5’-Methylthioadenosine (MTA) isolated from a marine-derived bacterium Erythrobacter citreus IV21-137.

Abstract

5'-Methylthioadenosine (MTA) is a naturally occurring sulfur-containing nucleoside found in numerous species [1]. In the course of our research on the bioactive secondary metabolites from the marine microorganisms, we encountered a marine-derived bacterium Erythrobacter citreus IV21-137 isolated from barnacle which inhabit deep-sea hydrothermal vent areas of the Indian Ocean. The strain IV21-137 produced MTA as a major secondary metabolite. The structure of MTA was elucidated based on 1D and 2D NMR and mass spectrometric data analyses. MTA was found to cross the blood brain barrier (BBB) in an artificial membrane assay and in vitro cell model and has good drug-like properties. Several in vivo tests were performed in models of hypoxic brain damage, Parkinson’s disease and epilepsy, indicating that MTA displays a wide array of neuroprotective activities [2]. MTA, which could be a potential lead for neuroprotective agents, was discovered for the first time from the deep-sea strain IV21-137 in this study.