Biosynthesis of monoterpenes. Enantioselectivity in the enzymatic cyclization of (+)- and (-)-linalyl pyrophosphate to (+)- and (-)-bornyl pyrophosphate

Enzymes from Salvia officinalis and Tanacetum vulgare leaf epidermis catalyze the conversion of the acyclic precursor geranyl pyrophosphate to the cyclic monoterpenes (+)- and (-)-bornyl pyrophosphate, respectively. The antipodal cyclizations are considered to proceed by the initial isomerization of the substrate to the respective bound tertiary allylic intermediates (-)-(3R)- and (+)-(3S)-linalyl pyrophosphate. [(3R)-8,9-14C,(3RS)-1E-3H] Linalyl pyrophosphate (3H:14C = 5.22) was tested as a substrate with the cyclases from both sources to determine the configuration of the cyclizing intermediate. This substrate yielded (-)-bornyl pyrophosphate with 3H:14C ratio greater than 31, indicating specific utilization of (+)-(3S)-linalyl pyrophosphate as predicted. With the (+)-bornyl pyrophosphate cyclase, the 3H:14C ratio of the product was about 4.16, indicating a preference for the (-)-(3R)-enantiomer, but the ability also to utilize (+)-(3S)-linalyl pyrophosphate. (3R)- and (3S)-[1Z-3H]Linalyl pyrophosphate were separately compared to the achiral precursors [1-3H] geranyl pyrophosphate and [1-3H]neryl pyrophosphate (cis-isomer) as substrates for the cyclizations. All functional precursors afforded optically pure (-)-(1S,4S)-bornyl pyrophosphate with the T. vulgare-derived cyclase (as determined by chromatographic separation of diastereomeric ketals of the derived ketone camphor), and (+)-(3S)-linalyl pyrophosphate was the preferred substrate. With the (+)-bornyl pyrophosphate cyclase from S. officinalis, geranyl, neryl, and (-)-(3R)-linalyl pyrophosphates gave the expected (+)-(1R,4R)-stereoisomer as the sole product, and (-)-(3R)-linalyl pyrophosphate was the preferred substrate. However, (3S)-linalyl pyrophosphate yielded (-)-(1S,4S)-bornyl pyrophosphate, albeit at lower rates, indicating the ability of this enzyme to catalyze the anomalous enantiomeric cyclization.     

Biosynthesis of monoterpenes. Enantioselectivity in the enzymatic cyclization of (+)- and (-)-linalyl pyrophosphate to (+)- and (-)-pinene and (+)- and (-)-camphene

Cyclase I from Salvia officinalis leaf catalyzes the conversion of geranyl pyrophosphate to the stereo-chemically related bicyclic monoterpenes (+)-alpha-pinene and (+)-camphene and to lesser quantities of monocyclic and acyclic olefins, whereas cyclase II from this plant tissue converts the same acyclic precursor to (-)-alpha-pinene, (-)-beta-pinene and (-)-camphene as well as to lesser amounts of monocyclics and acyclics. These antipodal cyclizations are considered to proceed by the initial isomerization of the substrate to the respective bound tertiary allylic intermediates (-)-(3R)- and (+)-(3S)-linalyl pyrophosphate. [(3R)-8,9-14C,(3RS)-1E-3H]Linalyl pyrophosphate (3H:14C = 5.14) was tested as a substrate with both cyclases to determine the configuration of the cyclizing intermediate. This substrate with cyclase I yielded alpha-pinene and camphene with 3H:14C ratios of 3.1 and 4.2, respectively, indicating preferential, but not exclusive, utilization of the (3R)-enantiomer. With cyclase II, the doubly labeled substrate gave bicyclic olefins with 3H:14C ratios of from 13 to 20, indicating preferential, but not exclusive, utilization of the (3S)-enantiomer in this case. (3R)- and (3S)-[1Z-3H]linalyl pyrophosphate were separately compared to the achiral precursors [1-3H]geranyl pyrophosphate and [1-3H]neryl pyrophosphate (cis-isomer) as substrates for the cyclizations. With cyclase I, geranyl, neryl, and (3R)-linalyl pyrophosphate gave rise exclusively to (+)-alpha-pinene and (+)-camphene, whereas (3S)-linayl pyrophosphate produced, at relatively low rates, the (-)-isomers. With cyclase II, geranyl, neryl, and (3S)-linalyl pyrophosphate yielded exclusively the (-)-isomer series, whereas (3R)-linalyl pyrophosphate afforded the (+)-isomers at low rates. These results are entirely consistent with the predicted stereochemistries and additionally revealed the unusual ability of these enzymes to catalyze antipodal cyclizations when presented with the unnatural linalyl enantiomer.     

