Cyanobacterial Metabolite Calothrixins: Recent Advances in Synthesis and Biological Evaluation

The marine environment is host to unparalleled biological and chemical diversity, making it an attractive resource for the discovery of new therapeutics for a plethora of diseases. Compounds that are extracted from cyanobacteria are of special interest due to their unique structural scaffolds and capacity to produce potent pharmaceutical and biotechnological traits. Calothrixins A and B are two cyanobacterial metabolites with a structural assembly of quinoline, quinone, and indole pharmacophores. This review surveys recent advances in the synthesis and evaluation of the biological activities of calothrixins. Due to the low isolation yields from the marine source and the promise this scaffold holds for anticancer and antimicrobial drugs, organic and medicinal chemists around the world have embarked on developing efficient synthetic routes to produce calothrixins. Since the first review appeared in 2009, 11 novel syntheses of calothrixins have been published in the efforts to develop methods that contain fewer steps and higher-yielding reactions. Calothrixins have shown their potential as topoisomerase I poisons for their cytotoxicity in cancer. They have also been observed to target various aspects of RNA synthesis in bacteria. Further investigation into the exact mechanism for their bioactivity is still required for many of its analogs.     

Recent Achievements in Total Synthesis for Integral Structural Revisions of Marine Natural Products

A great effort to discover new therapeutic ingredients is often initiated through the discovery of the existence of novel marine natural products. Since substances produced by the marine environment might be structurally more complex and unique than terrestrial natural products, there have been cases of misassignments of their structures despite the availability of modern spectroscopic and computational chemistry techniques. When it comes to refutation to erroneously or tentatively proposed structures empirical preparations through organic chemical synthesis has the greatest contribution along with close and sophiscated inspection of spectroscopic data. Herein, we analyzed the total synthetic studies that have decisively achieved in revelation of errors, ambiguities, or incompleteness of the isolated structures of marine natural products covering the period from 2018 to 2021.     

New Perspectives in the Chemistry of Marine Pyridoacridine Alkaloids

Secondary metabolites from marine organisms are a rich source of novel leads for drug development. Among these natural products, polycyclic aromatic alkaloids of the pyridoacridine type have attracted the highest attention as lead compounds for the development of novel anti-cancer and anti-infective drugs. Numerous sophisticated total syntheses of pyridoacridine alkaloids have been worked out, and many of them have also been extended to the synthesis of libraries of analogues of the alkaloids. This review summarizes the progress in the chemistry of pyridoacridine alkaloids that was made in the last one-and-a-half decades.     

毛栓菌多酚氧化酶酶学性质及茶黄素的酶促合成研究

研究从毛栓菌中分离得到的多酚氧化酶(PPO)用于茶黄素的体外氧化制备。结果表明毛栓菌胞外PPO较适的反应温度范围在28~36℃之间;最适pH值为5.2;恒温反应30min内均表现出较高的活性和稳定性;50%的硫酸铵可以沉淀粗酶液中96.0%的PPO。将毛栓菌PPO加入到儿茶素反应液中进行双液相反应,可得到10.19%的茶黄素,与茶鲜叶来源的PPO相比,毛栓菌PPO制备茶黄素的总含量偏低,但其中TF-3-G的比例较高,达到总茶黄素的68.10%,占脂型茶黄素总量的92.08%。     

New One-Pot Methodologies for the Modification or Synthesis of Alkaloid Scaffolds

There are several avenues by which promising bioactive natural products can be produced in sufficient quantities to enable lead optimization and medicinal chemistry studies. The total synthesis of natural products is an important, but sometimes difficult, approach and requires the development of innovative synthetic methodologies to simplify the synthesis of complex molecules. Various classes of natural product alkaloids are both common and widely distributed in plants, bacteria, fungi, insects and marine organisms. This mini-review will discuss the scope, mechanistic insights and enantioselectivity aspects of selected examples of recently developed one-pot methods that have been published in 2009 for the synthesis of substituted piperidines, quinolizidines, pyrrolidines, hexahydropyrrolizines, octahydroindolizines and γ-lactams. In addition, progress on the synthesis of β-carboline (manzamine) alkaloids will also be discussed.     

