Bisabosquals, novel squalene synthase inhibitors. II. Physico-chemical properties and structure elucidation

The squalene synthase inhibitor bisabosqual A was isolated from the culture broth of Stachybotrys sp. RF-7260, and its structure was determined on the basis of spectroscopic methods including detailed 2D NMR analyses. The structures of bisabosquals B, C and D isolated from Stachybotrys ruwenzoriensis RF-6853 were determined by spectroscopic methods and chemical reactions. The absolute stereochemistry of bisabosquals A, B and D was determined by X-ray crystallographic analysis. They have novel cis-fused tetracyclic structures with a bisabolane-type sesquiterpene and phenol moieties.     

Stachyflin and acetylstachyflin,novel anti-influenza A virus substances,produced by Stachybotrys sp. RF-7260. I. Isolation,structure elucidation and biological activities

Two novel compounds, stachyflin and acetylstachyflin, have been isolated by solid-state fermentation of Stachybotrys sp. RF-7260. The structures of both metabolites, determined by detailed NMR analyses and X-ray crystallographic analysis, are novel with a pentacyclic moiety including cis-fused decalin. The absolute stereochemistry of stachyflins was determined by circular dichroism analysis. Stachyflin showed antiviral activity against influenza A virus (H1N1) in vitro with an IC50 value of 0.003 microM. Acetylstachyflin was about 77-fold less active than stachyflin.     

Novel stachyflin derivatives from Stachybotrys sp. RF-7260. Fermentation,isolation, structure elucidation and biological activities

Stachybotrys sp. RF-7260 was found to produce stachyflins, novel anti-influenza virus agents, under solid-state fermentation conditions. Feeding DL-lysine to a culture of Stachybotrys sp. RF-7260 induced the formation of the novel compounds, SQ-02-S-L2 and -L1, and feeding DL-valine the formation of SQ-02-S-VI and -V2. The structures of these metabolites were determined by detailed 2D NMR analyses in comparison with acetylstachyflin. SQ-02-S-L2 and -L1 have the lysine moiety and SQ-02-S-V1 has the valine moiety. SQ-02-S-V2 has an amidine moiety instead of the lactam moiety in acetylstachyflin. SQ-02-S-L2, -L1 and -V1, substituted on the lactam amide hydrogen, displayed only a low level of the antiviral activity. However, deacetyl SQ-02-S-V2 showed potent antiviral activity similar to stachyflin.     

Stachyflin and acetylstachyflin,novel anti-influenza A virus substances,produced by Stachybotrys sp. RF-7260. II. Synthesis and preliminary structure-activity relationships of stachyflin derivatives

Stachyflin and acetylstachyflin, produced by Stachybotrys sp. RF-7260, were found to have potent anti-influenza A virus activity. Stachyflin is a new class of hemagglutinin fusion inhibitors of influenza A virus. Several derivatives were synthesized from acetylstachyflin and subjected to preliminary examination of their structure-activity relationships. Among them, the 3-oxo and 3,8'-dioxo derivatives showed potent antiviral activity similar to stachyflin. The 3-epi derivative was four times less active than stachyflin. Modification of the 6'-hydroxy group and the C-5' position markedly diminished the antiviral activity.     

Cinatrins, a novel family of phospholipase A2 inhibitors. I. Taxonomy and fermentation of the producing culture; isolation and structures of cinatrins.

Cinatrins A, B, C1, C2 and C3, a family of phospholipase A2 inhibitors were isolated from the fermentation broth of Circinotrichum falcatisporum RF-641. They were found to be novel spiro-gamma-dilactones and gamma-lactones derived from 1,2,3,5-tetra or 1,2,3(or 1,2,4)-trihydroxypentadecane-1,2,3-tricarboxylic acids. Structures were elucidated by MS and NMR studies and chemical transformations. The structure of cinatrin C3 was confirmed by X-ray crystallographic analysis, and its absolute configuration was determined by comparison of the CD spectra with related compounds.     

