文摘
An actinomycete, strain Acta 3026, isolated from mangrove soil was characterized and found to belong to the genusNocardia. The strain produces two new cytotoxic metabolites, nocardichelins A (1) and B (2). Each of the compoundsstrongly inhibited human cell lines from gastric adenocarcinoma, breast carcinoma, and hepatocellular carcinoma withGI50 values in a low micromolar to nanomolar range. The structural characterization of the compounds was performedby mass spectrometry and NMR spectroscopy. The nocardichelins represent a new group of siderophores that combinethe structural elements of mycobactin-type siderophores from mycobacteria and hydroxamate-type siderophores(desferrioxamine B) produced by streptomycetes. The chromazurol S assay, characteristic for iron(III) complexation,was positive, confirming the role as a siderophore.