Four new indole-diterpene alkaloids asperindoles A–D (1–4) and the known p-terphenyl derivative 3″-hydroxyterphenyllin (5) were isolated from the marine-derived strain of the fungus Aspergillus sp., associated with an unidentified colonial ascidian. The structures of 1–5 were established by 2D NMR and HRESIMS data. The absolute configurations of all stereocenters of 1–4 were determined by the combination of ROESY data, coupling constants analysis, and biogenetic considerations. Asperindoles C and D contain a 2-hydroxyisobutyric acid (2-HIBA) residue, rarely found in natural compounds. Asperindole A exhibits cytotoxic activity against hormone therapy-resistant PC-3 and 22Rv1, as well as hormone therapy-sensitive human prostate cancer cells, and induces apoptosis in these cells at low-micromolar concentrations.

Ten new austalide meroterpenoids (1-10) were isolated from the alga-derived fungi Penicillium thomii KMM 4645 and Penicillium lividum KMM 4663. Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analysis and by comparison with related known compounds. The absolute configurations of some of the metabolites were assigned by the modified Mosher's method and CD data. Compounds 1, 2, 8, and 9 were able to inhibit AP-1-dependent transcriptional activity in JB6 Cl41 cell lines at noncytotoxic concentrations. Austalides 1-5, 8, and 9 exhibited significant inhibitory activity against endo-1,3-β-D-glucanase from a crystalline stalk of the marine mollusk Pseudocardium sachalinensis.

No abstract