Review
Infectious Diseases
Rafael Conrado, Tainah Colombo Gomes, Gabriella Sales Calaco Roque, Ana Olivia De Souza
Summary: This review discusses the importance of microorganisms as sources of natural compounds, particularly in pharmaceutical applications, and presents examples of bioactive secondary metabolites produced by fungi with pharmacological effects.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Gabriela Garmendia, Angie Alvarez, Romina Villarreal, Adalgisa Martinez-Silveira, Michael Wisniewski, Silvana Vero
Summary: This study characterized fungal communities in the coastal waters of King George Island in maritime Antarctica using both culture-dependent and high-throughput sequencing methods. The results showed higher fungal diversity with HTS compared to culture methods, with some fungal groups only detected by HTS. The study highlights the importance of using both culture and HTS methods to obtain a more comprehensive understanding of microbial communities.
WORLD JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGY & BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Maria Tello-Lafoz, Katja Srpan, Elisa E. Sanchez, Jing Hu, Jan Remsik, Yevgeniy Romin, Annalisa Calo, Douglas Hoen, Umeshkumar Bhanot, Luc Morris, Adrienne Boire, Katharine C. Hsu, Joan Massague, Morgan Huse, Ekrem Emrah Er
Summary: The study found that MRTFs, which promote cancer cell migration and invasion, also sensitize cancer cells to the immune system, making them more vulnerable to cytotoxic lymphocytes. High MRTF signaling in melanoma is associated with the efficacy of immune checkpoint blockade therapy, and MRTF overexpression rigidifies the actin cytoskeleton, rendering cancer cells more susceptible to immune attack. The results suggest that there is a mechanical dimension to immunosurveillance, termed mechanosurveillance, which is particularly important for targeting metastatic disease.
Article
Microbiology
Dawoon Chung, Hoa Thi Nguyen, Nan Hee Yu, Woon-Jong Yu, Yong Min Kwon, Seung Seob Bae, Grace Choi, Jin-Cheol Kim
Summary: In this study, a fungus UL-Ce9 with antibacterial activity was isolated from marine sources and its active compounds were identified as patulin, gentisyl alcohol, and toluquinol. Patulin exhibited the highest antibacterial activity against 16 phytopathogenic bacteria, and toluquinol-based pesticide formulations showed similar or higher control efficacies against bacterial leaf blight of rice and bacterial wilt of tomato compared with current chemicals.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Chunxiao Sun, Xiaoyu Liu, Ning Sun, Xiaomin Zhang, Mudassir Shah, Guojian Zhang, Qian Che, Tianjiao Zhu, Jing Li, Dehai Li
Summary: Four new compounds were isolated from a fungus derived from an Antarctica sponge, and compound 4 showed selective inhibition against PDAC cells, suppressing cell proliferation and inducing apoptosis. It also blocked cell migration and invasion and improved the therapeutic effect of the chemotherapy drug gemcitabine. Mechanism studies revealed that compound 4 can inhibit the expression of EGFR and XIAP in PDAC cells.
JOURNAL OF NATURAL PRODUCTS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mohamed H. Sharaf, Amer M. Abdelaziz, Mohamed H. Kalaba, Ahmed A. Radwan, Amr H. Hashem
Summary: The current study isolated three endophytic fungi from Ocimum basilicum, which showed promising antimicrobial and antioxidant activities against various pathogens without cytotoxic effects on normal cells. The fungal crude extracts contained active compounds belonging to fatty acids, fatty acid esters, tetrahydrofurans, and sterols, suggesting the potential of A. nidulans, A. fumigatus, and A. flavus as sources for bioactive compounds.
