Scalarane sesterterpenes from Thorectidae sponges as inhibitors of TDP-43 nuclear factor

The analysis of two Thorectidae sponge samples, Hyrtios sp. and Petrosaspongia sp., collected at Fiji Islands, led to the isolation of five new scalarane derivatives along with fifteen known compounds. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of NMR and MS spectroscopic data. The small library of natural scalarane derivatives was investigated for their ability to modulate the activity of trans-activation response DNA-binding protein of 43 kDa (TDP-43), a key factor in several neurodegenerative conditions and the study resulted in the identification of potent inhibitors of TDP-43 protein.