Natural products containing 'decalin' motif in microorganisms

Biosynthesis, biological activities, and structure-activity relationships of decalin-containing tetramic acid derivatives isolated from fungi

Covering: up to December 2023Decalin-containing tetramic acid derivatives, especially 3-decalinoyltetramic acids (3-DTAs), are commonly found as fungal secondary metabolites. Numerous biological activities of this class of compounds, such as antibiotic, antiviral, antifungal, antiplasmodial, and antiprotozoal properties, have been the subject of ongoing research. For this reason, these molecules have attracted a lot of interest from the scientific community and various efforts including semi-synthesis, co-culturing with bacteria and biosynthetic gene sequencing have been made to obtain more derivatives. In this review, 3-DTAs are classified into four major groups based on the absolute configuration of the bicyclic decalin ring. Their biosynthetic pathways, various biological activities, and structure-activity relationship are then introduced.

From Acyclic Intramolecular-[4 + 2]- to Transannular Bis-[4 + 2]-Cycloaddition of the Macrodiolide for the Stereoselective Synthesis of the Octahydronaphthalene Core of Polyenic Macrolactam Sagamilactam

The strategy for the synthesis of the octahydronaphthalene core of natural macrolide sagamilactam has unintentionally evolved from the acyclic intramolecular (IMDA) to the transannular (TADA) Diels-Alder reaction. Lewis acid-promoted IMDA of a protected 2Z,8E,10E-4,6,12-trihydroxy-2,8,10-decatrienal model with a diol of 4,6-anti relative configuration, as proposed by DP4+-based computational studies, afforded the cis-octahydronaphthalene diastereomer through the Re-endo approach. The 26-membered macrodiolide generated, under thermal reaction conditions, the trans-octahydronaphthalene by a double TADA reaction along the desired Si-exo orientation.

Cis -decalin tetramic acid metabolite from a mangrove derived endophytic fungus Nigrospora oryzae

Most of the natural products containing tetramic acid have trans configuration of the decalin moiety. Undana A (1), a new cis decalin-bearing tetramic acid metabolite was isolated from endophytic fungi Nigrospora oryzae associated with Avicennia marina. The structure was determined based on the mass and NMR spectral data together with the comparison of the literature. This is the first report of cis decalin-tetramic acid metabolite from the mangrove endophytic fungus. Compound 1 was tested for cytotoxic against L5178Y mouse cancer cells and antibacterial activity against several gram-positive including MRSA and gram-negative bacteria but was found inactive.

New Zosteropenillines and Pallidopenillines from the Seagrass-Derived Fungus Penicillium yezoense KMM 4679

Ten new decalin polyketides, zosteropenilline M (1), 11-epi-8-hydroxyzosteropenilline M (2), zosteropenilline N (3), 8-hydroxyzosteropenilline G (4), zosteropenilline O (5), zosteropenilline P (6), zosteropenilline Q (7), 13-dehydroxypallidopenilline A (8), zosteropenilline R (9) and zosteropenilline S (10), together with known zosteropenillines G (11) and J (12), pallidopenilline A (13) and 1-acetylpallidopenilline A (14), were isolated from the ethyl acetate extract of the fungus Penicillium yezoense KMM 4679 associated with the seagrass Zostera marina. The structures of isolated compounds were established based on spectroscopic methods. The absolute configurations of zosteropenilline Q (7) and zosteropenilline S (10) were determined using a combination of the modified Mosher's method and ROESY data. The absolute configurations of zosteropenilline M (1) and zosteropenilline N (3) were determined using time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) calculations of the ECD spectra. A biogenetic pathway for compounds 1-14 is proposed. The antimicrobial, cytotoxic and cytoprotective activities of the isolated compounds were also studied. The significant cytoprotective effects of the new zosteropenilline M and zosteropenillines O and R were found in a cobalt chloride (II) mimic in in vitro hypoxia in HEK-293 cells. 1-Acetylpallidopenilline A (14) exhibited high inhibition of human breast cancer MCF-7 cell colony formation with IC50 of 0.66 µM and its anticancer effect was reduced when MCF-7 cells were pretreated with 4-hydroxitamoxifen. Thus, we propose 1-acetylpallidopenilline A as a new xenoestrogen with significant activity against breast cancer.

Structural diversity of decalin forming Diels-Alderase

The Diels-Alder (DA) reaction, specifically referring to the [4 + 2] cycloaddition reaction in pericyclic reactions, is a process that forms two carbon-carbon covalent bonds in a single step via an electron ring transition state. Among the secondary metabolites produced by microorganisms, numerous compounds are biosynthesized through DA reactions, most of which are enzymatic. Our research group has discovered an enzyme named Diels-Alderase (DAase) that catalyzes the DA reaction in filamentous fungi, and we have been investigating its catalytic mechanism. This review describes the reported microbial DAase enzymes, with a particular focus on those involved in the construction of the decalin ring.

