Antibacterial Cyclic Tripeptides from Antarctica-Sponge-Derived Fungus Aspergillus insulicola HDN151418

Three new aspochracin-type cyclic tripeptides, sclerotiotides M–O (1–3), together with three known analogues, sclerotiotide L (4), sclerotiotide F (5), and sclerotiotide B (6), were obtained from the ethyl acetate extract of the fungus Aspergillus insulicola HDN151418, which was isolated from an unidentified Antarctica sponge. Spectroscopic and chemical approaches were used to elucidate their structures. The absolute configuration of the side chain in compound 4 was elucidated for the first time. Compounds 1 and 2 showed broad antimicrobial activity against a panel of pathogenic strains, including Bacillus cereus, Proteus species, Mycobacterium phlei, Bacillus subtilis, Vibrio parahemolyticus, Edwardsiella tarda, MRCNS, and MRSA, with MIC values ranging from 1.56 to 25.0 µM.


Introduction
Marine life is radically different from its terrestrial counterpart, resulting in an interesting difference between its metabolites [1,2]. Sponge-derived fungi isolated from the marine environment have shown great potential of producing diverse bioactive secondary metabolites [1][2][3][4]. Cyclic peptides are a class of essential metabolites that are widely present in marine tunicates [5], sponge [6], algae [7], bacteria [8], fungi [9,10], etc. The structure of aspochracin-type cyclic tripeptides usually contains a unique macro-cyclic ring and a polyketide side chain. For the macro-cyclic ring, the most common features are a 12-member (composed of Ala-Val-Orn) and 13-member (composed of Ala-Val-Lys) ring. Only 15 of the aspochracin-type cyclic tripeptides have been obtained from natural sources ( Figure S1). Their structures were mainly different regarding the polyketide side chains, the constitution of amino acids, and the N-methylation level in the amino acid moieties. Those chemistry diversities were able to be generated by chemical transformations. For example, some analogs can be synthesized from JBIR-15 or aspochracin via photoisomerization-initiated radical reaction or air oxidation during the fermentation or subsequent isolation steps [10]. Some of the analogs exhibited antifungal or anti-inflammatory activities [10][11][12][13].
Sclerotiotide M (1) was isolated as a pale yellow amorphous powder. The molecular formula was assigned as C21H32N4O6 based on the HRESIMS ion peak at m/z 435.2246 [M − H] − (calcd for C21H31N4O6, 435.2249). The IR spectrum showed absorption bands for amide groups at 3394 cm −1 and 1681 cm −1 . The 1 H and 13 C NMR spectra of 1 showed two amide NH protons (δH 7.47 and 8.39), two N-methyl protons (δH 2.83), and three characteristic α-methine signals (δH 4.50, 4.71, and 4.97). These features are characteristic of a tripeptide structure. Comprehensive analysis of the 1D NMR data of 1 (Tables 1 and 2) revealed that it is very similar to those of sclerotiotide F (5) [10]. The only difference between 1 and 5 was the presence of a carboxyl acid group (δH/C 12.5 brs/167.5) in 1 instead of an aldehyde group in 5. The hexa-2,4-dienedioic acid side chain of 1 was further confirmed by the COSY correlations of H-2′/H-3′/H-4′/H-5′ and HMBC correlations from H-2′ to C-1′ and H-5′ to C-6′ ( Figure  2). The geometric configurations of the two double bonds in the side chain are assigned as E on the basis of the large coupling constants (J2′-3′ = 14.3 Hz, J4′-5′ =14.4 Hz) and ROEs of H-2′/H-4′ and H-3′/H-5′. The absolute configurations of the α-carbons in the three amino acid units were determined by Marfey′s method [18,19]. In detail, sclerotiotide M (1) was hydrolyzed into free amino acids, which were further derivatized with FDAA (1-fluoro-2-4-dinitrophenyl-5-L-alanine amide). HPLC analyses of FDAA derivatives of the hydrolysates and authentic samples revealed that the amino acid residues in 1 were L-NMe-Val, L-NMe-Ala, and L-Orn (
