Fungal natural products in research and development.

To date approximately 100 000 fungal species are known although far more than one million are expected. The variety of species and the diversity of their habitats, some of them less exploited, allow the conclusion that fungi continue to be a rich source of new metabolites. Besides the conventional fungal isolates, an increasing interest in endophytic and in marine-derived fungi has been noticed. In addition new screening strategies based on innovative chemical, biological, and genetic approaches have led to novel fungal metabolites in recent years. The present review focuses on new fungal natural products published from 2009 to 2013 highlighting the originality of the structures and their biological potential. Furthermore synthetic products based on fungal metabolites as well as new developments in the uses or the biological activity of known compounds or new derivatives are discussed.

Isolactarane and sterpurane sesquiterpenoids from the basidiomycete Phlebia uda.

Three new sesquiterpenoids, named udasterpurenol A, udalactarane A, and udalactarane B, as well as the known compounds hyphodontal and sterpuric acid have been isolated from the basidiomycete Phlebia uda. These compounds represent the first natural products described from this species. The structures were elucidated by NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. Udalactaranes A and B were isolated as mixtures with their respective epimeric acetals. These mixtures inhibited the spore germination of the plant pathogenic fungus Fusarium graminearum at 10 and 5 µg/mL, respectively, and were active against Jurkat cells with IC(50) values of 101 and 42 µM, respectively.

Inhibition of TGF-ß signaling, vasculogenic mimicry and proinflammatory gene expression by isoxanthohumol.

TGF-ß is a multifunctional cytokine that regulates cell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis and extracellular matrix production. Deregulation of TGF-ß production or signaling has been associated with a variety of pathological processes such as cancer, metastasis, angiogenesis and fibrosis. Therefore, TGF-ß signaling has emerged as an attractive target for the development of new cancer therapeutics. In a screening program of natural compounds from fungi inhibiting the TGF-ß dependent expression of a reporter gene in HepG2 cells, we found that the flavone isoxanthohumol inhibited the binding of the activated Smad2/3 transcription factors to the DNA and antagonized the cellular effects of TGF-ß including reporter gene activation and expression of TGF-ß induced genes in HepG2 and MDA-MB-231 cells. In an in vitro angiogenesis assay, isoxanthohumol (56 µM) strongly decreased the formation of capillary-like tubules of MDA-MB-231 cells on Matrigel. In addition, we found that isoxanthohumol blocked IFN-γ, IL-4 and IL-6 dependent Jak/Stat signaling and strongly inhibited the induction of pro-inflammatory genes in MonoMac6 cells at the transcriptional level after LPS/TPA treatment.

Elucidation of the biosynthesis and degradation of allantofuranone by isotopic labelling and fermentation of modified precursors.

Feeding experiments with the ascomycete Allantophomopsis lycopodina indicated that the potent fungistatic allantofuranone is biosynthesized from phenylalanine. Further experiments with synthetic precursors gave evidence that the naturally occurring polyporic acid serves as a key intermediate in the biosynthesis. In addition to the formation of allantofuranone, its abiotic and metabolic degradation were investigated.

Induction of tolerogenic lung CD4+ T cells by local treatment with a pSTAT-3 and pSTAT-5 inhibitor ameliorated experimental allergic asthma.

Signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)-3 inhibitors play an important role in regulating immune responses. Galiellalactone (GL) is a fungal secondary metabolite known to interfere with the binding of phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription (pSTAT)-3 as well of pSTAT-6 dimers to their target DNA in vitro. Intra nasal delivery of 50 µg GL into the lung of naive Balb/c mice induced FoxP3 expression locally and IL-10 production and IL-12p40 in RNA expression in the airways in vivo. In a murine model of allergic asthma, GL significantly suppressed the cardinal features of asthma, such as airway hyperresponsiveness, eosinophilia and mucus production, after sensitization and subsequent challenge with ovalbumin (OVA). These changes resulted in induction of IL-12p70 and IL-10 production by lung CD11c(+) dendritic cells (DCs) accompanied by an increase of IL-3 receptor α chain and indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase expression in these cells. Furthermore, GL inhibited IL-4 production in T-bet-deficient CD4(+) T cells and down-regulated the suppressor of cytokine signaling-3 (SOCS-3), also in the absence of STAT-3 in T cells, in the lung in a murine model of asthma. In addition, we found reduced amounts of pSTAT-5 in the lung of GL-treated mice that correlated with decreased release of IL-2 by lung OVA-specific CD4(+) T cells after treatment with GL in vitro also in the absence of T-bet. Thus, GL treatment in vivo and in vitro emerges as a novel therapeutic approach for allergic asthma by modulating lung DC phenotype and function resulting in a protective response via CD4(+)FoxP3(+) regulatory T cells locally.

