Phylogenetic diversity and morphological characterization of cordycipitaceous species in Taiwan.

Species classified in () include multiple entomopathogenic fungi. Numerous changes have recently occurred in the nomenclature of cordycipitaceous fungi due to the single naming system proposed for pleomorphic fungi in 2011. Species of are widely applied as herbal medicines, especially in Asian cultures.

Hermansones A and B: Bioactive naphthazarin congeners from the European crust fungus Hermanssonia centrifuga.

Two previously undescribed naphthazarins named hermansones A (1) and B (2), were isolated from the wood-decaying basidiomycete Hermanssonia centrifuga. The study presents the first report of natural products from the species. The structures of the secondary metabolites were elucidated through NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry.

Acremochlorin S and other prenylated chlorophenol antimicrobial metabolites from the fungus Acremonium sp. Strain MNA-F-1.

Chemical prospection for the mycelial extract of the fungus Acremonium sp. Strain MNA-F-1, derived from the inner tissue of anise roots (Pimpnella anisum L., family Apiaceae), led to the isolation and characterization of one previously undescribed natural product, acremochlorin S (1), together with five related derivatives (2-6) and an alkaloidal metabolite, ilicicolin H (7).

p-Terphenyl and Orsellinic Acid Derivatives from the European Polyporales Terana coerulea and Sparassis brevipes.

Investigation of the secondary metabolites of the solid-state rice cultures from the European basidiomycetes Terana coerulea and Sparassis brevipes afforded three previously undescribed secondary metabolites identified as two p-terphenyl derivatives (1 and 2) and one orsellinic acid congener (3) in addition to another known, isoeverninic acid (4). Chemical structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated through comprehensive 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic analyses, coupled with HR-MS and other spectral methods. The isolated compounds were assessed for their cytotoxic and antimicrobial activities.

Bifunctional Sesquiterpene/Diterpene Synthase Agr2 from Gives Rise to the Novel Diterpene Cyclocybene.

is a model mushroom belonging to the fungal phylum Basidiomycota. Among others, is known for its diverse terpenome, containing various volatile and nonvolatile terpenes and terpenoids. Here, we deepen the knowledge on their biosynthetic pathways by studying the terpene synthase Agr2 in detail.

Integrative taxonomy of Metarhizium anisopliae species complex, based on phylogenomics combined with morphometrics, metabolomics, and virulence data.

Metarhizium anisopliae (Clavicipitaceae, Hypocreales) is a globally distributed entomopathogenic fungus, which has been largely studied and used in agriculture for its potent entomopathogenicity. Since its taxonomic establishment as a member of Metarhizium, many closely related taxa have been described with highly similar morphology (cryptic species). A holotype specimen of M.

Gold(i) and gold(iii) carbene complexes from the marine betaine norzooanemonin: inhibition of thioredoxin reductase, antiproliferative and antimicrobial activity.

The natural marine betaine norzooanemonin (1,3-dimethylimidazolim-4-carboxylate) and its methyl and ethyl esters were used as ligand precursors to prepare a systematic series (12 members) of neutral monocarbene gold(i/iii) and cationic dicarbene gold(i/iii) complexes. The complexes were evaluated as inhibitors of bacterial thioredoxin reductase and for their antiproliferative and antimicrobial activities. While gold complexes with the parent norzooanemonin scaffold resulted in overall poor performance, the more lipophilic esters proved to be highly bioactive agents, related to their higher cellular uptake.

Evaluation of Phenazine Derivatives from the Lichen-Associated as Potent Antineuroinflammatory Agents In Vitro and In Vivo.

Eighteen nitrogen-containing compounds (-) were isolated from cultures of the lichen-associated collected from the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, including seven phenazine derivatives with three new ones, named subphenazines A-C (-), two new furan pyrrolidones (-), and nine known alkaloids. The structures were elucidated by spectroscopic data analysis, and absolute configurations were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and ECD calculations. The phenazine-type derivatives, in particular compound , exhibited significantly better antineuroinflammatory activity than other isolated compounds (-).

