Structure revision of medermycin/lactoquinomycin a and of related C-8 glycosylated naphthoquinones

Antibacterial and cytotoxic metabolites produced by Streptomyces tanashiensis BYF-112 isolated from Odontotermes formosanus

Chemical investigations of the termite-associated Streptomyces tanashiensis BYF-112 resulted in the discovery of four novel alkaloid derivatives: vegfrecines A and B (1 and 2), exfoliazone A (3), and venezueline H (7), in addition to nine known metabolites (4-6, 8-13). The structures of these compounds were elucidated through comprehensive spectroscopic analysis and comparison with existing literature data. Antibacterial assays revealed that viridomycin A (11) exhibited potent antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, with a zone of inhibition (ZOI) of 12.67 mm, in comparison to a ZOI of 17.67 mm for the positive control gentamicin sulfate. Viridomycin A (11) showed moderate activity against Micrococcus tetragenus and Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidae, with ZOI values of 15.50 and 14.33 mm, respectively, which were inferior to those of gentamicin sulfate (34.67 and 24.00 mm). Viridomycin F (12) also exhibited moderate antibacterial effects against S. aureus, M. tetragenus, and P. syringae pv. actinidae, with ZOI values of 8.33, 16.50, and 10.83 mm, respectively. Cytotoxicity assays demonstrated that viridobruunine A (5), exfoliazone (6), viridomycin A (11), and X-14881E (13) exhibited significant cytotoxicity against human malignant melanoma (A375), ovarian cancer (SKOV-3), and gastric cancer (MGC-803) cell lines, with IC50 values ranging from 4.61 to 19.28 μmol·L-1. Furthermore, bioinformatic analysis of the complete genome of S. tanashiensis suggested a putative biosynthetic gene cluster (BGC) responsible for the production of compounds 1-12. These findings indicate that the secondary metabolites of insect-associated S. tanashiensis BYF-112 hold promise as potential sources of novel antibacterial and anticancer agents.

Synthesis and Structure-Activity Relationships of 3-Arylisoquinolone Analogues as Highly Specific hCES2A Inhibitors

Mammalian carboxylesterases (CES) are key enzymes that participate in the hydrolytic metabolism of various endogenous and exogenous substrates. Human carboxylesterase 2A (hCES2A), mainly distributed in the small intestine and colon, plays a significant role in the hydrolysis of many drugs. In this study, 3-arylisoquinolones 3 h [3-(4-(benzyloxy)-3-methoxyphenyl)-7,8-dimethoxyisoquinolin-1(2H)-one] and 4 a [3-(4-(benzyloxy)-3-methoxyphenyl)-4-bromo-7,8-dimethoxyisoquinolin-1(2H)-one] were found to have potent inhibitory effects on hCES2A (IC₅₀ =0.68 μΜ, K_i =0.36 μΜ) and excellent specificity (more than 147.05-fold over hCES1 A). Moreover, 4 a exhibited threefold improved inhibition on intracellular hCES2A in living HepG2 cells relative to 3 h, with an IC₅₀ value of 0.41 μΜ. Results of inhibition kinetics studies and molecular docking simulations demonstrate that both 3 h and 4 a can bind to multiple sites on hCES2A, functioning as mixed inhibitors. Structure-activity relationship analysis revealed that the lactam moiety on the B ring is crucial for specificity towards hCES2A, while a benzyloxy group is optimal for hCES2A inhibitory potency; the introduction of a bromine atom may enhance cell permeability, thereby increasing the intracellular hCES2A inhibitory activity.

On the Structure of (R)-2-Methylheptyl Isonicotinate: Evidence for the Structural Solution from Total Synthesis

The controversial molecular identification of ( R)-2-methylheptyl isonicotinate (1) has been settled. Despite its significance as a potent anti-microbial agent against several clinically relevant pathogens, the structure of natural product is uncertain so far due to controversial reports. Its structure has been resolved as bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (2) by total syntheses of chain isomers. In addition, we have also revised bis (2-methylheptyl) phthalate (3) as (2) in some reports.