Antimicrobial activity of submerged cultures of Chilean basidiomycetes.

This study is part of a screening program aimed at searching for bioactive metabolites from Chilean basidiomycetes. Submerged cultivation of fungal mycelia in liquid media was evaluated for antimicrobial activity. A total of 148 strains were obtained in vitro. The extracts produced from submerged cultures were evaluated against bacteria and fungi. In the primary antimicrobial assay, approximately 60% of the extracts presented positive biological activity. The highest frequencies of active strains were from the orders Agaricales (31.0%), Polyporales (20.6%), Sterales (18.3%), Boletales (11.4%), and Cortinariales (9.1%). Antifungal activity was more pronounced than antibacterial activity. Twelve extracts that exhibited strong antimicrobial activity showed minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of 50 µL/mL against Bacillus brevis and 25∼50 µL/mL against Penicillium notatum and Paecilomyces variotii. The biological activity of some strains did not vary considerably, regardless of the substrate or collection site whereas, for others, it showed marked variations. Differences in antimicrobial activities observed in the different fungal genera suggested that the ability to produce bioactive compounds is not homogenously distributed among basidiomycetes. The information obtained from this study reveals that Chilean basidiomycetes are able to generate small and/or large variations in the normal pathway of compounds production. Thus, it is necessary to evaluate this biological and chemical wealth, which could be an unsuspected reservoir of new and potentially useful molecules.

Hirsutane-type sesquiterpenes with uncommon modifications from three basidiomycetes.

From three basidiomycetes, Xeromphalina sp., Stereum sp., and Pleurocybella porrigens, six triquinane sesquiterpenes with unprecendented modifications and a rearranged sesquiterpene related to coriolin C have been isolated. Their isolation, structure elucidation, and biological evaluation are described.

New caloporoside derivatives and their inhibition of fungal spore germination.

In our ongoing screening culture fluid extracts of Gloeoporus (Caloporus) dichrous strain 83065 inhibited the germination of Magnaporthe grisea and Fusarium graminearum spores. While isolating the active metabolites two new caloporosides, caloporoside G and caloporoside H, in addition to the known caloporoside derivatives F-16438G, caloporoside A, and 2-hydroxy-6-(16-hydroxyheptadecyl)benzoic acid were obtained.

Influence of apple polyphenols on inflammatory gene expression.

Apples (Malus spp., Rosaceae) and products thereof contain high amounts of polyphenols which show diverse biological activities and may contribute to beneficial health effects, like protecting the intestine against inflammation initiated by chronic inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). IBD are characterized by an excessive release of several proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines by different cell types which results consequently in an increased inflammatory response. In the present study we investigated the preventive effectiveness of polyphenolic juice extracts and single major constituents on inflammatory gene expression in immunorelevant human cell lines (DLD-1, T84, MonoMac6, Jurkat) induced with specific stimuli. Besides the influence on proinflammatory gene expression, the effect on NF-kappaB-, IP-10-, IL-8-promoter-, STAT1-dependent signal transduction, and the relative protein levels of multiple released cytokines and chemokines were studied. DNA microarray analysis of several genes known to be strongly regulated during gastrointestinal inflammation, combined with quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) revealed that the apple juice extract AE04 (100-200 microg/mL) significantly inhibited the expression of NF-kappaB regulated proinflammatory genes (TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, CXCL9, CXCL10), inflammatory relevant enzymes (COX-2, CYP3A4), and transcription factors (STAT1, IRF1) in LPS/IFN-gamma stimulated MonoMac6 cells without significant effects on the expression of house-keeping genes. A screening of some major compounds of AE04 revealed that the flavan-3-ol dimer procyanidin B(2 )is mainly responsible for the anti-inflammatory activity of AE04. Furthermore, the dihydrochalcone aglycone phloretin and the dimeric flavan-3-ol procyanidin B(1 )significantly inhibited proinflammatory gene expression and repressed NF-kappaB-, IP-10-, IL-8-promoter-, and STAT1-dependent signal transduction in a dose-dependent manner. The influence on proinflammatory gene expression by the applied polyphenols thereby strongly correlated with the increased protein levels investigated by human cytokine array studies. In summary, we evaluated selected compounds responsible for the anti-inflammatory activity of AE04. In particular, procyanidin B(1), procyanidin B(2), and phloretin revealed anti-inflammatory activities in vitro and therefore may serve as transcription-based inhibitors of proinflammatory gene expression.

