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Two motilides, EM574 (N-demethyl-N-isopropyl-8,9-anhydroerythromycin A 6,9-hemiacetal) and EM523 (N-demethyl-N-ethyl-8,9-anhydroerythromycin A 6,9-hemiacetal) have strong gastrointestinal motor stimulating (GMS) activity. When administered orally to dogs, these agents showed strong GMS activity, but their plasma levels were very low and the metabolites which have been determined so far using the radio-labeled compounds show only weak GMS activity. The findings suggested that unknown bioactive metabolites might be responsible for the GMS activity. From the liver of dogs given EM574 intravenously, two bioactive metabolites, EM574 P1 and P2, were isolated by solvent extraction and chromatography as detected by contractile activity. They both showed the same UV spectra as EM574 and the molecular ion peaks at m/z 760 (MH + ) and 602 (MH + -cladinose) in the FAB-MS. From 2D-NMR experiments, the structures of EM574 Pl and P2 were unveiled to be the 15- and 14-hydroxyl derivatives of EM574, respectively. EM523 Pl and P2 were also isolated in the same procedure. In order to prepare these bioactive metabolites, EM574 and EM523 were converted enzymatically with dog liver homogenates in the presence of co-enzymes to give the corresponding Pl and P2. The structures of the metabolites are shown in Fig 1. They exhibited stronger contractile activity in vitro and GMS activity in vivo than the parent compounds.

The microbial lipopeptides, TAN-1511 A, B and C, were isolated from the culture broth of Streptosporangium amethystogenes subsp. fukuiense AL-23456. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of their reactions and spectroscopic analyses. These lipopeptides were mixtures of molecules having different lengths of fatty acids. The metabolites stimulated the proliferation of bone marrow cells from BALB/c female mice at very low concentrations (concentration giving 30% increase: A and B, 0.313 ng/ml; C, 1.25 ng/ml). We confirmed that chemically synthesized TAN-1511 A analogue [(2R,6R)-2-tetradecanoylamino-6,7- bis(hexadecanoyloxy)-4-thiaheptanoyl-Gly-Gly-Gly-Glu-Thr-Thr -OH] stimulated the proliferation of bone marrow cells in a manner similar to that of natural TAN-1511 A. This analogue induced the secretion of both granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) and granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF), and potentiated the generation of Gr-1 positive cells in the bone marrow cell culture. Moreover, it effected the G-CSF mediated restoration of granulocytopoiesis in a murine leukopenia model.

TAN-1511 analogues were synthesized and their effects on the proliferation of bone marrow cells were examined. To exert potent activity the following conditions are necessary: the configuration of the 2-amino-6, 7-dihydroxy-4-thiaheptanoic acid moiety must be (2R, 6R), long chain acyl groups (C14 to C18) must be bound to both hydroxyl groups, the amino group must be free or acylated with the long chain fatty acid (ca. C14) and the pep tide moiety must have glutamic acid as a component. Among the synthesized compounds, trisodium (2R, 6R)-2-amino-6, 7-bis (hexadecanoyloxy)-4-thiaheptanoyl glycyl glutamyl glutamate, which has improved solubility, was effective in experimental leukocytopenia in mice.

Sperabillin polymers, which have been shown recently to have antitumor activity, are new basic peptidyl polymers composed of a pseudo-peptide antibiotic, sperabillin A. The polymers, HP-2 (MW 9990), AP-2 (MW 20,100) and AB-2 (MW 35,000), were found to potently activate murine peritoneal macrophages. The phagocytosis-dependent respiratory burst and Fcγ receptor expression of peritoneal macrophages from C57BL/6 mice were enhanced after in vitro cultivation with these polymers. When HP-2, a representative of these polymers, was intraperitoneally injected into mice, the number of peritoneal exudate cells increased and phagocytosis-dependent respiratory burst and class II (I-A) antigen expression of peritoneal macrophages were augmented. These macrophages showed strong inhibitory activity against the growth of murine tumor cell lines such as EL4 lymphoma and B16 melanoma. Nitrogen oxide, tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and interleukin 1 (IL-1) might be required for this inhibitory activity. Moreover, in mice treated with HP-2, splenocyte counts also increased and non-specific killer activity of the splenocytes was augmented. These results indicate that sperabillin polymers are new macrophage activators.