儿茶素组成和理化条件对茶黄素酶催化合成的影响

利用梨果实多酚氧化酶,在单因素试验基础上,设计正交试验,进行酶性合成茶黄素,研究儿茶素组成和理化条件对茶黄素合成的影响,以确定最佳反应条件。结果表明,以儿茶素混合物C(EGC>200mg/g,EGCG>200mg/g,儿茶素总量>500mg/g)为材料,茶黄素酶促合成的最佳条件为:反应体系的最佳pH值为5.5,温度为30℃,底物浓度为5mg/ml,酶添加量为75ml/1000mg,最佳反应时间40min。pH值和儿茶素浓度是反应体系中两个重要的影响因子(P<0.05)。     

Recent Synthetic Studies Leading to Structural Revisions of Marine Natural Products

Because of the highly unique structures of marine natural products, there are many examples of structures that were originally proposed based on spectral analyses but later proven incorrect. In many cases, the total syntheses of the originally proposed structures of marine natural products has confirmed their incorrectness and the subsequent total syntheses of the newly proposed structures proved the revised structures. This review will show such cases appearing after 2005 and demonstrate how the true structures were elucidated.     

酶促合成茶黄素的茶鲜叶酶源筛选

通过对不同季节、不同采摘标准的20个茶树品种鲜叶的多酚氧化酶(PPO)活性及其同工酶分析,筛选出了3种PPO活性较高的茶鲜叶原料,然后以其匀浆液以及在匀浆液中添加速溶绿茶的方法,以催化速溶绿茶酶促合成茶黄素的效率为标准筛选了酶促合成茶黄素的茶鲜叶酶源。结果表明,各茶树品种茶鲜叶PPO活性以夏季一芽二叶较高,酶活性较高的3个品种依次为政和大白茶、福云6号及桃源大叶;不同品种茶鲜叶的PPO同工酶在谱带数目、迁移率和谱带染色深浅3个方面有差异,20个品种有2条相同的同工酶带,其Rf值分别为0.27和0.53,政和大白茶、桃源大叶、福云6号均有5条明显的同工酶带,且以政和大白茶的谱带染色最深;单位质量的政和大白茶鲜叶匀浆液自身酶促合成茶黄素的量高于桃源大叶与福云六号;参加酶促反应合成茶黄素的儿茶素主要为EC、EGCG和ECG;添加速溶绿茶作为底物合成茶黄素的量远高于茶鲜叶自身酶促合成茶黄素的量,其中政和大白茶反应体系中茶黄素的质量浓度达212.01mg/L,为自身酶促合成茶黄素质量浓度(39.05mg/L)的5.43倍。     

Optimization of Two Steps in Scale-Up Synthesis of Nannocystin A

We have accomplished a 10-step (longest linear) total synthesis of nannocystin A on a four hundred milligram scale. The previously reported Kobayashi vinylogous Mukaiyama aldol reaction to connect C4 and C5 was unreproducible during the scaling up process. A more convenient and cost-efficient Keck asymmetric vinylogous aldol reaction was employed to improve this transformation.     

Recent Advances and Applications of Experimental Technologies in Marine Natural Product Research

Marine natural products are a rich source of novel and biologically active compounds. The number of identified marine natural compounds has grown 20% over the last five years from 2009 to 2013. Several challenges, including sample collection and structure elucidation, have limited the development of this research field. Nonetheless, new approaches, such as sampling strategies for organisms from extreme ocean environments, nanoscale NMR and computational chemistry for structural determination, are now available to overcome the barriers. In this review, we highlight the experimental technology innovations in the field of marine natural products, which in our view will lead to the development of many new drugs in the future.     

Antiplatelet and Antithrombotic Effects of Isaridin E Isolated from the Marine-Derived Fungus via Downregulating the PI3K/Akt Signaling Pathway

Isaridin E, a cyclodepsipeptide isolated from the marine-derived fungus Amphichorda felina (syn. Beauveria felina) SYSU-MS7908, has been demonstrated to possess anti-inflammatory and insecticidal activities. Here, we first found that isaridin E concentration-dependently inhibited ADP-induced platelet aggregation, activation, and secretion in vitro, but did not affect collagen- or thrombin-induced platelet aggregation. Furthermore, isaridin E dose-dependently reduced thrombosis formation in an FeCl₃-induced mouse carotid model without increasing the bleeding time. Mechanistically, isaridin E significantly decreased the ADP-mediated phosphorylation of PI3K and Akt. In conclusion, these results suggest that isaridin E exerts potent antithrombotic effects in vivo without increasing the risk of bleeding, which may be due to its important role in inhibiting ADP-induced platelet activation, secretion and aggregation via the PI3K/Akt pathways.     