APPLIED BIOCHEMISTRY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sheau Ting Yong, Paris Leonardo Lavin, Marcelo Aravena Gonzalez, Clemente Michael Vui Ling Wong
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the antimicrobial production and nutrient utilization profiles of a soil fungus, designated as Im33, from Deception Island in Antarctica. The strain showed maximum mycelial growth and sporulation on malt-extract agar (MEA) medium, but exhibited the strongest antimicrobial activity in yeast extract-malt extract broth (YMB) medium. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that it belongs to the genus Talaromyces and it was capable of utilizing a variety of carbon sources. This is the first report of a Talaromyces species from Deception Island, highlighting the adaptation strategies of Antarctic fungi to compete and survive in extreme environments.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Shinji Kishimoto, Ayumi Minami, Yoshimitsu Aoki, Yuya Matsubara, Shogo Watanabe, Kenji Watanabe
Summary: Pathogenic fungi of Aspergillus section Fumigati are capable of producing various secondary metabolites. This study reports the isolation of fumimycin and a new compound named lentofuranine from A. lentulus. These compounds were found to be assembled through a nonenzymatic condensation involving a polyketide intermediate from the terrein biosynthetic pathway and a highly reactive azlactone intermediate. The formation of an unusual carbon skeleton is attributed to the reactivity of azlactone.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Gang Wang, Huomiao Ran, Jie Fan, Nancy P. Keller, Zhiguo Liu, Fan Wu, Wen-Bing Yin
Summary: This study reveals the widespread alteration of secondary metabolites (SMs) during fungal-fungal interactions. Cocultivation of an endophytic fungus Epicoccum dendrobii with Aspergillus nidulans and other filamentous fungi activates multiple silent biosynthetic gene clusters in A. nidulans. The loss-of-function VeA1 protein, transcription factor SclB, and velvet complex members LaeA and VelB are found to be responsible for the SM changes in A. nidulans. This research provides new insights into the mechanisms that trigger metabolic changes in fungal-fungal interactions.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Laura Del Coco, Marco Greco, Alessandra Inguscio, Anas Munir, Antonio Danieli, Luca Cossa, Debora Musaro, Maria Rosaria Coscia, Francesco Paolo Fanizzi, Michele Maffia
Summary: This study analyzed serum samples from Antarctic expedition participants to investigate metabolic changes and adaptations to hypoxia. By using NMR spectroscopy, it was found that during the adaptation period, there was an increase in circulating glutamine and lipids for energy supply, while levels of glutamate and N-acetyl glycoproteins, stress indicators, and proinflammatory markers decreased. Pathway analysis revealed potential perturbations related to physiological adaptation.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Milena Mattes Cerveira, Helena Silveira Vianna, Edila Maria Kickhofel Ferrer, Bruno Nunes da Rosa, Claudio Martin Pereira de Pereira, Matheus Dellamea Baldissera, Leonardo Quintana Soares Lopes, Virginia Cielo Rech, Janice Luehring Giongo, Rodrigo de Almeida Vaucher
Summary: The study found that monocurcuminoids (CNs) are a safe and effective alternative for treating microbial infections. In experiments, CNs showed growth-inhibiting effects on various strains of microbes and demonstrated non-toxicity.
BIOMEDICINE & PHARMACOTHERAPY
(2021)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Tainah Colombo Gomes, Rafael Conrado, Rodrigo Cardoso de Oliveira, Priscila Jane Romano Goncalves Selari, Itamar Soares de Melo, Welington Luiz Araujo, Durvanei Augusto Maria, Ana Olivia De Souza
Summary: This study isolated and identified the endophytic fungus Exserohilum rostratum and its secondary metabolite monocerin through molecular and morphological analysis. The effects of monocerin on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were evaluated, including cell viability, proliferation, apoptosis, and morphology. The results showed that monocerin promoted cell proliferation, maintained cell viability, and did not induce cell senescence. This study provides insights into the mechanism of action of monocerin on endothelial cell proliferation and suggests its potential pharmaceutical application in regenerative medicine.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Congcong Shen, Jiang Wang, Zhongwang Jing, Neng-Hu Qiao, Chao Xiong, Yuan Ge
Summary: Plant diversity has a positive effect on the stability of belowground communities, leading to an increase in fungal diversity, network complexity, and stability. This effect is indirectly achieved through the increase in soil carbon and fungal keystone taxa richness. Both environmental filtering and biotic interaction processes play significant roles in mediating the plant diversity effect on soil fungal network stability. The plant diversity-induced fungal network stability is closely correlated with community-level functions.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Tomas A. Rush, Joanna Tannous, Matthew J. Lane, Muralikrishnan Gopalakrishnan Meena, Alyssa A. Carrell, Jacob J. Golan, Milton T. Drott, Sylvain Cottaz, Sebastien Fort, Jean-Michel Ane, Nancy P. Keller, Dale A. Pelletier, Daniel A. Jacobson, David Kainer, Paul E. Abraham, Richard J. Giannone, Jesse L. Labbe