Sclerotiotide M (1) was isolated as a pale yellow amorphous powder. The molecular formula was assigned as C 21  These features are characteristic of a tripeptide structure. Comprehensive analysis of the 1D NMR data of 1 (Tables 1 and 2) revealed that it is very similar to those of sclerotiotide F (5) [10]. The only difference between 1 and 5 was the presence of a carboxyl acid group (δ H/C 12.5 brs/167.5) in 1 instead of an aldehyde group in 5. The hexa-2,4-dienedioic acid side chain of 1 was further confirmed by the COSY correlations of H-2 /H-3 /H-4 /H-5 and HMBC correlations from H-2 to C-1 and H-5 to C-6 ( Figure 2). The geometric configurations of the two double bonds in the side chain are assigned as E on the basis of the large coupling constants (J 2 -3 = 14.3 Hz, J 4 -5 =14.4 Hz) and ROEs of H-2 /H-4 and H-3 /H-5 . The absolute configurations of the α-carbons in the three amino acid units were determined by Marfey s method [18,19]. In detail, sclerotiotide M (1) was hydrolyzed into free amino acids, which were further derivatized with FDAA (1-fluoro-2-4-dinitrophenyl-5-l-alanine amide). HPLC analyses of FDAA derivatives of the hydrolysates and authentic samples revealed that the amino acid residues in 1 were l-NMe-Val, l-NMe-Ala, and l-Orn ( Figure 3). Thus, sclerotiotide M (1) was established as (2 E,4 E)-cyclo-[(NMe-l-Ala) -(NMe-l-Val)-(N α -5-carboxyhexa-2,4-dienoyl-l-Orn)].   Sclerotiotide N (2) was obtained as a pale yellow amorphous powder. The HRESIMS peak at m/z 451.2556 [M + H] + indicated that its molecular formula was C22H34N4O6, which is 14 Da more than that of compound 1. The NMR data of 2 (Tables 1 and 2) were almost the same as those of 1 except for the additional signal of a methoxy group (δH 3.69, s). The methoxy group was determined to be linked to C-6′ by the HMBC correlation between H-7′ and C-6′ ( Figure 2). The geometric configurations of the two double bonds in the side chain are both assigned as E on the basis of the coupling constants (J2′-3′ = 14.6 Hz, J4′-5′ =14.8 Hz) and ROEs of H-2′/H-4′ and H-3′/H-5′. Marfey′s analysis was used to determine the absolute configuration of the amino acids present in the cyclic tripeptide [18]. The absolute configurations of the amino acid units of 2 were determined to be identical to 1. Acid hydrolysis and FDAA derivatization revealed L-NMe-Ala, L-NMe-Val, and L-Orn by HPLC analysis (Figure 3). Thus,   Sclerotiotide N (2) was obtained as a pale yellow amorphous powder. The HRESIMS peak at m/z 451.2556 [M + H] + indicated that its molecular formula was C 22 H 34 N 4 O 6 , which is 14 Da more than that of compound 1. The NMR data of 2 (Tables 1 and 2) were almost the same as those of 1 except for the additional signal of a methoxy group (δ H 3.69, s). The methoxy group was determined to be linked to C-6 by the HMBC correlation between H-7 and C-6 ( Figure 2). The geometric configurations of the two double bonds in the side chain are both assigned as E on the basis of the coupling constants (J 2 -3 = 14.6 Hz, J 4 -5 =14.8 Hz) and ROEs of H-2 /H-4 and H-3 /H-5 . Marfey s analysis was used to determine the absolute configuration of the amino acids present in the cyclic tripeptide [18]. The absolute configurations of the amino acid units of 2 were determined to be identical to 1. Acid hydrolysis and FDAA derivatization revealed l-NMe-Ala, l-NMe-Val, and l-Orn by HPLC analysis (Figure 3). Thus, sclerotiotide N (2) was established as Sclerotiotide L (4) and sclerotiotide O (3) were isolated