Antimicrobial Compounds Isolated from Endolichenic Fungi: A Review

A lichen is a symbiotic relationship between a fungus and a photosynthetic organism, which is algae or cyanobacteria. Endolichenic fungi are a group of microfungi that resides asymptomatically within the thalli of lichens. Endolichenic fungi can be recognized as luxuriant metabolic artists that produce propitious bioactive secondary metabolites. More than any other time, there is a worldwide search for new antibiotics due to the alarming increase in microbial resistance against the currently available therapeutics. Even though a few antimicrobial compounds have been isolated from endolichenic fungi, most of them have moderate activities, implying the need for further structural optimizations. Recognizing this timely need and the significance of endolichenic fungi as a promising source of antimicrobial compounds, the activity, sources and the structures of 31 antibacterial compounds, 58 antifungal compounds, two antiviral compounds and one antiplasmodial (antimalarial) compound are summarized in this review. In addition, an overview of the common scaffolds and structural features leading to the corresponding antimicrobial properties is provided as an aid for future studies. The current challenges and major drawbacks of research related to endolichenic fungi and the remedies for them have been suggested.     

新型四氢萘类化合物合成及体外抗真菌活性研究

根据真菌羊毛甾醇14α-去甲基化酶的三维结构模型设计、合成了48个新型四氢萘类化合物, 所有化合物的结构经过IR, ¹H NMR和MS确证. 体外抗真菌活性研究表明所有化合物对7种临床致病真菌都有抗真菌活性, 特别是化合物18, 21, 22, 24的抗真菌活性最强. 对接研究显示设计的先导化合物与靶酶活性腔中氨基酸功能残基结合, 作用模式不同于氮唑类化合物. 结果表明新型四氢萘类化合物是一类全新结构类型的抗真菌化合物.     

Antibiotic activities of host defense peptides: more to it than lipid bilayer perturbation

Defensins are small basic amphiphilic peptides (up to 5 kDa) that have been shown to be important effector molecules of the innate immune system of animals, plants and fungi. In addition to immune modulatory functions, they have potent direct antimicrobial activity against a broad spectrum of bacteria, fungi and/or viruses, which makes them promising lead compounds for the development of next-generation antiinfectives. The mode of antibiotic action of defensins was long thought to result from electrostatic interaction between the positively charged defensins and negatively charged microbial membranes, followed by unspecific membrane permeabilization or pore-formation. Microbial membranes are more negatively charged than human membranes, which may explain to some extent the specificity of defensin action against microbes and associated low toxicity for the host. However, research during the past decade has demonstrated that defensin activities can be much more targeted and that microbe-specific lipid receptors are involved in the killing activity of various defensins. In this respect, human, fungal and invertebrate defensins have been shown to bind to and sequester the bacterial cell wall building block lipid II, thereby specifically inhibiting cell wall biosynthesis. Moreover, plant and insect defensins were found to interact with fungal sphingolipid receptors, resulting in fungal cell death. This review summarizes the current knowledge on the mode of action and structure of defensins from different kingdoms, with specific emphasis on their interaction with microbial lipid receptors.     

Heterocyclic inflammation inhibitors

Non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are the most widely used medicines for relief of pain. These drugs have some side effects, particularly toxicity in the gastrointestinal tract and kidneys. Various approaches have been used for obtaining safer anti-inflammatory drugs. In this review we have summarized the recent developments in the following areas; (i) mode of action of NSAIDs (ii) Role of COX-1 & COX-2 in inflammation, (iii) Different approaches used to improve gastric tolerance i.e. chemical manipulation, formulation & co-administration, development of non specific (COX-1 & COX-2 inhibitors) and specific (COX-2 inhibitors) inflammation inhibitors, and development of inflammation inhibitors having a mode of action other than COX-1 & COX-2 inhibition. We have also focused on the safety of COX-2 inhibitors and the synthesis of heterocyclic compounds and their role as inflammation inhibitors.     

