Alkaloids from the tunicate Polycarpa aurata from Chuuk atoll

Two new alkaloids, polycarpine (1) and N,N-didesmethylgrossularine-1 (4), have been isolated from extracts of the ascidian Polycarpa aurata collected in Chuuk, Federated States of Micronesia. Three degradation products of 1 were also isolated. The structures of 1, 2, and 4 were determined by X-ray crystallography. The dimeric disulfide 1 inhibited the enzyme inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase, but the inhibition could be reversed by addition of excess dithiothreitol suggesting that 1 reacts with sulfhydryl groups on the enzyme.