A hybrid of dearomatized isoprenylated acylphloroglucinol (DIAP) and monoterpenoid, hypatone A (1), together with its biosynthetic analogues 2–4 is characterized from Hypericum patulum. Structurally, 1 possesses an unprecedented spiro­[bicyclo[3.2.1]­octane-6,1′-cyclohexan]-2′,4′,6′-trione core as elucidated by extensive spectroscopic and X-ray crystallographic analyses. Biological studies reveal that compounds 1 and 2–4 produce opposite effects on Cav3.1 low voltage-gated Ca2+ channel, with 1 and 4, respectively, being the most potent Cav3.1 agonist and antagonist from natural products. Further studies suggest that compound 1 and its biogenetical precursor, 2, have the same binding site on Cav3.1 and that the rigid cagelike moiety at C-5 and C-6 is a key structural feature responsible for 1 being an agonist. Furthermore, 1 can normalize the pathological gating of a mutant Cav3.1 channel found in spinocerebellar ataxia 42 (SCA42), a hereditary neurodegenerative disorder with no available therapy. Collectively, our findings provide valuable tools for future studies on Cav3.1 physiology and pathophysiology, as well as afford possible leads for developing new drugs against SCA42, epilepsy, and pain.

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