Val-Geninthiocin: Structure elucidation and MSⁿ fragmentation of thiopeptide antibiotics produced by Streptomyces sp. RSF18

Val-Geninthiocin (2), a new member of thiopeptide antibiotics, was isolated from the mycelium of Streptomyces sp. RSF18, along with the closely related geninthiocin (1) and the macrolide, chalcomycin. By intensive NMR and MS studies, Val-geninthiocin (2) was identified as desoxy-geninthiocin, a thiopeptide, containing several oxazole and thiazole units and a number of unusual amino acids. Compound 2 shows potent activity against Gram-positive bacteria and minor antifungal activity, while it is not effective against Gram-negative bacteria or microalgae. Here we describe the fermentation, isolation and structure elucidation as well as the biological activity of 2.