Bioactive Bioxanthracene and Cyclodepsipeptides from the Entomopathogenic Fungus BCC56290.

In the course of our ongoing research targeting the identification of potential biocontrol agents from entomopathogenic fungi (EPF), we explored a solid-state rice fungal extract of BCC56290 derived from infected lepidopteran larvae. Chemical and biological prospections afforded four unprecedentedly reported natural products differentiated into a dimeric naphthopyran bioxanthracene ES-242 derivative () and three cyclodepsipeptides (-) in addition to two known cyclodepsipeptides, cardinalisamides B () and C (). Chemical structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated through comprehensive 1D/2D NMR and HR-ESI-MS data together with comparisons to the reported literature.

Protoilludene and Alkenoic Acid Derivatives from the European Polypore .

Chemical investigation of the solid-state rice culture of the endangered European polypore (Hymenochaetaceae) afforded a previously undescribed protoilludene derivative () in addition to six known compounds (-). Chemical structures of the isolated compounds were established based on HR-ESI-MS, comprehensive 1D/2D NMR spectroscopic analyses, and comparisons with the literature. All isolated compounds were assessed for their cytotoxic and antimicrobial activities.

An organometallic hybrid antibiotic of metronidazole with a Gold(I) N-Heterocyclic Carbene overcomes metronidazole resistance in Clostridioides difficile.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has been emerging as a major global health threat and calls for the development of novel drug candidates. Metal complexes have been demonstrating high efficiency as antibacterial agents that differ substantially from the established types of antibiotics in their chemical structures and their mechanism of action. One strategy to exploit this potential is the design of metal-based hybrid organometallics that consist of an established antibiotic and a metal-based warhead that contributes an additional mechanism of action different from that of the parent antibiotic.

Comparative Study of Toxic Terpenoidal Aldehydes and Lactone Derivatives from the European Polypore .

Two unprecedented isomeric secondary metabolites named vibralactones Z () and Z (), in addition to eleven known compounds (-), were isolated from solid-state rice culture medium of (Bondarzewiaceae). Chemical structures of the isolated compounds were established via spectral analyses. The new lactone derivatives were weakly active against without any significant cytotoxicity, while the molecules containing an aldehyde functionality showed significant antimicrobial and cytotoxic effects.

Silver Organometallics that are Highly Potent Thioredoxin and Glutathione Reductase Inhibitors: Exploring the Correlations of Solution Chemistry with the Strong Antibacterial Effects.

The antibacterial activity of silver species is well-established; however, their mechanism of action has not been adequately explored. Furthermore, issues of low-molecular silver compounds with cytotoxicity, stability, and solubility hamper their progress to drug leads. We have investigated silver N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) halido complexes [(NHC)AgX, X = Cl, Br, and I] as a promising new type of antibacterial silver organometallics.

An autonomous plasmid as an inovirus phage satellite.

Bacterial viruses (phages) are potent agents of lateral gene transfer and thus are important drivers of evolution. A group of mobile genetic elements, referred to as phage satellites, exploits phages to disseminate their own genetic material. Here, we isolated a novel member of the family Inoviridae, phage Dolos, along with an autonomously replicating plasmid, pDolos.

Discovery of novel secondary metabolites from the basidiomycete Lentinus cf. sajor-caju and their inhibitory effects on Staphylococcus aureus biofilms.

Three novel derivatives of microporenic acid, microporenic acids H-J, were identified from submerged cultures of a Lentinus species obtained from a basidiome collected during a field trip in the tropical rainforest in Western Kenya. Their structures were elucidated via HR-ESIMS spectra and 1D/2D NMR spectroscopic analyses, as well as by comparison with known derivatives. Applying biofilm assays based on crystal violet staining and confocal microscopy, two of these compounds, microporenic acids H and I, demonstrated the ability to inhibit biofilm formation of the opportunistic pathogen Staphylococcus aureus.