Molecular cloning and characterization of two cDNAs for Glycyrrhiza glabra squalene synthase.

Two cDNAs (GgSQS1 and GgSQS2) encoding squalene synthase have been isolated from licorice, Glycyrrhiza glabra L., and characterized. The deduced amino acid sequence of GgSQS1 was 88%, 81%, 78%, 45-44%, and 45-41% identical to those of GgSQS2, Nicotiana, Arabidopsis, mammal and yeast squalene synthases, respectively. Squalene synthase activity was found in the cell-free extracts of Escherichia coli transformed with the recombinant plasmids for GgSQS1 and GgSQS2, respectively. Genomic Southern blot hybridization indicated that there are three squalene synthase genes in the licorice genome. Northern blot analysis showed that GgSQS2 mRNA is mainly expressed during the exponential growth phase of the cultured licorice cells.     

Arborcandins A, B, C, D, E and F, novel 1,3-beta-glucan synthase inhibitors: production and biological activity

Arborcandins A, B, C, D, E and F, which possess potent 1,3-beta-glucan synthase inhibitory activity, were isolated from the culture broth of a filamentous fungus, strain SANK 17397. Arborcandins are novel cyclic peptides, that are structurally different from known glucan synthase inhibitors such as echinocandins. The 1,3-beta-glucan synthases of Candida albicans and Aspergillus fumigatus were inhibited by arborcandins with IC50 ranging from 0.012 to 3 microg/ml. The apparent Ki value of arborcandin C for C. albicans and A. fumigatus were 0.12 microM and 0.016 microM, respectively. The inhibition against these two 1,3-beta-glucan synthases by arborcandin C was noncompetitive. These compounds exhibited potent fungicidal activity against Candida spp. with MIC ranging from 0.25 to 8 microg/ml. The growth of A. fumigatus was suppressed by arborcandins with concentrations ranging from 0.063 to 4 microg/ml.     

Cytotoxicity, production of reactive oxygen species and cytokines induced by different strains of Stachybotrys sp. from moldy buildings in RAW264.7 macrophages

The ability of different strains of the fungus Stachybotrys, isolated from mold problem buildings, to induce cytotoxicity and production of important inflammatory mediators, i.e. nitric oxide (NO), reactive oxygen species (ROS), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in RAW264.7 macrophages were studied. Several strains of Stachybotrys sp. stimulated immediate increase in the ROS production and in 24-h exposure caused TNF-α and IL-6 release from these cells. However, none of the strains of Stachybotrys sp. was able to induce the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and subsequent production of NO in RAW264.7 cells. Moreover, there were significant differences in their ability to induce cytotoxicity in the macrophages. These results suggest that, in addition to direct cytotoxic effects of most Stachybotrys sp., some strains of Stachybotrys sp. stimulate production of inflammatory mediators, TNF-α and IL-6 which were associated with low cytotoxicity in RAW264.7 macrophages.     

The squalestatins, novel inhibitors of squalene synthase produced by a species of Phoma. II. Structure elucidation.

Three novel fungal metabolites 1-3 isolated from cultures of a Phoma sp. C2932, are potent and selective inhibitors of squalene synthase. Their structures have been determined by a combination of spectroscopic, X-ray crystallographic and chemical methods; these natural products incorporate the highly functionalised bicyclic core, [1S-(1 alpha, 3 alpha, 4 beta, 5 alpha, 6 alpha, 7 beta]-4,6,7-trihydroxy- 2,8-dioxabicyclo-[3.2.1]octane-3,4,5-tricarboxylic acid.     

