Spiroaspertrione A Succumbs to Synthesis
MRSA-fighting natural product features an unusual cage.
Synthetic organic chemists have been drawn to the challenge of synthesizing (–)-spiroaspertrione A, a molecule featuring a unique spirobicyclo[3.2.2]nonane cage.
This molecule was first isolated in 2017 from a culture of the fungus Aspergillus sp. TJ23 and has been shown to resensitize methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) to antibiotics.
According to the World Health Organization, one in six bacterial infections worldwide is now resistant to antibiotic treatment.
Scientists have been limited in their ability to study (–)-spiroaspertrione A’s MRSA-fighting mechanism due to the small amounts of the molecule available.
Author's summary: Spiroaspertrione A synthesis achieved.