Cytotoxic and antiplasmodial substances from marine-derived fungi, Nodulisporium sp. and CRI247-01

Nodulisporacid A (1) was isolated from a marine-derived fungus Nodulisporium sp. CRIF1, while vermelhotin (5) was obtained from an unidentified fungus CRI247-01 (a member of the Order Pleosporales). Both 1 and 5 occurred as equilibrium E/Z mixtures. Ester derivatives (2 and 3) and vermelhotin (5) showed cytotoxic activity against eleven cancer cell lines. Nodulisporacid A (1) and vermelhotin (5) exhibited moderate antiplasmodial activity.     

Pyrone derivatives from the marine-derived fungus Nigrospora sp. PSU-F18

Pyrones, named nigrosporapyrones A-D (1-4), and five known compounds were isolated from the marine-derived fungus Nigrospora PSU-F18. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic evidence. The antibacterial activity against the standard Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 and methicillin-resistant S. aureus was evaluated.     

Secondary metabolite chemistry of the marine-derived fungus Massarina sp., strain CNT-016

Chemical investigation of the culture broth extracts of the marine-derived fungus Massarina sp. (strain CNT-016) has yielded two secondary metabolites, spiromassaritone (1) and massariphenone (2), as well as the previously reported fungal metabolites 6-epi-5'-hydroxy-mycosporulone (3) and enalin A (4). The structures of these compounds were established by a variety of one- and two-dimensional NMR experiments, while the relative configuration of spiromassaritone (1) was determined by X-ray crystallographic methods. The fungal strain was isolated as a sterile mycelium from an ocean mud sample and identified using ITS sequence analysis.     

Aspernolides A and B, butenolides from a marine-derived fungus Aspergillus terreus

Two aromatic butenolides, aspernolides A and B along with the known metabolites, butyrolactone I, terrein and physcion were isolated from the fermentation broth of a soft coral derived fungus Aspergillus terreus. The structures of these metabolites were assigned on the basis of detailed spectroscopic analysis. The absolute stereochemistry of aspernolides A (1) and B (2) was established by their preparation from the known butyrolactone I. Biogenetically aspernolides A and B must be derived from butyrolactone I, a well known specific inhibitor of cyclin dependent kinase (cdk) from A. terreus. When tested, aspernolide A exhibited mild cytotoxicity against cancer cell lines.     

Ellagic acid derivatives and cytotoxic cucurbitacins from Elaeocarpus mastersii

Bioassay-guided investigation of the bark of Elaeocarpus mastersii using KB (human oral epidermoid carcinoma) cells as a monitor led to the isolation of two cucurbitacins, cucurbitacin D and cucurbitacin F as cytotoxic principles, together with two ellagic acid derivatives, 4'-O-methylellagic acid 3-(2",3"-di-O-acetyl)-alpha-L-rhamnoside (1) and 4,4'-O-dimethylellagic acid 3-(2",3"-di-O-acetyl)-alpha-L-rhamnoside (2). These compounds were evaluated against a panel of human tumor cell lines.     

Aspergilones A and B, two benzylazaphilones with an unprecedented carbon skeleton from the gorgonian-derived fungus Aspergillus sp

Two novel benzylazaphilone derivatives with an unprecedented carbon skeleton, aspergilone A (1), and its symmetrical dimer with a unique methylene bridge, aspergilone B (2), have been isolated from the culture broth of a marine-derived fungus Aspergillus sp. from a gorgonian Dichotella gemmacea. Their structures and relative stereochemistries of 1 and 2 were elucidated using a combination of NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography. Compound 1 not only exhibited in vitro selective cytotoxicity but also showed potent antifouling activity.     