Microbial hydroxylation of (+/-)- and (-)-(2Z,4E)-5-(1',2'-epoxy-2',6',6'-trimethylcyclohexyl)-3-methyl-2,4-pentadienoic acid into (+/-)- and (-)-xanthoxin acid by Cunninghamella echinulata

Microbial hydroxylation of (+/-)-(2Z,4E)-5-(1',2'-epoxy-2',6',6'-trimethylcyclohexyl)-3-methyl-2,4-pentadienoic acid (3a) with Cercospora cruenta, a fungus producing (+)-abscisic acid, gave a four-stereoisomeric mixture consisting of (+)- and (-)-xanthoxin acid (4a), and (+)- and (-)-epi-xanthoxin acid (5a) by an HPLC analysis with a chiral column. Screening of the microorganisms capable of oxidizing (+/-)-3a showed that Cunninghamella echinulata stereoselectively oxidized (+/-)-3a to xanthoxin acid (4a) with the some degree of enantioselectivity as (-)-3a to (-)-4a.     

Biotransformation of (R)-(+)- and (S)-(-)-limonene by fungi and the use of solid phase microextraction for screening

The biotransformation of (R)-(-)- and (S)-(-)-limonene by fungi was investigated. More than 60 fungal cultures were screened for their ability to bioconvert the substrate, using solid phase microextraction as the monitoring technique. After screening, the best fungal strains were selected for further study and were grown as sporulated surface cultures in conical flasks and as submerged liquid cultures. It was found that (+)- and (-)-limonene were converted by Penicillium digitatum to alpha-terpineol (main metabolite), cis- and trans-p-menth-2-en-1-ol, neodihydrocarveol and limonene oxide (minor metabolites) using liquid cultures. The bioconversion of (R)-(-)- and (S)-(-)-limonene by Corwespora cassiicola yielded (1S,2S,4R)- and (1R,2R,4S)-limonene-1,2-diol respectively. The bioconversions by liquid cultures were also monitored by solid phase microextraction as a function of time. The optimum conversion of limonene to alpha-terpineol by Penicillium digitatum was obtained after 8 hours (yield up to 100%). Since an important pH-decrease was noticed in some liquid broths, the stability of limonene under acidic conditions was investigated. No acid catalysed conversion products were recovered after 8 days from control flasks at pH 3.5 containing limonene.     

NMR structural characterization of cecropin A(1-8) - magainin 2(1-12) and cecropin A (1-8) - melittin (1-12) hybrid peptides.

In order to elucidate the structure-antibiotic activity relationships of the peptides, the three-dimensional structures of two hybrid peptides, CA(1-8) - MA(1-12) and CA(1-8) - ME(1-12) in trifluoroethanol-containing aqueous solution were investigated by NMR spectroscopy. Both CA(1-8) - MA(1-12) and CA(1-8) - ME(1-12) have strong antibacterial activity but only CA(1-8) - ME(1-12) has hemolytic activity against human erythrocytes. CA(1-8) - MA(1-12) has a hydrophobic 310-helix of only two turns combined with one short helix in the N-terminus with a flexible hinge section in between. CA(1-8) - MA(1-12) has a severely bent structure in the middle of the peptide. These structural features as well as the low hydrophobicity of CA(1-8) - MA(1-12) seem to be crucial for the selective lysis against the membrane of prokaryotic cells. CA(1-8) - ME(1-12) has an alpha-helical structure of about three turns in the melittin domain and a flexible structure with one turn in the cecropin domain connected with a flexible hinge section in between, and these might be the structural features required for membrane disruption against prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. The central hinge region (Gly9-Ile10-Gly11) in an amphipathic antibacterial peptide is considered to play an important role in providing the conformational flexibility required for ion channel formation of the C-terminal hydrophobic alpha-helix on cell membrane.     

