Masahisa Oka

Terpestacin, a novel syncytium formation inhibitor, isolated from Arthrinium species

Abstract Terpestacin a novel syncytium formation inhibitor in HIV infection, was isolated from Arthrinium sp. metabolites. The structure of terpestacin including the absolute stereochemistry was determined on the basis of spectroscopic analysis and chemical reactions. The biosynthetic pathway of terpestacin was also determined.

Absolute configuration of the rubiginones and photo-induced oxidation of the C1 hydroxyl of the antibiotics to a ketone

The absolute stereochemistry of rubiginones A1, A2, B1, B2, C1 and C2 has been established by NMR spectral analysis using the O-methylmandelate method. A facile photoinduced oxidation of rubiginones A1, B1 and C1 to rubiginones A2, B2 and C2, respectively, is discussed in relation to the absolute stereochemistry.