The possible role of squalene and its peroxide of the sebum in the occurrence of sunburn and protection from the damage caused by U.V. irradiation

To clarify the role of squalene peroxide in the occurrence of skin damage from sunburn, the optimum condition of squalene peroxidation and the effect of squalene peroxide on cutaneous tissue were examined. Peroxidation of squalene was more easily induced than palmitoleic acid and oleic acid in the unsaturated lipid occurred in sebum. The peroxidation of squalene gradually occurred by U.V. irradation, and it is parallel to increases in the malonyldialdehyde production (production of lipoperoxide). This peroxidation easily carries out in the case of high temperature (40 degrees C than 30 degrees C), and in the case of low pH. Good correspondence was recognized among the spectrum of natural daylight, U.V. absorption spectrum of squalene and erythema curve. Squalene and its peroxide have an important role in the occurrence of sunburn, and/or protection from damage caused by U.V. irradiation.     

The squalestatins, novel inhibitors of squalene synthase produced by a species of Phoma. I. Taxonomy, fermentation, isolation, physico-chemical properties and biological activity.

During the screening of fungi for inhibitors of squalene synthase, Phoma sp. C2932 was found to produce three structurally related novel inhibitors. These compounds, designated the squalestatins, exhibited potent activity against both mammalian (rat liver) and fungal (Candida albicans) squalene synthase. Furthermore, they also had broad spectrum in vitro antifungal activity.     

Phellinsin A, a novel chitin synthases inhibitor produced by Phellinus sp. PL3

Phellinsin A, a novel chitin synthases inhibitor was isolated from the cultured broth of fungus PL3, which was identified as Phellinus sp. PL3. Phellinsin A was purified by solvent partition, silica gel, ODS column chromatographies, and preparative HPLC, consecutively. The structure of phellinsin A was assigned as a phenolic compound on the basis of various spectroscopic analyses including UV, IR, Mass, and NMR. Its molecular weight and formula were found to be 358 and C18H14O8, respectively. Phellinsin A selectively inhibited chitin synthase I and II of Saccharomyces cerevisiae with an IC50 value of 76 and 28 microg/ml, respectively, in our cell free assay system. This compound showed antifungal activity against Colletotrichum lagenarium, Pyricularia oryzae, Rhizoctonia solani, Aspergillus fumigatus, and Trichophyton mentagrophytes.     

A novel type of phospholipase A2 inhibitor, thielocin A1 beta, and mechanism of action.

Thielocin A1 beta, a novel phospholipase A2 inhibitor, was isolated from Thielavia terricola RF-143. It inhibited various phospholipase A2s in a dose-dependent manner. Among these, group II phospholipase A2 from rat was most sensitive to thielocin A1 beta (IC50 = 0.0033 microM). The inhibition of phospholipase A2 by thielocin A1 beta was independent of Ca2+ and substrate concentration. In addition, the inhibition of rat group II phospholipase A2 was noncompetitive (Ki = 0.0068 microM) and reversible. Furthermore, thielocin A1 beta quenched the relative fluorescent intensity of Naja naja venom phospholipase A2 and in a dose-dependent manner; 50% quench was noted with a molar ratio of thielocin A1 beta/enzyme of 2.2. These observations indicated that inhibition of phospholipase A2 by thielocin A1 beta may result from direct interaction with the enzyme.     

Isolation and structural elucidation of new cyclotetrapeptides, trapoxins A and B, having detransformation activities as antitumor agents

New cyclotetrapeptides, trapoxins A and B were isolated from the culture broth of Helicoma ambiens RF-1023. These compounds exhibit detransformation activities against v-sis oncogene-transformed NIH3T3 cells (sis/NIH3T3) as antitumor agents. The structures were found to be new cyclotetrapeptides, cyclo[(S)-phenylalanyl-(S)-phenylalanyl-(R)-pipecolinyl- (2S,9S)-2-amino-8-oxo-9,10-epoxydecanoyl-] for trapoxin A and cyclo[(S)-phenylalanyl-(S)-phenylalanyl-(R)-prolyl-2- amino-8-oxo-9,10-epoxydecanoyl-] for trapoxin B, by X-ray analysis, mass spectrometric, NMR and chemical studies.     