Recent Advances in the Heterologous Expression of Biosynthetic Gene Clusters for Marine Natural Products

Marine natural products (MNPs) are an important source of biologically active metabolites, particularly for therapeutic agent development after terrestrial plants and nonmarine microorganisms. Sequencing technologies have revealed that the number of biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) in marine microorganisms and the marine environment is much higher than expected. Unfortunately, the majority of them are silent or only weakly expressed under traditional laboratory culture conditions. Furthermore, the large proportion of marine microorganisms are either uncultivable or cannot be genetically manipulated. Efficient heterologous expression systems can activate cryptic BGCs and increase target compound yield, allowing researchers to explore more unknown MNPs. When developing heterologous expression of MNPs, it is critical to consider heterologous host selection as well as genetic manipulations for BGCs. In this review, we summarize current progress on the heterologous expression of MNPs as a reference for future research.     

Recent Developments on the Synthesis and Bioactivity of Ilamycins/Rufomycins and Cyclomarins,Marine Cyclopeptides That Demonstrate Anti-Malaria and Anti-Tuberculosis Activity

Ilamycins/rufomycins and cyclomarins are marine cycloheptapeptides containing unusual amino acids. Produced by Streptomyces sp., these compounds show potent activity against a range of mycobacteria, including multidrug-resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The cyclomarins are also very potent inhibitors of Plasmodium falciparum. Biosynthetically the cyclopeptides are obtained via a heptamodular nonribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS) that directly incorporates some of the nonproteinogenic amino acids. A wide range of derivatives can be obtained by fermentation, while bioengineering also allows the mutasynthesis of derivatives, especially cyclomarins. Other derivatives are accessible by semisynthesis or total syntheses, reported for both natural product classes. The anti-tuberculosis (anti-TB) activity results from the binding of the peptides to the N-terminal domain (NTD) of the bacterial protease-associated unfoldase ClpC1, causing cell death by the uncontrolled proteolytic activity of this enzyme. Diadenosine triphosphate hydrolase (PfAp3Aase) was found to be the active target of the cyclomarins in Plasmodia. SAR studies with natural and synthetic derivatives on ilamycins/rufomycins and cyclomarins indicate which parts of the molecules can be simplified or otherwise modified without losing activity for either target. This review examines all aspects of the research conducted in the syntheses of these interesting cyclopeptides.     

水稻糖质胚乳突变体Sug-11籽粒灌浆过程的淀粉合成关键酶活性及其与淀粉理化特性关系

以水稻糖质胚乳突变体Sug-11与其野生型对照中花11为材料,通过对两者籽粒中可溶性总糖、蔗糖含量和淀粉含量以及有关淀粉品质理化指标的比较,结合籽粒灌浆过程中糖类物质含量、淀粉合成代谢关键酶活性和相关同工型基因转录表达水平的动态测定,从籽粒淀粉合成代谢角度,对水稻糖质突变体Sug-11的籽粒糖类含量变化和千粒重下降的生理原因进行了分析。结果表明,Sug-11糖质突变体与其野生型在灌浆初期的可溶性糖和蔗糖含量差异并不明显,随着籽粒灌浆进程,两者间的籽粒糖分含量差异在灌浆中后期逐步趋于明显;与野生型相比,Sug-11糖质胚乳突变体的稻米直链淀粉含量和直链淀粉碘蓝值显著下降,而淀粉溶解度和支链淀粉碘蓝值则显著升高,糖质胚乳突变对稻米淀粉的理化特性也产生了明显的影响;在籽粒淀粉合成代谢的几个关键酶中,Sug-11糖质突变体籽粒中的DBE活性及其在灌浆过程中的动态变化与其野生型存在明显差异,揭示了胚乳糖质突变体Sug-11籽粒中淀粉积累减少、糖分含量增加主要是由籽粒灌浆中后期的PUL转录表达水平和DBE活性的大幅下降所引起的,而Sug-11的籽粒灌浆不良和千粒重下降等现象,则与其ADPGase活性在籽粒灌浆前期的显著下降存在一定的联系。     