Aculeatiols A-G: Lovastatin Derivatives Extracted from Aspergillus aculeatus

In this study, we isolated lovastatin derivatives, including aculeatiols A-G (1-7) and three known compounds (8-10), from Aspergillus aculeatus. Their structures and absolute configurations were experimentally determined by high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction analyses, and the results were corroborated by quantum-chemical calculations. As members of the lovastatin derivatives, aculeatiols A-C (1-3) possess a γ-lactone functional group in the side chain. Compound 6 represents the first example that features an undescribed aromatized heterotetracyclic 6/6/6/6 ring system. Biologically, the lipid-lowering effects of all of these compounds were evaluated by analyzing the free fatty acid-induced intracellular lipid accumulation. In addition, compound 5, which regulated the transcription of genes associated with lipid uptake and synthesis, inhibited the accumulation of lipids.

Identification and characterization of a novel decalin derivative with anti-Candida activity from Streptomyces chrestomyceticus strain ADP4

A novel decalin derivative, trans-1-oxo-2,4-diacetylaminodecalin (1) with anti-Candida activity, had been isolated from Streptomyces chrestomyceticus strain ADP4. The structure of the compound was determined from the analysis of spectral data (LCMS/MS, UV, FTIR, 1D- and 2D-NMR). The anti-Candida activity of 1 was specific to Candida albicans and Candida auris. Further, it displayed inhibition of the early-stage biofilm of C. albicans. In-silico analysis of the compound revealed its drug likeness properties without any violations and PAINS alert when investigated for ADME properties. Along with the overall bioavailability, compound 1 did not show any predicted bioaccumulation and mutagenicity in the analysis by TEST software. Non-cytotoxic property was further confirmed by in-vitro assay on the HepG2 cell line.

Access to unsaturated bicyclic lactones by overriding conventional C(sp3)-H site selectivity

Transition metal catalysis plays a pivotal role in transforming unreactive C-H bonds. However, regioselective activation of distal aliphatic C-H bonds poses a tremendous challenge, particularly in the absence of directing templates. Activation of a methylene C-H bond in the presence of methyl C-H is underexplored. Here we show activation of a methylene C-H bond in the presence of methyl C-H bonds to form unsaturated bicyclic lactones. The protocol allows the reversal of the general selectivity in aliphatic C-H bond activation. Computational studies suggest that reversible C-H activation is followed by β-hydride elimination to generate the Pd-coordinated cycloalkene that undergoes stereoselective C-O cyclization, and subsequent β-hydride elimination to provide bicyclic unsaturated lactones. The broad generality of this reaction has been highlighted via dehydrogenative lactonization of mid to macro ring containing acids along with the C-H olefination reaction with olefin and allyl alcohol. The method substantially simplifies the synthesis of important bicyclic lactones that are important features of natural products as well as pharmacoactive molecules.

Synthesis of Enantioenriched 1,2-cis Disubstituted Cycloalkanes by Convergent NiH Catalysis

Enantioenriched multi-substituted cycloalkanes constitute an essential class of compounds in pharmaceuticals, natural products and agrochemicals. Here we report an NiH-catalyzed asymmetric migratory hydroalkylation process for the efficient and selective construction of such compounds. Through a dynamic kinetic asymmetric transformation (DYKAT), easily accessible racemic and isomeric mixtures of cycloalkenes could be directly utilized as starting materials, convergently producing thermo-dynamically disfavored chiral 1,2-cis disubstituted cycloalkanes bearing vicinal stereocenters with high levels of regio-, diastereo- and enantioselectivity. In addition, prochiral cyclic alkenes can be also employed, and deliver chiral 1,2-cis disubstituted cycloalkanes through desymmetrization process.

cis-Decalin-containing tetramic acids as inhibitors of insect steroidogenic glutathione S-transferase Noppera-bo

Decalin-containing tetramic acid is a bioactive scaffold primarily produced by filamentous fungi. The structural diversity of this group of compounds is generated by characteristic enzymes of fungal biosynthetic pathways, including polyketide synthase/nonribosomal peptide synthetase hybrid enzymes and decalin synthase, which are responsible for the construction of a linear polyenoyl tetramic acid structure and stereoselective decalin formation via the intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction, respectively. Compounds that differed only in the decalin configuration were collected from genetically engineered mutants derived from decalin-containing tetramic acid-producing fungi and used for a structure-activity relationship study. Our evaluation of biological activities, such as cytotoxicity against several cancer cell lines and antibacterial, antifungal, antimalarial, and mitochondrial inhibitory activities, demonstrated that the activity for each assay varies depending on the decalin configurations. In addition to these known biological activities, we revealed that the compounds showed inhibitory activity against the insect steroidogenic glutathione S-transferase Noppera-bo. Engineering the decalin configurations would be useful not only to find derivatives with better biological activities but also to discover overlooked biological activities.

