Fibrosterol sulfate A is a polysulfated bis-steroid with an atypical side chain. Due to the flexibility of the linker, large scale motions that change dramatically the shape of the entire molecule are expected. Such motions pose major challenges to the structure elucidation and the correct determination of configuration. In this study, we will describe the determination of the relative configuration of fibrosterol sulfate A through an RDC-based multiple alignment tensor analysis complemented by molecular dynamics. For completeness, we applied also the single tensor approach which is unreliable due to the large scale motions and compare the results.

Casearia arguta was investigated as part of the ongoing search for synergistic TRAIL (tumor necrosis factor-α-related apoptosis-inducing ligand) sensitizers. As a result of this study, argutins A-H, eight new highly oxygenated clerodane diterpenes, were isolated from the plant Casearia arguta collected in Guatemala. The modified Mosher ester method was utilized to establish the absolute configuration of argutins A and F. Each of the argutins showed varying levels of synergy with TRAIL. Argutin B showed the highest TRAIL sensitization; the synergistic effect of argutin B and TRAIL together was 3-fold greater than argutin B alone.

Three new sterol sulfates, spheciosterol sulfates A−C (1−3), and the known sterol sulfate topsentiasterol sulfate E (4) have been isolated from the sponge Spheciospongia sp., collected in the Philippines. Structures were assigned on the basis of extensive 1D and 2D NMR studies as well as analysis by HRESIMS. Compounds 1−4 inhibited PKCζ with IC50 values of 1.59, 0.53, 0.11, and 1.21 μM, respectively. In a cell-based assay, 1−4 also inhibited NF-κB activation with EC50 values of 12−64 μM.