Microbial transformation of bavachin by Absidia coerulea

Microbial transformation of bavachin (1), one of the major bioactive components of Psoralea corylifolia L., was performed by using Absidia coerulea. Three oxidized metabolites were obtained in the biotransformation of 1, and their structures were elucidated as bavachinone A (2), (2S)-4′-hydroxy-6,7-[(R)-2-(1-hydroxy-1-methylethyl)-2,3-dihydrofurano]flavanone (3), and (2S)-4′,7-dihydroxy-6-(2,3-dihydroxy-3-methylbutyl)flavanone (4) based on the spectroscopic analyses. Among them, metabolites 3 and 4 were new compounds. The biotransformation study suggested that 1 was fully oxidized to its metabolites within 5 days. Thus, biotransformation by A. coerulea can be used as a promising method for oxidation of bavachin.     

Structure of rabdolatifolin,a diterpenoid from Rabdosia umbrosa var. Latifolia

From the aerial part of Rabdosia umbrosa var. latifolia, a new diterpenoid, rabdolatifolin, was isolated together with the known compounds, shi     

The correct structure of salvifaricin a cis neo-clerodane diterpenoid from Salvia farinacea

The structure and absolute configuration of salvifaricin, a neo-clerodane diterpenoid isolated from Salvia farinacea, have been firmly established by extensive NOE experiments and by chemical correlation with salvifarin, another diterpenoid isolated from the same source. These results slightly modify the structure previously assigned to the compound.     

Salvifarin,x-ray structure determination of a cis neo-clerodane diterpenoid from salvia farinacea

The structure and absolute configuration of salvifarin, a neo-clerodane diterpenoid isolated from Salvia farinacea, have been established by X-ray diffraction analysis. This result modifies the structure previously assigned to this compound.     

Determination of diterpenoid triepoxides in Tripterygium wilfordii by micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography

A micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatographic (MEKC) method has been established for the identification and determination of diterpenoid triepoxides in the Chinese herb Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F. and its preparations. Studies of the influence of boric acid and borax buffer concentration and pH, and of sodium dodecylsulphate (SDS) concentration have been carried out, and the optimum separation for the triepoxides was achieved using 20 mM boric acid and 10 mM borax with 20 mM SDS as the running buffer. MEKC was found to exhibit good accuracy, precision and repeatability. The sensitivity of the assay was sufficient to monitor the three active components in T. wilfordii and its preparations.     

Schistosomicidal activity of kaurane,labdane and clerodane-type diterpenes obtained by fungal transformation

Schistosomiasis continues to be a huge challenge for researchers, pharmaceutical companies, and governments in developing countries. Diterpene compounds are good source for the development of novel potential leading compounds to treat schistosomiasis. We are reporting herein the schistosomicidal activity of ent-kaurenoic acid, ent-copalic acid, ent-hardwickiic acid, isolated from oleoresins of Copaifera spp, and of their derivatives obtained by fungal transformation with strains of Aspergillus fumigatus, A. terreus, A. phoenicis and A. ochraceus, and of Cunninghamella echinulata e C. elegans. The in vitro antiparasitical assays were performed using adult worm pairs of Schistosoma mansoni for the evaluation of the worm pairing, egg production, and eggs development. Ten kaurane, labdane and clerodane-type diterpenes were obtained by fungal transformation and 7α-acetoxy-ent-kaur-16-en-19-oic acid and ent-hardwickiic acid were the most active ones by causing mortality of 100 % of the parasites within 24 h (concentrations of 100.0 and 200.0 μM) and displaying respective IC₅₀ values for 24, 48 and 72 h of 56.7, 37.6 and 29.2 μM and 29.6, 30.8 and 25.7 μM. Additionally, 7α-acetoxy-ent-kaur-16-en-19-oic acid and ent-hardwickiic acid highly reduced the number of laid eggs at 6.25 and 12.5 μM, respectively. These diterpenes should be further investigated as potential candidates for antiparasitic drug discovery.     

The structure of leocardin,two epimers of a diterpenoid from Leonurus cardiaca

From the aerial part of Leonurus cardiaca a new labdane diterpenoid, leocardin, has been isolated and its structure was established by spectroscopic and chemical means. It has been shown to be 8β-acetoxy-9α,13α,15,16-bisepoxy-15-hydroxy-7-oxo-labdan-6β,19-olide present as a C-15 epimeric mixture.     

Asymmetric synthesis of arylselenoalcohols by means of the reduction of organoseleno acetophenones by whole fungal cells

A series of novel organoseleno acetophenones (3a–f) have been synthesized. The microbial reduction of the seleno ketones (3) has been evaluated using whole cells of Rhizopus oryzae CCT 4964, Aspergillus terreus CCT 3320, A. terreus CCT 4083 and Emericella nidulans CCT 3119. These microorganisms showed Prelog and anti-Prelog stereoselectivity, leading to the arylselenoalcohols in moderate to high enantiomeric excesses. The organoselenium compounds were compatible with the biocatalytic conditions employed.     

