A novel echinocandin MIG0310 with anticandida activity from newly isolated Fusarium sp. strain MS-R1

To isolate and identify an anticandida compound from newly isolated Fusarium strain MS-R1 and characterization of its activity against standard and clinical strains of Candida.

The fungal strain, Fusarium strain MS-R1, was isolated from soil. Molecular identification according to the internal transcribed spacer region of the rRNA gene sequence showed the strain to be strongly related to Fusarium brachygibbosum complex. Successive extractions of the active compound showed activity against Candida albicans, including clinical strains. Inhibition of a clinical strain of Candida tropicalis, but not Candida krusei and Candida glabrata, was also shown as tested by the broth microdilution assay. The compound was purified by liquid chromatography coupled with thin-layer chromatography and bioautography and characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. It was confirmed to have the molecular formula C(48)H(66)O(18) and was identified as an echinocandin with a novel structure.

A novel echinocandin-type antifungal metabolite, MIG0310, was isolated and characterized. This is a second echinocandin reported from a Fusarium species, indicating this genus to have wider range of echinocandin compounds.

The new compound may lead to new anticandidal drugs, broadening the treatment opportunities for Candida species, including those that are resistant to the current antifungal drugs.