A new recyclable 1,4-bis(3-methylimidazolium-1-yl)butane ditribromide [bMImB]·(Br3)2 ionic liquid reagent for selective bromination of anilines or phenols and α-bromination of alkanones under mild conditions

1,4-Bis(3-methylimidazolium-1-yl)butane ditribromide [bMImB]·(Br₃)₂ has been synthesized and explored as a new efficient brominating agent.

Frenolicins C-G, pyranonaphthoquinones from Streptomyces sp. RM-4-15

Appalachian active coal fire sites were selected for the isolation of bacterial strains belonging to the class actinobacteria. A comparison of high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HRESIMS) and ultraviolet (UV) absorption profiles from isolate extracts to natural product databases suggested Streptomyces sp. RM-4-15 to produce unique metabolites. Four new pyranonaphthoquinones, frenolicins C-F (1-4), along with three known analogues, frenolicin (6), frenolicin B (7), and UCF76-A (8), were isolated from the fermentation of this strain. An additional new analogue, frenolicin G (5), along with two known compounds, deoxyfrenolicin (9) and UCF 13 (10), were isolated from the fermentation supplied with 18 mg/L of scandium chloride, the first example, to the best of our knowledge, wherein scandium chloride supplementation led to the confirmed production of new bacterial secondary metabolites. Structures 1-5 were elucidated on the basis of spectral analysis and chemical modification. While frenolicins are best known for their anticoccidial activity, the current study revealed compounds 6-9 to exhibit moderate cytotoxicity against the human lung carcinoma cell line (A549) and thereby extends the anticancer SAR for this privileged scaffold.

Mayamycin, a cytotoxic polyketide from a Streptomyces strain isolated from the marine sponge Halichondria panicea

A new benz[a]anthracene derivative called mayamycin (1) was identified in cultures of Streptomyces sp. strain HB202, which was isolated from the marine sponge Halichondria panicea and selected because of its profound antibiotic activity. The ability to produce aromatic polyketides was indicated by genetic analyses, demonstrating the presence of a type II polyketide synthase. The production of mayamycin (1) was induced by variation of the culture conditions. The structure of 1 was elucidated by HPLC-UV/MS and NMR spectroscopy. Mayamycin (1) exhibited potent cytotoxic activity against eight human cancer cell lines and showed activity against several bacteria including antibiotic-resistant strains.

Siderophore Peptide, a New Type of Post-translationally Modified Antibacterial Peptide with Potent Activity

Microcin E492 (MccE492, 7886 Da), the 84-amino acid antimicrobial peptide from Klebsiella pneumoniae, was purified in a post-translationally modified form, MccE492m (8717 Da), from culture supernatants of either the recombinant Escherichia coli VCS257 strain harboring the pJAM229 plasmid or the K. pneumoniae RYC492 strain. Chymotrypsin digestion of MccE492m led to the MccE492m-(74-84) C-terminal fragment that carries the modification and that was analyzed by mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance at natural abundance. The 831-Da post-translational modification consists of a trimer of N-(2,3-dihydroxybenzoyl)-l-serine linked via a C-glycosidic linkage to a beta-d-glucose moiety, itself linked to the MccE492m Ser-84-carboxyl through an O-glycosidic bond. This modification, which mimics a catechol-type siderophore, was shown to bind ferric ions by analysis of the collision-induced dissociation pattern obtained for MccE492m-(74-84) by electrospray ion trap mass spectrometry experiments in the presence of FeCl(3). By using a series of wild-type and mutant isogenic strains, the three catechol-type siderophore receptors Fiu, Cir, and FepA were shown to be responsible for the recognition of MccE492m at the outer membrane of sensitive bacteria. Because MccE492m shows a broader spectrum of antibacterial activity and is more potent than MccE492, we propose that by increasing the microcin/receptor affinity, the modification leads to a better recognition and subsequently to a higher antimicrobial activity of the microcin. Therefore, MccE492m is the first member of a new class of antimicrobial peptides carrying a siderophore-like post-translational modification and showing potent activity, which we term siderophore-peptides.

