Shellmycin A–D, Novel Bioactive Tetrahydroanthra-γ-Pyrone Antibiotics from Marine Streptomyces sp. Shell-016

Four novel bioactive tetrahydroanthra-γ-pyrone compounds, shellmycin A–D (1–4), were isolated from the marine Streptomyces sp. shell-016 derived from a shell sediment sample collected from Binzhou Shell Dike Island and Wetland National Nature Reserve, China. The structures of these four compounds were established by interpretation of 1D and 2D NMR and HR-MS data, in which the absolute configuration of 1 was confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction, and compound 3 and 4 are a pair of stereoisomers. Compound 1–4 exhibited cytotoxic activity against five cancer cell lines with the IC50 value from 0.69 μM to 26.3 μM. Based on their structure–activity relationship, the putative biosynthetic pathways of these four compounds were also discussed.


Introduction
Microbial secondary metabolites with widely divergent chemical structures have been regarded not only as prolific drug candidates, but also an inspiration for the starting point of drug design [1]. For half a century, antibiotics derived from microorganisms have become the leading drugs in different clinical fields due to their distinct structures and excellent activities [2,3]. However, the emerging of drug-resistant bacteria and drug-resistant tumors has prompted people to search for new drugs and novel mechanisms of action [4,5]. More recently, the marine environment is considered as an abundant microbial resource due to its complex ecological environment and relatively harsh living conditions [6,7], which implies there are enormous unexplored secondary metabolites and their biosynthetic gene clusters to be discovered and characterized. Thus, marine microorganisms appear to be a treasure trove of new active microbial drugs [8,9]. Recent studies have fully demonstrated that marine actinomycetes can produce a variety of secondary metabolites with diverse biological activities, including antibacterial [10,11], anti-tumor [12], anti-inflammatory [13], immune regulation [14], anti-parasitic [15], anti-oxidation [16], and anti-virus [17].
The naturally occurring aromatic γ-pyrone structure, a major class of polyketides, is widely found in bioactive natural products, and its structural diversity and various biological activities make it important in the pharmaceutical industry [18,19]. For example, the flavonoids widely distribute in plant are benzopyrone derivatives [20]. The (bis-) naphtho-γ-pyrones compounds are mostly discovered in secondary metabolites of fungi [21]. Some compounds with more complex structures, which contain anthraquinone-γ-pyrone structural units, such as parimycin [22], saliniquinones [23], and hedamycin [24] are present in secondary metabolites of bacteria. Given the significant drug

Extraction and Purification
The strain Streptomyces sp. shell-016 was cultured for 11 days on ISP3 agar plates at 28 • C. The 10 L fermented agar were diced and extracted overnight three times with ethyl acetate: methanol: acetic acid (80: 15:5, v/v) at room temperature. After removing the organic solvents under vacuum, the crude extract was partitioned between double-distilled water and ethyl acetate (1:1, v/v). Then the ethyl acetate extract was dried with sodium sulfate (anhydrous) and partitioned between methanol and petroleum ether (1:1, v/v). The methanol layer was concentrated under vacuum to obtain the defatted methanol extract (3.9 g), which was subjected to MPLC over reversed phase C-18 silica gel, Sephadex LH-20 and HPLC to yield compounds 1-4 ( Figure 1).
Mar. Drugs 2020, 18, x FOR PEER REVIEW 2 of 13 development potential of this class of compounds, it is of great interest to discover new compounds containing anthraquinone-γ-pyrone core in bacterial secondary metabolites [25]. Binzhou shell island is one of the three old shell ridges in the world which formed over thousands of years in the Yellow River Delta, representing a great repertoire for the study of the marine species biodiversity [26,27]. Its unique geographical environment results in a unique ecosystem, which raises unique microorganisms producing novel secondary metabolites [28]. In this study, the chemical composition of the marine Streptomyces sp. shell-016 from the Binzhou shell dike island was studied. Four new polyketides, named shellmycin A-D (1-4), containing the tetrahydroanthra-γ-pyrone skeleton, were isolated ( Figure 1). The structures and relative configurations of the compounds were elucidated by NMR and high-resolution mass spectrometry (HR-MS). The absolute configuration of 1 was clarified by X-ray single crystal diffraction. This study also investigated the antibacterial activity and anticancer activity of 1-4, indicating that this group of compounds has moderate antibacterial activity and strong anticancer activity.

