Noboritomycins A and B, new polyether antibiotics

Noboritomycins A and B, two new polycyclic ionophoric polyethers were isolated from a strain of Streptomyces noboritoensis. The crystal structure and absolute configuration of noboritomycin A were established by X-ray analysis of its silver salt C43/63O14Ag. Noboritomycin A is the first metabolic polyether possessing two carboxylic acid functions on the carbon backbone (C-31), namely a free acid and an additional carboxylic acid ethylester group. An unusual spiroketal system as well as a salicylic acid chromophore represent further remarkable elements. Noboritomycin A shows in this respect a structural relationship to salinomycin and lasalocid respectively. Comparison of physico-chemical data, in particular the interpretation of the 1H- and 13C-NMR spectra, revealed that noboritomycins A and B are structurally closely related, noboritomycin B carrying an ethyl substituent on the aromatic ring in the place of a methyl group present in noboritomycin A. Both metabolites exhibit activity against Gram-positive bacteria and against Eimeria tenella (chicken coccidiosis).