The complete biosynthetic gene cluster of the 28-membered polyketide macrolactones, halstoctacosanolides, from Streptomyces halstedii HC34

Halstoctacoanolides A and B are 28-membered polyketide macrolactones and were isolated from Streptomyces halstedii HC34. The biosynthetic gene cluster (hls cluster) of halstoctacosanolides was completely identified from the genome library of Streptomyces halstedii HC34. DNA sequence analysis of ca. 100 kb region revealed that there were seven type I polyketide synthases (PKSs) and two cytochrome P450 monooxygenases in this cluster. Involvement of the gene cluster in the halstoctacosanolide biosynthesis was demonstrated by the gene disruption of P450 monooxygenase genes. The mutants produced a new deoxygenated halstoctacosanolide derivative, halstoctacosanolide C, which confirmed that the hls gene cluster was essential for the biosynthesis of halstoctacosanolides.     

Effect of FR194738, a potent inhibitor of squalene epoxidase, on cholesterol metabolism in HepG2 cells.

(E)-N-ethyl-N-(6,6-dimethyl-2-hepten-4-ynyl)-3-[2-methyl-2-(3-thienylmethoxy)propyloxy]benzylamine hydrochloride (FR194738) inhibited squalene epoxidase activity in HepG2 cell homogenates with an IC50 value of 9.8 nM. In the study using intact HepG2 cells, FR194738 inhibited cholesterol synthesis from [14C]acetate with an IC50 value of 4.9 nM, and induced intracellular [14C]squalene accumulation. On the other hand, the 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl (HMG)-CoA reductase inhibitor simvastatin reduced both cholesterol and squalene synthesis from [14C]acetate. Incubation with simvastatin for 18 h produced increases in HMG-CoA reductase activity in HepG2 cells, which was related to the degree of reduction in cholesterol synthesis. The HMG-CoA reductase activity increased by 13- and 19-fold at the concentrations of simvastatin that inhibited cholesterol synthesis by 65% and 82%, respectively. In contrast, FR194738 did not increase HMG-CoA reductase activity at the concentrations that inhibited cholesterol synthesis by 24% and 69%, and moderate increase (4.6-fold) was observed at the concentration that inhibited cholesterol synthesis by 90%. These results suggest that non-sterol metabolite(s) derived from mevalonate prior to the squalene epoxidation step in the cholesterol synthetic cascade have a regulatory role in the suppression of HMG-CoA reductase activity. We speculate that FR194738 inhibits cholesterol synthesis with a minimal change of the regulator(s) and would be highly effective in the treatment of hypercholesterolemia.     

Influenza vaccine with squalene adjuvant: new preparation. No better than available products

(1) Injectable influenza vaccines reduce morbidity and mortality in people over 65 years. (2) A new influenza vaccine, with an adjuvant (MF59C.1) based on squalene, is now marketed in France for people over 65, and especially those with chronic conditions at risk of influenza complications. (3) The clinical evaluation dossier contains data from about twenty immunogenicity studies in more than 4000 elderly subjects. According to a meta-analysis of these studies, there is no firm evidence that the MF59C.1 adjuvant vaccine is any better than other vaccines at inducing immunity in elderly people with chronic conditions. (4) A retrospective analysis of mortality among subjects enrolled in immunogenicity studies showed no significant difference between groups receiving the squalene adjuvant vaccine and groups receiving another influenza vaccine, either in the general population or in subsets of patients with relevant chronic conditions. (5) Local adverse effects (pain, rash, induration) and systemic adverse effects (malaise, myalgia, headache) were significantly more common after the squalene adjuvant vaccine than after other influenza vaccines. Pharmacovigilance data collected by the company show no unexpected adverse events. (6) In practice, there is no reason to prefer the squalene adjuvant vaccine to existing vaccines for elderly people, whether or not they have underlying chronic conditions.     

Squalene synthase inhibitors reduce plasma triglyceride through a low-density lipoprotein receptor-independent mechanism.