Sperabillins, novel antibiotics, were isolated from the culture filtrate of Pseudomonas fluorescens YK-437. The structure of sperabillin A was elucidated to be 3-[[(3R,5R)-3-amino-6-[(2E,4Z)-2,4-hexadienoylamino]-5-hydroxyhexanoyl]amino]propanamidine dihydrochloride. Sperabillin B has a methyl substituent at the C-6 position of sperabillin A. Sperabillin C and D are (2E,4E)-isomers of the 2,4-hexadienoyl moiety of sperabillin A and B, respectively.

The chemical structure of a new dipeptide antibiotic, TAN-1057 A, isolated from the broth filtrate of Flexibacter sp. PK-74 was determined to be (3′S, 5S)-5-[N-methyl-N-(3′-amino-6′-guanidinohexanoyl)amino]5,6-dihydro-2-ureido-4(1H)-pyrimidone. The antibiotic was specifically active against staphylococcus species including methicillin-resistant strains.

Sperabillin A, 3-[[(3R, 5R)-3-amino-6-[(2E, 4Z)-2, 4-hexadienoylamino]-5-hydroxyhexanoyl]amino]propanamidine dihydrochloride, was polymerized on standing for several days under a highly humid atmosphere or in the presence of radical initiators. The average molecular weight of the polymers obtained could be regulated by changing the reaction conditions in the latter case. Spectral analyses of the polymers revealed that the 2, 4-hexadienoyl moiety of sperabillins was polymerized in a free radical-initiated reaction. The polymers selectively inhibited the proliferation of human umbilical vein endothelial (HUVE) cells. Polymers having higher molecular weight showed stronger inhibition of HUVE cell proliferation. In addition, the polymers showed anti-tumor activity against B16 melanoma in vivo.

(S)-2-Amino-3-(2,5-dihydro-5-oxo-4-isoxazolyl)propanoic acid (TAN-950 A (1)) is a novel amino acid antibiotic which shows a high affinity for glutamate receptors of the central nervous system. To improve the affinity for glutamate receptors, the structure-activity relationships of TAN-950 A derivatives 6a--o, 15a--o were investigated. Optically active TAN-950 A analogs 15a--h were synthesized starting with methyl (S)- and (R)-N-Boc-pyroglutamate (8) via acylation at the C-4 position followed by isoxazolone formation with hydroxylamine and subsequent deprotection reactions. The lactam 16, prepared from (RS)-aminoadipic acid, and dimethyl esters 19 of (R)- and (S)-aspartic acid were converted to (RS)-3-methyl-homo-TAN-950 A (15i) and optically active nor-TAN-950 A derivatives 15j--o, respectively, utilizing a similar sequence of reactions. Most of TAN-950 A derivatives 6a--o, 15a--o showed an affinity for glutamate receptors. The 3-alkyl derivatives 15b, d--g, especially, showed a high affinity for the quisqualate subtype-receptor and had a strong activating effect on the hippocampal neurons (glutamate agonistic activity). The (R)-enantiomer 15a of TAN-950 A had increased selectivity for the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) subtype-receptor. This selectivity was further enhanced by removal of the methylene group in the amino acid moiety of 15a. The most potent and selective NMDA agonistic activity was observed with (R)-3-methyl-nor-TAN-950 A (15m).

The structures of two indolocarbazole alkaloids with macrophage-activating properties, TAN-1030 A and TAN-999, were determined based on NMR spectral analysis.

