12’-Hydroxyl group remarkably reduces Roridin E cytotoxicity

Roridin E is a well-known macrocyclic trichothecene mycotoxin possessing potent antiproliferative activity against cancer cell lines. 12’-Hydroxyroridin E was isolated from a marine-derived fungus, Myrothecium roridum 98F42. The cytotoxicities of these two compounds were tested against human monocytic THP-1, human promyelocytic leukemia HL-60, and Chinese hamster V79 cells, and roridin E exhibited more than 1000-fold stronger cytotoxicity than its 12’-OH derivative; therefore, it was suggested that the 12’-position is closely involved in the cytotoxicity of these compounds.