干燥对牧草品质影响研究进展

介绍了牧草干燥的常用方法，以及不同干燥方式对牧草品质影响的研究概况，并对热带牧草的深加工发展趋势进行展望。     

高粱异胞质雄性不育研究进展与展望

对近几年来高粱细胞质雄性不育的育性反应、育性遗传、生理生化、胞质效应等方面的研究,以及在生产中的应用情况进行了综述,并对高粱细胞质雄性不育在育种和生产上的应用前景进行了展望,认为开辟A3型细胞质源以及A4、9E、A5、A6型等不育细胞质源,选育异胞质雄性不育系,将会在育种与生产中有重要的利用价值.     

光质对草坪草生长发育影响的研究进展

综述了不同光质对作物及草坪草生长发育影响的研究进展，指出研究光质对遮荫草坪中草坪草生长发育的影响具有一定意义，提出了遮荫草坪中光质的研究方向。     

小麦胚乳淀粉合成酶基因研究进展

很多研究表明。小麦胚乳淀粉的合成至少需要四类酶——腺苷二磷酸葡萄糖焦磷酸化酶、淀粉合成酶、淀粉分支酶和淀粉去分支酶，这四类酶的基因克隆和特性的研究有重要进展。目前，已从六倍体小麦发育胚乳的eDNA文库中获得AGPase两个亚基、gbssⅠ、ssⅠ、ssⅡ、ssⅢ、sheⅠ、sbeⅡ和sul(dbe)等基因的cDNA；从六倍体小麦的D组供体Triticum tauschii基因组文库中获得ssⅠ、ssⅠ、ssⅢ、sbeⅠ和sbeⅡ的gDNAs；从六倍体中只获得野生型和突变型的gbssⅠ(wx)基因。除编码AGPase大亚基的基因和sul基因未进行定位外，ssⅢ位于第一群染色体上，sheⅡ位于2DL上，其余基因均位于第七群染色体上。     

Toward the synthesis and biological screening of a cyclotetrapeptide from marine bacteria

The first synthesis of a naturally occurring tetrapeptide cyclo-(isoleucyl-prolyl-leucyl-alanyl) has been achieved using a solution-phase technique via coupling of dipeptide segments Boc-L-Pro-L-Leu-OH and L-Ala-L-Ile-OMe. Deprotection of the linear tetrapeptide unit and its subsequent cyclization gave a cyclopeptide, identical in all aspects to the naturally occurring compound. Bioactivity results indicated the antifungal and antihelmintic potential of the synthesized peptide against pathogenic dermatophytes and earthworms.     

Reporter Dyes Demonstrate Functional Expression of Multidrug Resistance Proteins in the Marine Flatworm Macrostomum lignano: The Sponge-Derived Dye Ageladine A Is Not a Substrate of These Transporters

The marine plathyhelminth Macrostomum lignano was recently isolated from Adriatic shore sediments where it experiences a wide variety of environmental challenges, ranging from hypoxia and reoxygenation, feeding on toxic algae, to exposure to anthropogenic contaminants. As multidrug resistance transporters constitute the first line of defense against toxins and toxicants we have studied the presence of such transporters in M. lignano in living animals by applying optical methods and pharmacological inhibitors that had been developed for mammalian cells. Application of the MDR1 inhibitor Verapamil or of the MRP1 inhibitors MK571 or Probenecid increased the intracellular fluorescence of the reporter dyes Fura-2 am, Calcein am, Fluo-3 am in the worms, but did not affect their staining with the dyes Rhodamine B, CMFDA or Ageladine A. The marine sponge alkaloid Ageladine A remained intracellularly trapped for several days in the worms, suggesting that it does not serve as substrate of multidrug resistance exporters. In addition, Ageladine A did not affect multidrug resistance-associated protein (MRP)-mediated dye export from M. lignano or the MRP1-mediated glutathione (GSH) export from cultured rat brain astrocytes. The data obtained demonstrate that life-imaging is a useful tool to address physiological drug export from intact marine transparent flatworms by using multiphoton scanning microscopy.