Ianthesine E, a new bromotyrosine-derived metabolite from the Great Barrier Reef sponge Pseudoceratina sp

Naturally Occurring Organohalogen Compounds-A Comprehensive Review

The present volume is the third in a trilogy that documents naturally occurring organohalogen compounds, bringing the total number-from fewer than 25 in 1968-to approximately 8000 compounds to date. Nearly all of these natural products contain chlorine or bromine, with a few containing iodine and, fewer still, fluorine. Produced by ubiquitous marine (algae, sponges, corals, bryozoa, nudibranchs, fungi, bacteria) and terrestrial organisms (plants, fungi, bacteria, insects, higher animals) and universal abiotic processes (volcanos, forest fires, geothermal events), organohalogens pervade the global ecosystem. Newly identified extraterrestrial sources are also documented. In addition to chemical structures, biological activity, biohalogenation, biodegradation, natural function, and future outlook are presented.

Inhibitory activity of marine sponge metabolites on SARS-CoV-2 RNA dependent polymerase: virtual screening and molecular dynamics simulation

Marine species are known as rich sources of metabolites involved mainly in the pharmaceutical industry. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of biologically active compounds in the marine sponge on the SARS-CoV-2 RNA-dependent-RNA polymerase protein (RdRp) using the in-silico method. A total of 51 marine compounds were checked for their possible interaction with SARS-CoV-2 RdRp using Maestro interface for molecular docking, molecular dynamic (MD) simulation, and MM/GBSA method to estimate compounds binding affinities. Among the 51 compounds screened in this study, two (mycalamide A, and nakinadine B) exhibited the lowest docking energy and best interaction. Among these compounds, mycalamide A was identified as a potent inhibitor of SARS-CoV-2 RdRp that showed the best and stable interaction during molecular dynamic simulation, with residues (Asp760 and Asp761) found in the catalytic domain of RdRp. The analysis through MM/GBSA for molecular dynamic simulation results revealed binding energy -59.7 ± 7.18 for Mycalamide A and -56 ± 10.55 for Nakinadine B. These results elucidate the possible use of mycalamide A for treating coronavirus disease.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Using UHPLC-MS profiling for the discovery of new sponge-derived metabolites and anthelmintic screening of the NatureBank bromotyrosine library

In order to further expand the NatureBank open access compound library, chemical investigations of the Australian marine sponge, Ianthella basta, were undertaken since UHPLC-MS analysis of the extract from this sponge indicated the presence of a new alkaloid. Large-scale extraction and mass-directed isolation studies on the CH2Cl2/MeOH I. basta extract resulted in the purification of a new bromotyrosine-derived alkaloid, 5-debromopurealidin H (1), along with the known marine natural product, ianthesine E (2). The chemical structure of the new compound was determined following detailed spectroscopic and spectrometric data analysis. These two compounds (1 and 2) along with seven previously reported marine bromotyrosine alkaloids from the NatureBank open access library, which included psammaplysins F (3) and H (4), bastadins 4 (5), 8 (6) and 13 (7), aerothionin (8) and hexadellin A (9), were evaluated for their nematocidal activity against exsheathed third-stage larvae of Haemonchus contortus, a highly pathogenic parasite of ruminants. Of the nine compounds, bastadin 8 (6), hexadellin A (9) and bastadin 4 (5) showed inhibition towards larval motility after 72 h of exposure with IC50 values of 1.6 µM, 10.0 µM and 33.3 µM, respectively.

Electrochemical Synthesis of Isoxazolines: Method and Mechanism

An electrochemical method for the green and practical synthesis of a broad range of substituted isoxazoline cores is presented. Both aryl and more challenging alkyl aldoximes are converted to the desired isoxazoline in an electrochemically enabled regio‐ and diastereoselective reaction with electron‐deficient alkenes. Additionally, in‐situ reaction monitoring methods compatible with electrochemistry equipment have been developed in order to probe the reaction pathway. Supporting analyses from kinetic (time‐course) modelling and density functional theory support a stepwise, radical‐mediated mechanism, and discounts hypothesised involvement of closed shell [3+2] cycloaddition pathways.