as pale yellow powders with the molecular formulas of C 24 H 40 N 4 O 6 and C 27 H 46 N 4 O 6 , respectively, according to the analysis of HRESIMS data. The NMR data of 4 were identical to that of sclerotiotide L [12], indicating that they share the same planar structure (Table S1). Sclerotiotide L was first reported in 2018, while the stereochemistry of C-6 and C-7 remain unknown. Here, the absolute configuration of them was first determined using coupling constants analysis and Mosher s method. The small coupling constant ( 3 J H-6 , H-7 = 4.9 Hz) between H-6 and H-7 indicates they are in a gauche conformation, which allowed focusing on two (4a and 4e) of the six possible relative conformations ( Figure 4). The relative configuration was further determined to be 6 R* and 7 R* by the ROESY correlations of H-6 /H-8 /H-5 (Figure 4, 4a). The absolute configuration of C-7 was determined by Mosher s method [20]. Accordingly, compound 4 was derivatized into the esters 4g and 4h with (R)-and (S)-MPA (α-methoxyphenylacetic acid), respectively. The chemical shifts differences ∆δ RS suggested R configuration at C-7 ( which were assigned at N Orn (α) , N Orn (ω) , and 7 -OH on the basis of HMBC correlations from N Orn (α) -CH 3 to C-1 and C-13, from N Orn (ω) -CH 3 to C-9 and C-11, and from H-10 to C-7 , respectively ( Figure 2). The geometric configurations of the two double bonds in the side chain are both assigned as E on the basis of the coupling constants (J 2 -3 = 15.0 Hz, J 4 -5 =15.5 Hz) and ROEs of H-2 /H-4 and H-3 /H-5 . Finally, the absolute configurations of C-6 and C-7 in 3 were assigned to be the same as 4 by the semisynthesis of 3 from 4. Compound 4 was treated with sodium hydride in tetrahydrofuran to obtain 4A. The identical NMR chemical shifts, ECD curves, and specific rotation values between 4A and 3 indicated that 3 displayed the same stereochemistry with 4 ( Figure S40). Thus, compound 3 was established as focusing on two (4a and 4e) of the six possible relative conformations (Figure 4). The relative configuration was further determined to be 6′R* and 7′R* by the ROESY correlations of H-6′/H-8′/H-5′ (Figure 4, 4a). The absolute configuration of C-7′ was determined by Mosher′s method [20]. Accordingly, compound 4 was derivatized into the esters 4g and 4h with (R)-and (S)-MPA (αmethoxyphenylacetic acid), respectively. The chemical shifts differences Δδ RS suggested R configuration at C-7′ ( Figure 5). Thus, compound 4 was established as (2′E,4′E)-cyclo-[(NMe-L-Ala)-(NMe-L-Val)-(Nα-(6R,7R)-7-hydroxy-6-methoxyocta-2,4-dienoyl-L-Orn)]. Distinguished from 4, compound 3 possessed three extra methyls (δH 2.83, s; 3.08, s; 3.25, s), which were assigned at NOrn (α), NOrn (ω), and 7′-OH on the basis of HMBC correlations from NOrn (α)-CH3 to C-1 and C-13, from NOrn (ω)-CH3 to C-9 and C-11, and from H-10′ to C-7′, respectively ( Figure 2). The geometric configurations of the two double bonds in the side chain are both assigned as E on the basis of the coupling constants (J2′-3′ = 15.0 Hz, J4′-5′ =15.5 Hz) and ROEs of H-2′/H-4′ and H-3′/H-5′. Finally, the absolute configurations of C-6′ and C-7′ in 3 were assigned to be the same as 4 by the semisynthesis of 3 from 4. Compound 4 was treated with sodium hydride in tetrahydrofuran to obtain 4A. The identical NMR chemical shifts, ECD curves, and specific rotation values between 4A and 3 indicated that 3 displayed the same stereochemistry with 4 ( Figure S40)   It is well-known that some artificial compounds are formed from natural compounds due to oxidation when exposed to air [10]. In order to verify the origin of compounds 1-6, the fermentation broth of A. insulicola HDN151418 was dried under a freeze