Viridicatumtoxin B is a fungus-derived tetracycline antibiotic discovered in 2008. It was isolated from small amounts of penicillium fungi. A synthetic structure matching that of natural viridicatumtoxin B makes possible synthetic variants that match or surpass its antibiotic potency.
Contents
Analogs lacking a hydroxyl group were even more effective than the original against Gram-positive bacteria.
Concerns about solubility, biodegradation, availability and other issues must be resolved before clinical development begins.
History
The substance was first isolated from the mycelium of liquid fermentation cultures of Penicillium species FR11.
Structure
Its structure was determined on the basis of MS and nuclear magnetic resonance data.
Effects
Viridicatumtoxin B inhibited the growth of Staphylococcus aureus, including methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus and quinolone-resistant S. aureus with MIC (μg/ml) of 0.5. That effect is similar to that of vancomycin, but 8-64 times greater than that of tetracycline.
Total synthesis
A complete total synthesis of viridicatumtoxin B, in racemic form, was completed in 2013 by the group of K. C. Nicolaou.