A novel antifungal antibiotic, TAN-950 A, was isolated from the culture filtrate of Streptomyces platensis A-136. Its structure was determined to be (S)-2-amino-3-(isoxazolin-5-on-4-yl)-propanoic acid. Minor components, TAN-950 B, C, D and E, were found to be present in an equilibrium mixture containing TAN-950 A. Their structures were determined from spectral analyses. X-ray crystallographic analysis and synthesis from L-glutamic acid.

Sperabillins, novel antibiotics, were isolated from the culture filtrate of Pseudomonas fluorescens YK-437. The structure of sperabillin A was elucidated to be 3-[[(3R,5R)-3-amino-6-[(2E,4Z)-2,4-hexadienoylamino]-5-hydroxyhexanoyl]amino]propanamidine dihydrochloride. Sperabillin B has a methyl substituent at the C-6 position of sperabillin A. Sperabillin C and D are (2E,4E)-isomers of the 2,4-hexadienoyl moiety of sperabillin A and B, respectively.

The chemical structure of a new dipeptide antibiotic, TAN-1057 A, isolated from the broth filtrate of Flexibacter sp. PK-74 was determined to be (3′S, 5S)-5-[N-methyl-N-(3′-amino-6′-guanidinohexanoyl)amino]5,6-dihydro-2-ureido-4(1H)-pyrimidone. The antibiotic was specifically active against staphylococcus species including methicillin-resistant strains.

New naphthacenecarboxamide antibiotics, TAN-1518 A and B, were isolated from a culture broth of Streptomyces sp. AL-16012. Their structures were elucidated from their reactions and from spectroscopic analyses. The relaxation of supercoiled pBR322 DNA by calf thymus DNA topoisomerase I was inhibited by these metabolites as potently as by camptothecin. However, the decatenation of kinetoplast DNA by calf thymus DNA topoisomerase II was little affected by these agents. The major metabolite, TAN-1518 A, strongly suppressed the growth of various murine and human tumor cells, inducing apoptosis. Unlike camptothecin, TAN-1518 A did not stimulate cleavable complex formation in the nuclei of CHO-K1 cells and had weak activity in intercalating into DNA strands. This metabolite arrested the growth of human tumor cell lines in Gl phase of the cell cycle. These results suggest that TAN-1518 A and B are novel antitumor agents targeting topoisomerase I.

Fungal metabolites with an epi-oligothiadiketopiperazine structure, TAN-1496 A, C and E, were isolated from the culture broth of Microsphaeropsis sp. FL-16144. Their molecular formulas were determined to be C22H28N2O9S2, C22H28N2O9S3 and C22H28N2O9S4, respectively. Structures were determined by comparing the NMR data with those of known diketopiperazine antibiotics, sirodesmins. These metabolites inhibited the relaxation of supercoiled pBR322 DNA by calf thymus topoisomerase I but did not affect the decatenation of kinetoplast DNA by calf thymus topoisomerase II at concentration up to 500μM. They strongly suppressed the growth of various murine and human tumor cells and induced apoptosis. Moreover, various derivatives were synthesized to investigate the relationship of their functional groups and biological activities.

Dnacin A1 and B1 were revealed to be new naphthyridinomycin-type antitumor antibiotics with formulae of C20H23N5O4 and C19H24N4O5, respectively. The gross structure of dnacin A1 was elucidated by the spectroscopic analyses. Conversion of dnacin B1 into A1 by treatment with potassium cyanide indicated the presence of an alpha-carbinolamine moiety in dnacin B1. The relative stereochemistry of dnacins was clarified by analysis of the NOESY spectra.