Influence of the chirality of (R)-(-)- and (S)-(+)-carvone in the central nervous system: a comparative study

Many terpenes are used therapeutically, and as flavor and fragrance materials. (R)-(-)-Carvone, the main constituent of spearmint oil, and (S)-(+)-carvone, found as major component of caraway and dill seed oils, have several applications and are used in cosmetic, food, and pharmaceutical preparations. In this study, the effect of enantiomers of carvone on the central nervous system (CNS) was evaluated in mice. The LD50 value was 484.2 mg/kg (358.9-653.2) for (S)-(+)-carvone, and 426.6 (389.0-478.6) mg/kg for (R)-(-)-carvone. Both enantiomers caused depressant effects, such as decrease in the response to the touch and ambulation, increase in sedation, palpebral ptosis, and antinociceptive effects. (S)-(+)- and (R)-(-)-carvone caused a significant decrease in ambulation. (R)-(-)-Carvone appeared to be more effective than its corresponding enantiomer at 0.5 and 2.0 h after administration. However, (S)-(+)-carvone was slightly more potent at 1 h. In potentiating pentobarbital sleeping time, (R)-(-)-carvone was more effective than (S)-(+)-carvone at 100 mg/kg, but was less potent at 200 mg/kg compared to the (+)-enantiomer, indicating a sedative action. (S)-(+)-Carvone at the dose of 200 mg/kg increased significantly the latency of convulsions induced by PTZ and PIC, but (R)-(-)-carvone was not effective against these convulsions. These results suggest that (S)-(+)-carvone and (R)-(-)-carvone have depressant effect in the CNS. (S)-(+)-Carvone appears to have anticonvulsant-like activity.     

Discovery of (-)-6-[2-[4-(3-fluorophenyl)-4-hydroxy-1-piperidinyl]-1-hydroxyethyl]-3,4-dihydro-2(1H)-quinolinone--a potent NR2B-selective N-methyl D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonist for the treatment of pain

(-)-6-[2-[4-(3-Fluorophenyl)-4-hydroxy-1-piperidinyl]-1-hydroxyethyl]-3,4-dihydro-2(1H)-quinolinone was identified as an orally active NR2B-subunit selective N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist. It has very high selectivity for NR2B subunits containing NMDA receptors versus the HERG-channel inhibition (therapeutic index=4200 vs NR2B binding IC(50)). This compound has improved pharmacokinetic properties compared to the prototype CP-101,606.     

Enantioconvergent synthesis of (-)-(S)- and (+)-(R)-2-acetyl-3,6-dihydroxycyclohex-2-enone starting from rac-6-hydroxy-3-methoxycyclohex-2-enone

The synthesis of enantiomerically pure (-)-(S)- and (+)-(R)-2-acyl-3,6-dihydroxycyclohex-2-enone starting from diastereomerically pure N-tosyl-(S)-proline esters 3-methoxy-6-hydroxycyclohex-2-enone 1 is presented. An enantioconvergent synthesis of either (-)-(S)- and (+)-(R)-2-acyl-3,6-dihydroxycyclohex-2-enone starting with the racemic alpha-ketol 1 through a conversion of ( approximately 1:1) mixture of diastereomeric esters into one diastereomer by a repeated crystallization, followed by dimethylaminopyridine-catalyzed equilibration as key steps is described.     