Marine biomimetics: bromotyrosines loaded chitinous skeleton as source of antibacterial agents

The marine sponges of the order Verongiida (Demospongiae: Porifera) have survived on our planet for more than 500 million years due to the presence of a unique strategy of chemical protection by biosynthesis of more than 300 derivatives of biologically active bromotyrosines as secondary metabolites. These compounds are synthesized within spherulocytes, highly specialized cells located within chitinous skeletal fibers of these sponges from where they can be extruded in the sea water and form protective space against pathogenic viruses, bacteria and other predators. This chitin is an example of unique biomaterial as source of substances with antibiotic properties. Traditionally, the attention of researchers was exclusively drawn to lipophilic bromotyrosines, the extraction methods of which were based on the use of organic solvents only. Alternatively, we have used in this work a biomimetic water-based approach, because in natural conditions, sponges actively extrude bromotyrosines that are miscible with the watery environment. This allowed us to isolate 3,5-dibromoquinolacetic acid from an aqueous extract of the dried demosponge Aplysina aerophoba and compare its antimicrobial activity with the same compound obtained by the chemical synthesis. Both synthetic and natural compounds have shown antimicrobial properties against clinical strains of Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis and Propionibacterium acnes.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00339-020-04167-0.

2-Isoxazolines: A Synthetic and Medicinal Overview

Isoxazolines are nitrogen- and oxygen-containing five-membered heterocyclic scaffolds with extensive biological activities. This framework can be readily obtained in good to excellent yields through 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition between nitrones with alkynes or allenes, aryl/alkyl halides, alkynes, and oxaziridines under mild conditions. This scaffold has been an emerging area of interest for many researchers given their wide range of bioactivities. Herein we review synthetic strategies toward isoxazolines and the role these efforts have had in enhancing the biological activity of natural products and synthetic compounds such as antitubercular agents, COX-1 inhibitors, COX-2 inhibitors (e. g., valdecoxib), nicotinic receptor modulators, and MIF inhibitors. With a focus on efforts from 2010 onward, this review provides in-depth coverage of the design and biological evaluation of isoxazoline systems and their impact on various pathologies.

Anti-Tumor Activity vs. Normal Cell Toxicity: Therapeutic Potential of the Bromotyrosines Aerothionin and Homoaerothionin In Vitro

Novel strategies to treat cancer effectively without adverse effects on the surrounding normal tissue are urgently needed. Marine sponges provide a natural and renewable source of promising anti-tumor agents. Here, we investigated the anti-tumor activity of Aerothionin and Homoaerothionin, two bromotyrosines isolated from the marine demosponge Aplysina cavernicola, on two mouse pheochromocytoma cells, MPC and MTT. To determine the therapeutic window of these metabolites, we furthermore explored their cytotoxicity on cells of the normal tissue. Both metabolites diminished the viability of the pheochromocytoma cell lines significantly from a concentration of 25 µM under normoxic and hypoxic conditions. Treatment of MPC cells leads moreover to a reduction in the number of proliferating cells. To confirm the anti-tumor activity of these bromotyrosines, 3D-pheochromocytoma cell spheroids were treated with 10 µM of either Aerothionin or Homoaerothionin, resulting in a significant reduction or even complete inhibition of the spheroid growth. Both metabolites reduced viability of normal endothelial cells to a comparable extent at higher micromolar concentration, while the viability of fibroblasts was increased. Our in vitro results show promise for the application of Aerothionin and Homoaerothionin as anti-tumor agents against pheochromocytomas and suggest acceptable toxicity on normal tissue cells.