Visualization of the endocytic pathway in the filamentous fungus Aspergillus oryzae using an EGFP-fused plasma membrane protein

Endocytosis is an important process for cellular activities. However, in filamentous fungi, the existence of endocytosis has been so far elusive. In this study, we used AoUapC-EGFP, the fusion protein of a putative uric acid-xanthine permease with enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) in Aspergillus oryzae, to examine whether the endocytic process occurs or not. Upon the addition of ammonium into the medium the fusion protein was internalized from the plasma membrane. The internalization of AoUapC-EGFP was completely blocked by sodium azide, cold, and cytochalasin A treatments, suggesting that the internalization possesses the general features of endocytosis. These results demonstrate the occurrence of endocytosis in filamentous fungi. Moreover, we discovered that the endosomal compartments appeared upon the induction of endocytosis and moved in a microtubule-dependent manner.     

Cloning and functional characterization of the cis-aconitic acid decarboxylase (CAD) gene from Aspergillus terreus

A filamentous fungus Aspergillus terreus produces itaconic acid, which is predicted to be derived from cis-aconitic acid via catalysis by cis-aconitic acid decarboxylase (CAD) in the carbon metabolism of the fungus. To clarify the enzyme's function and a pathway for itaconic acid biosynthesis, we cloned a novel gene encoding the enzyme. The open reading frame of this gene (CAD1) consists of 1,529 bp encoding 490 amino acids and is interrupted by a single intron. Among the identified proteins in the database, the primary structure of the protein encoded by CAD1 shared high identity with the MmgE/PrpD family of proteins, including a number of 2-methylcitrate dehydratases of bacteria. The cloned gene excluding an intron was introduced into the expression plasmid pAUR-CAD1 controlled by the ADH1 promoter. The CAD activity in Saccharomyces cerevisiae was confirmed by directly detecting itaconic acid as a product from cis-aconitic acid as a substrate. This result reveals for the first time that this gene encodes CAD, which is essential for itaconic acid production in A. terreus.     

Mathematical modelling and assessment of the pH homeostasis mechanisms in Aspergillus niger while in citric acid producing conditions

In this work we introduce an extended model of the Aspergillus niger metabolism while in citrate production conditions. The model includes many recent findings related to various transport processes. It now considers a new information about the fructose uptake system and the proton and amino acids carriers between cytoplasm and the external medium. It also accounts for recent information about both the malate-citrate antiport between mitochondria and cytoplasm and the dihydrogen citrate ion excretion symport with protons. Finally, the model also accounts for new information about the glycerol-3-phosphate shuttle and pH buffering systems. Provided with this updated representation and after having assessed its quality and dynamic behaviour, we were able to explain the observed pH homoeostasis found in A. niger while in citrate producing conditions. The model also serves to enhance our comprehension of the molecular mechanisms operating in order to keep homoeostasis of pH in A. niger and other fungi, bacteria and yeast of biotechnological relevance.     

银杏内生真菌Aspergillus oryzae YX-5抗肿瘤活性物质的分离与鉴定

【背景】植物内生真菌是天然活性物质的重要来源。【目的】对一株具有抗肿瘤活性的银杏内生真菌米曲霉Aspergillus oryzae YX-5进行活性物质的分离与鉴定。【方法】将该菌株发酵培养后,发酵液经乙酸乙酯萃取,采用减压柱层析、葡聚糖凝胶柱层析和高效液相色谱分析,从其代谢产物中分离活性化合物,在分离过程中以MTT法跟踪检测分离到的各组分及纯化合物的抗肿瘤活性。【结果】从菌株YX-5的发酵产物中分离纯化得到4个化合物。经核磁共振和高分辨质谱分析,将其分别鉴定为羟基曲霉酸(1)、环(4-羟脯氨酸-苯丙氨酸)(2)、环(亮氨酸-苯丙氨酸)(3)和环(丙氨酸-苯丙氨酸)(4)。其中羟基曲霉酸对人宫颈癌HeLa细胞具有显著的细胞毒活性,其IC_(50)为1.07μg/mL。【结论】报道羟基曲霉酸在抗肿瘤方面的活性,表明米曲霉及羟基曲霉酸在抗肿瘤天然产物开发中具有一定的应用潜力。     

Advances in citric acid fermentation by Aspergillus niger: biochemical aspects, membrane transport and modeling