Effects of trialkyllead compounds on mitochondrial energy conservation

The effects of triethyllead acetate and tri-n-butyllead acetate on rat liver mitochondrial ATPase, succinate-driven ATP synthase and mitochondrial membrane potential have been compared with those of the equivalent organotin compounds. ATP synthase I₅₀ values were approximately four times the ATPase I₅₀ values for organotin compounds but the reverse pattern of activity is observed with trialkyllead compounds, which are 5-10 times more effective inhibitors of ATP synthase than of ATPase activity. The primary effects of trialkyltins are as inhibitors of the ATPase complex with relatively minor effects on mitochondrial membrane potential ($PS). In contrast, trialkylleads are potent uncoupling agents, which accounts for their potent inhibition of ATP synthesis. The uncoupling action of trialkylleads and trialkyltins is independent of chloride concentration and is unlikely to be due to Cl^?/OH^? exchange.     

Flavonoids and strigolactones in root exudates as signals in symbiotic and pathogenic plant-fungus interactions

Secondary plant compounds are important signals in several symbiotic and pathogenic plant-microbe interactions. The present review is limited to two groups of secondary plant compounds, flavonoids and strigolactones, which have been reported in root exudates. Data on flavonoids as signaling compounds are available from several symbiotic and pathogenic plant-microbe interactions, whereas only recently initial data on the role of strigolactones as plant signals in the arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis have been reported. Data from other plant-microbe interactions and strigolactones are not available yet. In the present article we are focusing on flavonoids in plant-fungal interactions such as the arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) association and the signaling between different Fusarium species and plants. Moreover the role of strigolactones in the AM association is discussed and new data on the effect of strigolactones on fungi, apart from arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), are provided.     

Structure-based virtual screening for novel potential selective inhibitors of class IIa histone deacetylases for cancer treatment

The fundamental cause of human cancer is strongly influenced by down- or up-regulations of epigenetic factors. Upregulated histone deacetylases (HDAC) have been shown to be effectively neutralized by the action of HDACs inhibitors (HDACi). However, cytotoxicity has been reported in normal cells because of non-specificity of several available HDACis that are in clinical use or at different phases of clinical trials. Because of the high amino acid sequence and structural similarity among HDAC enzymes, it is believed to be a challenging task to obtain isoform-selectivity. The essential aim of the present research work was to identify isoform-selective inhibitors against class IIa HDACs via structure-based drug design. Based on the highest binding affinity and isoform-selectivity, the top-ranked inhibitors were in silico tested for their absorption, distribution, metabolism, elimination, and toxicity (ADMET) properties, which were classified as drug-like compounds. Later, molecular dynamics simulation (MD) was carried out for all compound-protein complexes to evaluate the structural stability and the biding mode of the inhibitors, which showed high stability throughout the 100 ns simulation. Free binding energy predictions by MM-PBSA method showed the high binding affinity of the identified compounds toward their respective targets. Hence, these inhibitors could be used as drug candidates or as lead compounds for more in silico or in vitro optimization to design safe isoform-selective HDACs inhibitors.     

Homology modeling,docking and structure-based pharmacophore of inhibitors of DNA methyltransferase

DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) is an emerging epigenetic target for the treatment of cancer and other diseases. To date, several inhibitors from different structural classes have been published. In this work, we report a comprehensive molecular modeling study of 14 established DNTM1 inhibitors with a herein developed homology model of the catalytic domain of human DNTM1. The geometry of the homology model was in agreement with the proposed mechanism of DNA methylation. Docking results revealed that all inhibitors studied in this work have hydrogen bond interactions with a glutamic acid and arginine residues that play a central role in the mechanism of cytosine DNA methylation. The binding models of compounds such as curcumin and parthenolide suggest that these natural products are covalent blockers of the catalytic site. A pharmacophore model was also developed for all DNMT1 inhibitors considered in this work using the most favorable binding conformations and energetic terms of the docked poses. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first pharmacophore model proposed for compounds with inhibitory activity of DNMT1. The results presented in this work represent a conceptual advance for understanding the protein–ligand interactions and mechanism of action of DNMT1 inhibitors. The insights obtained in this work can be used for the structure-based design and virtual screening for novel inhibitors targeting DNMT1.     

