Total Synthesis and Antibacterial Activity of Marine Tris-indole Alkaloid Tulongicin A

J Nat Prod. 2024 Jun 28;87(6):1556-1562. doi: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.4c00129. Epub 2024 May 17.

Abstract

Bis-indole alkaloids from marine sponges are an intriguing class of natural products with a variety of activities. However, only a preliminary biological study of tulongicin A (5), a related previously isolated marine tris-indole alkaloid, has been conducted. In this study, we accomplished the first asymmetric total synthesis of 5 via the construction of an imidazoline-linked bis-indolylmethane skeleton using a Friedel-Crafts-type reaction. Our synthesis enabled a detailed study of the antibacterial profile of 5. Compound 5 displayed bactericidal activity against Staphylococcus aureus, including methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) strains.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents* / chemical synthesis
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents* / chemistry
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents* / pharmacology
  • Indole Alkaloids* / chemical synthesis
  • Indole Alkaloids* / chemistry
  • Indole Alkaloids* / pharmacology
  • Marine Biology
  • Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus* / drug effects
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests*
  • Molecular Structure
  • Porifera / chemistry
  • Staphylococcus aureus* / drug effects

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Indole Alkaloids