Cytotoxic compounds from the marine-derived fungus Aspergillus sp. recovered from the sediments of the Brazilian coast

A fungal strain of Aspergillus sp. (BRF 030) was isolated from the sediments collected in the northeast coast of Brazil, and the cytotoxic activity of its secondary metabolites was investigated against HCT-116 tumour cell line. The cytotoxicity-guided fractionation of the extracts from this fungus cultured in potato-dextrose-sea water for 14 days at room temperature yielded the hetero-spirocyclic γ-lactams pseurotin A (1), pseurotin D (2) and pseurotin FD-838 (7), the alkaloids fumitremorgin C (5), 12,13-dihydroxy fumitremorgin C (6), methylsulochrin (4) and bis(dethio)bis(methylthio)gliotoxin (3). Among them, fumitremorgin C (5) and 12,13-dihydroxy fumitremorgin C (6) were the most active. The cytotoxic activities of the extracts from Aspergillus sp. grown from 7 to 28 days were investigated, and they were associated with the kinetic production of the compounds. The most active extracts (14 and 21 days) were those with the highest relative concentrations of the compounds fumitremorgin C (5) and 12,13-dihydroxy fumitremorgin C (6).     

Separation of five diketopiperazines from the marine fungus Alternaria alternate HK‐25 by high‐speed counter‐current chromatography

High‐speed counter‐current chromatography was applied to the separation of five diketoperazines from the marine Alternaria alternate HK‐25 for the first time using one‐step elution method with a pair of two‐phase solvent systems composed of petroleum ether/ethyl acetate/methanol/water (5.5:11:5:7, v/v). Where 151.6 mg of crude sample yielded five diketoperazines, 12,13‐dihydroxy‐fumitremorgin C ( 1 ), gliotoxin ( 2 ), demethoxyfum itremorgin C ( 3 ), bisdethiobis(methylthio)gliotoxin ( 4 ), fumitremorgin C ( 5 ), and the purities of all compounds were above 94% as determined by high‐performance liquid chromatography. The structures of these compounds were identified by ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. These results showed that high‐speed counter‐current chromatography can provide a feasible way for highly effective preparation of marine natural products, which ensured the supple of numerous samples for drug development.     

Diketopiperazine Alkaloids Produced by the Endophytic Fungus Aspergillus fumigatus from the Stem of Erythrophloeum fordii Oliv.

Four new diketopiperazine alkaloids, rel‐(8R)‐9‐hydroxy‐8‐methoxy‐18‐epi‐fumitremorgin C ( 1 ), rel‐(8S)‐19,20‐dihydro‐9,20‐dihydroxy‐8‐methoxy‐9,18‐di‐epi‐fumitremorgin C ( 2 ), rel‐(8S,19S)‐19,20‐dihydro‐9,19,20‐trihydroxy‐8‐methoxy‐9‐epi‐fumitremorgin C ( 3 ), and (3S,8S,9S,18S)‐8,9‐dihydroxyspirotryprostatin A ( 4 ), together with the eight known compounds 5 – 12 , were isolated from the endophytic fungus Aspergillus fumigatus. The structures of the new compounds were determined by extensive spectroscopic methods including HR‐ESI‐MS, NMR, and CD experiments. Compound 12 showed weak inhibitory activity in vitro against the release of β‐glucuronidase in rat polymorphonuclear leukocytes induced by the platelet‐activating factor. None of the twelve compounds exhibited detectable cytotoxic activities toward five human tumor cell lines (HCT‐8, Bel‐7402, BGC‐823, A549, and A2780) in the MTT assay.     

Total synthesis of fumitremorgin B

A total synthesis of a tremorgenic mycotoxin, fumitremorgin B is described.     

Total synthesis of fumitremorgin B

Total synthesis of fumitremorgin B, one of the potent tremorgic mycotoxins, was achieved in 7 steps.     

