Louisianin B

In the course of screening for non-steroidal growth inhibitors of testosterone-responsive Shionogi carcinoma 115 cells, louisianins A, B, C and D, were isolated from fermentation broth of Streptomyces sp. WK-4028. Louisianin A remarkably inhibited the growth of SC 115 cells in the presence of 10(-7) M testosterone at an IC50 value of 0.6 microgram/ml, whereas, no inhibition was observed on the other cell lines. Furthermore, inhibitory activity of testosterone 5 alpha-reductase and antimicrobial activity have not been observed at a concentration of 50 micrograms/ml and 1,000 micrograms/ml, respectively.

New non-steroidal growth inhibitors of testosterone-responsive SC 115 cells, louisianins A (MW: 189; C11H11NO2), B (MW: 191; C11H13NO2), C (MW: 173; C11H11NO) and D (MW: 173; C11H11NO) were isolated from the cultured broth of Streptomyces sp. WK-4028. Their structures were determined on the basis of spectroscopic data. The structure of louisianin A in particular was confirmed by X-ray crystallographic analysis. The four compounds commonly possess a unique pyrindine skeleton in the molecule.

Isolated in 1995, the four members of the louisianin family (A, B, C and D) are simple pyridine and 2-pyridone alkaloids that display both antibacterial and anticancer activity. Herein we describe the synthesis of all four members of the louisianin family, from a conveniently prepared 1,2,4-triazine and via a common tetrasubstituted pyridine intermediate. This study includes the synthesis of louisianin B in both racemic form and as the (-)-enantiomer.