TMC-95A, B, C, and D, novel proteasome inhibitors produced by Apiospora montagnei Sacc. TC 1093. Taxonomy, production, isolation, and biological activities

In our course of screening for novel proteasome inhibitors, TMC-95A and its diastereomers, TMC-95B to D, were isolated from the fermentation broth of Apiospora montagnei Sacc. TC 1093. TMC-95A inhibited the chymotrypsin-like (ChT-L), trypsin-like (T-L), and peptidylglutamyl-peptide hydrolyzing (PGPH) activities of 20S proteasome with IC50 values of 5.4nM, 200nM, and 60nM, respectively. TMC-95B inhibited these activities to the same extent as TMC-95A, while the inhibitory activities of TMC-95C and D were 20 to 150 times weaker than that of TMC-95A and B. TMC-95A did not inhibit m-calpain, cathepsin L, and trypsin at 30 microM, suggesting its high selectivity for proteasome. Taxonomy of the producing strain is also described.     

TMC-264, a novel inhibitor of STAT6 activation produced by Phoma sp. TC 1674

A novel inhibitor of STAT6 activation, named as TMC-264 (1), was discovered from the fermentation broth of Phoma sp. TC 1674. Based on spectroscopic analyses, TMC-264 was found to be a novel tricyclic polyketide with chloro-1H-dibenzo[b,d]pyran-4,6-dione. TMC-264 suppressed expression of IL-4 driven luciferase and germline Cepsilon mRNA with IC50 values of 0.3 microM and 0.4 microM, respectively. TMC-264 exhibited a potent inhibitory activity against tyrosine phosphorylation of STAT6 with an IC50 value of 1.6 microM, whereas TMC-264 weakly inhibited tyrosine phosphorylation of STAT5 with an IC50 value of 16 microM, but did not inhibit the phosphorylation of STAT1 up to 40 microM. TMC-264 blocked formation of the complexes between phosphorylated STAT6 and STAT6 oligonucleotides in a dose dependent manner, while TMC-264 did not affect the formation of phosphorylated STAT1/STAT1 oligonucleotides complexes. These results suggested that TMC-264 selectively inhibited IL-4 signaling by interfering both of phosphorylation of STAT6 and binding of the phosphorylated STAT6 to the recognition sequence.     

TMC-256A1 and C1, new inhibitors of IL-4 signal transduction produced by Aspergillus niger var niger TC 1629

New inhibitors of IL-4 signal transduction, designated as TMC-256A1 and C1, were discovered together with TMC-256B1, a previously known dihydronaphthopyrone, from the fermentation broth of Aspergillus niger var niger TC 1629 by using an IL-4 driven reporter gene assay. Based on spectroscopic analyses, TMC-256A1 and C1 were found to be new members of the naphthopyrone antibiotics. TMC-256A1, B1 and C1 inhibited the IL-4 driven luciferase activity with IC50 values of 25 microM, 30 microM and 1.7 microM, respectively in this assay system. Furthermore, these compounds inhibited the expression of germline C epsilon mRNA with IC50 values of 6.6 microM , 34 microM and 0.31 microM, respectively.     

TMC-171A,B,C and TMC-154, novel polyketide antibiotics produced by Gliocladium sp. TC 1304 and TC 1282

Four new antibiotics, TMC-171A (2), B (3), C (4) and TMC-154 (5) have been isolated from the fermentation of fungal strains Gliocladium sp. TC 1304 and TC 1282, respectively. Spectroscopic and degradation studies have shown that TMC-171s and TMC-154 were new members of the TMC-151 class of antibiotics, unique polyketides modified with a D-mannose and a D-mannitol or a D-arabitol. These compounds showed moderate cytotoxicity to various tumor cell lines.     

TMC-66, a new endothelin converting enzyme inhibitor produced by Streptomyces sp. A5008.

A new endothelin converting enzyme (ECE) inhibitor, TMC-66 was isolated from the fermentation broth of Streptomyces sp. A5008. The structure of TMC-66 was elucidated by spectroscopic analyses to be a new member of benzo[a]naphthacenequinone class of antibiotics. TMC-66 had a highly selective inhibitory activity for ECE with an IC50 value of 2.9 microM. Taxonomy of the producing strain is also described.     

