Structures, Synthesis and Biological Activities of Nonactic Acid and Its Derivatives

Abstract

: Nonactic acid, which is a macrocyclic nonactin subunit, contains four asymmetric centers and has the molecular formula of C10H18O3. Due to their various biological activities and challenging structural characteristics, nonactic acid and its derivatives have attracted much attention from scientists since 1955. These compounds possess significant antibacterial, insecticidal and acaricidal activities, as well as a promoting effect on plant growth. However, the studies in the anticancer activities of these compounds are limited. It is noticed that some derivatives of nonactic acid show significant cytotoxicity toward different human cancer cells, from which a basic structure-activity relationship might be able to be obtained. On the basis of these progress, we believe that this review may provide new ideas for generating potent anticancer compounds bearing the same pharmacophores derived from those macrocyclic molecules.

Strain Streptomyces sp. P-56 Produces Nonactin and Possesses Insecticidal, Acaricidal, Antimicrobial and Plant Growth-Promoting Traits

“…Macrotetralids, including nonactin, are membrane-active compounds that violate the permeability of the membranes, particularly blocking the activity of potassium channels and inducing disturbance to the transport of ions into cells [ 11 , 25 , 52 ]. As a consequence, violation of oxidative phosphorylation, ATP hydrolysis, swelling of mitochondria, lysis of zoospores and other toxic effects were observed [ 11 , 53 ].…”

“…Nonactin is a biologically active compound produced by several Streptomyces species [ 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 ], and is known as the macrotetrolide antibiotic consisting of four subunits in the form of nonactic acid [ 24 , 25 ]. Nonactic acid and/or its derivatives (monactin, dinactin, trinactin and tetranactin) possess antibacterial, antifungal, insecticidal and acaricidal activity [ 11 , 25 , 26 , 27 ]. It was also shown that Streptomyces globisporus produced nonactine and possessed insecticidal activity against Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata) [ 20 ].…”