Synthesis and antifungal evaluation of 7-arylamino-5,8-dioxo-5,8-dihydroisoquinoline-4-carboxylates

7-Arylamino-5,8-dioxo-5,8-dihydroisoquinoline-4-carboxylates were synthesized and tested for in vitro antifungal activity against two pathogenic strains of fungi. Most of tested compounds showed good antifungal activity. The results suggest that those 5,8-dioxo-5,8-dihydroisoquinolines would be potent antifungal agents.     

Synthesis and antifungal activity of 1-thia-4b-aza-cyclopenta[b]fluorene-4,10-diones

1-Thia-4b-aza-cyclopenta[b]fluorene-4,10-diones were synthesized and tested for in vitro antifungal activity against two pathogenic strains of fungi. Among them tested, many compounds showed good antifungal activity. The results suggest that 1-thia-4b-aza-cyclopenta[b]fluorene-4,10-diones would be antifungal agents.     

Synthesis,Antifungal Activity,DFT Study and Molecular Dynamics Simulation of Novel 4-(1,2,4-Oxadiazol-3-yl)-N-(4-phenoxyphenyl)benzamide Derivatives

In order to find novel potential antifungal agrochemicals, a series of new 4-(1,2,4-oxadiazol-3-yl)-N-(4-phenoxyphenyl)benzamide derivatives 3a – j were designed, synthesized and characterized by their ¹H - , ¹³C-NMR and HRMS spectra. The preliminary antifungal assay in vitro revealed that compounds 3a – j exhibited moderate to good antifungal activity against five plant pathogenic fungi. Especially, compound 3e presented significant antifungal activity against Alternaria solani, Botrytis cinerea and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, superior to positive control boscalid. In the in vivo antifungal assay on tomato plants and cucumber leaves, compound 3e presented good inhibition rate against B. cinerea at 200 mg/L. Molecular dynamics simulation revealed that compound 3e could bind with the active site of class II histone deacetylase (HDAC).     

Synthesis of 4-hydroxy-1-methylindole and benzo[b]thiophen-4-ol based unnatural flavonoids as new class of antimicrobial agents

Synthesis of nitrogen and sulfur heterocyclic mimics of furanoflavonoids have been achieved for the first time. Synthesized flavonoid alkaloids and thiophenyl flavonoids have been screened for antifungal and antibacterial activities. All the test compounds barring 25 exhibited antifungal activity. The compound 19 was the best and showed comparable MICs to the known compound karanjin. Compounds 5, 12, 14 and 22 also showed comparable MIC to karanjin.     

Evaluation of (4-aminobutyloxy)quinolines as a novel class of antifungal agents

Antifungal assessment of eighteen 5-, 6- and 8-(4-aminobutyloxy)quinolines revealed a significant susceptibility of the tested fungi and yeast strains (Candida albicans, Rhodotorula bogoriensis, Aspergillus flavus and Fusarium solani) toward different halo-substituted 8-(4-aminobutyloxy)quinolines. The six most potent compounds displayed antifungal activities similar to those of established antifungal agents such as Amphotericin B, Fluconazole and Itraconazole, and one representative also showed a promising broad-spectrum antifungal profile. The introduction of an aminoalkoxy side chain at the 8-position of a halo-substituted quinoline core might thus provide a new class of lead structures in the search for novel antifungal agents.     

Structural basis of the antifungal activity of wheat PR4 proteins

PR4 proteins possess antifungal activity against several pathogenic fungi suggesting a pivotal role in defence reactions against plant pathogen attack. We already showed that wheatwin1, a wheat PR protein of class 4, is endowed with ribonuclease activity. In this study we produced three mutants altering the active site and performed comparative analysis with the native protein also in the presence of the ribonuclease inhibitor 5′-ADP. We characterized the RNA binding site and its interaction with 5′-ADP by 3D modelling and docking studies. Moreover, in vitro antifungal assays have been carried out in order to study the relationship between antifungal and ribonuclease activities. Finally, localization of wheatwin1 in Fusarium culmorum spores was evaluated using fluorescence light microscope.     