TMC-69, a new antitumor antibiotic with Cdc25A inhibitory activity, produced by Chrysosporium sp. TC1068. Taxonomy, fermentation and biological activities

A new antibiotic designated TMC-69 has been isolated from the fermentation broth of a fungal strain Chrysosporium sp. TC 1068. TMC-69 exhibited moderate in vitro cytotoxic activity. TMC-69-6H, a derivative of TMC-69 prepared by hydrogenation, possessed more potent in vitro cytotoxicity than TMC-69, and exhibited in vivo antitumor activity against murine P388 leukemia and B16 melanoma. TMC-69-6H was found to specifically inhibit Cdc25A and B phosphatases.     

Tyropeptins A and B, new proteasome inhibitors produced by Kitasatospora sp. MK993-dF2. I. Taxonomy, isolation, physico-chemical properties and biological activities

Tyropeptins A and B, new proteasome inhibitors, were isolated from the culture broth of Kitasatospora sp. MK993-dF2. They were purified using ethyl acetate extraction, silica gel column chromatography, Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography and HPLC. Tyropeptin A inhibited the chymotrypsin-like (ChT-L) and trypsin-like (T-L) activities of 20S proteasome with IC50 values of 0.1 microg/ml and 1.5 microg/ml respectively, but did not inhibit the peptidylglutamyl-peptide hydrolyzing (PGPH) activity of 20S proteasome at a concentration of 100 microg/ml. The inhibitory activities of tyropeptin A were about two times as strong as that of tyropeptin B. Taxonomy of the producing strain is also described.     

Phosphatoquinones A and B, novel tyrosine phosphatase inhibitors produced by Streptomyces sp.

Phosphatoquinones A and B were isolated from the cultured broth of Streptomyces sp. TA-0363 and their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analyses. Phosphatoquinones A and B inhibited the protein tyrosine phosphatase activity prepared from human Ball-1 cells with IC50 of 28 microM and 2.9 microM, respectively.     

Fusaristatins A and B, two new cyclic lipopeptides from an endophytic Fusarium sp

Two new cyclic lipopeptides, fusaristatins A (1) and B (2) were isolated from rice cultures of a Fusarium sp. YG-45 in the course of a screening of endophytic fungi. Their structures of 1 and 2 were determined by spectroscopic methods. 2 showed a moderate inhibitory effect on topoisomerases I (IC50: 73 microM) and II (IC50: 98 microM) without cleavable complexes. Furthermore, 1 and 2 showed the growth-inhibitory activity toward lung cancer cells LU 65 with IC50 values of 23 and 7 microM, respectively.     

Glisoprenins, new inhibitors of acyl-CoA: cholesterol acyltransferase produced by Gliocladium sp. FO-1513. I. Production, isolation and physico-chemical and biological properties.

Gliocladium sp. FO-1513 was found to produce novel inhibitors of acyl-CoA: cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT). Two active compounds, designated glisoprenins A and B, were isolated from the culture broth of the producing strain by a conventional method. The IC50 values of glisoprenins A and B for ACAT activity were 46 and 61 microM in an enzyme assay using rat liver microsomes, and 1.2 and 0.57 microM in a J774 macrophage assay, respectively.     

EI-1941-1 and -2, novel interleukin-1beta converting enzyme inhibitors produced by Farrowia sp. E-1941. I. Biochemical characterization of EI-1941-1 and -2

EI-1941-1 and -2 isolated from the culture broths of Farrowia sp. selectively inhibited the human recombinant ICE activity with IC50 values of 0.086 and 0.006 microM, respectively, without inhibiting elastase and cathepsin B. EI-1941-1 and -2 also inhibited mature interleukin-1beta secretion from THP-1 cells induced by LPS with IC50 values of 5.0 and 10.3 microM, respectively. Biochemical characterizations of EI-1941-1 and -2 are described in this article.     