Atropisomeric property of 1-(2,6-difluorobenzyl)-3-[(2R)-amino-2-phenethyl]-5-(2-fluoro-3-methoxyphenyl)-6-methyluracil

1-(2,6-Difluorobenzyl)-3-[(2R)-amino-2-phenethyl]-5-(2-fluoro-3-methoxyphenyl)-6-methyluracil (6), a potent and orally active antagonist of the human gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor, exists as a pair of atropisomers in solution, which was detected by NMR spectroscopy, and separable by HPLC. In addition to a (R)-configured benzylamine, there is a second stereogenic element due to the presence of a chiral axis between the substituted 5-phenyl group and the uracil core. The rate constant of the interconversion (k = 5.07 x 10(-5) s(-1)) of these two atropisomers was determined by proton NMR analysis of a diastereoisomer-enriched sample in aqueous solution at 25 degrees C, and the corresponding Gibbs free energy DeltaG(#) of rotation barrier (97.4 kJ mol(-1)) was calculated using the Eyring equation. The diastereoisomer half-life at physiological temperature (37 degrees C) in aqueous media was estimated to be about 46 min.     

Potent inhibitory effects of the 5'-triphosphates of (E)-5-(2-bromovinyl)-2'-deoxyuridine and (E)-5-(2-bromovinyl)-1-beta-D-arabinofuranosyluracil on DNA polymerase gamma

(E)-5-(2-Bromovinyl)-2'-deoxyuridine 5'-triphosphate (BrVdUTP) and (E)-5-(2-bromovinyl)-1-beta-D-arabinofuranosyluracil 5'-triphosphate (BrVarafUTP), which are known as specific inhibitors of herpes simplex viral (type 1 and 2) DNA polymerase, were found to be strong inhibitors of DNA polymerase gamma from human KB and murine myeloma cells. In fact BrVdUTP and BrVarafUTP were found to be stronger inhibitors of DNA polymerase gamma than of other DNA polymerases having viral (herpes simplex virus or retrovirus) origin or cellular (eukaryotic alpha and beta, or prokaryotic) origin. The mode of inhibition of DNA polymerase gamma by BrVdUTP and BrVarafUTP was competitive with respect to dTTP, the normal substrate. Whereas BrVdUTP was an efficient substrate for DNA polymerase gamma and other DNA polymerases that were examined, BrVarafUTP failed to serve as a substrate for DNA synthesis. Ki values for BrVdUTP (40 nM) and BrVarafUTP (7 nM) with DNA polymerase gamma, as determined with (rA)n.(dT) as the template.primer, were much smaller than the Km values for dTTP (0.16 microM and 0.71 microM for murine and human DNA polymerase gamma, respectively). Thus, the affinity of BrVdUTP or BrVarafUTP for DNA polymerase gamma was much stronger than that of dTTP.     

Synthesis and antipicornavirus activity of (R)- and (S)-1-[5-(4'-chlorobiphenyl-4-yloxy)-3-methylpentyl]-3-pyridin-4-yl-imidazolidin-2-one

The new pyridyl imidazolidinone derivative, 1-[5-(4'-chlorobiphenyl-4-yloxy)-3-methylpentyl]-3-pyridin-4-yl-imidazolidin-2-one (+/-)-1a, was synthesized and found to have an excellent antiviral activity against EV71 (IC50 = 0.009 microM). Therefore, both the enantiomers, (S)-(+)-1a and (R)-(-)-1a, have been prepared starting from readily available monomethyl (R)-3-methylglutarate (7) as a useful chiral building block and their antiviral activity was evaluated in a plaque reduction assay. Interestingly, we observed that the enantiomer (S)-(+)-1a was 10-fold more active against enterovirus71 (EV71) (IC50 = 0.003 microM) than the corresponding enantiomer (R)-(-)-1a (IC50 = 0.033 microM). Similar results were found against all five strains (1743, 2086, 2231, 4643, and BrCr) of EV71 tested. This demonstrated that the absolute configuration of the chiral carbon atom at the 3-position of the alkyl linker considerably influenced the anti-EV71 activity of these pyridyl imidazolidinones.     