Citric acid is regarded as a metabolite of energy metabolism, of which the concentration will rise to appreciable amounts only under conditions of substantive metabolic imbalances. Citric acid fermentation conditions were established during the 1930s and 1940s, when the effects of various medium components were evaluated. The biochemical mechanism by which Aspergillus niger accumulates citric acid has continued to attract interest even though its commercial production by fermentation has been established for decades. Although extensive basic biochemical research has been carried out with A. niger, the understanding of the events relevant for citric acid accumulation is not completely understood. This review is focused on citric acid fermentation by A. niger. Emphasis is given to aspects of fermentation biochemistry, membrane transport in A. niger and modeling of the production process.     

Presence and regulation of ATP:citrate lyase from the citric acid producing fungus Aspergillus niger

ATP:citrate lyase (EC 4.1.3.8) has been identified in cell-free extracts from the filamentous fungus Aspergillus niger. The enzyme was located in the cytosol. It exhibits an activity at least ten times that of acetate-CoA-kinase (EC 6.2.1.1) during growth on carbohydrates as carbon sources, and is thus considered responsible for acetyl-CoA formation under these conditions. It is formed constitutively and its biosynthesis does not appear to be controlled by changes in the nitrogen or carbon source or type. ATP:citrate-lyase appears to be very labile during conventional purification procedures; a method involving fast protein liquid anion exchange chromatography was thus developed in order to obtain enzyme preparations sufficiently free of enzymes which could interfere with kinetic investigations. This preparation displays commonly known characteristics of ATP:citrate lyase with respect to substrate affinities and cofactor requirements, with the exception that the affinity for citrate is rather low (2.5 mM). No activator was found. The enzyme is inhibited by nucleoside diphosphates, nucleoside monophosphates and palmitoyl-CoA. Regulation of ATP:citrate lyase be the energy charge of the cytosol in relation to lipid or citric acid accumulation is discussed in view of these findings. Present address: Institut für Allgemeine Biochemie, Universität Wien, Währingerstrasse 38, A-1090 Wien, Austria     

Aldingenin derivatives from the red alga Laurencia aldingensis

Three brominated bisabolene-type sesquiterpene derivatives, aldingenin B, C and D, together with cholesterol and palmitic acid, have been isolated from the red alga Laurencia aldingensis (Ceramiales, Rodophyta) and their structures elucidated by spectroscopic methods including NMR analysis.     

Cytotoxic biotransformed products from cinobufagin by Mucor spinosus and Aspergillus Niger

Cinobufagin (1) was one of important cardenolidal steroids and major components of Chan'Su, a famous traditional Chinese medicine. Bioconversion of cinobufagin by the fungi of Mucor spinosus and Aspergillus niger were investigated. Nine bioconversion products were obtained from M. spinosus and seven products from A. niger. Their structures were elucidated by high-resolution fast atom bombardment mass spectroscopy (HR-FAB-MS), extensive NMR techniques, including (1)H NMR, (13)C NMR, DEPT, (1)H-(1)H correlation spectroscopy (COSY), two-dimensional nuclear Overhauser effect correlation spectroscopy (NOESY), heteronuclear multiple quantum coherence (HMQC) and heteronuclear multiple bond coherence (HMBC). The in vitro cytotoxic activities against human hepatoma cells (HepG2, SMMC-7221 and BEL-7402) and human leukemia cells (K562, HL-60 and HEL) of all bioconversion products were determined by the MTT method, and their structure-activity relationships (SAR) were discussed.     

Synthesis and antimicrobial evaluation of carbohydrate and polyhydroxylated non-carbohydrate fatty acid ester and ether derivatives

A series of fatty acid ester and ether derivatives have been chemically synthesised based on carbohydrate and non-carbohydrate polyhydroxylated scaffolds. The synthesised compounds, along with their corresponding fatty acid monoglyceride antimicrobials, were evaluated for antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Of the derivatives synthesised, several of the carbohydrate-based compounds have antimicrobial efficacy comparable with commercially available antimicrobials. The results suggest that the nature of the carbohydrate core plays a role in the efficacy of carbohydrate fatty acid derivatives as antimicrobials.     