Extraction and Purification
The strain Streptomyces sp. shell-016 was cultured for 11 days on ISP3 agar plates at 28 °C. The 10 L fermented agar were diced and extracted overnight three times with ethyl acetate: methanol: acetic acid (80:15:5, v/v) at room temperature. After removing the organic solvents under vacuum, the crude extract was partitioned between double-distilled water and ethyl acetate (1:1, v/v). Then the ethyl acetate extract was dried with sodium sulfate (anhydrous) and partitioned between methanol and petroleum ether (1:1, v/v). The methanol layer was concentrated under vacuum to obtain the defatted methanol extract (3.9 g), which was subjected to MPLC over reversed phase C-18 silica gel, Sephadex LH-20 and HPLC to yield compounds 1-4 ( Figure 1).

Structure Elucidation
Compound 1 was isolated as a yellow oil, and a yellow crystal was obtained by recrystallization with methanol/acetone (5:1) mixed solvent. The high resolution ESI-MS gave a quasi-molecular ion at m/z 469.1493 [M + H] + ( Figure S1), which is consistent with the molecular formula C25H24O9 (calcd. for C25H25O9 + , 469.1493). The NMR spectra of 1 (Figures S2-S7 and Table 1) displayed 12 signals, including two methyls, three methylenes, three olefinic protons, and two aromatic protons. The 13 C-NMR spectroscopic data of 1 showed three carbonyl signals at δC 175.7, 182.1, and 185.4, and eight