Allantofuranone, a new antifungal antibiotic from Allantophomopsis lycopodina IBWF58B-05A.

In a screening for new bioactive compounds, the extract of Allantophomopsis lycopodina strain IBWF58B-05A, an imperfect ascomycete, was found to exhibit strong but rather selective antibiotic activity against Paecilomyces variotii. The bioactivity-guided isolation yielded allantofuranone, a new and uncommon gamma-lactone. This compound showed antifungal activity against P. variotii and Penicillium species. This paper describes the isolation, structure elucidation and biological characteristics of allantofuranone.

The fungal secondary metabolite trichodimerol inhibits TGF-ß dependent cellular effects and tube formation of MDA-MB-231 cells.

The transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) family of ligands has a pivotal role as regulators of cell growth, differentiation and migration. Overexpression of TGF-beta has been associated with breast, colon, hepatocellular, lung and pancreatic cancer. Importantly, overexpression of TGF-beta correlates with tumor progression, metastasis, angiogenesis and poor prognostic outcome. Therefore, TGF-beta signaling has emerged as an attractive target for the development of new cancer therapeutics. In a search for metabolites from fungi inhibiting the TGF-beta dependent expression of a reporter gene in HepG2 cells, we found that trichodimerol, a previously isolated bisorbicillinoid, inhibited serine phosphorylation of the TGF-beta activated Smad2/3 transcription factors and antagonized the cellular effects of TGF-beta including reporter gene activation and expression of TGF-beta inducible genes in HepG2 and MDA-MB-231 cells. In addition, trichodimerol blocked IFN-gamma, IL-6 and IL-4 induced activation of Stat1, Stat3 and Stat6 transcription factors by inhibiting serine and tyrosine phosphorylation. In an in vitro angiogenesis assay, 20 muM trichodimerol completely abrogated the capillary-like tube formation of MDA-MB-231 cells on Matrigel.

Oxacyclododecindione, a novel inhibitor of IL-4 signaling from Exserohilum rostratum.

In a screening program for new metabolites from fungi inhibiting the IL-4 mediated signal transduction, a novel chlorinated macrocyclic lactone, designated as oxacyclododecindione, was isolated from fermentations of the imperfect fungus Exserohilum rostratum. The structure was determined by a combination of spectroscopic techniques. Oxacyclododecindione inhibits the IL-4 induced expression of the reporter gene secreted alkaline phosphatase (SEAP) in transiently transfected HepG2 cells with IC50 values of 20-25 ng/ml (54-67.5 nM). Studies on the mode of action of the compound revealed that the inhibition of the IL-4 dependent signaling pathway is caused by blocking the binding of the activated STAT6 transcription factors to the DNA binding site without inhibiting tyrosine phosphorylation. The compound has no antibacterial or antifungal activity.

Isolation and biological activity of new norhirsutanes from Creolophus cirrhatus.

Five new norhirsutanes, named creolophins A-E, and complicatic acid were isolated from the culture broth of the rare tooth fungus Creolophus cirrhatus by solvent extraction, silica gel column chromatography and HPLC. In addition, neocreolophin, a complex dimerization product, was formed as an artefact during purification. The structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods and are published in a separate paper. Two of the metabolites showed moderate antibacterial, antifungal and cytotoxic activities.

Inhibitors of inducible NO synthase expression: total synthesis of (S)-curvularin and its ring homologues.

