Cysteine Residue Containing Merocytochalasans and 17,18-seco-Aspochalasins from Aspergillus micronesiensis

Two cysteine residue containing merocytochalasans (cyschalasins A and B, 1 and 2) and two 17,18-seco-aspochalasins (secochalasins A and B, 3 and 4) were isolated from the endophytic fungus Aspergillus micronesiensis. Cyschalasins A and B represent a new type of merocytochalasan featuring the fusion of an aspochalasin with a modified cysteine residue. Secochalasins A and B are the first 17,18-seco-aspochalasins to be reported and represent a previously undescribed carbon skeleton. Plausible biosynthetic pathways of 1-4 were proposed. Compounds 1 and 2 were cytotoxic and active against Gram-positive bacteria.