Two motilides, EM574 (N-demethyl-N-isopropyl-8,9-anhydroerythromycin A 6,9-hemiacetal) and EM523 (N-demethyl-N-ethyl-8,9-anhydroerythromycin A 6,9-hemiacetal) have strong gastrointestinal motor stimulating (GMS) activity. When administered orally to dogs, these agents showed strong GMS activity, but their plasma levels were very low and the metabolites which have been determined so far using the radio-labeled compounds show only weak GMS activity. The findings suggested that unknown bioactive metabolites might be responsible for the GMS activity. From the liver of dogs given EM574 intravenously, two bioactive metabolites, EM574 P1 and P2, were isolated by solvent extraction and chromatography as detected by contractile activity. They both showed the same UV spectra as EM574 and the molecular ion peaks at m/z 760 (MH + ) and 602 (MH + -cladinose) in the FAB-MS. From 2D-NMR experiments, the structures of EM574 Pl and P2 were unveiled to be the 15- and 14-hydroxyl derivatives of EM574, respectively. EM523 Pl and P2 were also isolated in the same procedure. In order to prepare these bioactive metabolites, EM574 and EM523 were converted enzymatically with dog liver homogenates in the presence of co-enzymes to give the corresponding Pl and P2. The structures of the metabolites are shown in Fig 1. They exhibited stronger contractile activity in vitro and GMS activity in vivo than the parent compounds.

A Gram-negative bacterium was found to produce new antibacterial antibiotics, sperabillins A, B, C and D, and the producing bacterium was characterized and identified as Pseudomonas fluorescens YK-437. Sperabillins were isolated by column chromatographies using cation-exchange resins, activated carbon and cation-exchange Sephadex, and preparative reverse-phase HPLC. Sperabillins showed antibacterial activity against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria including antibiotic-resistant strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. Sperabillin A inhibited DNA, RNA, protein, and cell wall biosynthesis in Escherichia coli. Sperabillins showed good protective effects in experimentally infected mice.

A novel antifungal antibiotic, TAN-950 A, was isolated from the culture filtrate of Streptomyces platensis A-136. Its structure was determined to be (S)-2-amino-3-(isoxazolin-5-on-4-yl)-propanoic acid. Minor components, TAN-950 B, C, D and E, were found to be present in an equilibrium mixture containing TAN-950 A. Their structures were determined from spectral analyses. X-ray crystallographic analysis and synthesis from L-glutamic acid.

A novel antifungal amino acid antibiotic, TAN-950 A ([S]-2-amino-3-(2,5-dihydro-5-oxo-4-isoxazolyl)propanoic acid), was found to have affinity for three excitatory amino acid (EAA) receptors and to inhibit [3H]alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionic acid ([3H]AMPA), [3H]kainate and [3H]3-(2-carboxypiperazin-4-yl)propyl-1-phosphonic acid ([3H]CPP) binding competitively. It caused excitation of rat hippocampal CA1 neurons in vitro, an effect that was antagonized by an AMPA/kainate antagonist, 6,7-dinitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione (DNQX). Chemical modification of TAN-950 A brought about a large change in its pharmacological activity. Alkylation at the C-3 position of the isoxazolone ring markedly increased the ability to elicite neuronal firing. This agonistic effect was also antagonized by DNQX. The (R) enantiomer of TAN-950 A had increased selectivity for the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor subtype. This selectivity was further enhanced by removal of the methylene group from the amino acid moiety. The most potent NMDA agonistic activity was observed with [R]-2-amino-2-(2,5-dihydro-3-methyl-5-oxo-4-isoxazolyl)acetic acid. These derivatives of TAN-950 A might be useful agents for investigating the pharmacological and physiological roles of EAA receptors.

The structures of two indolocarbazole alkaloids with macrophage-activating properties, TAN-1030 A and TAN-999, were determined based on NMR spectral analysis.