Structure Elucidation
Compound 1 was isolated as a yellow oil, and a yellow crystal was obtained by recrystallization with methanol/acetone (5:1) mixed solvent. The high resolution ESI-MS gave a quasi-molecular ion at m/z 469.1493 [M + H] + ( Figure S1), which is consistent with the molecular formula C 25  characteristics for the existence of the ring-fused aromatic system. The presence of 1 H-1 H spin-spin coupling system in the COSY experiment of 1 from H-8 to H-9 and H-9 to H-10 combined with the HMBC correlations from H-10 to C-11 and C-11a, and another HMBC correlations from H-8 to C-7a and C-7 confirmed the structure of ring A. The chemical shift of H-8 was as high as 4.95 ppm indicated that it was connected with a hydroxyl group. Two aromatic proton signals suggested that this compound has a multi-substituted naphthalene structure. Additionally, the HMBC correlations from H-7 to C-8, C-6 and C-11a combined with the HMBC correlations from H-6 to C-7, C-13, C12a, C-4a revealed the substitution of naphthalene rings. More in-depth, the chemical shift of C-12 moved to the downfield at 165.8 ppm, suggesting that the C-12 was connected with an oxygen atom. Then, the structure of ring B, C, and D was confirmed. The distinct signals of H-13 (δ H 4. 16, 4.26) and the HMBC correlations from this nucleus to C-13-COOH, C-6, and C-4a gave the information that the carboxymethyl group was connected with C-5 on the naphthalene core. The γ-pyrone structure (ring A) formed by C-2, C-3, C-4, C-4a, and C-12b was also deduced by the HMBC correlations from H-3 to C-2, C-4, C-4a.  Figure 2, mixing time 700 ms) were observed but that cannot give definite evidence to support the 14S*, 16R* relative configuration. Compound 1 can form fine crystals in methanol and acetone mixtures, so the single crystal X-ray diffraction was tested, and the absolute configuration of compound 1 was determined ( Figure 3, Crystal structure reports see Supplementary Materials; CCDC deposition number: 1970563). Based on the above analyses, the gross structure of 1 was deduced as a new polyketide, for which we proposed the name shellmycin A. to H-16, and H-15 to H-17 ( Figure 2, mixing time 700 ms) were observed but that cannot give definite evidence to support the 14S*, 16R* relative configuration. Compound 1 can form fine crystals in methanol and acetone mixtures, so the single crystal X-ray diffraction was tested, and the absolute configuration of compound 1 was determined ( Figure 3, Crystal structure reports see Supplementary Materials; CCDC deposition number: 1970563). Based on the above analyses, the gross structure of 1 was deduced as a new polyketide, for which we proposed the name shellmycin A.     Compound 2 was isolated as a yellow oil. The molecular formula of 2 was assigned as C25H26O9 by interpretation of a protonated molecular ion peak at m/z 471.1648 [M + H] + (calcd. for C25H27O9 + , 471.1650) in the HR-MS spectrum ( Figure S8). Compared to 1, compound 2 has two more hydrogen atoms. The NMR data (Figures S9-S14) demonstrated that compound 2 has a multi-substituted naphthalene structure (Table 2), just like 1. The same noticeable 1 H-1 H COSY cross-peaks from H-10 to H-9 and H-9 to H-8 additional with the HMBC correlation from H-10 to C-11a and H-8 to C-7 suggested the structure of the ring A is the same as compound 1. Similarly, the HMBC correlation from H-7 to C-8, C-6, and another HMBC correlation from H-6 to C-7, C-13, and C-4a as well as the HMBC correlation from H-13 to C-6 and C-4a suggested that the compound 2 has the same naphthalene core with 1 ( Figure 4). Similarly, the HMBC correlation from H-3 to C-4a, C-14, and C-2 could also ascertain the γ-pyrone structure, and its substitution type was the same as 1. The apparent difference of the 1 H-NMR and 13 C-NMR between 2 and 1 was that the characteristic peaks of the double bond disappeared. Distinct 1 H-1 H COSY cross peaks from H-16 to H-17 then from H-17 to H-18 then to H-19, and their HMBC correlations gave the evidence, which confirmed the side chain structure of compound 2. Same as 1, the NOESY cross-peaks from H-3 to H-15, H-15 to H-16, and H-15 to H-17 cannot give definite evidence to support the 14S*, 16R* relative configuration. The 8S* relative configuration was confirmed from the single-crystal structure of 1 and proposed biosynthetic pathways. Based on comparison of the ECD spectra between 1 and 2, the absolute configuration of 2 was assigned ( Figure 5). Thus, the structure of shellmycin B (2) was proposed.  Figure S8). Compared to 1, compound 2 has two more hydrogen atoms. The NMR data (Figures S9-S14) demonstrated that compound 2 has a multi-substituted naphthalene structure (Table 2), just like 1. The same noticeable 1 H-1 H COSY cross-peaks from H-10 to H-9 and H-9 to H-8 additional with the HMBC correlation from H-10 to C-11a and H-8 to C-7 suggested the structure of the ring A is the same as compound 1. Similarly, the HMBC correlation from H-7 to C-8, C-6, and another HMBC correlation from H-6 to C-7, C-13, and C-4a as well as the HMBC correlation from H-13 to C-6 and C-4a suggested that the compound 2 has the same naphthalene core with 1 ( Figure 4). Similarly, the HMBC correlation from H-3 to C-4a, C-14, and C-2 could also ascertain the γ-pyrone structure, and its substitution type was the same as 1. The apparent difference of the 1 H-NMR and 13 C-NMR between 2 and 1 was that the characteristic peaks of the double bond disappeared. give definite evidence to support the 14S*, 16R* relative configuration. The 8S* relative configuration was confirmed from the single-crystal structure of 1 and proposed biosynthetic pathways. Based on comparison of the ECD spectra between 1 and 2, the absolute configuration of 2 was assigned ( Figure 5). Thus, the structure of shellmycin B (2) was proposed.           Figures S15 and S22). Interestingly, these two compounds had almost identical NMR spectra. These facts showed that compound 1 and 4 have the same planar structure. The comparison of its 1 H and 13 C NMR data (Tables 3 and 4 The molecular formula of 3 and 4 were both assigned as C25H26O9 by interpretation of a protonated molecular ion peak at m/z 469.1491 and 469.1494 (calcd for C25H25O9 + , 469.1493) in the HR-MS spectrum (Figures S15 and S22). Interestingly, these two compounds had almost identical NMR spectra. These facts showed that compound 1 and 4 have the same planar structure. The comparison of its 1 H and 13 C NMR data (Tables 3 and 4    The molecular formula of 3 and 4 were both assigned as C25H26O9 by interpretation of a protonated molecular ion peak at m/z 469.1491 and 469.1494 (calcd for C25H25O9 + , 469.1493) in the HR-MS spectrum (Figures S15 and S22). Interestingly, these two compounds had almost identical NMR spectra. These facts showed that compound 1 and 4 have the same planar structure. The comparison of its 1 H and 13 C NMR data (Tables 3 and 4      and Enterococcus faecalis but did not show any activity to Candida albicans, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Mycobacterium smegmatis (Table 5). Shellmycins exhibited cytotoxicity at the micro molarity level against five tumorous human cell lines ( Table 6). The resazurin-based cell viability assays showed that the four compounds all inhibited cell growth for both 24 h and 72 h treatment. In general, compound 1, 2, and 4 showed higher cytotoxicity than compound 3, with the IC 50 ranging from 0.69 µM to 3.11 µM at 72 h. In addition, certain types of tumor cells like A375, HepG2, and HT29 are more sensitive to shellmycins. Since compound 3 and 4 are enantiomers, the different anticancer activity of 3 and 4 lead to a conclusion that the stereochemistry of the C-14 is an important factor for the bioactivity of shellmycins. The strong anticancer activity of 1, 2, and 4 indicates the potential of such compounds as a template or scaffold to develop structurally related anticancer drugs.

