Termitomycesphins A-D, novel neuritogenic cerebrosides from the edible Chinese mushroom Termitomyces albuminosus

Four novel cerebrosides, termitomycesphins A-D, were isolated from the edible Chinese mushroom Termitomyces albuminosus (Berk.) Helm. ('Jizong' in Chinese), shown to induce neuronal differentiation in rat PC12 cells. The absolute stereostructures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods and chemical derivatization. These new cerebrosides have a unique C19 hydroxylated sphingosine base with branching around the middle. Termitomycesphins A and C possessing a C16 alpha-hydroxy fatty acid showed a higher neuritogenic activity than did termitomycesphins B and D possessing a C18 alpha-hydroxy fatty acid. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.