EM574 exerts gastrointestinal motor stimulating (GMS) activity even after being converted to its metabolites PI and P2 in dogs. These metabolites were isolated from dog liver using a series of chromatographic procedures. Their structures were determined to be the 15- and 14-hydroxyl derivatives of EM574, respectively, by spectral analysis. Large scale preparation by microbial transformation was investigated for further evaluation of the metabolites, because the amounts obtained by oxidation with dog liver homogenate were limited. Three strains of actinomycetes, Amycolatopsis tolypophorus IFO 13151, Dactylosporangium variesporum IFO 14104 and Nocardia capreola IFO 12847, were found to have the aiming oxidative potency. HPLC analysis of the crude extracts from these three cultures showed that the bioactive metabolites, EM574 P1 and P2 were produced. They were isolated from the culture broth with the other bioactive products EM574 P3 and P4. These bioactive products were prepared by large scale cultivation. EM574 P3 and P4 showed GMS activity comparable to that of EM574 P1 and P2. The structures of EM574 P3 and P4 were elucidated by spectral analysis and found to be the 3"-O-demethyl derivatives of EM574 P2 and EM574, respectively. Moreover, the absolute configuration at the C14 position of P2 was determined to be R by spectral analysis of the 6-membered cyclic carbonate of EM574 P2.

Fungal metabolites with an epi-oligothiadiketopiperazine structure, TAN-1496 A, C and E, were isolated from the culture broth of Microsphaeropsis sp. FL-16144. Their molecular formulas were determined to be C22H28N2O9S2, C22H28N2O9S3 and C22H28N2O9S4, respectively. Structures were determined by comparing the NMR data with those of known diketopiperazine antibiotics, sirodesmins. These metabolites inhibited the relaxation of supercoiled pBR322 DNA by calf thymus topoisomerase I but did not affect the decatenation of kinetoplast DNA by calf thymus topoisomerase II at concentration up to 500 microM. They strongly suppressed the growth of various murine and human tumor cells and induced apoptosis. Moreover, various derivatives were synthesized to investigate the relationship of their functional groups and biological activities.

Dnacin A1 and B1 were revealed to be new naphthyridinomycin-type antitumor antibiotics with formulae of C20H23N5O4 and C19H24N4O5, respectively. The gross structure of dnacin A1 was elucidated by the spectroscopic analyses. Conversion of dnacin B1 into A1 by treatment with potassium cyanide indicated the presence of an alpha-carbinolamine moiety in dnacin B1. The relative stereochemistry of dnacins was clarified by analysis of the NOESY spectra.

Modification of sperabillins was carried out. The 2-amidinoethylamino moiety was removed by brief acidic hydrolysis. The 2, 4-hexadienoyl moiety was hydrogenated to the hexanoyl moiety and this was cleaved by an enzymatic reaction using the cells of Pseudomonas acidovorans IFO 13582. The 2-amidinoethylamino and the 2, 4-hexadienoyl moieties were replaced with other groups. The derivative which was prepared by condensation of two molar amounts of dehexadienoylsperabillin A with (E, E)-muconic acid showed better protective effects than sperabillin A against Gram-negative bacteria.

Novel iron-containing peptide antibiotics, ferrocins A, B, C and D, have been isolated from the culture filtrate of Pseudomonas fluorescens YK-310. These antibiotics were purified by butanol extraction, followed by column chromatography using adsorption resin, silica gel and preparative reverse-phase HPLC. The structures of ferrocins were elucidated using spectroscopic and degradative methods. Ferrocins contain three hydroxamate moieties per ferric ion which forms an octahedral iron complex.

A Gram-negative bacterium was found to produce new iron-containing peptide antibiotics, ferrocins A, B, C and D, and the producing bacterium was characterized and identified as Pseudomonas fluorescens YK-310. These new antibiotics showed antibacterial activity against Gram-negative bacteria in vitro. Although the ferrocins showed similar antibacterial activity against both Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa on the standard assay media, they showed strong therapeutic effects selectively against P. aeruginosa in experimentally infected mice.

A novel antifungal antibiotic, TAN-950 complex, was isolated from the culture filtrate of Streptomyces platensis A-136 (IFO 14603, FERM BP-1786). The water-soluble amphoteric substances in this complex were purified by chromatography using ion-exchange resins, QAE-Sephadex and adsorptive resins and were designated TAN-950 A and TAN-950 A-E mixture. The molecular formula of TAN-950 A was determined to be C6H7N2O4Na for the sodium salt. This new amino acid antibiotic showed antifungal activity against Candida albicans in vitro and in vivo, and had low toxicity in mice.