Enzymatic cis-Decalin Formation in Natural Product Biosynthesis

Stereoselective synthesis of cis-decalin structures using [4 + 2] cycloaddition is challenging. We explored the biosynthetic pathway of the fungal natural product fischerin (1) to identify a new pericyclase FinI that can catalyze such a reaction. The cocrystal structure of FinI, a predicted O-methyltransferase, with the product and SAM provides insight into cis-decalin formation in nature.

Identification of the polyketide synthase gene responsible for the synthesis of tanzawaic acids in Penicillium steckii IBWF104-06

Microorganisms have been used as biological control agents (BCAs) in agriculture for a long time, but their importance has increased dramatically over the last few years. The Penicillium steckii IBWF104-06 strain has presented strong BCA activity in greenhouse experiments performed against phytopathogenic fungi and oomycetes. P. steckii strains generally produce different antifungal tanzawaic acids; interesting compounds known to be catalyzed by polyketide synthetases in other fungi. Since the decalin structure is characteristic for tanzawaic acids, two polyketide synthase genes (PsPKS1 and PsPKS2) were selected for further analysis, which have similarity in sequence and gene cluster structure with genes that are known to be responsible for the biosynthesis of decalin-containing compounds. Subsequently, gene-inactivation mutants of both PsPKS1 and PsPKS2 have been generated. It was found, that the ΔPspks1 mutant cannot produce tanzawaic acids any more, whereas reintegration of the original PsPKS1 gene into the genome of ΔPspks1 reestablished tanzawaic acid production. The mutant ΔPspks2 is not altered in tanzawaic acids production. Interestingly, both mutants ΔPsPKS1 and ΔPsPKS2 still display strong BCA activity, indicating that the mechanism of action is not related to the production of tanzawaic acids.

Marine Compounds for Melanoma Treatment and Prevention

Melanoma is considered a multifactorial disease etiologically divided into melanomas related to sun exposure and those that are not, but also based on their mutational signatures, anatomic site, and epidemiology. The incidence of melanoma skin cancer has been increasing over the past decades with 132,000 cases occurring globally each year. Marine organisms have been shown to be an excellent source of natural compounds with possible bioactivities for human health applications. In this review, we report marine compounds from micro- and macro-organisms with activities in vitro and in vivo against melanoma, including the compound Marizomib, isolated from a marine bacterium, currently in phase III clinical trials for melanoma. When available, we also report active concentrations, cellular targets and mechanisms of action of the mentioned molecules. In addition, compounds used for UV protection and melanoma prevention from marine sources are discussed. This paper gives an overview of promising marine molecules which can be studied more deeply before clinical trials in the near future.

A triple cascade approach towards the diastereoselective synthesis of spiro trans-decalinol scaffolds

A [2+2+2] annulation reaction between cyclohexanone, β-nitrostyrene and 2-arylidene-1,3-indanedione afforded multisubstituted spiro trans-decalinol derivatives in high chemical yields (up to 75%) and excellent diastereoselectivity (up to >20 : 1) at room temperature. This one-pot three-component system follows a triple cascade sequence via the Michael/nitro-Michael/Aldol process, resulting in the formation of three C-C bonds, five contiguous stereocenters as well as a spiro quaternary carbon center.

Catalytic Enantioselective Construction of Decalin Derivatives by Dynamic Kinetic Desymmetrization of C2-Symmetric Derivatives through Aldol-Aldol Annulation

We have developed and investigated a catalytic desymmetrization reaction strategy that affords functionalized decalin derivatives with high enantioselectivities from C2-symmetric derivatives through aldol-aldol annulation. We identified the structural moieties of the catalyst necessary for the formation of the decalin derivative with high enantioselectivity. We elucidated the mechanisms of the catalyzed reactions: the first aldol reaction step was reversible, and the second aldol step was rate-limiting and stereochemistry-determining and was enantioselective. Using theoretical calculations guided by the experimental results, we identified the interactions between the catalyst and the transition state that led to the major enantiomer. The information obtained in this study will be useful for the development of catalysts and chemical transformations.

