Work

Isolation and characterization of 5-O-desmethyl kinanthraquinone B generated through O-methyltransferase gene disruption

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: 5-O-desmethyl kinanthraquinone B, a new kinanthraquinone analogue, was isolated from a kiqT1 disruptant. Its structure was elucidated by high-resolution electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry and subsequently compared with the spectroscopic data of kinanthraquinone B. The newly isolated analogue exhibited antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, antimalarial activity against Plasmodium falciparum, and cytotoxicity toward HL-60 cells, with IC₅₀ values of 3.7, 5.5 and 11 μg/mL, respectively. Comparison of the biological activities of 5-O-desmethyl kinanthraquinone B and kinanthraquinone B indicated that methylation of the C-5 hydroxyl group reduced antibacterial activity and cytotoxicity with little effect on antimalarial activity.

Source: The Journal of Antibiotics

DOI: 10.1038/s41429-026-00960-w

Authors: Katsuyuki Sakai, Yushi Futamura, Toshihiko Nogawa, Harumi Aono, Hiroyuki Osada, Shunji Takahashi

Institutions: RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, RIKEN

Language: English

Topic: Microbial Natural Products and Biosynthesis

Subfield: Pharmacology (medical)

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,590