Three novel (1-3) and two known (4-5) scalarane sesterterpenes were isolated from a marine sponge of the genus Spongia. The isolated compounds showed potent inhibition of transactivation for the nuclear hormone receptor, FXR (farnesoid X-activated receptor), which is a promising drug target to treat hypercholesterolemia in humans.
Center for Marine Natural Products and Drug Discovery, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Seoul National University, NS-80, Seoul, 151-747, Republic of Korea.