Proposed Biosynthesis Pathway
Upon comparing the antibiotic and anticancer activities of different shellmycins, the SAR results then will be used to guide biosynthetic engineering efforts. The remarkable activity of compound 1, 2, and 4 implies the importance of the stereochemistry of the side chains. The biosynthesis, incorporation, and post-modification of the side chain, therefore, are significant in the following study. In our proposed biosynthetic pathway of shellmycins, the aromatic polycyclic skeleton of shellmycin suggests that a type-II PKS should be involved in the biosynthesis [29,30]. The methylated 6-carbon side chain of shellmycin is proposed to be synthesized via a bacterial type I PKS, incorporating acetyl-CoA, malonyl-CoA, and methyl-malonyl-CoA sequentially. Here we predict that the nascent product of this type I PKS is methyldiene-S-ACP, which may help to allow a series of epoxidations and rearrangements to take place (Figure 8). This hexenoate starter unit will then be loaded to the type II PKS to form the final tetrahydroanthra-γ-pyrone core after nine rounds of chain elongation (Figure 8). According to the research done by Thorson and co-workers on the biosynthesis of hedamycin, which shares the similar core structure with shellmycin, they suggested that the unusual hexenoate starter unit is recognized by a ketosynthase (KSIII), and loaded onto the PKS by a putative acyl carrier protein (ACP) [31]. In our case, a gatekeeper KSIII and ACP might also be good indications for unusual starter unit incorporation ( Figure 8). Oxidative tailoring reactions will then take place on both tetrahydroanthra-γ-pyrone core and side chains. Epoxidation followed by hydrolysis of the diene side chain would form compound 1, with further reduction in the case of compound 2. An enzymatic catalyzed rearrangement hydrolysis of the mono-epoxide will result in compounds 3 and 4. In summary, there are many very intriguing aspects in the proposed biosynthetic mechanism. Mechanistic details will be revealed in the further studies.
Mar. Drugs 2020, 18, x FOR PEER REVIEW 9 of 13 take place on both tetrahydroanthra-γ-pyrone core and side chains. Epoxidation followed by hydrolysis of the diene side chain would form compound 1, with further reduction in the case of compound 2. An enzymatic catalyzed rearrangement hydrolysis of the mono-epoxide will result in compounds 3 and 4. In summary, there are many very intriguing aspects in the proposed biosynthetic mechanism. Mechanistic details will be revealed in the further studies.

Biological Materials
The Streptomyces sp. shell-016 was isolated from the shell sediment of the Binzhou Shell Dike Island and Wetland National Nature Reserve, China (38°13′17″ N, 117°57′29″ E). The identification of the actinomycete strain was based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. The DNA preparations were used as a template for partial 16S rRNA gene PCR amplification applying the universal primers (27f:

Biological Materials
The Streptomyces sp. shell-016 was isolated from the shell sediment of the Binzhou Shell Dike Island and Wetland National Nature Reserve, China (38 • 13 17" N, 117 • 57 29" E). The identification of the actinomycete strain was based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. The DNA preparations were used as a template for partial 16S rRNA gene PCR amplification applying the universal primers (27f: 5 -AGAGTTTGATCMTGGCTCAG-3 , 1492r: 5 -TACGGTTACCTTGTTACGACTT-3). The reaction mixture (50 µL) includes 10-100 ng genomic DNA, 20 pmol of each universal primer, 25 µL GoTaq Master Mixes (Promega Corporation, Madison, WI, USA). The PCR cycling program was as follows: initial denaturing for 2 min at 95 • C, 30 cycles of denaturation for 30 s at 95 • C, annealing for 30 s at 58 • C, extension for 60 s at 72 • C, and final extension for 5 min at 72 • C. The sequences of 16S rRNA were assigned into taxonomic ranks (genus) using Ribosomal Database Project (RDP) Classifier. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of the strain displayed 98% similarity with type strains of Streptomyces achromogenes subsp. rubradiris strain NBRC 14,000 (NR_112428.1) and Streptomyces vellosus strain HR 29 (KT438921.1).