Synthesis of the o-quinones and other oxidized metabolites of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons implicated in carcinogenesis

Efficient new syntheses of the o-quinone derivatives of benzo[a]pyrene (BPQ), 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBAQ), and benz[a]anthracene (BAQ), implicated as active carcinogenic metabolites of the parent polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), are reported. These PAH quinones also serve as starting compounds for the synthesis of the other active metabolites of these PAHs thought to be involved in their mechanism(s) of carcinogenesis. The latter include the corresponding o-catechols, trans-dihydrodiols, and the corresponding anti- and syn-diol epoxides.

Synthesis of 3-azido-2,3,6-trideoxy-beta-D-arabino-hexopyranosyl pyranonaphthoquinone analogues of medermycin

The synthesis of an isomeric mixture of 4-O-acetyl-3-azido-2,3,6-trideoxy-beta-D-arabino-hexopyranosyl analogues 6 of the C-glycosylpyranonaphthoquinone antibiotic medermycin is described. The key 3-acetyl-6-(4-O-acetyl-3-azido-2,3,6-trideoxy-beta-D-arabino- hexopyranosyl)-5-methoxy-1,4-naphthoquinone 8 was prepared via Stille coupling of 6-(3-azido-2,3,6-trideoxy-beta-D-arabino-hexopyranosyl)-3-bromo-1,4- naphthoquinone 17 with (alpha-ethoxyvinyl)tributyl-stannane followed by hydrolysis and oxidation of the resultant hydroquinone 18. Bromonaphthoquinone 17 in turn was afforded by oxidative demethylation of 6-(4-O-acetyl-3-azido-2,3,6-trideoxy-beta-D-arabino-hexopyranosyl)-3- bromo-1,4,5-trimethoxynaphthalene 16 formed by regioselective bromination of 6-(4-acetyl-3-azido-2,3,6-trideoxy- beta-D-arabino-hexopyranosyl)-1,4,5-trimethoxynaphthalene 10. This latter naphthalene 10 was prepared via direct C-glycosylation of naphthol 12 with glycosyl donor 11 using BF3.Et2O in acetonitrile. The regioselectivity of the bromination of naphthalene 10 was independently determined by reductive monomethylation of the 6-(4-O-acetyl-3-azido-2,3,6-trideoxy-beta-D-arabino- hexopyranosyl)-5-methoxy-1,4-naphthoquinone 22 to naphthol 23 followed by selective ortho bromination to bromide 24 and methylation to 16. Attempts to effect acetylation of 6-(4-O-acetyl-3-azido-2,3,6-trideoxy-beta-D-arabino- hexopyranosyl)-3-bromo-1,4,5-trimethoxynaphthalene 16 and 3-bromo-6-(3-dimethylamino-2,3,6-trideoxy-beta-D-arabino- hexopyranosyl)-1,4,5-trimethoxynaphthalene 26 via Stille coupling with (alpha-ethoxyvinyl)tributylstannane were low yielding thereby establishing the necessity to use an azido group as a latent dimethylamino group and a more electrophilic bromonaphthoquinone as the coupling partner for the Stille reaction. Addition of 2-trimethylsilyloxyfuran 9 to 3-acetyl-6-(4-O-acetyl-3-azido-2,3,6-trideoxy-beta-D-arabino-hexopyranosyl)- 5-methoxy-1,4-naphthoquinone 8 afforded the furofuran adducts 7 and 19 as an inseparable mixture of diastereomers. Oxidative rearrangement of this diastereomeric mixture using ceric ammonium nitrate afforded the inseparable diastereomeric furonaphthopyrans 6 and 20.