(S)-2-Amino-3-(2,5-dihydro-5-oxo-4-isoxazolyl)propanoic acid (TAN-950 A (1)) is a novel amino acid antibiotic which shows a high affinity for glutamate receptors of the central nervous system. To improve the affinity for glutamate receptors, the structure-activity relationships of TAN-950 A derivatives 6a--o, 15a--o were investigated. Optically active TAN-950 A analogs 15a--h were synthesized starting with methyl (S)- and (R)-N-Boc-pyroglutamate (8) via acylation at the C-4 position followed by isoxazolone formation with hydroxylamine and subsequent deprotection reactions. The lactam 16, prepared from (RS)-aminoadipic acid, and dimethyl esters 19 of (R)- and (S)-aspartic acid were converted to (RS)-3-methyl-homo-TAN-950 A (15i) and optically active nor-TAN-950 A derivatives 15j--o, respectively, utilizing a similar sequence of reactions. Most of TAN-950 A derivatives 6a--o, 15a--o showed an affinity for glutamate receptors. The 3-alkyl derivatives 15b, d--g, especially, showed a high affinity for the quisqualate subtype-receptor and had a strong activating effect on the hippocampal neurons (glutamate agonistic activity). The (R)-enantiomer 15a of TAN-950 A had increased selectivity for the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) subtype-receptor. This selectivity was further enhanced by removal of the methylene group in the amino acid moiety of 15a. The most potent and selective NMDA agonistic activity was observed with (R)-3-methyl-nor-TAN-950 A (15m).

Two new nucleotide antibiotics, fosfadecin and fosfocytocin, have been isolated from the culture filtrates of Pseudomonas viridiflava PK-5 and Pseudomonas fluorescens PK-52, respectively. These antibiotics were purified by column chromatographies using adsorption, gel filtration and ion exchange resins. On the basis of the spectroscopic and degradation studies, the chemical structures of fosfadecin and fosfocytocin were determined. These antibiotics were either enzymatically or chemically hydrolyzed to generate fosfomycin and a new antibiotic, fosfoxacin, which are also produced in the culture filtrates. They showed antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The antibacterial activity of these nucleotide antibiotics was weaker than that of fosfomycin and fosfoxacin.

The absolute configuration at the sulfoxide of 5,6- cis -carbapenem antibiotics is discussed on the basis of chemical reactions and the CD spectral data. Some stereoisomers at the side chain were synthesized from C-19393 H 2 by the combination of hydrogenation, oxidation and Z,E -isomerization. The CD spectral studies revealed that the Cotton effects of stereoisomers at the sulfoxide indicated clear opposite signs at both 260–275 and 280–300 nm regions. Further CD spectral studies on the derivatives elucidated that these Cotton effects may reflect two chromophores; for the former region and for the latter. In conclusion, these naturally occurring 5,6- cis -carbapenem antibiotics have been shown to possess the R -configuration at the sulfoxide.

Six components of new cephem antibiotics, cephabacin M1-6, were isolated from the culture filtrate of Xanthomonas lactamgena YK-431 by various types of column chromatographies and preparative reverse-phase HPLC. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic analyses and degradation studies. They consist of 7-methoxydeacetylcephalosporin C as a nucleus and a tri- to heptapeptide including a new amino acid, which is bound at the 3-position with an ester bond.

