Xylarianaphthol-1, a novel dinaphthofuran derivative, activates p21 promoter in a p53-independent manner

Xylarianaphthol-1, a novel dinaphthofuran derivative, was isolated from a marine sponge-derived fungus of order Xylariales on the guidance of a bioassay using the transfected human osteosarcoma MG63 cells (MG63luc+). The chemical structure of xylarianaphthol-1 was determined from the 1H and 13C NMR analysis and was further confirmed by the total synthesis. Xylarianaphthol-1 activated p21 promoter stably transfected in MG63 cells dose-dependently. Expression of p21 protein in the wild-type MG63 cells was also increased by xylarianaphthol-1 treatment.