(S)-Curvularin and its 13-, 14-, and 16-membered lactone homologues were synthesized through a uniform strategy in which a Kochi oxidative decarboxylation and ring-closing metathesis reactions constitute the key processes. In the evaluation of the anti-inflammatory effects of the synthesized compounds in assays using cells stably transfected with a human iNOS promoter-luciferase reporter gene construct, the 14- and 16-membered homologues showed a slightly higher inhibitory effect towards iNOS promoter activity than curvularin itself. However, the larger ring homologues also exhibited higher cytotoxicity, manifest in downregulated eNOS promoter activity. In contrast, the di-O-acetyl and 4-chloro derivatives of (S)-curvularin showed higher inhibitory efficiency towards induction of the iNOS promoter and less negative effect on eNOS promoter activity than curvularin.

Imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine derivatives as inhibitors of TNF-alpha expression in T cells.

Novel hexahydroimidazo[1,2-a]pyridines prepared by the addition of ethyl (1-benzylimidazolidin-2-ylidene)acetate (2) to the fungal metabolite podoscyphic acid (1a) and esters of 1a have been evaluated for their ability to inhibit the inducible TNF-alpha promoter activity in T cells. The methyl ester 3b is the most potent, inhibiting the TNF-alpha driven reporter gene expression in Jurkat T cells with an IC(50)-value of 2.0 microg/ml (3.6 microM). In addition, compound 3b inhibited the inducible TNF-alpha production in the myelomonocytic U937 cells with an IC(50)-value of 4.6 microM.

Mollisianitrile, a new antibiotic from Mollisia sp. A59-96.

Mollisianitrile (1), a new antibiotic was isolated from the fermentation broth of Mollisa sp. A59-96 together with the two known isocoumarins 2 and 3. 1 exhibited antimicrobial, cytotoxic, and phytotoxic activities. 1 contains a reactive propiolonitrile moiety which is believed to be responsible for its antibiotic activities. Upon incubation with L-cysteine the biological activity was lost.

Antimicrobial isoflavonoids from Erythrina crista galli infected with Phomopsis sp.

The isoflavonoids coumestrol, genistein and daidzein have been isolated and identified by bioassay-guided fractionation from the acetone extract of Erythrina crista galli young twigs infected with Phomopsis sp. These compounds showed antimicrobial activity against Bacillus brevis (MIC values 16.3, 64.8 and 137.8 microM, respectively). This is the first time that coumestrol, besides lutein and n-nonacosane, are reported in this species.

Inhibition of inducible tumor necrosis factor-alpha expression by the fungal epipolythiodiketopiperazine gliovirin.

TNF-alpha is a major pro-inflammatory cytokine that regulates further cytokine induction, especially of IL-1 and IL-6, in many human diseases including cancer, inflammation and immune disorders. In a search for new inhibitors of inducible TNF-alpha promoter activity and expression, cultures of the imperfect fungus Trichoderma harzianum were found to produce gliovirin, a previously isolated epipolythiodiketopiperazine. Gliovirin inhibited inducible TNF-alpha promoter activity and synthesis in LPS/IFN-gamma-stimulated macrophages/monocytes and Jurkat T-cells, co-stimulated with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)/ionomycin, in a dose-dependent manner, with IC(50) values ranging from 0.21 to 2.1 microM (0.1-1 microg/ml). Studies on the mode of action revealed that gliovirin suppresses TNF-alpha synthesis by inhibiting the activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), thereby blocking the pathway leading to activation of the transcription factors AP-1 and NF-kappaB, the latter of which is involved in the inducible expression of many pro-inflammatory genes. Gliovirin also significantly reduced TPA/ionomycin-induced IL-2 mRNA levels and synthesis in Jurkat cells at low micromolar concentrations.

Phomopsidone, a novel depsidone from an endophyte of the medicinal plant Eupatorium arnottianum.

The medicinal plant Eupatorium arnottianum can be found in the Northeast and center of Argentina and the South of Bolivia. From plant material collected in Argentina an endophytic Phomopsis was isolated. The fungus was identified by microscopic features and analysis of its ITS sequence. Cultures yielded, besides mellein and nectriapyrone, a novel depsidone derivative for which we propose the name phomopsidone (1). The structure of 1 was determined from its spectroscopic data.