Characterization of Chalkophomycin, a Copper(II) Metallophore with an Unprecedented Molecular Architecture

Metals play essential roles in life by coordination with small molecules, proteins, and nucleic acids. Although the coordination of copper ions in many proteins and methanobactins is known, the coordination chemistry of Cu(II) in natural products and their biological functions remain underexplored. Herein, we report the discovery of a Cu(II)-binding natural product, chalkophomycin (CHM, 1), from Streptomyces sp. CB00271, featuring an asymmetric square-coordination system of a bidentate diazeniumdiolate and a conjugated 1H-pyrrole 1-oxide-oxazoline. The structure of 1 may inspire the synthesis of Cu(II) chelators against neurodegenerative diseases or Cu(II)-based antitumor therapeutics.

Automated summary

Metals play critical roles in life by coordinating with various molecules, proteins, and nucleic acids. This paragraph discusses the discovery of a new Cu(II)-binding natural product, chalkophomycin, with a unique asymmetric square-coordination system, which could potentially inspire the synthesis of Cu(II) chelators for neurodegenerative diseases or Cu(II)-based antitumor therapeutics.