Synthesis and biological activity of simplified belactosin C analogues

Successful biochemical studies of the natural products belactosin A and C and their acylated congeners have shown a β-lactonecarboxamide moiety to be a possible core structure of powerful proteasome inhibitors. As a part of further investigations, variously decorated simplified β-lactonecarboxamides have been synthesized in order to understand structure-biological activity relations in detail, to find ways of improving their biological activity and stability and to reduce the complexity of their preparation. Biological tests showed that the best compounds possess a high potential against phytopathogenic fungi in the greenhouse.     

Natural Products and Their Derivatives against Human Herpesvirus Infection

Herpesviruses establish long-term latent infection for the life of the host and are known to cause numerous diseases. The prevalence of viral infection is significantly increased and causes a worldwide challenge in terms of health issues due to drug resistance. Prolonged treatment with conventional antiviral drugs is more likely to develop drug-resistant strains due to mutations of thymidine nucleoside kinase or DNA polymerase. Hence, the development of alternative treatments is clearly required. Natural products and their derivatives have played a significant role in treating herpesvirus infection rather than nucleoside analogs in drug-resistant strains with minimal undesirable effects and different mechanisms of action. Numerous plants, animals, fungi, and bacteria-derived compounds have been proved to be efficient and safe for treating human herpesvirus infection. This review covers the natural antiherpetic agents with the chemical structural class of alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, polyphenols, anthraquinones, anthracyclines, and miscellaneous compounds, and their antiviral mechanisms have been summarized. This review would be helpful to get a better grasp of anti-herpesvirus activity of natural products and their derivatives, and to evaluate the feasibility of natural compounds as an alternative therapy against herpesvirus infections in humans.     

植物内生真菌抗菌活性物质的研究进展

植物内生真菌的代谢产物中存在一系列具有多样性结构的抗菌活性化合物.对植物内生真菌所产生的抗菌活性物质的结构、对细菌和真菌的抑制效果,以及这些内生真菌的寄主植物等几方面进行了综述.简单讨论了植物内生真菌-寄主植物之间的化学生态学关系、植物内生真菌代谢物的研究价值.希望通过这些活性物质的研究能够开发出更多新型强活性抗生素.     

Chemical defence strategies of higher fungi

Like plants, fungi have evolved a variety of defence strategies in order to protect themselves against feeding mammals, insects and infection with parasitic fungi. In contrast to plants little is known on the chemical ecology of fruiting bodies of higher fungi, particularly those defence mechanisms which are induced upon wounding have only occasionally been recognised. Methods both for the detection of permanently present defence compounds and for the elucidation of wound-activated chemical defence mechanisms are discussed in this concept paper.     

The effect of diallyl polysulfanes on cellular signaling cascades

Diallyl polysulfanes, such as diallyl trisulfide and diallyl tetrasulfide, are regarded as a group of potential chemopreventive compounds as they have been proven to be effective inhibitors of cancer cells. These agents have been implicated in signal transductions, including the generation of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) stress, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling, regulation of cell cycle progression, and induction of apoptosis. Nonetheless, certain aspects of the diallyl polysulfane triggered inhibitory effects on cancer cells are still not clear. Understanding the targeted signaling pathways may help to develop new strategies to treat cancer and other diseases. This review is therefore aimed at addressing the targeting of specific intracellular signal transduction cascades by these diallyl polysulfanes in order to shed some light on possible mechanisms of action of these compounds.     

A structural view of the inactivation of the SARS coronavirus main proteinase by benzotriazole esters

The main proteinase (M(pro)) of the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) coronavirus is a principal target for the design of anticoronaviral compounds. Benzotriazole esters have been reported as potent nonpeptidic inhibitors of the enzyme, but their exact mechanism of action remains unclear. Here we present crystal structures of SARS-CoV M(pro), the active-site cysteine of which has been acylated by benzotriazole esters that act as suicide inhibitors. In one of the structures, the thioester product has been hydrolyzed and benzoic acid is observed to bind to the hydrophobic S2 pocket. This structure also features the enzyme with a shortened N-terminal segment ("amputated N finger"). The results further the understanding of the important role of the N finger for catalysis as well as the design of benzotriazole inhibitors with improved specificity.     