Lactivicin is moderately active against a wide range of Gram-negative bacteria and highly active against Gram-positive bacteria. It shows various biological activities commonly observed with beta-lactam antibiotics, such as higher activity against beta-lactam hypersensitive mutants than against their parents, sensitivity to beta-lactamases, inhibitory activity against beta-lactamases and ability to induce beta-lactamase activity. The primary lethal target of lactivicin in Escherichia coli is highly likely to be penicillin-binding protein (PBP) 1; lactivicin strongly lysed E. coli cells with induction of spheroplasts at its MIC, and showed high affinity for PBPs 1A and 1B. At concentrations above x 5 MIC, however, lactivicin dominantly exhibited secondary antibacterial action possibly owing to inhibition of crucial SH proteins engaged in the fundamental membrane functions. In contrast, against Bacillus subtilis, lactivicin showed the typical beta-lactam action under a wide range of concentrations. It showed high affinity for PBPs 1, 2 and 4, the possible lethal targets of beta-lactam antibiotics in this organism. In conclusion, lactivicin is the first non-beta-lactam antibiotic showing beta-lactam action through binding to PBPs.

A new antibiotic amipurimycin, active against Pyricularia oryzae in vitro and in vivo, was isolated from the culture filtrate of Streptomyces novoguineensis nov. sp. The antibiotic was purified by a combination of ion-exchange and adsorption chromatography based on its amphoteric water-soluble characteristics. Its molecular formula was estimated to be C20H27approximately31N7O8-H2O. Characteristic maxima in the UV spectrum and signals in the PMR and CMR spectra were similar to those of 2-aminopurine 9-(beta-D)-riboside. These findings indicated that amipurimycin is a new nucleoside antibiotic and the first example of a natural product containing 2-aminopurine.

The structure of a new antibiotic, lactivicin, was determined to be [4S]-2-(4-acetylamino-3-oxo-2-isoxazolidinyl)-5-oxo-tetrahydrofuran-2-carboxylic acid.

A new carbapenem antibiotic, C-19393 E5, was isolated from the culture filtrate of Streptomyces griseus subsp. cryophilus C-19393 as a minor component. The chemical structure of the antibiotic was determined by comparing its spectral data with those of the known 5,6-cis carbapenem antibiotics and confirmed by partial synthesis from epithienamycin B as shown in Fig. 1. The antibiotic has a broad antimicrobial spectrum and shows strong inhibitory activity against beta-lactamases.

Naturally occurring carbapenem antibiotics having a double bond in the side chain, when refluxed in chloroform containing quarternary alkylammonium halides, were converted into Z isomers in high yields. The mechanism of this new equilibration involves intramolecular proton transfer from the carboxylic acid to the carbon alpha to the sulfur atom in the side chain as shown by deuterium-labeling experiments. Some Z isomers showed stronger protective effects in mice infected by Escherichia coli O-111 and more potent synergistic activities with cefotiam in mice infected by Proteus vulgaris GN4815 than did the naturally occurring E isomers. The decomposition rates of the Z isomers in mouse kidney homogenates were about 3-fold slower than those of the E isomers.

The antibacterial activities of twelve 5,6-cis carbapenem antibiotics, including four semisynthetic derivatives of C-19393 H2 and S2, against 15 microorganisms were examined, and their structure-activity relations are discussed in relation to minimum inhibitory concentrations against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli as a Gram-positive and a Gram-negative standard strain, respectively. The contribution of chromosomal beta-lactamase (amp C), permeability barrier, and penicillin-binding protein (PBP) 1B to the resistance of E. coli to these carbapenem antibiotics was examined using mutants lacking each of these cellular components. The beta-lactamase was not involved in the resistance. These antibiotics easily permeated the outer membrane. A PBP 1B-defective mutant was supersensitive to these carbapenem antibiotics and to other types of beta-lactam antibiotics.

A new pyrrole-amidine antibiotic TAN-868 A was isolated from the culture broth of Streptomyces idiomorphus sp. nov. Its chemical structure was determined by spectroscopic analyses and degradation studies to be 4-[(2S,4R)-4-hydroxy-5-iminoprolyl]amino- N-(2-amidinoethenyl)-2-pyrrolecarboxamide. The antibiotic is active against bacteria, fungi and a protozoan, and has cytotoxic activity against murine tumor cells. DNA thermal denaturation studies suggest that TAN-868 A preferentially interacts with AT rich regions of double-stranded DNA.