High efficient expression of cellobiase gene from Aspergillus niger in the cells of Trichoderma reesei

The cellobiase gene from Aspergillus niger was cloned and connected with the strong promoter Pcbh1 from Trichoderma reesei to construct a recombinant plasmid pHB9 with the hygromycin B resistance marker. The plasmid was transformed into conidia of T. reesei using the modified PEG-CaCl₂ method. Main factors effecting the transformation were discussed and about 99-113 transformants/μg DNA could be obtained under optimal conditions. It was found that the molecular mass of the recombinant cellobiase was about 120 kDa by SDS-PAGE analysis. The activity of cellobiase could reach 5.3 IU/ml after 48 h fermentation, which was as high as 106 times compared with that of the host strain. Meanwhile, the filter paper activity of recombinant T. reesei was 1.44-fold of the host strain. Saccharification of corncob residue with the crude enzyme showed that the hydrolysis yield (84.2%) of recombinant T. reesei was 21% higher than that (69.5%) of the host strain.     

Blazeispirane and protoblazeispirane derivatives from the cultured mycelia of the fungus Agaricus blazei

Two blazeispirane derivatives including blazeispirols G and I were isolated from the cultured mycelia of the fungus Agaricus blazei Murill and were established to be (20S, 22S, 23R, 24S)-14 beta,22: 22,25-diepoxy-5-methoxy-des-A-ergosta-5,7,9-triene-11 alpha,23-diol and (20S, 22S, 23R, 24S)-14 beta,22:22,25-diepoxy-5-methoxy-des-A-ergosta-5,7,9,11-tetraene-23,28-diol by comparison of extensive 1D and 2D NMR spectral data with that of blazeispirol A. Furthermore, four blazeispirol derivatives blazeispirols, U, V, V(1) and Z(1) were isolated form the same source described above. Their structures were determined to be (20S, 22S, 23R, 24S)-14 beta,22:22,25-diepoxy-23-hydroxyergosta-4,6,8,11-tetraen-3-one, (20S, 22S, 23R, 24S)-14 beta,22:22,25-diepoxy-6 alpha,7 alpha,23-trihydroxyergosta-4,8,11-trien-3-one, (20S, 22S, 23R, 24S)-14 beta,22:22,25-diepoxy-6 beta,7 alpha,23-trihydroxyergosta-4,8,11-trien-3-one and (20S, 22S, 23R, 24S)-14 beta,22:22,25-diepoxy-23-hydroxy-4,5-seco-ergosta-6,8-diene-3,5-dione by extensive 1 D and 2D NMR spectral data.     

Genomic sequence of the aflatoxigenic filamentous fungus Aspergillus nomius

Background

Aspergillus nomius is an opportunistic pathogen and one of the three most important producers of aflatoxins in section Flavi. This fungus has been reported to contaminate agricultural commodities, but it has also been sampled in non-agricultural areas so the host range is not well known. Having a similar mycotoxin profile as A. parasiticus, isolates of A. nomius are capable of secreting B- and G- aflatoxins.

Results

In this study we discovered that the A. nomius type strain (NRRL 13137) has a genome size of approximately 36 Mb which is comparable to other Aspergilli whose genomes have been sequenced. Its genome encompasses 11,918 predicted genes, 72 % of which were assigned GO terms using BLAST2GO. More than 1,200 of those predicted genes were identified as unique to A. nomius, and the most significantly enriched GO category among the unique genes was oxidoreducatase activity. Phylogenomic inference shows NRRL 13137 as ancestral to the other aflatoxigenic species examined from section Flavi. This strain contains a single mating-type idiomorph designated as MAT1-1.

Conclusions

This study provides a preliminary analysis of the A. nomius genome. Given the recently discovered potential for A. nomius to undergo sexual recombination, and based on our findings, this genome sequence provides an additional evolutionary reference point for studying the genetics and biology of aflatoxin production.