Fermentation and Extraction
The spores of Streptomyces sp. shell-016 were cultured with ISP2 agar medium (yeast extract 4.0 g, malt extract 10.0 g, glucose 4.0 g, agar 15 g, dd H 2 O 1000 mL, pH 7.2) in Petri dishes as the seed culture. The fermentation (10 L) was performed on ISP3 agar medium (oatmeal 20 g, saline salt 1 mL (saline salt contained FeSO 4 ·7H 2 O 0.1 g, ZnSO 4 ·7H 2 O 0.1 g, MnCl 2 ·4H 2 O 0.1 g, dd H 2 O 100 mL), dd H 2 O 1000 mL, agar 15 g, pH 7.2) for 12 d at 28 • C in Petri dishes. To extract the metabolites, the culture agar was diced and extracted overnight three times with ethyl acetate: methanol: acetic acid (80:15:5, v/v) at room temperature. After removing the organic solvents under vacuum, the crude extract was partitioned between purified water and ethyl acetate (1:1, v/v). Then the ethyl acetate extract was dried with sodium sulfate (anhydrous) and partitioned between methanol and petroleum ether (1:1, v/v). The methanol layer was concentrated under vacuum to obtain the defatted methanol extract (3.9 g).

Computational Chemistry
The systematically conformational searches were performed by the Pcmodel 10.0 software with a simulated annealing method and the MMFF94 force field. The conformers were further optimized by the B97-3C level while using Orca 4.2 software [32]. The 6-31G** basis set is used by default. The theoretical calculations of the ECD data were conducted while using the TDDFT method at the CAM-B3LYP level in MeOH. The ECD spectra were simulated using the Multiwfn 3.6 [33] to get the Boltzmann-averaged ECD spectrum.

Cytotoxicity Assay
The cytotoxicity of the compounds and positive control were evaluated against five tumorous human cell lines including non-small cell lung cancer (H1299, ATCC CRL-5803), malignant melanoma (A375, ATCC CRL-1619), hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2, ATCC HB-8065), colorectal adenocarcinoma (HT29 ATCC HTB-38), and breast cancer (HCC1937, ATCC CRL-2336). Cancer cells were plated at a density of 1 × 10 4 cells per well in 96-well plates and incubated at 37 • C, 5% CO 2 for 24 h in DMEM-FBS medium. Cells were treated with different concentrations of shellmycins. The medium was removed, and 100 µL of resazurin-containing medium was added to each well after 24 h and 72 h. Cells were then incubated for 2 h, and fluorescence was measured (Cytation 3, BioTek) at excitation/emission wavelengths of 560/590 nm.
The MIC was determined by using a broth microdilution assay modified from the method. Candida albicans ATCC 18804 was grown in YPD broth and bacteria were grown overnight in LB broth and diluted to approximately 4 × 10 5 CFU/mL then added 90 µL to the sterile 96-well polypropylene microtiter plates. Two-fold serial dilutions of compounds 1-4 in DMSO were added to the 96-well plates with concentrations ranging from 320 to 2.5 µg/mL. Plates were incubated at 37 • C overnight then read at 600 nm in a microplate reader.

Conclusions
In conclusion, four novel tetrahydroanthra-γ-pyrone compounds named shellmycin A-D were isolated from the marine Streptomyces sp. shell-016. The structures of these four compounds were established by interpretation of 1D and 2D NMR, high-resolution ESI-MS data, and single crystal X-ray diffraction. An interesting fact was 3 and 4 are a pair of stereoisomers and their biological activity was significantly different. This study provides not only a valuable subject for future research on the structure-activity relationship and biosynthesis, but also an impetus for anti-cancer drug development.
Author Contributions: Y.H. designed and performed the experiments; Y.W. isolated the strain and performed the fermentation; Y.Y. processed the MS data; H.C. analyzed the activity research data and proposed the biosynthesis pathway; H.C. and Y.H. wrote the paper. All authors have read and agree to the published version of the manuscript.
Funding: This project was partially supported by the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation Project (2016M592203) and NSFC (31870023).