Cyclopenin
Application Notes
Cyclopenin is one of an unusual family of benzodiazepine metabolites produced by a number of Penicillium species. Often mistakenly referred to as a mycotoxin, cyclopenin shows little toxicity against mammalian cells, bacteria or fungi in vitro. Cyclopenin is an intermediate in the biosynthesis of 3-O-methyl viridicatin, a strong inhibitor of TNFα-induced replication HIV. Lack of availability has hitherto restricted a more intensive investigation of this interesting metabolite.
References
- Studies in the biochemistry of microorganisms. 93. Cyclopenin, a nitrogen-containing metabolic product of Penicillium cyclopium Westling. Bracken A. et al., Biochem J. 1954, 57, 587.
- Isolation and characterization of the fungal metabolite 3-O-methylviridicatin as an inhibitor of tumor necrosis factor alpha-induced human immunodeficiency virus replication. Heguy A. et al., Antivir. Chem. Chemother. 1998, 9, 149.