Ca2+-Signal Transduction Inhibitors, Kujiol A and Kujigamberol B, Isolated from Kuji Amber Using a Mutant Yeast

J Nat Prod. 2018 Apr 27;81(4):1070-1074. doi: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.7b00922. Epub 2018 Feb 20.

Abstract

A podocarpatriene and a labdatriene derivative, named kujiol A [13-methyl-8,11,13-podocarpatrien-19-ol (1)] and kujigamberol B [15,20-dinor-5,7,9-labdatrien-13-ol (2)], respectively, were isolated from Kuji amber through detection with the aid of their growth-restoring activity against a mutant yeast strain ( zds1Δ erg3Δ pdr1Δ pdr3Δ), which is known to be hypersensitive with respect to Ca2+-signal transduction. The structures were elucidated by spectroscopic data analysis. Compounds 1 and 2 are rare organic compounds from Late Cretaceous amber, and the mutant yeast used seems useful for elucidating a variety of new compounds from Kuji amber specimens, produced before the K-Pg boundary.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amber / chemistry*
  • Amber / pharmacology
  • Biological Products / chemistry*
  • Biological Products / pharmacology*
  • Calcium Signaling / drug effects*
  • Plant Extracts / chemistry
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / drug effects*
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects*

Substances

  • Amber
  • Biological Products
  • Plant Extracts