Nonribosomal cyclic peptides: specific markers of fungal infections

Some cyclic peptides and depsipeptides are synthesized in microorganisms by large multienzymes called nonribosomal peptide synthetases. The structures of peptide products originating in this way are complex and diverse and are microorganism-specific. This work proposes the use of fungal cyclic peptides and depsipeptides as extremely specific markers of fungal infections. Since a reliable molecular tool for diagnosing fungal infections at an early stage is still missing, we present mass spectrometry as a new, modern, broadband (with respect to fungal strain) and specific tool for clinical mycologists. More than 40 different fungal species can be rapidly characterized according to specific families of cyclic peptides, and in some cases, a particular fungal strain can be identified on the basis of its cyclopeptide profile. This paper is also aimed at initiating discussion on the biological role of these secondary metabolites, especially of those synthesized by medically important strains. Proven cytotoxic, anti-inflammatory or immunosuppressive activities of some cyclic peptides indicate that these molecules may contribute to the synergistic array of fungal virulence factors and support microbial invasion during fungal infection. In addition to an overview on recent mass spectrometric protocols for cyclic peptide sequencing, the structures of new peptides from Paecilomyces and Pseudallescheria are presented.     

Simultaneous quantification of atorvastatin and active metabolites in human plasma by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry using rosuvastatin as internal standard

A simple, sensitive, selective and rapid liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method was developed and validated for the quantification of atorvastatin and its active metabolites ortho-hydroxyatorvastatin and para-hydroxyatorvastatin in human plasma using rosuvastatin as internal standard (IS). Following simple liquid-liquid extraction, the analytes were separated using an isocratic mobile phase on a reversed-phase C18 column and analyzed by MS in the multiple reaction monitoring mode using the respective [M+H]+ ions, m/z 559/440 for atorvastatin, m/z 575/466 for ortho-hydroxyatorvastatin, m/z 575/440 for para-hydroxyatorvastatin and m/z 482/258 for the IS. The assay exhibited a linear dynamic range of 0.1-20 ng/mL for atorvastatin and its two metabolites in human plasma. The lower limit of quantification was 100 pg/mL with a relative standard deviation of less than 8%. Acceptable precision and accuracy were obtained for concentrations over the standard curve range. The average absolute recoveries of atorvastatin, ortho-hydroxyatorvastatin, para-hydroxyatorvastatin and the IS from spiked plasma samples were 54.2 +/- 3.2, 50.1 +/- 3.8, 65.2 +/- 3.6 and 71.7 +/- 2.7%, respectively. A run time of 2.5 min for each sample made it possible to analyze more than 300 human plasma samples per day. The validated method has been successfully used to analyze human plasma samples for application in pharmacokinetic, bioavailability or bioequivalence studies.     

液相色谱-串联质谱法检测水产品中残留的硝基呋喃类药物的代谢物

建立了液相色谱-串联质谱(LC-MS/MS)法用于同时测定水产品中硝基呋喃类药物的代谢物3-氨基-2-唑烷基酮(AOZ)、5-甲基吗啉-3-氨基-2-唑烷基酮(AMOZ)、氨基脲(SEM)、1-氨基-2-内酰脲(AHD)和3,5-二硝基水杨酸肼(DNSH)。样品经盐酸水解、2-硝基苯甲醛衍生、乙酸乙酯提取净化。氮吹至干后,用1 mL乙腈-0.1%甲酸水(20:80, v/v)定容。经Aquasil C18色谱柱分离,用液相色谱-三重四极杆串联质谱以多反应监测模式(MRM)进行检测分析,内标法定量。结果表明,该方法的线性范围为0.5～10 μg/kg, 5种代谢物的线性相关系数均不小于0.9976,定量限为0.5 μg/kg。在0.5、1.0、2.0和4.0 μg/kg的添加水平下,加标回收率为81.3%～100.5%, RSD为3.4%～10.0%。本法可作为水产品中5种硝基呋喃类药物的代谢物残留量同时分析的有效手段。     

