Sanglifehrins A, B, C and D, Novel Cyclophilin-binding Compounds Isolated from Streptomyces sp. A92-308110

I. Taxonomy, Fermentation, Isolation and Biological Activity

Abstract

A novel class of macrolides for which the name sanglifehrins is proposed, has been discovered from actinomycete strains based on their high affinity binding for cyclophilin A (CypA), an immunophilin originally identified as a cytosolic protein binding cyclosporin A (CsA). The sanglifehrins were produced by Streptomyces sp. A92-308110. They were isolated and purified by extraction and several chromatographic, activity-guided steps. Sanglifehrins A and B exhibit a 10-20 fold higher affinity for CypA than CsA, whereas the affinity of sanglifehrins C and D for CypA is comparable to that of CsA. Sanglifehrins exhibit a lower immunosuppressive activity than CsA when tested in the mixed lymphocyte reaction. Their in vitro activity indicates that they belong to a novel class of immunosuppressants.