dryer and extracted by MeCN and further analyzed by LC-MS. Only compounds 1, 2, 5, and 6 were detected. After compound 6 was dissolved in solvent mixture MeOH-H2O and exposed to air for two weeks, compounds 4 and 5 were also detected from the product, indicating that compounds 4 and 5 could be formed from 6 during fermentation or isolation steps. The methoxy groups in 3 and 4 could come from methanol during isolation steps. focusing on two (4a and 4e) of the six possible relative conformations (Figure 4). The relative configuration was further determined to be 6′R* and 7′R* by the ROESY correlations of H-6′/H-8′/H-5′ (Figure 4, 4a). The absolute configuration of C-7′ was determined by Mosher′s method [20]. Accordingly, compound 4 was derivatized into the esters 4g and 4h with (R)-and (S)-MPA (αmethoxyphenylacetic acid), respectively. The chemical shifts differences Δδ RS suggested R configuration at C-7′ ( Figure 5). Thus, compound 4 was established as (2′E,4′E)-cyclo-[(NMe-L-Ala)-(NMe-L-Val)-(Nα-(6R,7R)-7-hydroxy-6-methoxyocta-2,4-dienoyl-L-Orn)]. Distinguished from 4, compound 3 possessed three extra methyls (δH 2.83, s; 3.08, s; 3.25, s), which were assigned at NOrn (α), NOrn (ω), and 7′-OH on the basis of HMBC correlations from NOrn (α)-CH3 to C-1 and C-13, from NOrn (ω)-CH3 to C-9 and C-11, and from H-10′ to C-7′, respectively ( Figure 2). The geometric configurations of the two double bonds in the side chain are both assigned as E on the basis of the coupling constants (J2′-3′ = 15.0 Hz, J4′-5′ =15.5 Hz) and ROEs of H-2′/H-4′ and H-3′/H-5′. Finally, the absolute configurations of C-6′ and C-7′ in 3 were assigned to be the same as 4 by the semisynthesis of 3 from 4. Compound 4 was treated with sodium hydride in tetrahydrofuran to obtain 4A. The identical NMR chemical shifts, ECD curves, and specific rotation values between 4A and 3 indicated that 3 displayed the same stereochemistry with 4 ( Figure S40)   It is well-known that some artificial compounds are formed from natural compounds due to oxidation when exposed to air [10]. In order to verify the origin of compounds 1-6, the fermentation broth of A. insulicola HDN151418 was dried under a freeze dryer and extracted by MeCN and further analyzed by LC-MS. Only compounds 1, 2, 5, and 6 were detected. After compound 6 was dissolved in solvent mixture MeOH-H2O and exposed to air for two weeks, compounds 4 and 5 were also detected from the product, indicating that compounds 4 and 5 could be formed from 6 during fermentation or isolation steps. The methoxy groups in 3 and 4 could come from methanol during isolation steps. It is well-known that some artificial compounds are formed from natural compounds due to oxidation when exposed to air [10]. In order to verify the origin of compounds 1-6, the fermentation broth of A. insulicola HDN151418 was dried under a freeze dryer and extracted by MeCN and further analyzed by LC-MS. Only compounds 1, 2, 5, and 6 were detected. After compound 6 was dissolved in solvent mixture MeOH-H 2 O and exposed to air for two weeks, compounds 4 and 5 were also detected from the product, indicating that compounds 4 and 5 could be formed from 6 during fermentation or isolation steps. The methoxy groups in 3 and 4 could come from methanol during isolation steps.
Compounds  (Table 3), which indicated that the carboxyl group or its methyl ester display an important role for antibacterial activities. Notably, 1 and 2 showed potent activity against M. phlei, which provide potential candidates for antitubercular drug development. Additionally, no cytotoxicities further expands their pharmacological potential. Table 3. Antimicrobial assays of compounds 1-5 (MIC µM).

No.
