Leporizines A-C: epithiodiketopiperazines isolated from an Aspergillus species.

Three new compounds named leporizines A-C have been isolated from an Aspergillus sp. strain. Their structures were elucidated by analysis of 1D and 2D NMR spectra. Leporizines A and B were isolated during dereplication of hits from a high-throughput screening campaign for correctors of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), and leporizine C was isolated while preparing additional material for characterization of leporizines A and B. CFTR activity observed for leporizines A and B was highly correlated with cell toxicity and was determined to be a nonspecific effect. Leporizine C was not cytotoxic to cells and did not elicit a response in the CFTR assays. To the best of our knowledge, leporizines A-C represent the first examples of this unusual epithiodiketopiperazine skeleton.

The revised structure, total synthesis, and absolute configuration of streptophenazine A.

A total synthesis of both diastereomers of the originally proposed structure for streptophenazine A (1) has been achieved. However, both synthetic compounds are different from the natural product. Re-examination of NMR data reported for streptophenazine A and a concise total synthesis of both diastereomers of 17 (17a and 17b) led to the structural revision of streptophenazine A to 17b. Asymmetric synthesis of (-)-streptophenazine A was also conducted, and its absolute configuration was determined to be 1'S,2'R.

Phaeofurans and sorbicillin analogues from a fungicolous Phaeoacremonium species (NRRL 32148).

Two new benzofuran-derived metabolites of polyketide origin called phaeofurans A and B (1 and 2), along with three sorbicillin analogues (3-5), have been obtained from a fungicolous isolate of the genus Phaeoacremonium (NRRL 32148). The structures were determined by analysis of MS and 2D NMR data. The antifungal effects of the extract were ascribed to the sorbicillin analogues.

Ophiocerins A-D and ophioceric acid: tetrahydropyran derivatives and an africane sesquiterpenoid from the freshwater aquatic fungus Ophioceras venezuelense.

Four new tetrahydropyran derivatives called ophiocerins A-D (1-4) and a new africane sesquiterpenoid (ophioceric acid; 5) have been isolated from cultures of the aquatic fungus Ophioceras venezuelense, together with the known compound regiolone. The structures and relative stereochemistry of these compounds were determined by analysis of 1D and 2D NMR data, while absolute stereochemical assignments for 1-4 were proposed by application of the exciton chirality CD method.

Cicadapeptins I and II: new Aib-containing peptides from the entomopathogenic fungus Cordyceps heteropoda.

Fermentation extracts of Cordyceps heteropoda (ARSEF #1880), an entomopathogenic fungus isolated from an Australian cicada, yielded a known antifungal compound, myriocin, and a complex microheterogeneous family of novel nonribosomal peptides, each containing two residues of alpha-aminoisobutyric acid (Aib). Structure elucidation of two major components of the peptide mixture, cicadapeptins I and II (1 and 2), was accomplished by amino acid analysis and various MS, 1-D NMR, and 2-D NMR experiments. Both compounds are acylated at the N-terminus by n-decanoic acid and amidated at the C-terminus by 1,2-diamino-4-methylpentane. The amino acid sequence of cicadapeptin I is N-terminus-Hyp-Hyp-Val-Aib-Gln-Aib-Leu-C-terminus. Ile substitutes for Leu in cicadapeptin II. To our knowledge, this is the first report from fungi of consecutive Hyp or Pro residues in a nonribosomal linear peptide. ROESY data indicated that the cicadapeptins adopt a helical conformation. Cicadapeptins I and II displayed antibacterial activity and limited antifungal activity.