A series of new macrolide antibiotics was isolated from the culture filtrate of Micromonospora chalcea var, izumensis. The fat-soluble basic complex consisted of eight components which were named juvenimicin A1 approximately A4 and B1 approximately B4. Juvenimicin A3 was found to be identical with rosamicin and the structures of four of the other components (JVM A2, A4, B1 and B3) have been elucidated. Juvenimicin A2 has a methyl group at position 6 instead of the formylmethyl group of juvenimicin A3. Juvenimicin A4, B1 and B3 possess a hydroxyethyl group at position 6. Juvenimicin A4 and B1 differ from each other in the nature of the chromophore. Juvenimicin B3 differs from juvenimicin B1 in that a hydroxymethyl group is present at position 14 in the former.

To investigate the metabolic fate of lankacidin C 14-propionate in experimental animals, the 14-C-labeled antibiotic was prepared by the fermentation of Streptomyces rochei var, volubilis in the presence of various 14-C-labeled organic carboxylic acids, amino acids and carbohydrates. Significant incorporation (20 similar to 40%) was observed with L-methionine-methyl-14-C. Lankacidin C 14-propionate-14-C (specific activity 49.6 muCi/mg) was obtained from lankacidin C-14-C and ethyl propionate by the action of an acylase of the streptomyces.

Lankacidin-group antibiotics formed inclusion compounds with beta-cyclodextrin in molar ratios of about 1:1. These compounds showed remarkably improved water-solubility and stability in aqueous solutions. The structure of the inclusion compounds of lankacidin A is proposed based on the facility of their inclusion with beta-cyclodextrin and the results of 1H NMR spectral studies.

Chemical structures of the minor components obtained from the culture filtrate of Streptomyces rochei var. volubilis, lankacyclinol A and iso-lankacidinol, and the anti microbially active metabolites, lankacyclinol, were proposed by chemical degradation studies and spectral analyses. Lankacyclinol A and lankacyclinol were the decarboxylated compounds of lankacidinol A and lankacidinol, respectively. Iso-lankacidinol was assumed to be 16-epimer of lankacidinol. These compounds are belong to lankacidin-group (T-2636) antibiotics whose chemical structures are shown in Chart 1.

The structure of bulgecin A, a bacterial metabolite with bulge-inducing activity, was determined chemically and spectrometrically to be 4-o-(2'-acetylamino-2'-deoxy-4'-o-hydroxysulfonyl-β-D-glucopyranosyl)-(2S, 4S, 5R -4-hydroxy-5-hydroxymethylprolyltaurine monosodium salt. Bulgecns B and C, the minor components, were found to be analogs of bulgecin A in which the taurine moiety was replaced as shown in Fig, 1.

The structures of 15 new cephem antibiotics, cephabacin F1-9 and H1-6, were determined by their spectroscopic analyses and decomposition studies. They are consisted of a cephalosporin nucleus and a di, tri or tetrapeptide including a new amino acid which is bound at the position 3 with an ester bond. The components, F1-9, showed unique biological activities by the presence of a formylamino group at the position 7.

Emericedins A, B, and C, new betaines having inhibitory activity of long chain fatty acid oxidation, were isolated from the culture broth of Emericella quadrilineata IFO 5859. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic analyses as (R)-3-(acylamino)-4-(trimethylammonio)butyrate (acyl: A, acetyl; B, propionyl; C, n-butyryl). Structural confirmation and assignment of absolute configuration were made by chemical synthesis from L-asparagine. Deacylation of emericedin gave a potent derivative, (R)-3-amino-4-(trimethylammonio)butyrate, designated as emeriamine. In order to study the structure-activity relations, various analogues of emeriamine, including a stereoisomer, were prepared. Among them, N-palmitoyl and N-myristoyl derivatives showed much stronger inhibition of fatty acid oxidation than emeriamine.