Omnipolyphilins A and B: Chlorinated Cyclotetrapeptides and Naphtho-α-pyranones from the Plant Nematode-Derived Fungus .

Chemical exploration for two isolates of the recently described ascomycete species , derived from the eggs of the plant parasitic nematode , afforded the identification of many compounds that belong to various metabolite families: two previously undescribed chlorinated cyclotetrapeptides, omnipolyphilins A () and B (), one new pyranonaphthoquinone, ventiloquinone P (), a 6,6'-binaphto-α-pyranone dimer, talaroderxine D () in addition to nine known metabolites (-) were isolated from this biocontrol candidate. All isolated compounds were characterized by comprehensive 1D, 2D NMR, and HR-ESI-MS analyses. The absolute configurations of the cyclotetrapeptides were determined by a combination of advanced Marfey's method, ROE correlation aided by conformational analysis, and TDDFT-ECD calculations, while ECD calculations, Mosher's method, and experimental ECD spectra were used for ventiloquinone P () and talaroderxine D ().

Metagenomic insight to apprehend the fungal communities associated with leaf blight of Welsh onion in Taiwan.

Plants are associated with a large diversity of microbes, and these complex plant-associated microbial communities are critical for plant health. Welsh onion ( L.) is one of the key and oldest vegetable crops cultivated in Taiwan.

Lachnuoic Acids A-F: Ambuic Acid Congeners from a Saprotrophic Lachnum Species.

Chemical prospection of an extract derived from a saprotrophic fungus Lachnum sp. IW157 resulted in the isolation and characterization of six unprecedentedly reported ambuic acid analogues named lachnuoic acids A-F (1-6). Chemical structures of 1-6 were determined based on comprehensive 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic analyses together with HR-ESI-MS spectrometry.

Bioprospection of Tenellins Produced by the Entomopathogenic Fungus .

Fungi are known as prolific producers of bioactive secondary metabolites with applications across various fields, including infectious diseases, as well as in biological control. However, some of the well-known species are still underexplored. Our current study evaluated the production of secondary metabolites by the entomopathogenic fungus from Thailand.

Synthesis of N-heterocyclic carbene gold(I) complexes from the marine betaine 1,3-dimethylimidazolium-4-carboxylate.

The marine natural product norzooanemonin (1,3-dimethylimidazolium-4-carboxylate) has been used to prepare a series of carboxyl- or carboxylate-functionalized N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) gold(I) complexes from [(MeS)AuCl] in the presence of potassium carbonate. The potential of the resulting mono- and dicarbene complexes to act as cytotoxic or antibacterial drugs was investigated.

Diaporphasines E and F: New Polyketides from the Saprotrophic Fungus sp. IW157 Growing on the Reed Grass .

Chemical investigation for the mycelial extract of a saprotrophic fungus sp. IW157 growing on the common reed grass afforded the identification of two polyketide metabolites diaporphasines E () and F (). Chemical structures of isolated compounds were unambiguously elucidated based on extensive 1D and 2D NMR spectral analyses in addition to their high-resolution mass spectrometry.

Neurite Outgrowth-Inducing Drimane-Type Sesquiterpenoids Isolated from Cultures of the Polypore MUCL 56355.

Abundisporin A (), together with seven previously undescribed drimane sesquiterpenes named abundisporins B-H (-), were isolated from a polypore, MUCL 56355 (Polyporaceae), collected in Kenya. Chemical structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated based on exhaustive 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic measurements and supported by HRESIMS data. The absolute configurations of the isolated compounds were determined by using Mosher's method for - and TDDFT-ECD calculations for and -.

Analysis of SARS-CoV-2 spike RBD binding to ACE2 and its inhibition by fungal cohaerin C using surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy.

The structure of the SARS-CoV-2 spike RBD and human ACE2 as well as changes in the structure due to binding activities were analysed using surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy. The inhibitor cohaerin C was applied to inhibit the binding between spike RBD and ACE2. Differences and changes in the Raman spectra were determined using deconvolution of the amide bands and principal component analysis.