Tanzawaic Acids from a Deep-Sea Derived Penicillium Species

Twelve new tanzawaic acid derivatives, penitanzacids A-F (1-6), and G-J (9-12), and hatsusamides C-D (13-14), together with two revised structures [tanzawaic acids I-J (7-8)] and three known compounds (15-17) were isolated from the deep-sea-derived fungus Penicillium sp. KWF32. Their structures including absolute configurations were elucidated by spectroscopic data analysis, HRESIMS data, modified Mosher's method, chemical degradation studies, ECD calculations, single crystal X-ray diffraction, and biogenic considerations in comparison with reported known analogues. Penitanzacids H-J (10-12) represent the first examples of this family with a C₃ side chain and support the proposed biosynthetic pathway in which the side chain is connected to the decalin backbone. Hatsusamides C-D (13-14) have a hybrid skeleton formed by linking a tanzawaic acid and a diketopiperazine through an ester bond. Compounds 13 and 14 exhibit weak cytotoxicity against the A549 cell line.

Recent advances in the chemo-biological characterization of decalin natural products and unraveling of the workings of Diels-Alderases

The Diels-Alder (DA) reaction refers to a [4 + 2] cycloaddition reaction that falls under the category of pericyclic reactions. It is a reaction that allows regio- and stereo-selective construction of two carbon-carbon bonds simultaneously in a concerted manner to generate a six-membered ring structure through a six-electron cyclic transition state. The DA reaction is one of the most widely applied reactions in organic synthesis, yet its role in biological systems has been debated intensely over the last four decades. A survey of secondary metabolites produced by microorganisms suggests strongly that many of the compounds possess features that are likely formed through DA reactions, and most of them are considered to be catalyzed by enzymes that are commonly referred to as Diels-Alderases (DAases). In recent years, especially over the past 10 years or so, we have seen an accumulation of a substantial body of work that substantiates the argument that DAases indeed exist and play a critical role in the biosynthesis of complex metabolites. This review will cover the DAases involved in the biosynthesis of decalin moieties, which are found in many of the medicinally important natural products, especially those produced by fungi. In particular, we will focus on a subset of secondary metabolites referred to as pyrrolidine-2-one-bearing decalin compounds and discuss the decalin ring stereochemistry and the biological activities of those compounds. We will also look into the genes and enzymes that drive the biosynthetic construction of those complex natural products, and highlight the recent progress made on the structural and mechanistic understanding of DAases, especially regarding how those enzymes exert stereochemical control over the [4 + 2] cycloaddition reactions they catalyze.

Structural Analysis of the Michael-Michael Ring Closure (MIMIRC) Reaction Products

A representative number of decalin and hydrindane derivatives 2a-l were prepared in 11-91% yield by means of a cascade reaction of cyclohexanone/cyclopentanone enolates and methyl acrylate through a Michael-Michael ring closure (MIMIRC) process. The relative stereochemistry of the four stereogenic centers formed in all products was determined by analyzing the vicinal coupling constants from the 1H NMR and X-ray crystallography. Such a stereochemical outcome was corroborated by conformational analysis supported by DFT calculations and simulating the 1H NMR spectra of representative products. All products showed the same relative stereochemistry at C-1 and C-8a, while at C-3 and bridgehead carbon C-4a, configurational changes were observed. The present results provide some insights about the scope and limitations of the triple cascade reaction between cycloalkanone enolates with methyl acrylate. This synthetic protocol is still a simple and very practical alternative to generate decalin and hydrindane derivatives with great structural diversity.

Oxidative DMSO Cyclization Cascade to Bicyclic Hydroxyketonitriles

Thermolysis of ω-iodoalkyl-β-siloxyalkenenitriles in DMSO triggers an oxidative cyclization cascade that affords highly oxygenated hydrindanones, decalones, and undecanones. The cyclization cascade is highly unusual on three counts: the cyclization installs a contiguous array of tertiary-quaternary-tertiary centers, thermolysis equilibrates a quaternary center, and the enolsilyl ether crossed-aldol proceeds without a catalyst.

Bioactive Compounds from Terrestrial and Marine-Derived Fungi of the Genus Neosartorya †

Fungi comprise the second most species-rich organism group after that of insects. Recent estimates hypothesized that the currently reported fungal species range from 3.5 to 5.1 million types worldwide. Fungi can grow in a wide range of habitats, from the desert to the depths of the sea. Most develop in terrestrial environments, but several species live only in aquatic habitats, and some live in symbiotic relationships with plants, animals, or other fungi. Fungi have been proved to be a rich source of biologically active natural products, some of which are clinically important drugs such as the β-lactam antibiotics, penicillin and cephalosporin, the immunosuppressant, cyclosporine, and the cholesterol-lowering drugs, compactin and lovastatin. Given the estimates of fungal biodiversity, it is easy to perceive that only a small fraction of fungi worldwide have ever been investigated regarding the production of biologically valuable compounds. Traditionally, fungi are classified primarily based on the structures associated with sexual reproduction. Thus, the genus Neosartorya (Family Trichocomaceae) is the telemorphic (sexual state) of the Aspergillus section known as Fumigati, which produces both a sexual state with ascospores and an asexual state with conidiospores, while the Aspergillus species produces only conidiospores. However, according to the Melbourne Code of nomenclature, only the genus name Aspergillus is to be used for both sexual and asexual states. Consequently, the genus name Neosartorya was no longer to be used after 1 January 2013. Nevertheless, the genus name Neosartorya is still used for the fungi that had already been taxonomically classified before the new rule was in force. Another aspect is that despite the small number of species (23 species) in the genus Neosartorya, and although less than half of them have been investigated chemically, the chemical diversity of this genus is impressive. Many chemical classes of compounds, some of which have unique scaffolds, such as indole alkaloids, peptides, meroterpenes, and polyketides, have been reported from its terrestrial, marine-derived, and endophytic species. Though the biological and pharmacological activities of a small fraction of the isolated metabolites have been investigated due to the available assay systems, they exhibited relevant biological and pharmacological activities, such as anticancer, antibacterial, antiplasmodial, lipid-lowering, and enzyme-inhibitory activities.

