Epigenetic modification of Tampa Bay fungal strain produces new and known compounds active against MRSA

In the face of increasingly resistant bacteria like the ESKAPE pathogens, there is a dire need for new and novel drug candidates. Marine fungal endophytes live in harsh environments, producing secondary metabolites as a survival strategy. In the laboratory, production of secondary metabolites is often down-regulated. Epigenetic modifiers can be used to activate down regulated biosynthetic pathways to access a greater chemical repertoire. Following a high-throughput, epigenetic-based screen of mangrove endophytic fungi, one fungal strain from the Tampa Bay area was identified for its activity against ESKAPE pathogen Staphylococcus aureus. It was grown in large scale and in epigenetically modified conditions. Its secondary metabolites were extracted, and the fractionation and purification of extracts was guided by NMR. Epigenetic modification of the fungi caused the production of new and known compounds with one new compound exhibiting activity against S. aureus.