Antifungal effect of 4-arylthiosemicarbazides against Candida species. Search for molecular basis of antifungal activity of thiosemicarbazide derivatives

The in vitro antifungal potency of six series of 4-arylthiosemicarbazides was evaluated. Two isoquinoline derivatives with an ortho-methoxy or ortho-methyl group at the phenyl ring were the most potent antifungal agents. Molecular modeling studies and docking of all 4-arylthiosemicarbazides into the active sites of sterol 14α-demethylase (CYP51), topoisomerase II (topo II), L: -glutamine: D: -fructose-6-phosphate amidotransferase (GlcN-6-P), secreted aspartic proteinase (SAP), N-myristoyltransferase (NMT), and UDP-N-acetylmuramoyl-L: -alanine:D: -glutamate ligase (MurD) indicated the importance of both structural and electronic factors in ligand recognition and thus for the antifungal effectiveness of 4-arylthiosemicarbazides. A possible antifungal target was identified (NMT) and isoquinoline-thiosemicarbazides showed more favorable affinity than the native ligand.     

4种抗真菌药物对糖尿病大鼠血糖的影响

目的观察酮康唑、氟康唑、伊曲康唑和特比萘芬与胰岛素组合使用以及单独使用时对糖尿病大鼠血糖水平的影响。方法建立糖尿病大鼠模型,随机分为10组,每组5只。前4组皮下注射胰岛素的同时分别喂食4种抗真菌药物;第5组单独皮下注射胰岛素;第6—9组分别喂食4种抗真菌药物;第10组既不注射胰岛素也不喂食抗真菌药物。定时对糖尿病大鼠尾静脉采血,使用CX5PRO生化检测仪对其血糖进行检测。结果酮康唑、氟康唑和伊曲康唑分别与胰岛素合用时,可使糖尿病大鼠血糖降低（P〈0．05）;不与胰岛素合用时,氟康唑和伊曲康唑均可使糖尿病大鼠血糖升高（P〈0．05）;特比萘芬无论是否与胰岛素合用,对糖尿病大鼠的血糖水平均无影响（P〉0．05）。结论唑类抗真菌药物无论是否与胰岛素合用均会影响糖尿病大鼠的血糖水平,特比萘芬无论是否与胰岛素合用,都不会影响糖尿病大鼠的血糖水平。     

Plant defensin MtDef4-derived antifungal peptide with multiple modes of action and potential as a bio-inspired fungicide

Chemical fungicides have been instrumental in protecting crops from fungal diseases. However, increasing fungal resistance to many of the single-site chemical fungicides calls for the development of new antifungal agents with novel modes of action (MoA). The sequence-divergent cysteine-rich antifungal defensins with multisite MoA are promising starting templates for design of novel peptide-based fungicides. Here, we experimentally tested such a set of 17-amino-acid peptides containing the γ-core motif of the antifungal plant defensin MtDef4. These designed peptides exhibited antifungal properties different from those of MtDef4. Focused analysis of a lead peptide, GMA4CG_V6, showed that it was a random coil in solution with little or no secondary structure elements. Additionally, it exhibited potent cation-tolerant antifungal activity against the plant fungal pathogen Botrytis cinerea, the causal agent of grey mould disease in fruits and vegetables. Its multisite MoA involved localization predominantly to the plasma membrane, permeabilization of the plasma membrane, rapid internalization into the vacuole and cytoplasm, and affinity for the bioactive phosphoinositides phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate (PI3P), PI4P, and PI5P. The sequence motif RRRW was identified as a major determinant of the antifungal activity of this peptide. While topical spray application of GMA4CG_V6 on Nicotiana benthamiana and tomato plants provided preventive and curative suppression of grey mould disease symptoms, the peptide was not internalized into plant cells. Our findings open the possibility that truncated and modified defensin-derived peptides containing the γ-core sequence could serve as promising candidates for further development of bio-inspired fungicides.     