Inhibitors of squalene synthase are considered to be candidate drugs to reduce both plasma cholesterol and triglyceride. However, little is known about the mechanism of squalene synthase inhibitor-specific effect on plasma triglyceride. In this study, we confirmed the triglyceride-lowering effect of ER-27856, a potent squalene synthase inhibitor prodrug, in rhesus monkeys. To determine the role of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor in the triglyceride-lowering effect of squalene synthase inhibitors, we intravenously administered ER-28448, the active form of ER-27856, to Watanabe heritable hyperlipidemic (WHHL) rabbits for 4 days. In heterozygotes, ER-28448 reduced plasma cholesterol and triglyceride by 52% and 37%, respectively. In homozygous rabbits, in contrast, ER-28448 lowered plasma triglyceride by 40% but did not lower plasma cholesterol. Orally administered ER-27856 reduced plasma triglyceride in homozygous animals but atorvastatin and bezafibrate did not. In hepatocytes isolated from homozygous WHHL rabbits, squalene synthase inhibitors but not atorvastatin reduced triglyceride biosynthesis. These data demonstrate that squalene synthase inhibitors reduced plasma triglyceride through an LDL receptor-independent mechanism, which was distinct from that of the triglyceride-lowering action of atorvastatin or bezafibrate. The reduction of hepatic triglyceride biosynthesis may play an important role in the hypotrigyceridemic action of squalene synthase inhibitors.     

Effect of liner and core materials of plasterboard on microbial growth,spore-induced inflammatory responses,and cytotoxicity in macrophages

Microorganisms, when grown on wetted plasterboards, can produce bioactive compounds capable of inducing inflammatory and toxic reactions in mammalian cells. The paper liner of plasterboard is commonly regarded as the major substrate for microbial growth. In this study, we cultured Stachybotrys chartarum, Aspergillus versicolor, Penicillium spinulosum, and Streptomyces californicus on liners and cores of plasterboards in order to examine the role of these main plasterboard components on microbial growth and the resulting bioactivity, which was assessed as the ability of microbial spores to induce inflammatory responses and to evoke cytotoxicity in mouse macrophages. The microbes, isolated from mold problem buildings, were grown under saturated humidity conditions on wetted liners and cores of six different plasterboards. The spores were collected, applied to RAW264.7 macrophages at different doses, and evaluated 24 h after exposure for their ability to evoke cytotoxicity and to stimulate production of nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha), and interleukin-6 (IL-6). In general, microbial growth was better on the cores than on the liners. All of the studied microbes collected from cores induced a dose-dependent production of TNFalpha in macrophages. The TNFalpha production stimulated by spores of Stachybotrys, Aspergillus, and Streptomyces paralleled their cytotoxicity. Spores of Streptomyces and Aspergillus collected from liners were among the most potent inducers of NO and IL-6. Good growth of Stachybotrys on cores was associated with high cytotoxicity. Penicillium grew only on cores, but it did not induce major inflammatory mediator productions, nor was it significantly cytotoxic. These results indicate that previously reported microbial growth on plasterboards and spore-induced production of important inflammatory mediators and cell death in macrophages is not only due to the paper liner of plasterboard, but the core material also has a crucial role.     

Isolation of SMTP-3, 4, 5 and -6, novel analogs of staplabin, and their effects on plasminogen activation and fibrinolysis

Four novel triprenyl phenol metabolites, designated SMTP-3, -4, -5, and -6, have been isolated from cultures of Stachybotrys microspora IFO 30018 by solvent extraction and successive chromatographic fractionation using silica gel and silica ODS columns. A combination of spectroscopic analyses showed that SMTP-3, -4, -5, and -6 are staplabin analogs, containing a serine, a phenylalanine, a leucine or a tryptophan moiety in respective molecules in place of the N-carboxybutyl portion of the staplabin molecule. SMTP-4, -5, and -6 were active at 0.15 to 0.3 mM in enhancing urokinase-catalyzed plasminogen activation and plasminogen binding to fibrin, as well as plasminogen- and urokinase-mediated fibrinolysis. On the other hand, the concentration of staplabin required to exert such effects was 0.4 to 0.6 mM, and SMTP-3 was inactive at concentrations up to 0.45 mM.