New brominated and halogen-less derivatives and structure-activity relationship of azaphilones inhibiting gp120-CD4 binding

Novel brominated and halogen-less azaphilone (oxoisochromane) derivatives, 5-bromoochrephilone and dechloroisochromophilone IV, and known derivatives, dechloroisochromophilone III and isorotiorin, were isolated from the culture broth of a producing organism of isochromophilones I and II (azaphilones inhibiting gp120-CD4 binding), Penicillium multicolor FO-2338, fermented in a medium containing potassium bromide. Nineteen azaphilone-related compounds isolated from the above strain and from other fungi were tested for the inhibition of gp120-CD4 binding and the structure-activity relationship is discussed. Consequently, 5-bromoochrephilone is the strongest inhibitor (IC50, 2.5 mu M). A halogen atom at C-5, a proton at C-8 and a diene structure in C-3 side chain of 6-oxoisochromane ring are necessary for gp120-CD4 binding.