Microsporins A and B: new histone deacetylase inhibitors from the marine-derived fungus Microsporum cf. gypseum and the solid-phase synthesis of microsporin A

Two new cyclic peptides, microsporins A and B (7 and 8), were isolated from culture extracts of the marine-derived fungus Microsporum cf. gypseum obtained from a sample of the bryozoan Bugula sp. collected in the U.S. Virgin Islands. The structures of the new compounds were determined by extensive interpretation of 2D NMR data and by chemical methods. Microsporins A and B are potent inhibitors of histone deacetylase and demonstrate cytotoxic activity against human colon adenocarcinoma (HCT-116), as well as against the National Cancer Institute 60 cancer cell panel. The total synthesis of microsporin A on solid-phase is also reported.     

A unique highly oxygenated pyrano[4,3-c][2]benzopyran-1,6-dione derivative with antioxidant and cytotoxic activities from the fungus Phellinus igniarius

[structure: see text] A unique pyrano[4,3-c][2]benzopyran-1,6-dione derivative with an unprecedented carbon skeleton, phelligridin G (1), has been isolated from the fruiting body of the fungus Phellinus igniarius. Its structure was elucidated by detailed spectroscopic analysis. A possible biogenetic origin of 1 mediated by the fungal metabolite precursor 4-hydroxy-6-methyl-2-pyrone was postulated. Phelligridin G (1) showed antioxidant activity inhibiting rat liver microsomal lipid peroxidation and moderate selective cytotoxic activities against human cancer cell lines.