一株蟾毒灵转化菌株的筛选鉴定与转化条件优化

【背景】微生物转化是对天然产物进行结构修饰的重要手段,具有催化反应快、选择性强、反应条件易控制和污染小等特点。许多微生物能够对蟾毒配基类化合物进行生物转化,在不同位置进行结构修饰,并且产生毒性减弱的活性衍生物。【目的】筛选蟾毒灵生物转化菌株,以期发现活性更好、毒性降低的化合物。【方法】利用蟾毒灵为底物筛选其生物转化菌株,通过HPLC (High performance liquid chromatography)/LC-MS (Liquid chromatograph-mass spectrometer)鉴定转化产物;对可生物转化蟾毒灵的菌株进行菌落形态观察和分子生物学鉴定,并优化发酵条件提高转化率,同时测试该菌株对其他甾体化合物的转化作用。【结果】筛选获得一株蟾毒灵转化菌,经形态学与ITS (Internal transcribed spacer)分析鉴定为Naganishia属菌,转化产物为3-去氢蟾毒灵。该菌株生物转化的培养基最适底物浓度为8 mg/L,最适初始pH值为6.5,最佳接种量为3%,最佳转化时间为96 h,最终转化率为48.3%。该菌株可将雌酮E1转化为雌二醇E2,也可将雌二醇E2逆向转化为E1。【结论】首次发现Naganishia属菌株对甾体类化合物具有转化活性,其产生的弱细胞毒性的转化产物3-去氢蟾毒灵有望成为高效、安全的强心药物。微生物转化法选择性高、反应条件温和、操作简单,为大量制备活性化合物3-去氢蟾毒灵提供了一条简便易行的道路,也为更多甾体化合物结构修饰提供了可能。     

Oxidative catalysts for the transformation of phenolic pollutants: a brief review

Phenolics are often produced as wastes by several industrial and agricultural activities. Many of these compounds and their derivatives are extremely dangerous to living organisms, because they are highly toxic and thus represent a serious environmental concern.

Conventional remediation methods of phenol-polluted systems have some disadvantages due to high cost, time-consuming procedures and formation of toxic residues. Conversely, the use of oxidative catalysts, both enzymatic or inorganic, is a promising alternative technology to address the clean up of such wastes. Oxidative enzymes and inorganic compounds, both naturally occurring in soil, behave as biotic and abiotic catalysts and support the transformation of phenolic compounds. The complete mineralization of phenolic pollutants as well as the formation of polymeric products, often less toxic than their precursors, may occur.

The present paper gives a brief review of many aspects concerning the properties of biotic and abiotic catalytic agents effective in the transformation of phenolic compounds. The main mechanisms of the processes as well as their feasibility for catalytic practical applications will be addressed. Examples of their potentiality in the detoxification of phenol-polluted systems will be provided, as well.     

Degradation of humic acid of a forest soil by some fungal isolates

Summary In a laboratory incubation study the humic acid isolated from a forest soil of Palamau (Bihar) was subjected to biodegradation for a period of six weeks by using nine cultures of fungi. These fungi were tested earlier for their cellulose decomposing ability. The humic acid was used as sole source of carbon, nitrogen and carbon plus nitrogen in Czapek-Dox broth. Of the nine culturesAspergillus awamori (IARI),Penicillium sp. (Ranchi),Humicola insolense (Hissar) were found to be very effective in decomposing humic acid. The humic acid used as sole source of carbon was most efficiently degraded followed by that used as carbon+nitrogen source. When it was used as sole source of nitrogen, it could not be degraded so efficiently. This may be due to unavailability of its nitrogen to these microorganisms.     

Analysis of a microbial electrochemical cell using the proton condition in biofilm (PCBIOFILM) model

Common to all microbial electrochemical cells (MXCs) are the anode-respiring bacteria (ARB), which transfer electrons to an anode and release protons that must transport out of the biofilm. Here, we develop a novel modeling platform, Proton Condition in BIOFILM (PCBIOFILM), with a structure geared towards mechanistically explaining: (1) how the ARB half reaction produces enough acid to inhibit the ARB by low pH; (2) how the diffusion of alkalinity carriers (phosphates and carbonates) control the pH gradients in the biofilm anode; (3) how increasing alkalinity attenuates pH gradients and increases current; and (4) why carbonates enable higher current density than phosphates. Analysis of literature data using PCBIOFILM supports the hypothesis that alkalinity limits the maximum current density for MXCs. An alkalinity criterion for eliminating low-pH limitation - 12 mg CaCO₃/mg BOD - implies that a practical MXC can achieve a maximum current density with an effluent quality comparable to anaerobic digestion.     