Structure-activity determinants in antifungal plant defensins MsDef1 and MtDef4 with different modes of action against Fusarium graminearum

Plant defensins are small cysteine-rich antimicrobial proteins. Their three-dimensional structures are similar in that they consist of an α-helix and three anti-parallel β-strands stabilized by four disulfide bonds. Plant defensins MsDef1 and MtDef4 are potent inhibitors of the growth of several filamentous fungi including Fusarium graminearum. However, they differ markedly in their antifungal properties as well as modes of antifungal action. MsDef1 induces prolific hyperbranching of fungal hyphae, whereas MtDef4 does not. Both defensins contain a highly conserved γ-core motif (GXCX(3-9)C), a hallmark signature present in the disulfide-stabilized antimicrobial peptides, composed of β2 and β3 strands and the interposed loop. The γ-core motifs of these two defensins differ significantly in their primary amino acid sequences and in their net charge. In this study, we have found that the major determinants of the antifungal activity and morphogenicity of these defensins reside in their γ-core motifs. The MsDef1-γ4 variant in which the γ-core motif of MsDef1 was replaced by that of MtDef4 was almost as potent as MtDef4 and also failed to induce hyperbranching of fungal hyphae. Importantly, the γ-core motif of MtDef4 alone was capable of inhibiting fungal growth, but that of MsDef1 was not. The analysis of synthetic γ-core variants of MtDef4 indicated that the cationic and hydrophobic amino acids were important for antifungal activity. Both MsDef1 and MtDef4 induced plasma membrane permeabilization; however, kinetic studies revealed that MtDef4 was more efficient in permeabilizing fungal plasma membrane than MsDef1. Furthermore, the in vitro antifungal activity of MsDef1, MsDef1-γ4, MtDef4 and peptides derived from the γ-core motif of each defensin was not solely dependent on their ability to permeabilize the fungal plasma membrane. The data reported here indicate that the γ-core motif defines the unique antifungal properties of each defensin and may facilitate de novo design of more potent antifungal peptides.     

Enantioselectivity of inhibition of cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) by ketoconazole: Testosterone and methadone as substrates

Racemic ketoconazole (KTZ) was the first orally active azole antifungal agent used in clinical practice and has become widely used in the treatment of mucosal fungal infections associated with AIDS immunosuppression and cancer chemotherapy. However, the use of KTZ has been limited because of adverse drug-drug interactions. KTZ blocks ergosterol biosynthesis by inhibiting the fungal cytochrome P450 (CYP51). KTZ is also a potent inhibitor of human cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) enzyme, the major drug-metabolizing CYP isozyme in the human liver. We examined the enantioselective differences of KTZ in the inhibition of human CYP3A4 and in antifungal action. Dextro- and levo-KTZ exhibited modest enantioselective differences with respect to CYP3A4 inhibition of testosterone and methadone metabolism. For both substrates levo-KTZ was approximately a 2-fold more potent inhibitor. We examined the enantioselective differences in the in vitro activity of KTZ against medically relevant species of Candida and Aspergillus, as well as Cryptococcus neoformans. Overall, levo-KTZ was 2-4-fold more active than dextro-KTZ. Therefore, levo-KTZ is a more potent inhibitor of CYP3A4 and has stronger in vitro antifungal activity. Chirality 16:79-85, 2004.     

Inhibitors of the fungal cell wall. Synthesis of 4-aryl-4-N-arylamine-1-butenes and related compounds with inhibitory activities on beta(1-3) glucan and chitin synthases

As part of our project devoted to the search for antifungal agents, which act via a selective mode of action, we synthesized a series of new 4-aryl- or 4-alkyl-N-arylamine-1-butenes and transformed some of them into 2-substituted 4-methyl-tetrahydroquinolines and quinolines by using a novel three-step synthesis. Results obtained in agar dilution assays have shown that 4-aryl homoallylamines not possessing halogen in their structures, tetrahydroquinolines and quinolines, display a range of antifungal properties in particular against Epidermophyton floccosum and Microsporum canis. Regarding the mode of action, all active compounds showed in vitro inhibitory activities against beta(1-3) glucan-synthase and mainly against chitin-synthase. These enzymes catalyze the synthesis of beta(1-3) glucan and chitin, respectively, major polymers of the fungal cell wall. Since fungal but not mammalian cells are encased in a cell wall, its inhibition may represent a useful mode of action for these antifungal compounds.     

