Terreusinone, a novel UV-A protecting dipyrroloquinone from the marine algicolous fungus Aspergillus terreus

A novel chiral dipyrrolobenzoquinone derivative, terreusinone (1), has been isolated as a potent UV-A protectant from the marine algicolous fungus Aspergillus terreus. The structure and absolute stereochemistry of the new compound was established by spectral interpretation, Horeauʹs method and quantum chemistry calculations as 2,6-bis[(1R)-1-hydroxyisobutyl]-1H,5H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]indole-4,8-dione (1). Compound 1 exhibited a UV-A absorbing activity with ED50 value of 70 μg/mL.