New Trends and Future Opportunities in the Enzymatic Formation of C-C, C-N, and C-O bonds

Organic chemistry provides society with fundamental products we use daily. Concerns about the impact that the chemical industry has over the environment is propelling major changes in the way we manufacture chemicals. Biocatalysis offers an alternative to other synthetic approaches as it employs enzymes, Nature's catalysts, to carry out chemical transformations. Enzymes are biodegradable, come from renewable sources, operate under mild reaction conditions, and display high selectivities in the processes they catalyse. As a highly multidisciplinary field, biocatalysis benefits from advances in different areas, and developments in the fields of molecular biology, bioinformatics, and chemical engineering have accelerated the extension of the range of available transformations (E. L. Bell et al., Nat. Rev. Meth. Prim. 2021, 1, 1-21). Recently, we surveyed advances in the expansion of the scope of biocatalysis via enzyme discovery and protein engineering (J. R. Marshall et al., Tetrahedron 2021, 82, 131926). Herein, we focus on novel enzymes currently available to the broad synthetic community for the construction of new C-C, C-N and C-O bonds, with the purpose of providing the non-specialist with new and alternative tools for chiral and sustainable chemical synthesis.

Characterisation and heterologous biosynthesis of burnettiene A, a new polyene-decalin polyketide from Aspergillus burnettii

Chemical exploration of the recently described Australian fungus, Aspergillus burnettii, uncovered a new metabolite, burnettiene A. Here, we characterise the structure of burnettiene A as a polyene-decalin polyketide. Bioinformatic analysis of the genome of A. burnettii identified a putative biosynthetic gene cluster for burnettiene A (bue), consisting of eight genes and sharing similarity to the fusarielin gene cluster. Introduction of the reassembled bue gene cluster into Aspergillus nidulans for heterologous expression resulted in the production of burnettiene A under native promoters. Omission of bueE encoding a cytochrome P450 led to the production of preburnettiene A, confirming that BueE is responsible for catalysing the regiospecific multi-oxidation of terminal methyl groups to carboxylic acids. Similarly, bueF was shown to encode an ester-forming methyltransferase, with its omission resulting in the production of the tricarboxylic acid, preburnettiene B. Introduction of an additional copy of the transcription factor bueR under the regulation of the gpdA promoter significantly improved the heterologous production of the burnettienes. Burnettiene A displayed strong in vitro cytotoxicity against mouse myeloma NS-1 cells (MIC 0.8 μg mL-1).

Synthesis of a New Type of Trans-Decalin Vitamin D Analogue through a Dyotropic Ring Expansion

A new vitamin D analogue with a trans-fused decalin as the CD-ring system and containing a sulphur atom in the side chain has been synthesized in our research group. The obtention of this analogue is based on a recently discovered transformation of hydrindane cores into decalins through a dyotropic ring expansion in very mild conditions.

Molecular Basis for Two Stereoselective Diels-Alderases that Produce Decalin Skeletons*

Enzymes catalyzing [4+2] cycloaddition have attracted increasing attention because of their key roles in natural product biosynthesis. Here, we solved the X-ray crystal structures of a pair of decalin synthases, Fsa2 and Phm7, that catalyze intramolecular [4+2] cycloadditions to form enantiomeric decalin scaffolds during biosynthesis of the HIV-1 integrase inhibitor equisetin and its stereochemical opposite, phomasetin. Computational modeling, using molecular dynamics simulations as well as quantum chemical calculations, demonstrates that the reactions proceed through synergetic conformational constraints assuring transition state-like substrates folds and their stabilization by specific protein-substrate interactions. Site-directed mutagenesis experiments verified the binding models. Intriguingly, the flexibility of bound substrates is largely different in two enzymes, suggesting the distinctive mechanism of dynamics regulation behind these stereoselective reactions. The proposed reaction mechanism herein deepens the basic understanding how these enzymes work but also provides a guiding principle to create artificial enzymes.