Preparation of alkyl (R)-(-)-3-hydroxybutyrate by acidic alcoholysis of poly-(R)-(-)-3-hydroxybutyrate

An efficient method for the preparation of optically active alkyl (R)-(-)-3-hydroxybutyrates by chemical depolymerization of biopolymer, poly-(R)-(-)-(3-hydroxybutyrate), was established. This method consists of simple recovery of poly-(R)-(-)-(3-hydroxybutyrate) from bacterial cells followed by acidic alcoholysis. When poly-(R)-(-)-(3-hydroxybutyrate) was purified by a simple digestion method that used 0.2 N sodium hydroxide, alkyl (R)-(-)-hydroxybutyrates were most efficiently produced by alcoholysis with anhydrous hydrochloric acid.     

Membrane proteins in Rh+, Rh- and Rh: -29, 38 (- - -/- - -, rh) red cells compared by using SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis

Since Rh: -29, 38 (- - -/- - -, rh) phenotype of the Rh blood groups (--- in text) revealed unusual red cells, such as stomatocytes and microspherocytes and the relatively shortened half life of 17 days, red cell membrane proteins from Rh + (D), Rh - (d) and --- were compared by using SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). No differences were observed among the patterns of the reduced and non-reduced membrane proteins from Rh+, Rh- and --- red cells. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis of --- red cell membrane proteins also revealed a pattern similar to Rh+ and Rh- red cell membrane proteins. It is suggested that the lack of all Rh antigens causes no visible alteration of red cell membrane proteins detected by the method of Fairbanks G., Steck T.L. and Wallach D.F.H. (1971) Biochemistry, N.Y. 10, 2606-2617.     

Circular dichroism and absorption studies of (-)-2,2'-dimethyl-4,5-(1-naphthyl)-1,3-dioxolane in terms of vibronic coupling theory

The absorption and circular dichroism (CD) spectra of (-)-2,2'-dimethyl-4,5-(1-naphthyl)-1,3-dioxolane (DND) were studied in the energy region 30,000 cm(-1) to 50,000 cm(-1). The DND ketal is treated as a naphthalene dimer and its spectra are interpreted in terms of a vibronic dimer model which includes the (1)L(a) and (1)B(b) states of the naphthalene chromophore. To fix the most stable conformation of DND molecule, the MNDO/AM1, RHF/6-31G, and SVWN5, BPW91 methods are employed with 6-31G and 6-31G(d',p') basis sets. All the methods are shown to yield the DND geometry that is entirely consistent with the CD and absorption spectra studied.     

Biomimetic synthesis of acid-sensitive (-)- and (+)-caparrapi oxides, (-)- and (+)-8-epicaparrapi oxides, and (+)-dysifragin induced by artificial cyclases

Asymmetric total syntheses of acid-sensitive (-)- and (+)-caparrapi oxides (1) and (+)-8-epicaparrapi oxide (2) from farnesol (10) are achieved using Sharpless-Katsuki epoxidation and Lewis acid-assisted chiral Br?nsted acid (chiral LBA)-induced polyene cyclization as key steps. The relative configuration of (+)-dysifragin (4) is determined by a single-crystal X-ray diffraction and its total synthesis is accomplished by the diastereoselective epoxidation of (+)-1. Furthermore, (-)-1 can be directly synthesized from (S)-nerolidol (3) and (R)-LBA with 88% ds by reagent control, which overcame substrate control, while (-)-2 is obtained from (R)-3 and (R)-LBA with >99% ds by the double asymmetric induction.     

Synthesis of (-)-5,8-dihydroxy-3R-methyl-2R-(dipropylamino)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene: an inhibitor of beta-amyloid(1-42) aggregation

A concise synthesis of the beta-amyloid(1-42 )aggregation inhibitor (-)-5,8-dihydroxy-3R-methyl-2R-(dipropylamino)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene [(-)-2] has been developed. The key step is a regio- and diastereoselective hydroboration-amination sequence to convert alkene into amine. Enantiomeric resolution was achieved by recrystallization of amine as the dibenzoyl-D-tartaric acid salt. Hydroquinone is a potent inhibitor of the fibrillar aggregation of beta-amyloid as determined in two different assay systems.     