高效液相色谱-串联质谱法同时测定牛奶和奶粉中的青霉素类药物及其主要酶解代谢产物

建立了液相色谱-串联质谱法同时测定牛奶和奶粉中4种青霉素(青霉素G、青霉素V、阿莫西林、氨苄西林)及其4种 β-内酰胺酶酶解产物(青霉素G脱羧噻唑酸、青霉素V脱羧噻唑酸、阿莫西林脱羧噻唑酸、氨苄西林脱羧噻唑酸)残留的方法。样品采用乙腈-水提取,浓缩后经HLB柱净化,用液相色谱-串联质谱检测,外标法定量。结果表明,青霉素原药在4~200 μg/L,酶解产物在10~500 μg/L范围呈良好线性,线性相关系数均大于0.99;样品检出限为5~50 μg/kg(S/N≥3),定量限为8~100 μg/kg(S/N≥10);对牛奶和奶粉样品分别进行3个水平的加标回收实验(n=6),牛奶中青霉素及其酶解产物的平均回收率为83.48%~96.97%,相对标准偏差为3.86%~10.87%;奶粉中青霉素及其酶解产物的平均回收率为82.70%~95.14%,相对标准偏差为3.02%~9.81%。该方法稳定、可靠,适用于牛奶和奶粉中青霉素类药物及其酶解代谢产物的测定。     

液相色谱-串联质谱法筛查原多甲藻酸毒素及其代谢产物

建立了原多甲藻酸毒素(azaspiracids,AZAs)及其代谢产物的液相色谱-串联质谱检测方法,考察了目标代谢产物检测方法和非目标多离子检测方法,将二级质谱图与标准品谱库进行比对,从而获得高精准定性。通过对产毒藻、蓄积代谢实验样品和实际阳性样品综合分析,共检出11种AZAs,其中包括AZA-2,3,6,11,12,16,17,28和36,以及AZAs的谷胱甘肽结合型代谢产物。结果发现,目标代谢产物检测法可无偏差地筛出常规代谢物,而且对低浓度代谢产物表现出更佳的响应。本方法重现性好,数据分析简单,对操作人员的专业要求不高,更适合AZAs的监控要求。     

Two Novel Lyso-Ornithine Lipids Isolated from an Arctic Marine Lacinutrix sp. Bacterium

The Lacinutrix genus was discovered in 2005 and includes 12 Gram-negative bacterial species. To the best of our knowledge, the secondary metabolite production potential of this genus has not been explored before, and examination of Lacinutrix species may reveal novel chemistry. As part of a screening project of Arctic marine bacteria, the Lacinutrix sp. strain M09B143 was cultivated, extracted, fractionated and tested for antibacterial and cytotoxic activities. One fraction had antibacterial activity and was subjected to mass spectrometry analysis, which revealed two compounds with elemental composition that did not match any known compounds in databases. This resulted in the identification and isolation of two novel isobranched lyso-ornithine lipids, whose structures were elucidated by mass spectrometry and NMR spectroscopy. Lyso-ornithine lipids consist of a 3-hydroxy fatty acid linked to the alpha amino group of an ornithine amino acid through an amide bond. The fatty acid chains were determined to be iso-C15:0 (1) and iso-C16:0 (2). Compound 1 was active against the Gram-positive S. agalactiae, while 2 showed cytotoxic activity against A2058 human melanoma cells.     

Saccharpiscinols A–C: Flavans with Potential Anti-Inflammatory Activities from One Actinobacteria Saccharomonospora piscinae

Phytochemical investigation and chromatographic separation of extracts from the actinobacteria strain Saccharomonospora piscinae that was isolated from dried fishpond sediment of Kouhu township, in the south of Taiwan, led to the isolation of three new compounds, saccharpiscinols A–C (1–3, respectively), and three new natural products, namely (2S)-5,7,3′,4′-tetrahydroxy-6,8-dimethylflavanone (4), methyl-4-hydroxy-2-methoxy-6-methylbenzoate (5), and (±)-7-acetyl-4,8-dihydroxy-6-methyl-1-tetralone (6). Compounds 4–6 were reported before as synthesized products, herein, they are reported from nature for the first time. The structures of the new compounds were unambiguously elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic data analysis (1D- and 2D-NMR, MS, and UV) and comparison with literature data. The effect of some isolates on the inhibition of NO production in lipopolysaccharide-activated RAW 264.7 murine macrophages was evaluated. Saccharpiscinol A showed inhibitory activities against LPS-induced NO production.     