Asymmetric Synthesis of Functionalized 9-Methyldecalins Using a Diphenylprolinol-Silyl-Ether-Mediated Domino Michael/Aldol Reaction

Substituted 9-methyldecalin derivatives containing an all carbon quaternary chiral center were synthesized with excellent enantioselectivity via an organocatalyst-mediated domino reaction. The first reaction is a diphenylprolinol silyl ether-mediated Michael reaction, and the second reaction is an intramolecular aldol reaction. The enantiomerically pure catalyst is involved in both reactions.

Risk assessment of secondary metabolites produced by fungi in the genus Stemphylium

The fungal genus Stemphylium (phylum Ascomycota, teleomorph Pleospora) includes plant pathogenic, endophytic, and saprophytic species with worldwide distributions. Stemphylium spp. produce prodigious numbers of airborne spores, so are a human health concern as allergens. Some species also produce secondary metabolites, such as glucosides, ferric chelates, aromatic polyketides, and others, that function as toxins that damage plants and other fungal species. Some of these compounds also exhibit a low level of mammalian toxicity. The high production of airborne spores by this genus can result in a high incidence of human exposure. Concern about toxin production appears to be the reason that Stemphylium vesicarium, which is a pathogen of several vegetable crops, was classified in Canada as a potential risk of harm to humans for many years. A detailed assessment of the risk of exposure was provided to the relevant regulatory body, the Public Health Agency of Canada, which then determined that Stemphylium spp. in nature or under laboratory conditions posed little to no risk to humans or animals, and the species was re-assigned as a basic (level 1) risk agent.

Asymmetric Total Synthesis of Dankasterones A and B and Periconiastone A Through Radical Cyclization

We describe herein the assembly of the cis-decalin framework through radical cyclization initiated by metal-catalyzed hydrogen atom transfer (MHAT), further applied it in the asymmetric synthesis of dankasterones A and B and periconiastone A. Position-selective C-H oxygenation allowed for installation of the necessary functionality. A radical rearrangement was adopted to create 13(14→8)abeo-8-ergostane skeleton. Interconversion of dankasterone B and periconiastone A was realized through biomimetic intramolecular aldol and retro-aldol reactions. The MHAT-based approach, serves as a new dissection means, is complementary to the conventional ways to establish cis-decalin framework.

Building trans-bicyclo[4.4.0]decanes/decenes in complex multifunctional frameworks: the case for antibiotic development

Covering: 2000 to 2020. trans-Bicyclo[4.4.0]decane/decene (such as trans-decalin and trans-octalin)-containing natural products display a wide range of structural diversity and frequently exhibit potent and selective antibacterial activities. With one of the major factors in combatting antibiotic resistance being the discovery of novel scaffolds, the efficient construction of these natural products is an attractive pursuit in the development of novel antibiotics. This highlight aims to provide a critical analysis on how the presence of dense architectural and stereochemical complexity necessitated special strategies in the synthetic pursuits of these natural trans-bicyclo[4.4.0]decane/decene antibiotics.

Recent progresses in marine microbial-derived antiviral natural products

Viruses have always been a class of pathogenic microorganisms that threaten the health and safety of human life worldwide. However, for a long time, the treatment of viral infections has been slow to develop, and only a few antiviral drugs have been using clinically. Compared with these from terrestrial environments, marine-derived microorganisms can produce active substances with more novel structures and unique functions. From 2015 to 2019, 89 antiviral compounds of 8 structural classes have been isolated from marine microorganisms, of which 35 exhibit anti-H1N1 activity. This review surveys systematically marine microbial-derived natural products with antiviral activity and illustrates the impact of these compounds on antiviral drug discovery research.

Easy Access to Polyfunctionalized Chiral Decalins

An unexpected ring expansion that converts hydrindanes into decalins via an unprecedented dyotropic reaction involving a mesylate group has been observed, and this paved the way for easy access to polyfunctionalized chiral decalins. These polyfunctionalized chiral decalins can be very useful building blocks for the synthesis of the thia analogues of many natural compounds. They can also be used in asymmetric catalysis and also in the synthesis of the new analogues of vitamin D with a modified D ring and side chain. The use of chiral sulfoxide ligands for asymmetric catalysis or asymmetric sulfur ylide-mediated epoxidation of carbonyl compounds is a very important topic in the field of organic chemistry, hence our results could be useful to the scientific community.

