Carteriosulfonic acids A-C, GSK-3beta inhibitors from a Carteriospongia sp.

Modulators of Wnt signaling have therapeutic potential in a number of human diseases. A fractionated library from marine invertebrates was screened in a luciferase assay designed to identify modulators of Wnt signaling. A fraction from a Carteriospongia sp. sponge activated Wnt signaling and was subsequently shown to inhibit GSK-3beta, which inhibits Wnt signaling through phosphorylation of beta-catenin. Three novel natural products, carteriosulfonic acids A (1), B (2), and C (3), were identified as active constituents. The carteriosulfonic acids contain unprecedented 4,6,7,9-tetrahydroxylated decanoic acid subunits. Their structures were elucidated through analysis of NMR data and a detailed analysis of pseudo MS(3) spectra.