(rel)-Asperparaline A

(rel)-Asperparaline A ((rel)-Aspergillimide), an anthelmintic metabolite, is isolated from okara that has been fermented with Aspergillus japonicas JV-23. (rel)-Asperparaline A is also a potent and selective antagonist of nAChR. (rel)-Asperparaline A exhibits paralytic activity in silk worms[1][2].

Signaling Pathways >> Membrane Transporter/Ion Channel >> nAChR

Signaling Pathways >> Neuronal Signaling >> nAChR

Research Areas >> Neurological Disease

Asperparaline A (1 μM; 1 min) markedly and reversibly blocks the acetylcholine (Ach; 10 µM)-induced current in the silkworm larval neurons[2]. Asperparaline A (1-1000 nM; 1 min) differentially blocks the peak and slowly desensitizing currents, with IC50s of 20.2 and 39.6 nM, respectively[2]. Asperparaline A (10 μM; 1 min) reduces the peak current amplitude of the ACh (100 µM)-induced response of α3β4 nAChR by 33.4%, while barely influencing the amplitudes of the responses to ACh of the α4β2 and α7 nAChRs in X. laevis oocytes[2].

Asperparaline A (10 μg/g; p.o.) exhibits paralysis against silk worms within 1 h and lasts for 7 to 10 h[1]. Asperparaline A (3 μg/g; injection with a micro-syringe) exhibits paralysis activity against silk worms within 20 min and lasts for 4 to 5 h[1].

[1]. Hayashi H, et, al. New paralytic alkaloids, asperparalines A, B and C, from Aspergillus japonicus JV-23. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem. 2000 Jan;64(1):111-5.

[2]. Hirata K, et, al. A fungal metabolite asperparaline a strongly and selectively blocks insect nicotinic acetylcholine receptors: the first report on the mode of action. PLoS One. 2011 Apr 1;6(4):e18354.