Summary: This study demonstrates that lipo-chitooligosaccharides (LCOs) have a significant impact on the fungal metabolic profile of the human pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus, affecting the competitive dynamics between fungi and bacteria. These findings highlight the importance of LCOs in non-plant-symbiotic interactions.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Tatiana Prado, Martha Lima Brandao, Tulio Machado Fumian, Lucas Freitas, Marcia Chame, Luciana Leomil, Maithe Gaspar Pontes Magalhaes, Wim Maurits Sylvain Degrave, Jose Paulo Gagliardi Leite, Marize Pereira Miagostovich
Summary: This study characterized the virome fraction of Antarctic freshwater ecosystems using shotgun metagenomic analysis. The results showed that DNA viruses were dominant, with Caudovirales being the most prevalent viral order. Additionally, uncategorized ssRNA(+) viruses were found in the lakes of Ardley Island. Bacterio-phages infecting the phylum Firmicutes and Siphoviridae were predominant in most lakes. Functional analysis revealed a prevalence of unknown proteins in the virome.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Wenxue Wang, Yeqin Shi, Yuanyuan Liu, Yundong Zhang, Jiajin Wu, Guojian Zhang, Qian Che, Tianjiao Zhu, Mingyu Li, Dehai Li
Summary: Five bergamotane sesquiterpenoid derivatives were isolated from a deep sea-derived fungus, and their hypoglycemic activity was evaluated. Brasilterpene C showed promising potential for the treatment of diabetes, and other compounds also exhibited hypoglycemic activity.
Article
Chemistry, Organic
Chunxiao Sun, Qianwen Liu, Mudassir Shah, Qian Che, Guojian Zhang, Tianjiao Zhu, Jianfeng Zhou, Xiaozhi Rong, Dehai Li
Summary: A novel Wnt/β-catenin inhibitor talaverrucin A was discovered, which showed inhibitory activity on the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in both in vivo and in vitro experiments. This provides a potential lead for developing new drugs targeting this pathway.
Article
Chemistry, Organic
Kaijin Zhang, Guojian Zhang, Xuewen Hou, Chuanteng Ma, Junyu Liu, Qian Che, Tianjiao Zhu, Dehai Li
Summary: Prenyltransferase CdnC plays a crucial role in the construction of noncanonical chrodrimanin skeletons and can generate a series of novel chrodrimanin-like structures.
Article
Chemistry, Organic
Zhaoxia Hou, Chunxiao Sun, Xuedong Chen, Guojian Zhang, Qian Che, Dehai Li, Tianjiao Zhu
Summary: In this study, three new perylenequinone derivatives and one known analogue were isolated from the extract of an Antarctic sponge-derived fungus. The structures and antimicrobial activity of these compounds were confirmed.
TETRAHEDRON LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Organic
Zhixin Liu, Xinyu Liu, Shengkuan Yang, Xiaohe Miao, Dehai Li, De Wang
Summary: A unique strategy for accessing multifunctional N-fused tricycles from alpha,beta-unsaturated isoquinoline ketone and sulfonamide under mild reaction conditions is reported. The methodology exhibits wide substrate tolerance and efficiently furnishes a variety of N-fused heteroarenes.
JOURNAL OF ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Organic
Guangwei Wu, Xuan Qian, Yeqiang Huang, Yujia Liu, Luning Zhou, Wei Wang, Jing Li, Tianjiao Zhu, Qianqun Gu, Dehai Li
Summary: A nonenzymatic self-assembly program was used to synthesize 14 clavatol-based pseudonatural products (PNPs), including two compounds with a novel structure that exhibited cytotoxicity. This study demonstrates the significance of this program in constructing bioactive PNPs.
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Quanfu Li, Jianjun Fan, Yinghan Chen, Yiyang Liu, Hang Liu, Wei Jiang, Dehai Li, Yongjun Dang
Summary: Autophagy is involved in pathophysiological processes and considered as a potential target for drug discovery. We used a cell line with fluorescent protein to screen marine compounds and identified HDYL-GQQ-495 as a potential autophagy modulator. Further experiments showed that HDYL-GQQ-495 inhibited autophagy and induced cell death.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Shuai Liu, Keming Zheng, Yilin Jiang, Susu Gai, Bohan Li, Dehai Li, Shuang Yang, Zhihua Lv
Summary: In this study, the metabolic route of PND in rats was revealed using UHPLC-HRMS. A total of 25 metabolites were identified in rat bile, feces, and urine, and the metabolic pathways were proposed. It was found that PND was mainly eliminated through glucuronide conjugation in bile and excreted in feces, with significant species differences in the metabolism of PND in rat, mouse, and human liver microsomes.