Arisugacins C and D, novel acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and their related novel metabolites produced by Penicilium sp. FO-4259-11

The mutant of Penicillium sp. FO-4259, an arisugacins A and B producing strain, was found to produce a series of metabolites, designated arisugacins C, D, E, F, G and H, which were structurally related to arisugacins A and B. These compounds were isolated from the culture broth and the physico-chemical and biological properties were examined. The IC50 values of arisugacins C and D against acetylcholinesterase (AChE) were 2.5 microM and 3.5 microM, respectively. However arisugacins E, F, G and H did not inhibit AChE at 100 microM. Though they showed only weak or no activity against AChE compared with arisugacins A and B, they may be useful for the study of the structure-activity relationship.     

A-503083 A, B, E and F, novel inhibitors of bacterial translocase I, produced by Streptomyces sp. SANK 62799

Novel nucleoside antibiotics were isolated from the cultured broth of the strain classified as Streptomyces sp. SANK 62799. The strain produced four novel capuramycin derivatives designated as A-503083 A, B, E and F. Their structures were elucidated as 2'-O-carbamoyl derivatives of A-500359 A, B (capuramycin), E and F, respectively. A-503083 A, B, E and F inhibited bacterial phospho-N-acetylmuramyl-pentapeptide-translocase (translocase I: EC 2.7.8.13) with IC50 values of 0.024, 0.038, 0.135 and 17.9 microM, respectively.     

Ferroverdins, inhibitors of cholesteryl ester transfer protein produced by Streptomyces sp. WK-5344. I. Production, isolation and biological properties

Streptomyces sp. WK-5344, a soil isolate, was found to produce structurally related inhibitors of cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP). New active compounds, designated ferroverdins B and C, were isolated along with known ferroverdin A from the fermentation broth by solvent extraction, ODS column chromatography and silica gel column chromatography. All ferroverdins showed a dose-dependent inhibitory activity against human CETP. The IC50 values were 21, 0.62 and 2.2 microM for ferroverdins A, B and C, respectively, indicating that ferroverdin B is one of the most potent CETP inhibitors of microbial origin.     

In vitro effects of E3040, a dual inhibitor of 5-lipoxygenase and thromboxane A(2) synthetase, on eicosanoid production.

In vitro pharmacological profiles of E3040, 6-hydroxy-5, 7-dimethyl-2-(methylamino)-4-(3-pyridylmethyl) benzothiazole were investigated. Against the 5-lipoxygenase activity of rat basophilic leukemia cells, E3040 and zileuton (a 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor) had an IC(50) of 0.23 and 0.93 microM, respectively. Against the thromboxane A(2) synthetase activity of human platelets, E3040 had an IC(50) of 0.01 microM, which was comparable to that of OKY-1581 (sodium (E)-3-[4-(3-pyridylmethyl) phenyl]-2-methylacrylate, a thromboxane A(2) synthetase inhibitor). Against cyclooxygenase activity of sheep seminal vesicles, E3040 showed no inhibition (IC(50), >300 microM). Sulfasalazine and 5-aminosalicylic acid, therapeutic drugs for inflammatory bowel disease, inhibited 5-lipoxygenase activity with an IC(50) of 293 and 970 microM, respectively. Sulfasalazine inhibited thromboxane A(2) synthetase activity with an IC(50) of 20 microM. In rat peritoneal leukocytes, E3040 inhibited leukotriene B(4) and thromboxane B(2) production with an IC(50) of 0.17 and 0.24 microM, respectively. E3040 inhibited leukotriene B(4) production in human neutrophils and thromboxane B(2) production in human platelets (IC(50) of 0.21 and 0.09 microM, respectively). These results indicated that E3040 potently inhibited 5-lipoxygenase and thromboxane A(2) synthetase and blocked leukotriene B(4) and thromboxane B(2) production in rat peritoneal and human blood cells.     