根癌农杆菌介导真菌遗传转化的研究及应用

根癌农杆菌介导转化法（Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation,ATMT）具有转化效率高、遗传稳定、适用范围广等诸多优点,已成为真菌遗传转化研究中的强有力手段,在真菌基因资源开发、真菌性疾病研究和外源蛋白表达研究中发挥巨大作用。本文概述了根癌农杆菌转化法在真菌转化中的研究进展、技术优缺点、转化机制、实验方法和应用现状,着重介绍影响其转化效率的因素并对优化方法进行探讨,展望了该技术在真菌基因资源发掘、基因编辑等方面的应用前景,为今后真菌的遗传转化研究提供参考。     

Microbial metabolism of prenylated apigenin derivatives by Mucor hiemalis

6-Prenylapigenin (1) and 8-prenylapegenin (2) were semi-synthesized from apigenin by nuclear prenylation. Morusin (3) was isolated from the root bark of Morus alba L. The microbial transformation studies of these three bioactive prenylated apigenin derivatives were performed using eighteen cell cultures in order to select microorganisms capable of transforming them. It was identified that Mucor hiemalis (KCTC 26779) showed the ability to metabolize the parent compounds (1–3) into three new (4–6) and one known (7) glucosylated derivatives with high efficiency. Their structures were established as 6-prenylapigenin 7-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (4), 8-prenylapigenin 7-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (5), morusin 5-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (6), and morusin 4′-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (7) by the spectroscopic methods.     

Biotransformation of 20(S)-protopanaxatriol by Aspergillus niger and the cytotoxicity of the resulting metabolites

The microbial transformation of 20(S)-protopanaxatriol by cell suspension cultures of Aspergillus niger AS 3.1858 yielded metabolites 1–13. The chemical structures of these transformed products were elucidated based on various spectroscopic analyses, including 1D and 2D NMR and HRESIMS. Metabolites 3, 11, and 13 are new compounds. Furthermore, metabolite 3 exhibited relative better activity profile toward the tested seven cancer cell lines (Du-145, Hela, K562, K562/ADR, SH-SY5Y, HepG2, and MCF-7) than substrate and preliminary structure-activity relationships were concluded.     

Oxidative coupling of aromatic pesticide intermediates by a fungal phenol oxidase.

The soil fungus Rhizoctonia praticola produced an enzyme that accumulated in the growth medium and caused the polymerization of phenolic and naphtholic intermediates of various pesticides. The dialyzed crude enzyme was purified by ion-exhange column chromatography with diethylaminoethyl-cellulose, followed by gel filtration with Sephadex G-200. The enzyme, a phenol oxidase, was capable of polymerizing 2-chlorophenol, 4-chlorophenol, 2,4-dichlorophenol, and 4-bromo-2-chlorophenol. 1-Naphthol, 2-naphthol, and some of their derivatives formed oligomers or polymers when incubated with the enzyme, but 4-nitrophenol and 2,4-dinitriphenol were not oxidized. Chlorinated and brominated anilines, which are derivatives of herbicides, were not altered by the phenol oxidase from R. praticola, but 4-methoxyaniline was transformed by the enzyme to 2-amino-5-p-anisidinobenzoquinone-di-p-methoxyphenylimine. The formation of polymeric products was determined by mass spectrometric analysis.     

Development of a rapid and simple Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation system for the fungal pathogen Heterobasidion annosum

Heterobasidion annosum causes root and butt-rot in trees and is the most serious forest pathogen in the northern hemisphere. We developed a rapid and simple Agrobacterium-mediated method of gene delivery into H. annosum to be used in functional studies of candidate genes and for visualization of mycelial interactions. Heterobasidion annosum TC 32-1 was cocultivated at pH 5.6 and 20 degrees C in Hagems medium with Agrobacterium tumefaciens C58 carrying plasmids with hygromycin B resistance as the selectable marker and green fluorescent protein as a visual marker. We obtained 18 mitotically stable transformed isolates showing green fluorescence protein activity.     

Biotransformation of 20(R)-panaxatriol by Aspergillus niger AS 3.739

Microbial transformation of 20(R)-panaxatriol (PT) was performed by using the fungus Aspergillus niger AS 3.739. Six metabolites (1–6) including five new compounds were obtained. The chemical structures of these transformed products were elucidated based on various spectroscopic analyses, including 1D and 2D NMR and HRESI-MS. Metabolites 2–6 are new compounds. Furthermore, metabolites 2, 3, 5, and 6 exhibited significant anti-hepatic fibrosis activity, while 4 showed cytotoxicity against HSC-T6 cells.     

Secretion of Mucor rennin, a fungal aspartic protease of Mucor pusillus, by recombinant yeast cells

Summary The aspartic protease gene of a zygomycete fungus Mucor pusillus was expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae under the control of the yeast GAL7 promoter. A putative preproenzyme with an NH₂-terminal extension of 66 amino acids directed by the gene was processed in yeast cells and the mature enzyme, whose NH₂-terminus was identical to that of the Mucor enzyme, was efficiently secreted into the medium at a concentration exceeding 150 mg/l. The enzyme secreted from the recombinant yeast was more glycosylated than the native Mucor enzyme but its enzymatic properties were almost identical with those of the native enzyme, which has been used as a milk coagulant in cheese manufacture.