Characteristics of Bacterial Strains with Desirable Flavor Compounds from Korean Traditional Fermented Soybean Paste (Doenjang)

To identify and analyze the characteristics of the microorganisms involved in the formation of the desirable flavor of Doenjang, a total of 179 strains were isolated from ninety-four Doenjang collected from six regions in South Korea, and fourteen strains were selected through a sensory evaluation of the aroma of each culture. The enzyme activities of amylase, protease and lipase was shown in the various strains. Bacillus sp.-K3, Bacillus sp.-K4 and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens-J2 showed relatively high protease activity, at 317.1 U, 317.3 U and 319.5 U, respectively. The Bacillus sp.-K1 showed the highest lipase activity at 2453.6 U. In the case of amylase, Bacillus subtilis-H6 showed the highest activity at 4105.5 U. The results of the PCA showed that Bacillus subtilis-H2, Bacillus subtilis-H3, and Bacillus sp.-K2 were closely related to the production of 3-hydroxy-2-butanone (23.51%~43.37%), and that Bacillus subtilis-H5 and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens-J2 were significantly associated with the production of phenethyl alcohol (0.39% and 0.37%). The production of peptides was observed to vary among the Bacillus cultures such as Val-Val-Pro-Pro-Phe-Leu and Pro-Ala-Glu-Val-Leu-Asp-Ile. These peptides are precursors of related volatile flavor compounds created in Doenjang via the enzymatic or non-enzymatic route; it is expected that these strains could be used to enhance the flavor of Doenjang.     

Myrothecoside,a Novel Glycosylated Polyketide from the Terrestrial Fungus Myrothecium sp. GS‐17

Based on the chemical analysis and targeted bioactivity screening, a new polyketide glycoside, myrothecoside, was isolated from a terrestrial halotolerant fungus, Myrothecium sp. GS‐17. The structure of myrothecoside was elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis including 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR (¹H,¹H‐COSY, HSQC, HMBC, and NOESY) experiments, combined with mass spectroscopic data and physicochemical properties. This compound exhibited weak cytotoxicity against human leukemia (HL‐60) cancer cell with an IG₅₀ value of 63.61 μm , and also antifungal activities against plant pathogenic fungi Rhizoctonia solani and Fusarium oxysporum using standard agar diffusion tests at 20 μg/disk.     

Efficient approach for the detection and identification of new androgenic metabolites by applying SRM GC‐CI‐MS/MS: a methandienone case study

Identification of anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) is a vital issue in doping control and toxicology, and searching for metabolites with longer detection times remains an important task. Recently, a gas chromatography chemical ionization triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (GC‐CI‐MS/MS) method was introduced, and CI, in comparison with electron ionization (EI), proved to be capable of increasing the sensitivity significantly. In addition, correlations between AAS structure and fragmentation behavior could be revealed. This enables the search for previously unknown but expected metabolites by selection of their predicted transitions. The combination of both factors allows the setup of an efficient approach to search for new metabolites. The approach uses selected reaction monitoring which is inherently more sensitive than full scan or precursor ion scan. Additionally, structural information obtained from the structure specific CI fragmentation pattern facilitates metabolite identification. The procedure was demonstrated by a methandienone case study. Its metabolites have been studied extensively in the past, and this allowed an adequate evaluation of the efficiency of the approach. Thirty three metabolites were detected, including all relevant previously discovered metabolites. In our study, the previously reported long‐term metabolite (18‐nor‐17β‐hydroxymethyl,17α‐methyl‐androst‐1,4,13‐trien‐3‐one) could be detected up to 26 days by using GC‐CI‐MS/MS. The study proves the validity of the approach to search for metabolites of new synthetic AAS and new long‐term metabolites of less studied AAS and illustrates the increase in sensitivity by using CI. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.