Production of poly-D(-)-3-hydroxybutyrate and poly-D(-)-3-hydroxyvalerate by strains ofAlcaligenes latus

Alcaligenes latus strains can accumulate poly-D(-)-3-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) up to about 85% of cell dry weight. The abilities to store poly-D(-)-3-hydroxyvalerate (PHV) of three strains ofA. latus were investigated. With Na-propionate as PHV precursor, strainA. latusDSM 1122 had better PHV accumulation ability than strainsA. latusDSM 1123 and 1124. StrainA. latus DSM 1123 could store PHV when Na-valerate but not Na-propionate served as the PHV precursor. PHB and PHV accumulation byA. latus DSM 1124 rapidly increased when propionic acid and acetic acid were together added to the fermentor. This increase was not obtained in the culture shaker flask and fermentor growing the same strain when Na-propionate alone served as a PHV precursor.     

Effects of bPTH fragments (1-34), (3-34) and (7-34) on uterine contraction

Synthetic bovine parathyroid hormone containing the NH2 terminal 34 amino acids [bPTH-(1-34)] was recently demonstrated to inhibit oxytocin stimulated uterine contraction in vitro. The parathyroid hormone analogues [Nle8, Nle18, Tyr34]bPTH-(3-34)amide [NTA-(3-34)] and [Tyr34]bPTH-(7-34)amide [NTA-(7-34)] have been reported to act as inhibitors of antagonists of parathyroid hormone (PTH) in numerous assays. In the present study the effects of these PTH analogues on uterine contraction and the ability of these analogues to act as antagonists to the uterine inhibitory action of bPTH-(1-34) in vitro were investigated. The NTA-(3-34) fragment had no effect on oxytocin stimulated uterine contractions. However, the NTA-(3-34) fragment was able to alter the ability of bPTH (1-34) to reduce oxytocin stimulated uterine contraction in a dose-related manner. Bovine PTH(1-34) (0.3 microgram/ml) reduced the contractile response obtained with oxytocin (0.5 mU/ml) by 20%. A dose of 15 micrograms/ml) of NTA-(3-34) abolished this inhibitory action of bPTH-(1-34) on oxytocin stimulated uterine contraction. In contrast the NTA-(7-34) caused a change in itself, stimulated contraction of resting uterine horns in a dose-related manner; 3.0 micrograms/ml of NTA-(7-34) caused a change in gram tension of + 1.5 grams. Bovine PTH-(1-34) was able to reduce the uterine contraction stimulated by NTA-(7-34) and 0.3 microgram/ml of bPTH-(1-34) reduced the contractile response obtained with 3.0 micrograms/ml of NTA-(7-34) by as much as 70%.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

The absolute configuration of (-)-3-hydroxy-alpha-calacorene

3-Hydroxy-alpha-calacorene was identified in extracts from cold-shocked seedlings of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) and kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.), both of which are members of the Malvaceae family. (-)-3-Hydroxy-alpha-calacorene was isolated from Heterotheca inuloides Cass. (Asteraceae). HPLC on a chiral stationary phase column showed that the 3-hydroxy-alpha- calacorene from cotton and kenaf had the same relative configuration, while that from H. inuloides was of the opposite configuration. X-ray crystallographic analysis established the absolute configuration of the compound in H. inuloides as (8R)-(-)-3-hydroxy-alpha-calacorene.     

(+/-)-2-(3-Piperidyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolines as a new class of specific bradycardic agents

A series of (+/-)-2-(3-piperidyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolines were prepared and their bradycardic activities were examined in isolated guinea-pigs' right atria and in anesthetized rats. Modifications on the benzyl moiety of the parent compound, 1, led to the identification of compound 11e as a potent and specific bradycardic agent.