Synthesis and antifungal properties of alpha-methoxy and alpha-hydroxyl substituted 4-thiatetradecanoic acids

4-thiatetradecanoic acid exhibited weak antifungal activities against Candida albicans (ATCC 60193), Cryptococcus neoformans (ATCC 66031), and Aspergillus niger (ATCC 16404) (MIC=4.8-12.7 mM). It has been demonstrated that alpha-methoxylation efficiently blocks beta-oxidation and significantly improve the antifungal activities of fatty acids. We examined whether antifungal activity of 4-thiatetradecanoic acid can be improved by alpha-substitution. The unprecedented (+/-)-2-hydroxy-4-thiatetradecanoic acid was synthesized in four steps (20% overall yield), while the (+/-)-2-methoxy-4-thiatetradecanoic acid was synthesized in five steps (14% overall yield) starting from 1-decanethiol. The key step in the synthesis was the hydrolysis of a trimethylsilyloxynitrile. In general, the novel (+/-)-2-methoxy-4-thiatetradecanoic acid displayed significantly higher antifungal activities against C. albicans (ATCC 60193), C. neoformans (ATCC 66031), and A. niger (ATCC 16404) (MIC=0.8-1.2 mM), when compared with 4-thiatetradecanoic acid. In the case of C. neoformans the (+/-)-2-hydroxy-4-thiatetradecanoic acid was more fungitoxic (MIC=0.17 mM) than the alpha-methoxylated analog, but not as effective against A. niger (MIC=5.5 mM). The enhanced fungitoxicity of the (+/-)-2-methoxy-4-thiatetradecanoic acid, as compared to decylthiopropionic acid, might be the result of a longer half-life in the cells due to a blocked beta-oxidation pathway which results in more time to exert its toxic effects. Thus, these novel fatty acids may have applications as probes to study fatty acid metabolic routes in human cells.     

Novel synthetic methods for N-cyano-1H-imidazole-4-carboxamides and their fungicidal activity

A novel synthetic method of N-cyanocarboxamides has been developed with advantages of mild reaction condition, simpler procedure and easy reactant-product isolation compared with the existing methods. Using this novel method, 16 new N-cyano-1H-imidazole-4-carboxamide derivatives were synthesized and their structures were characterized by spectrum analysis. Further antifungal activity study showed that most of the newly synthesized compounds have good antifungal activity selectively against Rhizoctonia solani among the six fungi tested. Particularly, compound 12h was identified as the most promising candidate with an EC(50) of 2.63 μg/mL against R. solani.     

Synthesis and antifungal activity of a novel series of 13-(4-isopropylbenzyl)berberine derivatives

By replacing the methyl group of 13-(4-isopropylbenzyl)berberine 2 with various acyl, alkyl, and benzyl groups via the demethylated intermediate, 13-(4-isopropylbenzyl)berberrubine 4, a novel series of 9-O-alkyl-13-(4-isopropylbenzyl)berberine derivatives was synthesized and examined for antifungal activities against various human pathogenic fungi. The introduction of various alkyl groups led to enhanced antifungal activity but that of acyl groups resulted in decrease of the activity. Among them, 9-O-butyl-13-(4-isopropylbenzyl)berberine 6d exhibited the most potent antifungal activities against Cryptococcus neoformans, Candida species (MIC=0.25-1 μg/ml), and Aspergillus species (MIC=2-4 μg/ml). The compound was found to be relatively safe up to 900 mg/kg in oral administration to mice.     

Antifungal and antimycobacterial activity of 1-(3,5-diaryl-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-1H-imidazole derivatives

1-(3,5-Diaryl-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-1H-imidazole derivatives were synthesized and tested for their in vitro antifungal and antimycobacterial activities. These imidazole derivatives showed an excellent antifungal activity against a clinical strain of Candida albicans and an interesting antitubercular activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H(37)Rv reference strain.     

