Azaphilone fungal metabolite. Induces formation of chlamydospore-like cells in fungi. Trypsin inhibitor (IC50=16µg/ml). Mitorubrinic acid was shown to be a virulence factor of Penicillium marneffei by improving its intracellular survival in macrophages. P. marneffei is the most important thermal dimorphic fungus causing respiratory, skin and systemic mycosis in China and Southeast Asia. It is a common indicator disease of AIDS. Besides HIV positive patients, P. marneffei infections have been reported in other immunocompromised patients, such as transplant recipients, patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and on corticosteroid therapy.