Aspergilolide,a steroid lactone produced by an endophytic fungus Aspergillus sp. MBL1612 isolated from Paeonia ostii

A new steroid lactone aspergilolide (1), and nine known compounds helvolic acid (2), verruculogen (3), tryprostatin B (4), 13-oxofumitremorgin B (5), fumitremorgin C (6), demethoxy fumitremorgin C (7), terezine D (8), aszonalenin (9), 12, 13-dihydroxy-fumitremorgin C (10) from cultures of the endophytic fungus Aspergillus sp. MBL1612. Their chemical structures were determined by a series of extensive spectroscopic methods. All of the compounds were isolated from this genus for the first time. The cytotoxicity against five human cancer cell lines of new compound were detected.     

Reply to Correspondence on “Structural Insight into the Catalytic Mechanism of the Endoperoxide Synthase FtmOx1′′

The high-resolution X-ray crystal structure of the ternary complex FtmOx1 ⋅ 2OG ⋅ fumitremorgin B and the catalytic mechanism were recently reported by us (DOI 10.1002/anie.202112063 ). In their Correspondence, Zhang, Costello, Liu et al. criticize our work in several aspects. Herein, we address these questions one by one. These structural clarifications and new computational results further support the CarC-like mechanistic model.     

Synthesis of the Multidrug Reversal Agent Ko143 and Its Parent Natural Product Fumitremorgin C

Ko143 is a tetracyclic, synthetic analog of the fungal metabolite fumitremorgin C. Ko143 is a potent and specific inhibitor of the membrane-bound efflux transporter ABCG2, and it reverses ABCG2-mediated drug resistance in cancer cells. Here, we describe an improved synthesis of Ko143 that relies on the highly selective, substrate-controlled reduction of an imine that is formed in a Bischler–Napieralski reaction with the amide derived from 6-methoxy-l -tryptophan methyl ester and isovaleric acid as a key step. We have also developed a new route to 6-methoxy-l -tryptophan methyl ester from Cbz-l -aspartic acid methyl ester, m-anisidine and differently substituted benzaldehydes. With p-nitrobenzaldehyde as one of the starting materials, this route gave access to 6-methoxy-l -tryptophan methyl ester in five steps and 20 % overall yield; however, it is less efficient than a previously reported synthesis of 6-methoxy-l -tryptophan methyl ester from 6-methoxy indole.     

Specific inhibition of the ABCG2 transporter could improve the efficacy of photodynamic therapy

Photodynamic therapy is based on the selective accumulation of a photosensitizer in tumors, followed by destruction of the target tissue by a light source. Protoporphyrin IX, a well-known photosensitizer, was recently reported as an endogenous substrate for the multidrug transporter ABCG2. We investigated the role of ABCG2 protein in the porphyrin extrusion ability of keratinocytes, with regard to the impact of the specific inhibition of ABCG2 by a non-toxic fumitremorgin C analog, Ko-134, on photodynamic therapy efficacy. We studied the level of porphyrin accumulation in response to delta-aminolevulinic acid pretreatment in proliferating and highly differentiated HaCaT keratinocytes. An in vitro model of photodynamic therapy on HaCaT cells was established with a therapeutically approved narrow-bandwidth red-light source. The porphyrin extrusion ability of HaCaT cells proved to correlate with their ABCG2 expression which was higher in proliferating cells than in differentiated cells. Moreover, the specific inhibition of ABCG2 by Ko-134 enhanced the sensitivity of keratinocytes to photodynamic therapy in vitro. These results suggest that ABCG2 may serve as a target molecule via which to improve the photodynamic therapy of skin lesions: its inhibition by the non-toxic Ko-134 is a promising therapeutic modality.     

Evidence of graphitic AB stacking order of graphite oxides

Graphite oxide (GO) samples were prepared by a simplified Brodie method. Hydroxyl, epoxide, carboxyl, and some alkyl functional groups are present in the GO, as identified by solid-state 13C NMR, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray photoemission spectroscopy. Starting with pyrolytic graphite (interlayer separation 3.36 A), the average interlayer distance after 1 h of reaction, as determined by X-ray diffraction, increased to 5.62 A and then increased with further oxidation to 7.37 A after 24 h. A smaller signal in 13C CPMAS NMR compared to that in 13C NMR suggests that carboxyl and alkyl groups are at the edges of the flakes of graphite oxide. Other aspects of the chemical bonding were assessed from the NMR and XPS data and are discussed. AB stacking of the layers in the GO was inferred from an electron diffraction study. The elemental composition of GO prepared using this simplified Brodie method is further discussed.     