The Pathogenesis of Aspergillus fumigatus,Host Defense Mechanisms,and the Development of AFMP4 Antigen as a Vaccine

Aspergillus fumigatus is one of the ubiquitous fungi with airborne conidia, which accounts for most aspergillosis cases. In immunocompetent hosts, the inhaled conidia are rapidly eliminated. However, immunocompromised or immunodeficient hosts are particularly vulnerable to most Aspergillus infections and invasive aspergillosis (IA), with mortality from 50% to 95%. Despite the improvement of antifungal drugs over the last few decades, the therapeutic effect for IA patients is still limited and does not provide significant survival benefits. The drawbacks of antifungal drugs such as side effects, antifungal drug resistance, and the high cost of antifungal drugs highlight the importance of finding novel therapeutic and preventive approaches to fight against IA. In this article, we systemically addressed the pathogenic mechanisms, defense mechanisms against A. fumigatus, the immune response, molecular aspects of host evasion, and vaccines’ current development against aspergillosis, particularly those based on AFMP4 protein, which might be a promising antigen for the development of anti-A. fumigatus vaccines.     

YD4-6和NV11-4菌株抑菌活性及诱导水稻防御性相关酶活性变化

从麦田和蔬菜地土样中筛选到2株具有较高抗菌活性的生防菌株YD4-6和NV11-4,测定了其抑菌活性和诱导水稻防御性相关酶活性的变化。抑菌活性测定结果表明YD4-6和NV11-4对水稻纹枯病菌、水稻稻瘟病菌、油菜菌核病菌和白菜黑斑病菌均具有较强的抑菌活性。两菌株均不产生几丁质酶活性,但NV11-4能产生纤维素酶活性。针对其对水稻病原菌的抑菌活性和纤维素酶活性的差异及其特性,研究了2个菌株诱导水稻防御性酶活性的变化。结果表明,YD4-6和NV11-4菌株均可有效诱导水稻PPO、POD、PAL、SOD活性增强,MDA含量升高。接种水稻纹枯病菌和使用YD4-6和NV11-4菌株,在使用48 h后,水稻防御酶的活性增加并达到最高,其中NV11-4菌株诱导活性比较持久;YD4-6使用后,诱导水稻的MDA含量增幅较大。结果显示,2个菌株均可有效的诱导水稻防御性酶活性增强和MDA含量增加。经16S rRNA鉴定后,菌株Y4-6确定为蜡质芽孢杆菌,NV11-4确定为枯草芽孢杆菌。     

Design,synthesis and biological evaluation of novel semicarbazone-selenochroman-4-ones hybrids as potent antifungal agents

A series of novel 2,3-dihydro-4H-1-benzoselenin-4-one (thio)semicarbazone derivatives were designed and synthesized by using molecular hybridization approach. All the target compounds were characterized by HRMS and NMR and evaluated in vitro antifungal activity against five pathogenic strains. In comparison with precursor selenochroman-4-ones, the hybrid molecules in this study showed significant improvement in antifungal activities. Notably, compound B8 showed significant antifungal activity against other strains excluding Aspergillus fumigatus (0.25 μg/mL on Candida albicans, 2 μg/mL on Cryptococcus neoformans, 8 μg/mL on Candida zeylanoides and 2 μg/mL on fluconazole-sensitive strains of Candida albicans). Moreover, compounds B8, B9 and C2 also displayed most potent activities against four fluconazole-resistance strains. Especially the MIC values of the hybrid molecule B8 against fluconazole-resistant strains were in the range of 0.5–2 μg/mL. Therefore, the molecular hybridization approach in this study provided new ideas for the development of antifungal drug.     

Recombinant wheat antifungal PR4 proteins expressed in Escherichia coli.

PR proteins are soluble and host-coded molecules with antifungal activity induced by a variety of agents. Wheat contains several PR proteins and among them are those of the class 4 coded wheatwin1 and wheatwin2; the two native proteins have been isolated from wheat kernel and the coding cDNA clones have been recently characterized. Herein, we report the expression of recombinant wheatwin1 and wheatwin2 in Escherichia coli-insoluble fractions; a new protocol for the purification in high yields and correct processing of the two proteins was developed. The recombinant proteins have molecular weights identical to that of the native proteins, indicating that the removal of the N-terminal methionine and cyclization of glutamine to pyroglutamate was complete. Both recombinant proteins inhibited in vitro the growth of Fusarium culmorum exhibiting antifungal properties similar to those of the native proteins.