Structure
Enfumafungin is structurally characterized by four rings with the six-membered D-ring and glucose attached to 3′-OH. Based on its ring structures, enfumafungin was classified as a fernene-type triterpene. The enfumafungin synthase, efuA, is a member of this cryptic lineage of eukaryotic squalene-hopene cyclases (SHCs), and recognition of the linkage will guide recognition of other biosynthetic products of this widespread class of fungal terpenes. Enfumafungin is structurally characterized by four rings with the six-membered D-ring and glucose attached to 3′-OH. Based on its ring structures, enfumafungin was classified as a fernene-type triterpene. The enfumafungin synthase, efuA, is a member of this cryptic lineage of eukaryotic squalene-hopene cyclases (SHCs), and recognition of the linkage will guide recognition of other biosynthetic products of this widespread class of fungal terpenes[1].
Definition
ChEBI: Enfumafungin is a triterpene glycoside and hemiacetal isolated from a fermentation of Hormonema sp. and which specifically inhibits glucan synthesis in fungal cells. It has a role as an antifungal agent. It is a triterpenoid saponin, a monosaccharide derivative and a lactol.
Biological Activity
Enfumafungin, a triterpene glycoside, was isolated from extracts of the species Hormonema. It is an antifungal compound that acts on the fungal cell wall as a (1,3)-beta-D-glucan synthase inhibitor.
in vitro
Enfumafungin (24-48 h) has MICs of less than 0.5 μg/mL against the Candida and Aspergillus species tested and it is inactive against Cryptococcus , including the decapsulated form (MY2062).
in vivo
Enfumafungin (50-200 mg/kg; ip twice daily for 2 days) produces a significant decrease in the number of cfu in kidneys of mice challenged with C. albicans , with an ED 90 of 90 mg/kg.
target
(1,3)-beta-D-glucan synthase
References
[1] Eric Kuhnert. “Enfumafungin synthase represents a novel lineage of fungal triterpene cyclases.” Environmental microbiology 20 9 (2018): 3325–3342.