Energy transfer to analyse membrane-integrated mitoxantrone in BCRP-overexpressed cells

The binding and the diffusion of mitoxantrone (MTX) through the plasma membrane was performed by F?rster resonance energy transfer (FRET) from the membrane fluorescent donor (4Di-10ASP) to the co-localized acceptor MTX. The MTX addition to living 4Di-10ASP-tagged cells resulted in the rapid quenching of the probe emission (1s), revealing the MTX binding to the outer leaflet. Then, a slower quenching (about 90s) occurred which corresponded to the MTX flip-flop into the inner leaflet. Changes of MTX integration into the plasma membrane were described in BCRP-overexpressed cells (HCT-116R) treated with (i) the BCRP inhibitor fumitremorgin C (FTC), (ii) cyclosporin A (CSA) and (iii) benzyl alcohol (BA). Treatments with FTC or CSA showed 80% and 40% higher flip-flop of MTX from the outer to the inner leaflet of HCT-116R cells. The addition of BA clearly increased the MTX integration into both outer and inner leaflets. Confocal fluorescence microscopy displayed that FTC, CSA and BA enhanced MTX accumulation in HCT-116R. In conclusion, Fumitremorgin C and agents modulating MTX accumulation resulted in higher MTX integration in the resistant cell membrane and could disrupt the membrane cohesion. This energy transfer method appears well-adapted to describe the drug diffusion through the plasma membrane of living cells.     

Lobatamide C: total synthesis,stereochemical assignment,preparation of simplified analogues,and V-ATPase inhibition studies

The total synthesis and stereochemical assignment of the potent antitumor macrolide lobatamide C, as well as synthesis of simplified lobatamide analogues, is reported. Cu(I)-mediated enamide formation methodology has been developed to prepare the highly unsaturated enamide side chain of the natural product and analogues. A key fragment coupling employs base-mediated esterification of a beta-hydroxy acid and a salicylate cyanomethyl ester. Three additional stereoisomers of lobatamide C have been prepared using related synthetic routes. The stereochemistry at C8, C11, and C15 of lobatamide C was assigned by comparison of stereoisomers and X-ray analysis of a crystalline derivative. Synthetic lobatamide C, stereoisomers, and simplified analogues have been evaluated for inhibition of bovine chromaffin granule membrane V-ATPase. The salicylate phenol, enamide NH, and ortho-substitution of the salicylate ester have been shown to be important for V-ATPase inhibitory activity.     

The mechanism of HF formation in LiPF6 based organic carbonate electrolytes

Spectroscopic ellipsometry was used to study the time-dependent formation of HF upon the thermal degradation of LiPF₆ at 50 °C in a lithium ion battery electrolyte containing ethylene carbonate and diethyl carbonate. The generated HF was monitored by following the etching rate of a 300 nm thick SiO₂ layer, grown on both sides of a silicon wafer substrate, as a function of the immersion time in the electrolyte at 50 °C. It was found that the formation of HF starts after 70 h of exposure time and occurs following several different phases. The amount of generated HF was calculated using an empirical formula correlating the etching rate to the temperature. Combining the results of the HF formation with literature data, a simplified mechanism for the formation of the HF involving LiPF₆ degradation, and a simplified catalytical reaction pathway of the formed HF and silicon dioxide are proposed to describe the kinetics of HF formation.     

Total and Semi‐Syntheses of Antimicrobial Thuggacin Derivatives

The total and semi‐synthesis of 13 new macrolactones derived from thuggacin, which is a secondary metabolite from the myxobacterium Sorangium cellulosum, are reported. The thuggacins have attracted much attention due to their strong antibacterial activity, particularly towards Mycobacterium tuberculosis. This study focuses on 1) thuggacin derivatives that cannot equilibrate by transacylation between the three natural thuggacins A–C, 2) the roles of the thiazole ring, and 3) the hexyl side chain at C2. Semi‐synthetic O‐methylation at C17 suppressed the transacylations without a substantial loss of antibacterial activity. Exchanging the C17–C25 side chain for simplified hydrophobic chains led to complete loss of antibacterial activity. Exchange of the thiazole by an oxazole ring or removal of the hexyl side chain at C2 had no substantial effect on the biological properties.     