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Xiao Xu, Falei Zhang, Luning Zhou, Yimin Chang, Qian Che, Tianjiao Zhu, Dehai Li, Guojian Zhang
Summary: In this study, six angucyclines, including three previously unreported compounds, were isolated from Streptomyces sp. XS-16 by overexpressing the native global regulator of SCrp. The structures were characterized using NMR and spectrometry analysis, as well as assisted by ECD calculations. All compounds were evaluated for their antitumor and antimicrobial activities, and compound 1 showed varying inhibitory activities against different tumor cell lines with IC50 values ranging from 0.32 to 5.33 μM.
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Bohan Li, Lianghao Huang, Jiaqi Lin, Xiaoyao Ma, Yanan Luo, Wenrui Gai, Yingqi Xie, Tianjiao Zhu, Wei Wang, Dehai Li
Summary: The development of anti-influenza drugs with novel mechanisms is crucial in combating the ongoing threat of influenza A virus (IAV). Hemagglutinin (HA) has been identified as a potential target for IAV therapy. In this study, 65 derivatives of penindolone (PND) were designed and synthesized to enhance bioactivity and understand the structure-activity relationships (SARs). Compound 5g showed high affinity to HA and exhibited stronger inhibition of HA-mediated membrane fusion compared to PND. Additionally, oral administration of 5g demonstrated better anti-IAV effects in terms of reducing virus titer, attenuating weight loss, and improving survival in IAV-infected mice.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Jing Yu, Xiaolin Liu, Chuanteng Ma, Chen Li, Yuhan Zhang, Qian Che, Guojian Zhang, Tianjiao Zhu, Dehai Li
Summary: This study reports the activation of a silent nonreducing polyketide synthase that encodes a C-7-methylated isocoumarin and the elucidation of its enzymatic mechanism in Simplicillium lamellicola HDN13-430. Additionally, feeding experiments revealed the host enzymes can convert the product into its hydroxylated derivatives, and these compounds showed moderate radical scavenging activities.
Article
Chemistry, Organic
Ningtao He, Jilong Zhang, Xiaohe Miao, Dehai Li, De Wang
Summary: In this study, the first organophosphine-catalyzed allylic alkylation of (hetero)arylalkynes with various carbo-nucleophiles is described. The method is highly atom economical and compatible with a wide range of substrates, leading to the concise total synthesis of natural product (& PLUSMN;)-esermethole.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Xiaolin Liu, Jing Yu, Qian Che, Tianjiao Zhu, Dehai Li, Guojian Zhang
Summary: This study used a fusion-expression strategy to improve the production of phycocyanobilin (PCB) in Escherichia coli. The results showed that by fusing apo-proteins with signal peptides, the secretion of phycocyanin was refined and the production of PCB was successfully enhanced by 3.7-fold.
FERMENTATION-BASEL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Organic
Yumeng Wu, Xuanxuan Du, Xianyang Wang, Hainan Liu, Luning Zho, Yu Tang, Dehai Li
Summary: The asymmetric synthesis of marine meroterpenoid dactyloquinone A was achieved for the first time. A bio-inspired reaction was used to construct the key intermediate, a 6/6/6/6 tetracyclic core derivative, which facilitated the migration of methyl groups from the aureane skeleton to the avarane skeleton. This study lays the groundwork for further synthetic exploration of this family of natural products.
ORGANIC CHEMISTRY FRONTIERS
(2022)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Guihong Yu, Peng Sun, Reyilamu Aierken, Chunxiao Sun, Zhenzhen Zhang, Qian Che, Guojian Zhang, Tianjiao Zhu, Qianqun Gu, Mingyu Li, Dehai Li
Summary: Two new polyketides, penifellutins A and B, were isolated from a co-culture of deep-sea-derived fungi, with difficulties in determining their configurations due to chiral central crowdedness. Compounds 1 and 2 showed inhibitory activity on liver hyperplasia of zebrafish larvae, while compounds 3 and 4 did not exhibit any activity, indicating the importance of two carboxyls as active sites in the structure.
MARINE LIFE SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