Natural Products Containing a Nitrogen-Sulfur Bond

Only about 100 natural products are known to contain a nitrogen-sulfur (N-S) bond. This review thoroughly categorizes N-S bond-containing compounds by structural class. Information on biological source, biological activity, and biosynthesis is included, if known. We also review the role of N-S bond functional groups as post-translational modifications of amino acids in proteins and peptides, emphasizing their role in the metabolism of the cell.

The demosponge Pseudoceratina purpurea as a new source of fibrous chitin

Among marine demosponges (Porifera: Demospongiae), only representatives of the order Verongiida have been recognized to synthetize both biologically active substances as well as scaffolds-like fibrous skeletons made of structural aminopolysaccharide chitin. The unique 3D architecture of such scaffolds open perspectives for their applications in waste treatment, biomimetics and tissue engineering. Here, we focus special attention to the demosponge Pseudoceratina purpurea collected in the coastal waters of Singapore. For the first time the detailed description of the isolation of chitin from the skeleton of this sponge and its identification using diverse bioanalytical tools were carried out. Calcofluor white staining, FTIR analysis, electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS), SEM, and fluorescence microscopy as well as a chitinase digestion assay were applied in order to confirm with strong evidence the finding of alpha-chitin in the skeleton of P. purpurea. We suggest that the discovery of chitin within representatives of Pseudoceratinidae family is a perspective step in evaluation of these verongiid sponges as novel renewable sources for both chitin and biologically active metabolites, which are of prospective use for marine oriented biomedicine and pharmacology, respectively.

New antimicrobial bromotyrosine analogues from the sponge Pseudoceratina purpurea and its predator Tylodina corticalis

Bioassay-guided fractionation of extracts from temperate Australian collections of the marine sponge Pseudoceratina purpurea resulted in the isolation and characterisation of two new and six known bromotyrosine-derived alkaloids with antibiotic activity. Surprisingly, a single specimen of the mollusc Tylodina corticalis, which was collected while feeding on P. purpurea, contained only a few of the compounds found in the sponge suggesting selective accumulation and chemical modification of sponge metabolites.

Isoxazoline containing natural products as anticancer agents: a review

Isoxazolines are an important class of nitrogen and oxygen containing heterocycles that belong to the azoles family which have gained much importance in the field of medicinal chemistry as the anticancer agents. Moreover, natural products are always expectedly regarded as an important hoard of a large number of potential chemotherapeutic candidates. Therefore, this review mainly focuses on the existence of isoxazoline derivatives in natural sources, their isolation and uses there of as anticancer agents besides highlighting the synthetic pathways to achieve these compounds. Structural-activity relationship and the influence of stereochemical aspects on anticancer activity of such compounds have also been discussed. It covers the literature upto 2014 and would certainly provide a great insight to scientific community to accelerate further research for the development of some novel anticancer drugs.

Bromotyrosine alkaloids from the Australian marine sponge Pseudoceratina verrucosa

Two new bromotyrosine alkaloids, pseudoceralidinone A (1) and aplysamine 7 (2), along with three known compounds were isolated from the Australian sponge Pseudoceratina verrucosa. Their structures were characterized by NMR and MS data and the synthetic route. Their cytotoxicity was evaluated against cancer cell lines (HeLa and PC3) and a noncancer cell line (NFF).

Unequivocal 13C NMR assignment of cyclohexadienyl rings in bromotyrosine-derived metabolites from marine sponges

Bromotyrosine-derived compounds are commonly isolated from Verongida sponges and are a major class of marine natural products. Here we report on the unequivocal (13)C NMR assignment of the brominated carbons at positions C-2 and C-4 of the cyclohexadiene ring, two carbons whose resonances are often incorrectly assigned. Interpretation of HMBC data acquired for a series of known bromotyrosine analogues, which included ianthesine E(1), aerothionin (2), 11-hydroxyaerothionin (3), and 11,19-dideoxyfistularin-3 (4), allowed us to unequivocally assign the carbons in question, C-2 and C-4, through the observance of unique HMBC correlations from the C-1 hydroxyl proton. Here we present the complete 2D NMR data sets recorded in DMSO-d(6) for 2-4 that were used to confirm the assignment and establish the working model. Using this model, a survey of the literature revealed that many members of this structure class had been wrongly assigned. This paper serves to reassign those compounds whose (13)C NMR assignment at positions C-2 and C-4 of the cyclohexadiene ring should be reversed.

