The mniopetals, new inhibitors of reverse transcriptases from a Mniopetalum species (Basidiomycetes). I. Producing organism, fermentation, isolation and biological activities.

Six novel enzyme inhibitors of RNA-directed DNA-polymerases of human immunodeficiency-, avian myeloblastosis and murine leukemia viruses were isolated from fermentations of a canadian Mniopetalum species. They were named mniopetals A, B, C, D, E and F. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods. The compounds, in addition to their inhibitory activities on reverse transcriptases, exhibit antimicrobial and cytotoxic properties.