Trefolane A, a sesquiterpenoid with a new skeleton from cultures of the basidiomycete Tremella foliacea.
Trefolane A (1), an unprecedented skeleton with a 5/6/4 tricyclic ring system, was isolated from cultures of the basidiomycete Tremella foliacea. The structure was elucidated by means of spectroscopic methods and further confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. A possible biogenesis for trefolane A (1) was also proposed.
Agrocybone, a novel bis-sesquiterpene with a spirodienone structure from basidiomycete Agrocybe salicacola
The isolation, structure elucidation, and relative stereochemistry assignment of a novel illudane-illudane bis-sesquiterpene, agrocybone (1), from the basidiomycete Agrocybe salicacola, were reported. Agrocybone represents a structure with eight rings (including two Spiro rings) and seven stereogenic carbon atoms. Agrocybone was found to exhibit weak antiviral activity against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) with IC(50) value of 100 mu M. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Palaeomicrobiology: current issues and perspectives
Palaeomicrobiology is an emerging field that is devoted to the detection, identification and characterization of microorganisms in ancient remains. Data indicate that host-associated microbial DNA can survive for almost 20,000 years, and environmental bacterial DNA preserved in permafrost samples has been dated to 400,000–600,000 years. In addition to frozen and mummified soft tissues, bone and dental pulp can also be used to search for microbial pathogens. Various techniques, including microscopy and immunodetection, can be used in palaeomicrobiology, but most data have been obtained using PCR-based molecular techniques. Infections caused by bacteria, viruses and parasites have all been diagnosed using palaeomicrobiological techniques. Additionally, molecular typing of ancient pathogens could help to reconstruct the epidemiology of past epidemics and could feed into current models of emerging infections, therefore contributing to the development of appropriate preventative measures.