结构多样的HIV-1整合酶抑制剂:过去、现在和未来

HIV-1整合酶是逆转录病毒复制的必需酶,它催化病毒DNA与宿主染色体DNA的整合,而且在人类细胞中没有类似物,因此成为治疗艾滋病的富有吸引力和合理的靶标.最近十年,一大批HIV-1整合酶抑制剂被鉴定出来,其中一些化合物显示选择性的抑制HIV-1整合酶和阻断病毒复制的活性,而最有影响的两类抑制剂是含邻苯二酚的多羟基芳环化合物和最近报道的芳基β-二酮酸类化合物.全面综述了用于HIV-1整合酶抑制剂研究以发展抗HIV新药的不同种类的化合物,包括苯并咪唑类衍生物、核苷类、多肽、羟基取代的芳环化合物及二酮酸类化合物等,并阐述了这些化合物中对抑制活性重要的结构特征.同时也介绍了HIV-1整合酶的结构、功能以及HIV-1整合酶抑制剂的设计原理和作用机制.     

Isolation and characterization of bioactive metabolites from marine-derived filamentous fungi collected from tropical and sub-tropical coral reefs

Two new compounds, paecilospirone (1) and phomopsidin (2), and seven known compounds, chaetoglobosin A (3), griseofulvin (4), fusarielin A (5), fusapyrone (6), deoxyfusapyrone (7), and verrucarins J (8) and L acetate (9), have been isolated and characterized from marine-derived fungi collected in tropical and sub-tropical coral reef environments. The utility of marine-derived fungi as a source of bioactive secondary metabolites is discussed.     

Epigenetic Genome Mining of an Endophytic Fungus Leads to the Pleiotropic Biosynthesis of Natural Products

The small‐molecule biosynthetic potential of most filamentous fungi has remained largely unexplored and represents an attractive source for the discovery of new compounds. Genome sequencing of Calcarisporium arbuscula, a mushroom‐endophytic fungus, revealed 68 core genes that are involved in natural product biosynthesis. This is in sharp contrast to the predominant production of the ATPase inhibitors aurovertin B and D in the wild‐type fungus. Inactivation of a histone H3 deacetylase led to pleiotropic activation and overexpression of more than 75 % of the biosynthetic genes. Sampling of the overproduced compounds led to the isolation of ten compounds of which four contained new structures, including the cyclic peptides arbumycin and arbumelin, the diterpenoid arbuscullic acid A, and the meroterpenoid arbuscullic acid B. Such epigenetic modifications therefore provide a rapid and global approach to mine the chemical diversity of endophytic fungi.     

Simultaneous Production of Psilocybin and a Cocktail of β-Carboline Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors in “Magic” Mushrooms

The psychotropic effects of Psilocybe “magic” mushrooms are caused by the l -tryptophan-derived alkaloid psilocybin. Despite their significance, the secondary metabolome of these fungi is poorly understood in general. Our analysis of four Psilocybe species identified harmane, harmine, and a range of other l -tryptophan-derived β-carbolines as their natural products, which was confirmed by 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy. Stable-isotope labeling with ¹³C₁₁-l -tryptophan verified the β-carbolines as biosynthetic products of these fungi. In addition, MALDI-MS imaging showed that β-carbolines accumulate toward the hyphal apices. As potent inhibitors of monoamine oxidases, β-carbolines are neuroactive compounds and interfere with psilocybin degradation. Therefore, our findings represent an unprecedented scenario of natural product pathways that diverge from the same building block and produce dissimilar compounds, yet contribute directly or indirectly to the same pharmacological effects.     

Diketene analogs as beta-lactamase inhibitor

Compounds having a structural analogy with diketene have been synthesized and their potencies as beta-lactamase inhibitors have been studied. Among six compounds so far tested, alpha-phenyl-beta-benzylidene-3-propanolide was shown to be an irreversible inhibitor of the enzyme. The availability of simple monocyclic compounds as beta-lactamase inhibitors is discussed.