Enantioselective Synthesis of cis-Decalin Derivatives by the Inverse-Electron-Demand Diels-Alder Reaction of 2-Pyrones

A novel strategy for the synthesis of cis-decalins by an ytterbium-catalyzed asymmetric inverse-electron-demand Diels-Alder reaction of 2-pyrones and silyl cyclohexadienol ethers is reported here. A broad range of synthetically important cis-decalin derivatives with multiple contiguous stereogenic centers and functionalities are obtained in good yields and stereoselectivities. A full set of diastereomeric substituted cis-decalin motifs are readily accessible by tuning the absolute configurations of substituted silyl cyclohexadienol ethers (R or S) as well as the ligands (R or S). The synthetic potential is showcased by the enantioselective total synthesis of 4-amorphen-11-ol, and further demonstrated by the first total synthesis of cis-crotonin.

Campafungins: Inhibitors of Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans Hyphal Growth

Campafungin A is a polyketide that was recognized in the Candida albicans fitness test due to its antiproliferative and antihyphal activity. Its mode of action was hypothesized to involve inhibition of a cAMP-dependent PKA pathway. The originally proposed structure appeared to require a polyketide assembled in a somewhat unusual fashion. However, structural characterization data were never formally published. This background stimulated a reinvestigation in which campafungin A and three closely related minor constituents were purified from fermentations of a strain of the ascomycete fungus Plenodomus enteroleucus. Labeling studies, along with extensive NMR analysis, enabled assignment of a revised structure consistent with conventional polyketide synthetic machinery. The structure elucidation of campafungin A and new analogues encountered in this study, designated here as campafungins B, C, and D, is presented, along with a proposed biosynthetic route. The antimicrobial spectrum was expanded to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Candida tropicalis, Candida glabrata, Cryptococcus neoformans, Aspergillus fumigatus, and Schizosaccharomyces pombe, with MICs ranging as low as 4-8 μg mL-1 in C. neoformans. Mode-of-action studies employing libraries of C. neoformans mutants indicated that multiple pathways were affected, but mutants in PKA/cAMP pathways were unaffected, indicating that the mode of action was distinct from that observed in C. albicans.

Pyrenosetin D, a New Pentacyclic Decalinoyltetramic Acid Derivative from the Algicolous Fungus Pyrenochaetopsis sp. FVE-087

The fungal genus Pyrenochaetopsis is commonly found in soil, terrestrial, and marine environments, however, has received little attention as a source of bioactive secondary metabolites so far. In a recent work, we reported the isolation and characterization of three new anticancer decalinoyltetramic acid derivatives, pyrenosetins A-C, from the Baltic Fucus vesiculosus-derived endophytic fungus Pyrenochaetopsis sp. FVE-001. Herein we report a new pentacyclic decalinoylspirotetramic acid derivative, pyrenosetin D (1), along with two known decalin derivatives wakodecalines A (2) and B (3) from another endophytic strain Pyrenochaetopsis FVE-087 isolated from the same seaweed and showed anticancer activity in initial screenings. The chemical structures of the purified compounds were elucidated by comprehensive analysis of HR-ESIMS, FT-IR, [a]D, 1D and 2D NMR data coupled with DFT calculations of NMR parameters and optical rotation. Compounds 1-3 were evaluated for their anticancer and toxic potentials against the human malignant melanoma cell line (A-375) and the non-cancerous keratinocyte cell line (HaCaT). Pyrenosetin D (1) showed toxicity towards both A-375 and HaCaT cells with IC50 values of 77.5 and 39.3 μM, respectively, while 2 and 3 were inactive. This is the third chemical study performed on the fungal genus Pyrenochaetopsis and the first report of a pentacyclic decalin ring system from the fungal genus Pyrenochaetopsis.

Marine Actinomycetes-derived Natural Products

Actinomycetes is an abundant resource for discovering a large number of lead compounds, which play an important role in microbial drug discovery. Compared to terrestrial microorganisms, marine actinomycetes have unique metabolic pathways because of their special living environment, which has the potential to produce a variety of bioactive substances. In this paper, secondary metabolites isolated from marine actinomycetes are reviewed (2013-2018), most of which exhibited cytotoxic, antibacterial, and antiviral biological activities.

Pyrenosetins A-C, New Decalinoylspirotetramic Acid Derivatives Isolated by Bioactivity-Based Molecular Networking from the Seaweed-Derived Fungus Pyrenochaetopsis sp. FVE-001

