Sesquiterpenyl Epoxy-Cyclohexenoids and their Signaling Functions in Nematode-Trapping Fungus Arthrobotrys oligospora.

In this study, we purified three new sesquiterpenyl epoxy-cyclohexenoid (SEC) analogues, arthrobotrisin D (11) and its two derivatives, from nematode-trapping fungus Arthrobotrys oligospora. Our results revealed that arthrobotrisin type SEC metabolites could be detected in all the test fungal strains from geographically distinct regions grown on different nutrient media, indicative of unique diagnostic character as chemical indicators for A. oligospora. The time course designs over short-term intervals of the fungus under direct contact and indirect contact with living or dead nematodes revealed that arthrobotrisin B and D (6 and 11) displayed significant relationships (positive or negative correlation) with fungal saprophytic and pathogenic stages during a nematode predation event. Interestingly, fungus on nutrient-limiting medium conducive to fungal trap formation could rapidly drop the concentration levels of arthrobotrisins B and D within 6 h when dead nematodes were around, in great contrast to that for living nematodes. Moreover, only in the fungal strain under direct contact with living dominant soil bacteria, arthrobotrisins B and D exhibited significant increase in amounts. Among them, the new SEC, arthrobotrisin D (11) was found to be a key unique metabolic signal for fungal colony growth and fungal interaction with prey and bacteria. Our study suggested that chemical analysis of SEC metabolites in A. oligospora provides a window into the fungal growth status and much valuable information about ecological environments associated with the nematode infections.

Morphology regulatory metabolites from Arthrobotrys oligospora.

Novel autoregulatory metabolites, arthrosporols A-C (1-3), involved in regulating the morphological switch in fungi, were purified and characterized from the carnivorous fungus Arthrobotrys oligospora. These compounds possess a novel hybrid carbon skeleton consisting of an epoxy-cyclohexenol combined with a rare monocyclic sesquiterpenol substructure. This is the first report of a monocyclic sesquiterpenol of this type of fungal origin. Compounds 1-3 displayed significant inhibitory activities toward the formation of conidiophores, while compounds 1 and 3 showed the opposite effects on the formation of a two-dimensional network with increasing rates of 40-90% and inhibiting rates of 30-90%, respectively.

Regulation of the growth of cotton bollworms by metabolites from an entomopathogenic fungus Paecilomyces cateniobliquus.

Chemical investigation of one entomopathogenic fungus Paecilomyces cateniobliquus YMF1.01799 led to the isolation and identification of six metabolites, which include three new compounds (2-3, and 5) and three known metabolites. Their structures were established by spectroscopic studies such as 1D and 2D NMR and MS analysis. Insect growth experiments suggested that polyketide-derived compound 1 showed significant inhibitory effect on the growth of cotton bollworm Helicoverpa armigera, while terpenoid-derived metabolite 5 promoted the growth of the larvae. The findings revealed that the entomopathogenic fungus P. cateniobliquus could produce different types of metabolites to regulate growth of the insect.

Isolation of talathermophilins from the thermophilic fungus Talaromyces thermophilus YM3-4.

Six indole alkaloids with various levels of prenylation were isolated from the thermophilic fungus Talaromyces thermophilus strain YM3-4. Their structures were identified by NMR and MS spectroscopic analyses. Compounds 1 and 2 are new analogues of the key versatile precursor notoamide E. Compound 3 is a novel analogue of preechinulin, and compound 4 was reported as a natural occurring cyclo(glycyltryptophyl) for the first time. The metabolite profile of this thermophilic organism displayed a biosynthetic pathway for talathermophilins.

Arthrobotrisins A-C, oligosporons from the nematode-trapping fungus Arthrobotrys oligospora.

Arthrobotrys oligospora is a carnivorous fungus that can use mycelia trapping devices to capture their prey. Three novel oligosporons, named arthrobotrisins A-C (1-3), were isolated from A. oligospora and identified by spectroscopic analysis in combination with X-ray diffraction. This is the first time that the relative configuration of naturally occurring oligosporon metabolites has been fully determined. Compound 3 exhibited specific antibacterial activities.