B

General Experimental Procedures
By means of a JASCO P-1020 digital polarimeter developed by JASCO Corporation, Tokyo, Japan, optical rotations for all new compounds were calculated in methanol. Nuclear magnetic resonance data were obtained on a Bruker AVANCE NEO 400 MHz spectrometer made by Bruker Corporation, Karlsruhe, Germany, and an Agilent 500 MHz DD2 spectrometer by Agilent Technologies Inc., Santa Clara, CA, USA and a JEOL JNM-ECP600 spectrometer by JEOL, Tokyo, Japan using TMS as an internal standard. The ECD spectrum was measured on a JASCO J-815 spectropolarimeter made by JASCO Corporation, Tokyo, Japan. By using KBr discs in the Bruker Tensor-27 spectrophotometer made by Bruker Corporation, Karlsruhe, Germany, IR data were collected. In addition, HRESIMS data were recorded on a LTQ Orbitrap XL mass spectrometer made by Thermo Fisher Scientific, Waltham, MA, USA. UV spectra were carried out on Waters 2487 developed by Waters Corporation, Milford, MA, USA. Column chromatography was performed using the following chromatographic substrates: silica gel (300−400 mesh; Qingdao Marine Chemical Industrials, Qingdao, China), Sephadex LH-20 (developed by Amersham Biosciences, San Francisco, CA, USA). The compounds were purified by HPLC made by the Waters company equipped with a 2998 PDA detector and a C18 column (YMC-Pack ODS-A, 10 × 250 mm, 5 µm, 3 mL/min). LC-MS was recorded in ESI mode on an Acquity UPLC H-Class connected to a SQ Detector 2 mass spectrometer using a BEH C18 column (1.7 µm, 2.1 × 50 mm, 1 mLperminute) constructed by Waters Corporation, Milford, CT, USA.

Fungal Material and Fermentation
Aspergillus insulicola HDN151418 was isolated from an unidentified sponge sample collected 410 m deep from Prydz Bay, Antarctica at a latitude and longitude of E 68.7 • , S 67.2 • while identified as Aspergillus insulicola based on internal transcribed spacer DNA sequencing. The sequence is available with the accession number MT898544 at Genbank and has been submitted to the Key Laboratory of Marine Drugs working under the Ministry of Education of China, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China.
To prepare the seed culture, the strain was cultured on potato dextrose agar (PDA) at 28 • C for 7 days and then was transferred to 30 mL potato dextrose broth (PDB) medium in a 100 mL flask. After fermentation for 3 days on a rotary shaker at 180 rpm at 28 • C, 1 mL aliquot of the liquid culture was transferred to 300 mL of PDB medium in a 1000 mL flask for scale-up. The culture was incubated in static condition for 30 days before extraction.

Isolation and Purification of the Compounds
The total fermentation broth (30 L) was harvested and the supernatant was separated from the mycelia by using a filter cloth. The solvent-associated extraction was performed, the supernatant was extracted with EtOAc (3 × 30 L), and the mycelia was crushed into small pieces by using an electric cutter and macerated with MeOH (3 × 15 L). Based on the corresponding HPLC and TLC profiles, both extracts were combined, and the subsequent removal of solvent afforded 32.3 g of reddish-brown crude extract. Moreover, the extract was fractioned by using vacuum chromatography on silica gel followed by stepped gradient elution via DCM-MeOH (10:0 to 0:10) solvent combination to obtain ten subfractions (Fr.1 to Fr.10). Then, Fr.3 was separated by an ODS column by using MeOH andH 2

Assay of Cytotoxicity Inhibitory Activity
Cytotoxicity of compounds 1-6 were screened against the 16 human cancer cell lines as previously reported in which Adriamycin was used as the positive control [9,21]. HeLa (human epithelial carcinoma and sclerotiotide B (6). Among which, sclerotiotides M (1) and sclerotiotides N (2) represent the first example of aspochracin-type cyclic tripeptide, which was substituted by hexa-2,4-dienedioic acid/methyl ester moieties. Chemical derivatization indicated that compounds 4 and 5 could form from 6 during the fermentation or isolation steps. The antimicrobial activities of all the isolates were evaluated, and its structure-activity relationship (SAR) was also preliminary discussed. Our research results further expanded the members of the aspochracin-type cyclic tripeptide family, which again demonstrated that sponge-derived fungi are important producers of structurally diverse bioactive compounds.