Selection of the methylotrophic yeast Ogataea minuta as a high-producing host for heterologous protein expression.

Three Ogataea minuta var. minuta strains have been deposited as NBRC 0975, NBRC 10402, and NBRC 10746 in the National Institute of Technology and Evaluation (NITE) Biological Resource Center (NBRC) collection. We investigated the ability to produce secretory proteins and several genotypic and phenotypic characteristics in order to select the best strain for heterologous protein expression. NBRC 10746 showed the best performance as evaluated by Cypridina noctiluca luciferase expression. Subsequently, clone #5-30 named tat06213, which was obtained by single-colony isolation from NBRC 10746, was established as a promising host for heterologous protein expression. To deepen our understanding of the characteristics of O.minuta var. minuta strains, sequence analysis of the D1/D2 domain of large subunit rRNA was conducted and the resulting phylogenetic tree derived from the D1/D2 domain showed that NBRC 10402 and NBRC 10746 were grouped into a different cluster far from NBRC 0975. Furthermore, a chromosome structure topology with electrophoretic karyotype and AOX1 loci analyzed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis with Southern blotting showed different chromosome patterns and AOX1-hybridization loci among the strains. Additionally, the sequences of the promoter regions of the cloned AOX1 genes were not identical among the three strains. These findings might explain the differences in heterologous protein expression among the tested O. minuta var. minuta strains.

F-36316 A and B, novel vasoactive compounds, isolated from Incrucipulum sp. SANK 10414.

In the course of our screening program for vasoactive compounds using co-culture assay of endothelial cells and fibroblast cells, potent activity was detected in the cultured broth of Incrucipulum sp. SANK 10414. Two active compounds, F-36316 A and B, and a non-active homolog, F-36316 C, were isolated from the broth. The structures of F-36316 A, B and C were elucidated by physicochemical data and spectral analyses, and found to be new 3-acylated tetronic acid homologs. F-36316 A and B induced morphological changes of endothelial cells different from vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) or vestaines in the assay with EC50 values of 1.8 and 11.7 µM, respectively. Furthermore, F-36316 A and B suppressed VEGF-induced vascular permeability induction in mice.

Sterenin A, B, C and D, novel 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 inhibitors from Stereum sp. SANK 21205.

The novel 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11beta-HSD1) inhibitors known as sterenin A, B, C and D were found in a solid-state culture of the producing basidiomycetes identified as Stereum sp. SANK 21205. Purification of the 50% aq Me(2)CO extract of the culture was performed by EtOAc extraction, reversed phase open-column chromatography and successive ODS HPLC preparation. These compounds, whose structures were determined by several spectroscopic methods, were found to be novel isoindolinone alkaloids which exhibited potent selective inhibitory activities against 11beta-HSD1.

F-19848 A, a novel inhibitor of hyaluronic acid binding to cellular receptor CD44.

In the course of our screening for inhibitors of hyaluronic acid (HA) binding to cellular receptor CD44, a novel inhibitor, F-19848 A, was isolated from the cultured broth of the fungus strain Dacrymyces sp. SANK 20204. This compound inhibited the binding of CD44 and HA with an IC50 value of 23.5 microM and CD44-dependent HA degradation was inhibited with an IC50 value of 98.6 microM in a cell-based assay. The structure was elucidated by physico-chemical properties, analysis of spectral data, and decomposition experiments.

Pleofungins, novel inositol phosphorylceramide synthase inhibitors, from Phoma sp. SANK 13899. I. Taxonomy, fermentation, isolation, and biological activities.

In the course of a screening for inositol phosphorylceramide (IPC) synthase inhibitors, the novel inhibitors pleofungins A, B, C, and D were found in a mycelial extract of a fungus, Phoma sp. SANK13899. Purification was performed by 50% methanol and ethyl acetate extraction, reversed phase open-column chromatography, and HPLC separations. Pleofungin A inhibited the IPC synthase of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Aspergillus fumigatus at IC(50) values of 16 and 1.0 ng/ml, respectively. The inhibitor also suppressed the growth of Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans, and A. fumigatus at MIC values of 2.0, 0.3, and 0.5 mug/ml, respectively. These biological properties indicate that pleofungins belong to a novel class of IPC synthase inhibitors efficacious against A. fumigatus.

F-16438s, novel binding inhibitors of CD44 and hyaluronic acid. I. Establishment of an assay method and biological activity.

In an attempt to obtain inhibitors of hyaluronic acid (HA) binding to its receptor, CD44, we established an efficient assay method to detect and quantify binding using fluorescein-labeled HA and HEK293 cells stably expressing CD44. As a result of the screening of culture broths of microorganisms, we found fungus strain Gloeoporus dichrous SANK 30502 produced inhibitory activity in this new assay. Five compounds, F-16438 A, B, E, F and G, were isolated from the fermentation broths, and their IC50 values were determined to be 10.3, 13.5, 27.3, 12.0 and 13.0 microM, respectively. F-16438 A, B, E, F and G are the first reported inhibitors of binding HA to CD44. F-16438 A, B, E and F have novel structures.

F-16438s, novel binding inhibitors of CD44 and hyaluronic acid. II. Producing organism, fermentation, isolation, physico-chemical properties and structural elucidation.

In the course of our screening for binding inhibitors of CD44 and hyaluronic acid, five active compounds, F-16438 A, B, E, F and G were found and isolated from the cultured broth of a fungal strain, Gloeoporus dichrous SANK 30502. The structures of these compounds except for F-16438 G were elucidated by physico-chemical and spectral data to be new compounds related to caloporoside; F-16438 G was identified to be the 6'-malonylated derivative of caloporoside.