Chrysomutanin and related meroterpenoids from a DES mutant of the marine-derived fungusPenicillium chrysogenumS-3-25

A new meroterpene, chrysomutanin (1), two new meroterpenoids (4and5) together with nine known ones were isolated from the diethyl sulphate (DES) mutant 3d10-01 of the marine-derived fungusPenicillium chrysogenumS-3-25. The structures of the isolated compounds were determined by their spectroscopic data, and the absolute configuration of1was determined by Rh-2-induced electrical circular dichroism (ECD) analysis or by comparison of the measured ECD with that of the known compounds. The cytotoxic activity was preliminarily evaluated against five human cancer cell lines. HPLC-UV analysis showed that compounds1-12were all newly produced by the mutant, and were not detected from the initial strain S-3-25. Chrysomutanin (1) is a new member with a chain sesquiterpene unit to the family of meroterpenes. Present results confirm that DES mutagenesis strategy is an effective method to exploit the dormant metabolites of fungi.

Automated summary

A variety of new meroterpenoids were isolated from the DES mutant of marine-derived fungus Penicillium chrysogenum S-3-25, with their structures and configurations determined by spectroscopic data and ECD analysis. Preliminary evaluation of cytotoxic activity was conducted on these compounds, indicating the effectiveness of DES mutagenesis strategy in exploring dormant metabolites of fungi.