The novel terpenoid (-)-hispidospermidin 1 was isolated from a strain of Chaetosphaeronema hispidulum (Cda) Moesz NR 7127. Reported in 1994, its structure was determined by both NMR studies of 1 and x-ray crystallographic analysis of the (1S)-(+)-10-camphosulphonic acid salt 2 (fig. 1). It was found to comprise a tetracyclic cage with a pendant N,N-trimethylated spermidine side chain. (-)-Hispidospermidin was found to be a potent and specific inhibitor of the enzyme phospholipase C (PLC) with and IC50 of 16µM (rat brain PLC). In this regard, the parent compound or analogues can be considered excellent targets for novel therapeutic agents in cancer trials within the Kidscan environment.
Grant Award – Kidscan Placement Student (2017-2018)
Funding Award – £1,000
Funding Awarded To – Dr Stephen Rossington
Research Location – University of Salford
Lead Researcher – Dr Stephen Rossington
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