Occurrence of halogenated alkaloids

Once considered to be isolation artifacts or chemical "mistakes" of nature, the number of naturally occurring organohalogen compounds has grown from a dozen in 1954 to >5000 today. Of these, at least 25% are halogenated alkaloids. This is not surprising since nitrogen-containing pyrroles, indoles, carbolines, tryptamines, tyrosines, and tyramines are excellent platforms for biohalogenation, particularly in the marine environment where both chloride and bromide are plentiful for biooxidation and subsequent incorporation into these electron-rich substrates. This review presents the occurrence of all halogenated alkaloids, with the exception of marine bromotyrosines where coverage begins where it left off in volume 61 of The Alkaloids. Whereas the biological activity of these extraordinary compounds is briefly cited for some examples, a future volume of The Alkaloids will present full coverage of this topic and will also include selected syntheses of halogenated alkaloids. Natural organohalogens of all types, especially marine and terrestrial halogenated alkaloids, comprise a rapidly expanding class of natural products, in many cases expressing powerful biological activity. This enormous proliferation has several origins: (1) a revitalization of natural product research in a search for new drugs, (2) improved compound characterization methods (multidimensional NMR, high-resolution mass spectrometry), (3) specific enzyme-based and other biological assays, (4) sophisticated collection methods (SCUBA and remote submersibles for deep ocean marine collections), (5) new separation and purification techniques (HPLC and countercurrent separation), (6) a greater appreciation of traditional folk medicine and ethobotany, and (7) marine bacteria and fungi as novel sources of natural products. Halogenated alkaloids are truly omnipresent in the environment. Indeed, one compound, Q1 (234), is ubiquitous in the marine food web and is found in the Inuit from their diet of whale blubber. Given the fact that of the 500,000 estimated marine organisms--which are the source of most halogenated alkaloids--only a small percentage have been investigated for their chemical content, it is certain that myriad new halogenated alkaloids are awaiting discovery. For example, it is estimated that nearly 4000 species of bryozoans have not been examined for their chemical content. The few species that have been studied contain some extraordinary halogenated alkaloids, such as hinckdentine A (610) and the chartellines (611-613). Of the estimated 1.5 million species of fungi, secondary metabolites have been characterized from only 5000 species. The future seems bright for the collector of halogenated alkaloids!

Antiparasitic bromotyrosine derivatives from the marine sponge Verongula rigida

Nine bromotyrosine-derived compounds were isolated from the Caribbean marine sponge Verongula rigida. Two of them, aeroplysinin-1 (1) and dihydroxyaerothionin (2), are known compounds for this species, and the other seven are unknown compounds for this species, namely: 3,5-dibromo-N,N,N-trimethyltyraminium (3), 3,5-dibromo-N,N,N, O-tetramethyltyraminium (4), purealidin R (5), 19-deoxyfistularin 3 (6), purealidin B (7), 11-hydroxyaerothionin (8) and fistularin-3 (9). Structural determination of the isolated compounds was performed using one- and two-dimensional NMR, MS and other spectroscopy data. All isolated compounds were screened for their in vitro activity against three parasitic protozoa: Leishmania panamensis, Plasmodium falciparum and Trypanosoma cruzi. Compounds 7 and 8 showed selective antiparasitic activity at 10 and 5 μM against Leishmania and Plasmodium parasites, respectively. Cytotoxicity of these compounds on a human promonocytic cell line was also assessed.