Marine algae represent a prolific source of filamentous fungi for bioprospecting. In continuation of our search for new anticancer leads from fungi derived from the brown alga Fucus vesiculosus, an endophytic Pyrenochaetopsis sp. FVE-001 was selected for an in-depth chemical analysis. The crude fungal extract inhibited several cancer cell lines in vitro, and the highest anticancer activity was tracked to its CHCl3-soluble portion. A bioactivity-based molecular networking approach was applied to C18-SPE fractions of the CHCl3 subextract to predict the bioactivity scores of metabolites in the fractions and to aid targeted purification of anticancer metabolites. This approach led to a rapid isolation of three new decalinoylspirotetramic acid derivatives, pyrenosetins A-C (1-3) and the known decalin tetramic acid phomasetin (4). The structures of the compounds were elucidated by extensive NMR, HR-ESIMS, FT-IR spectroscopy, [α]D and Mosher's ester method. Compounds 1 and 2 showed high anticancer activity against malignant melanoma cell line A-375 (IC50 values 2.8 and 6.3 μM, respectively), in line with the bioactivity predictions. This is the first study focusing on secondary metabolites of a marine-derived Pyrenochaetopsis sp. and the second investigation performed on the member of the genus Pyrenochaetopsis.

The expanding world of biosynthetic pericyclases: cooperation of experiment and theory for discovery

Covering: 2000 to 2018 Pericyclic reactions are a distinct class of reactions that have wide synthetic utility. Before the recent discoveries described in this review, enzyme-catalyzed pericyclic reactions were not widely known to be involved in biosynthesis. This situation is changing rapidly. We define the scope of pericyclic reactions, give a historical account of their discoveries as biosynthetic reactions, and provide evidence that there are many enzymes in nature that catalyze pericyclic reactions. These enzymes, the "pericyclases," are the subject of this review.

Enantiospecific Entry to a Common Decalin Intermediate for the Syntheses of Highly Oxygenated Terpenoids

Herein, we describe an enantiospecific route to one enantiomer of a common decalin core that is present in numerous highly oxygenated terpenoids. This intermediate is accessed in eight steps from (R)-carvone, an inexpensive, enantioenriched building block, which can be elaborated to the desired bicycle through sequential Fe(III)-catalyzed reductive olefin coupling and Dieckmann condensation. The same synthetic route may be applied to (S)-carvone to afford the enantiomer of this common intermediate for other applications.

Divergent synthesis of chiral cyclic azides via asymmetric cycloaddition reactions of vinyl azides

Vinyl azides, bearing conjugated azide and alkene functional groups, have been recognized as versatile building blocks in organic synthesis. In general vinyl azides act as 3-atom (CCN) synthons through the fast release of molecular nitrogen and have been extensively utilized in the construction of structurally diverse N-heterocycles. Keeping the azide moiety intact in organic transformations to synthesis chiral azides is an important but challenging task. Herein, we report an enantioselective copper(II)/BOX-catalyzed cycloaddition of vinyl azides, generating diverse chiral cyclic azides. α-Aryl substituted vinyl azides react with unsaturated keto esters through an inverse-electron-demand hetero-Diels-Alder reaction to afford chiral azido dihydropyrans with excellent enatioselectivities. In contrast, cyclohexenyl azides undergo a diastereo- and enantio-selective Diels-Alder reaction giving important azido octahydronaphthalenes with three continuous stereogenic centers. Notable features of these reactions include a very broad scope, mild reaction conditions and 100% atom economy.

Vinyl azides generally act as 3-atom synthon through the fast release of molecular nitrogen, whereas keeping the azide group intact is more challenging. Here, the authors show a copper-catalyzed enantioselective cycloaddition of two types of vinyl azides generating a diverse pool of valuable chiral cyclic azides.

Isolation and characterization of a new cytotoxic polyketide-amino acid hybrid from Thermothelomyces thermophilus ATCC 42464

Fungi are a rich source of novel anticancer compounds. Bioassay-guided isolation has led to the isolation of four polyketide-amino acid hybrid compounds with trans-fused decalin system from the fungus Thermothelomyces thermophilus ATCC 42464 (=Myceliophthora thermophila ATCC 42464): myceliothermophins A, B, E and F (1-4). The structure of the new compound (myceliothermophin F, compound 4) was clearly determined by a combination of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis and high-resolution electrospray ionisation mass spectroscopy (HRESIMS). The new compound exhibited promising cytotoxicity against some cell lines derived from colorectal carcinoma, hepatic carcinoma and gastric carcinoma, indicating that compounds with trans-fused decalin system would be promising in the course of developing novel anticancer drugs.

Asymmetric Cycloetherification of in Situ Generated Cyanohydrins through the Concomitant Construction of Three Chiral Carbon Centers

The organocatalytic enantio- and diastereoselective cycloetherification of in situ generated cyanohydrins through the concomitant construction of three chiral carbon centers is reported. This protocol facilitates the concise synthesis of optically active tetrahydropyran derivatives, which are ubiquitous scaffolds found in various bioactive compounds, through the simultaneous construction of multiple bonds and stereogenic centers, including tetrasubstituted chiral carbons. The resulting products also contain multiple synthetically important functional groups, which expand their possible usefulness as chiral building blocks.