Role of the A-ring of bryostatin analogues in PKC binding: synthesis and initial biological evaluation of new A-ring-modified bryologs

The syntheses of three newly designed bryostatin analogues are reported. These simplified analogues, which lack the A-ring present in the natural product but possess differing groups at C9, were obtained using a divergent approach from a common intermediate. All three analogues exhibit potent, single-digit nanomolar affinity to protein kinase C.     

Simplified Synthesis of Biomass-Derived Si/C Composites as Stable Anode Materials for Lithium-Ion Batteries

Synthesis of silicon/carbon (Si/C) composites from biomass resources could enable the effective utilization of agricultural products in the battery industry with economical as well as environmental benefits. Herein, a simplified process was developed to synthesize Si/C from biomass, by using a low-cost agricultural byproduct “rice husk (RH)” as a model. This process includes the calcination of RH for SiO₂/C and the reduction of SiO₂/C by Al in molten salts at a moderate temperature. This process does not need the removal of carbon before thermal reduction of SiO₂, which is thought to be necessary to avoid the formation of SiC at elevated temperatures. Thus, carbon derived from biomass can be directly used for Si/C composites for anode materials. The resultant Si/C shows a high reversible capacity of 1309 mAh g⁻¹ and long cycle life (300 cycles). This research advocates a new and simplified strategy for the synthesis of RH-based biomass-derived Si/C, which is beneficial for low-cost, environmentally friendly, and green energy storage applications.     

Quantum mechanical calculations of conformationally relevant 1H and 13C NMR chemical shifts of calixarene systems

[graphs: see text] QM GIAO calculations of 13C and 1H chemical shift values of the ArCH2Ar group have been performed, using the hybrid DFT functional MPW1PW91 and the 6-31G(d,p) basis set, on some representative calixarenes and on a series of simplified calixarene models allowing derivation of chemical shift surfaces versus phi and chi dihedral angles. A good reproduction of experimental data was obtained. The applicability of chemical shift surfaces in the study of calixarene conformational features is illustrated.     

Quantum mechanical calculations of conformationally relevant 1H and 13C NMR chemical shifts of N-, O-, and S-substituted calixarene systems

QM GIAO calculations of (13)C and (1)H chemical shift values of the ArCH(2)Ar group in N-, O-, and S-substituted calixarene systems were performed with a hybrid DFT functional MPW1PW91 and 6-31G(d,p) basis set. A good reproduction of experimental data was obtained for some representative calixarenes and for a series of simplified calixarene models. This allowed the derivation of chemical shift surfaces versus phi and chi dihedral angles. The applicability of chemical shift surfaces in the study of calixarene conformational features is illustrated.     

Theoretical study of the prohibited mechanism for ethylene/vinyl acetate co-polymers to the wax crystal growth

To understand the effect of pour point depressants (PPD) on the wax growth is important for designing PPD additives for use with different oils with high efficiency and good economics. In our current study, molecular mechanics, molecular dynamics, and quantum mechanics calculations were performed to investigate the prohibited mechanism of ethylene/vinyl acetate (EVA) additives on the paraffin deposition in oils. On the wax surface, a single C18 molecule and clusters were preferably deposited on the wax surface (010) in a parallel conformation, which resulted in the formation of large blocks of wax crystal. MD simulation indicated that the linear conformation of EVA was more favorable to be adsorbed onto the carbon backbone of the wax surface (010) with the polar fragments of vinyl acetate staying upside of the surface. Furthermore, four EVA molecules can efficiently optimize the inhibition effect for the deposition of the solute C18 molecules over 10x8 size wax surface (010). According to the simulation results, a simplified rational model was established to estimate the minimum dosage of EVA-type PPD for fuels with different paraffin contents. In a certain degree, this simplified model has provided an effective route to correlate microstructures and the properties of polymer-involving systems, which will shed light on the application of theoretical studies in industries.