EI-2346, a novel interleukin-1beta converting enzyme inhibitor produced by Streptomyces sp. E-2346. I. Taxonomy of producing strain, fermentation, isolation, physico-chemical properties, and biological properties

EI-2346, a novel interleukin-1beta converting enzyme (ICE) inhibitor, was isolated from the culture broths of Streptomyces sp. E-2346. EI-2346 selectively inhibited the human recombinant ICE activity with an IC50 value of 3.9 microM, without inhibiting elastase and cathepsin B. EI-2346 also inhibited mature interleukin-1beta secretion from THP-1 cells induced by LPS with an IC50 value of 5.2 microM.     

A new structural class of proteasome inhibitors that prevent NF-kappa B activation

The multicatalytic proteinase or proteasome is a highly conserved cellular structure that is responsible for the ATP-dependent proteolysis of many proteins involved in important regulatory cellular processes. We have identified a novel class of inhibitors of the chymotrypsin-like proteolytic activity of the 20S proteasome that exhibit IC50 values ranging from 0.1 to 0.5 microgram/mL (0.1 to 1 microM). In cell proliferation assays, these compounds inhibit growth with an IC50 ranging from 5 to 10 micrograms/mL (10-20 microM). A representative member of this class of inhibitors was tested in other biological assays. CVT-634 (5-methoxy-1-indanone-3-acetyl-leu-D-leu-1-indanylamide) prevented lipopolysaccharide (LPS), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-, and phorbol ester-induced activation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappa B) in vitro by preventing signal-induced degradation of I kappa B-alpha. In these studies, the I kappa B-alpha that accumulated was hyperphosphorylated, indicating that CVT-634 did not inhibit I kappa B-alpha kinase, the enzyme responsible for signal-induced phosphorylation of I kappa B-alpha. In vivo studies indicated that CVT-634 prevented LPS-induced TNF synthesis in a murine macrophage cell line. In addition, in mice pretreated with CVT-634 at 25 and 50 mg/kg and subsequently treated with LPS, serum TNF levels were significantly lower (225 +/- 59 and 83 +/- 41 pg/mL, respectively) than in those mice that were treated only with LPS (865 +/- 282 pg/mL). These studies suggest that specific inhibition of the chymotrypsin-like activity of the proteasome is sufficient to prevent signal-induced NF-kappa B activation and that the proteasome is a novel target for the identification of agents that may be useful in the treatment of diseases whose etiology is dependent upon the activation of NF-kappa B.     

UCN-01 and UCN-02, new selective inhibitors of protein kinase C. II. Purification, physico-chemical properties, structural determination and biological activities

A new inhibitor of protein kinase C (PKC), UCN-01, was isolated from the culture broth of Streptomyces sp. N-126. We have found that this strain also produces UCN-02 which is a stereoisomer of UCN-01. The inhibitors have the molecular formula C28H26N4O4 and have an indolo[2,3-alpha]carbazole chromophore. Their structures have been elucidated by mass and NMR spectra. UCN-01 has been shown to inhibit PKC and protein kinase A (PKA) with IC50 values of 0.0041 and 0.042 microM, respectively, and UCN-02 has been shown to inhibit PKC and PKA with IC50 values of 0.062 and 0.25 microM, respectively. UCN-01 and UCN-02 also showed the cytotoxic effect on the growth of HeLa S3 cells.     

Phellinsin A from Phellinus sp. PL3 exhibits antioxidant activities

Phellinsin A, which was isolated from the culture broth of Phellinus sp. PL3, exhibited significant low-density lipoproteins (LDL)-antioxidant activity. It inhibited the Cu2+-mediated oxidation of LDL (IC50: 5.3 microM) and 2,2'-azobis(2-methylpropionamidine) dihydrochloride (AAPH)-mediated oxidation of LDL (IC50: 2.8 microM) in the thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) assay as well as the macrophage-mediated LDL oxidation (73% inhibition at 5 microM). In addition, it delayed LDL oxidation with a prolonged lag time (192 min at 2 microM, control: 44 min). This compound also showed a 10-fold more potent 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging activity (IC50: 1.7 microM) than trolox (IC50: 18.6 microM), a known DPPH inhibitor. In addition, phellinsin A inhibited xanthine oxidase activity with an IC50 value of 31.0 microM, whereas allopurinol, a xanthine oxidase inhibitor, showed an IC50 value of 40.7 microM.