) between the studied groups. The current study confers crucial insight into SLT mediated effects on systemic toxicity and stress. This has challenged the metabolic condition leading to a rise in the inflammatory status, increased apoptosis and RBC membrane damage. The above findings were substantiated with metabolic, clinical and biochemical parameters. This is possibly the first ever in-depth report and remains an invaluable document on the fatal effects of SLT.

Biotransformation, a promising technology for anti-cancer drug development

With the high morbidity and mortality caused by cancer, finding new and more effective anti-cancer drugs is very urgent. In current research, biotransformation plays a vital role in the research and development of cancer drugs and has obtained some achievements. In this review, we have summarized four applications as follows: to exploit novel anti-cancer drugs, to improve existing anti-cancer drugs, to broaden limited anti-cancer drug resources and to investigate correlative mechanisms. Three different groups of important anti-cancer compounds were assessed to clarify the current practical applications of biotransformation in the development of anti-cancer drugs.

Cephalochromin induces G0/G1 cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in A549 human non-small-cell lung cancer cells by inflicting mitochondrial disruption

The fungus-derived compound cephalochromin, isolated from the fermented broth of Cosmospora vilior YMJ89051501, shows growth-inhibitory and apoptotic activity against human lung cancer A549 cells in a concentration-dependent manner with an IC50 value of 2.8 μM at 48 h. Cephalochromin induced cell cycle arrest at the G0/G1 phase through down-regulation of cyclin D1, cyclin E, Cdk 2, and Cdk 4 expressions. Cephalochromin markedly increased the hypodiploid sub-G1 phase (apoptosis) of the cell cycle at 48 h as measured by flow cytometric analysis. Reactive oxygen species generation and loss of the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) were also markedly induced by cephalochromin. Moreover, the immunoblotting assays showed that cephalochromin reduced survivin and Bcl-xL expression and induced the activation of caspase-8, -9, and -3 and the cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase, indicating the involvement of a caspase signaling cascade. The caspase inhibitor Z-VAD-fmk significantly suppressed cephalochromin-induced apoptosis. Cephalochromin also triggered LC3 II, autophagic marker, expression. Taken together, this is the first report that cephalochromin induced an antiproliferative effect on human lung cancer cells through mitochondrial disruption and down-regulation of survivin, leading to cell cycle arrest at the G0/G1 phase, loss of MMP, and subsequently apoptotic cell death.