Silica gel-catalyzed migration of acetyl groups from a sulfur to an oxygen atom

During the chromatographic separation of 3-S-acetyl-1,2-O-isopropylidene-3-thio-α-d-allofuranose on silica gel, a migration of the acetyl group from S to O was observed to give 6-O-acetyl-1,2-O-isopropylidene-3-thio-α-d-allofuranose, whereas 3-S-acetyl-6-O-benzoyl-1,2-O-isopropylidene-3-thio-α-d-allofuranose gave 5-O-acetyl-6-O-benzoyl-1,2-O-isopropylidene-3-thio-α-d-allofuranose. No acetyl migration was observed, however, in the case of 3-O-acetyl-1,2-O-isopropylidene-α-d-allofuranose.     

Comprehensive Analysis of Herpes Simplex Virus 1 (HSV-1) Entry Mediated by Zebrafish 3-O-Sulfotransferase Isoforms: Implications for the Development of a Zebrafish Model of HSV-1 Infection

Binding of herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) envelope glycoprotein D (gD) to the receptor 3-O-sulfated heparan sulfate (3-OS HS) mediates viral entry. 3-O-Sulfation of HS is catalyzed by the 3-O-sulfotransferase (3-OST) enzyme. Multiple isoforms of 3-OST are differentially expressed in tissues of zebrafish (ZF) embryos. Here, we performed a comprehensive analysis of the role of ZF 3-OST isoforms (3-OST-1, 3-OST-5, 3-OST-6, and 3-OST-7) in HSV-1 entry. We found that a group of 3-OST gene family isoforms (3-OST-2, -3, -4, and -6) with conserved catalytic and substrate-binding residues of the enzyme mediates HSV-1 entry and spread, while the other group (3-OST-1, -5, and -7) lacks these properties. These results demonstrate that HSV-1 entry can be recapitulated by certain ZF 3-OST enzymes, a significant step toward the establishment of a ZF model of HSV-1 infection and tissue-specific tropism.     

Regioselective synthesis of flavonoid bisglycosides using Escherichia coli harboring two glycosyltransferases

Regioselective glycosylation of flavonoids cannot be easily achieved due to the presence of several hydroxyl groups in flavonoids. This hurdle could be overcome by employing uridine diphosphate-dependent glycosyltransferases (UGTs), which use nucleotide sugars as sugar donors and diverse compounds including flavonoids as sugar acceptors. Quercetin rhamnosides contain antiviral activity. Two quercetin diglycosides, quercetin 3-O-glucoside-7-O-rhamnoside and quercetin 3,7-O-bisrhamnoside, were synthesized using Escherichia coli expressing two UGTs. For the synthesis of quercetin 3-O-glucoside-7-O-rhamnoside, AtUGT78D2, which transfers glucose from UDP-glucose to the 3-hydroxyl group of quercetin, and AtUGT89C1, which transfers rhamnose from UDP-rhamnose to the 7-hydroxyl group of quercetin 3-O-glucoside, were transformed into E. coli. Using this approach, 67 mg/L of quercetin 3-O-glucoside-7-O-rhamnoside was synthesized. For the synthesis of quercetin 3,7-O-bisrhamnoside, AtUGT78D1, which transfers rhamnose to the 3-hydroxy group of quercetin, and AtUGT89C1 were used. The RHM2 gene from Arabidopsis thaliana was coexpressed to supply the sugar donor, UDP-rhamnose. E. coli expressing AtUGT78D1, AtUGT89C1, and RHM2 was used to obtain 67.4 mg/L of quercetin 3,7-O-bisrhamnoside.     

7-O-methyl-(2R:3R)-dihydroquercetin 5-O-β-D-glucoside and other flavonoids from Podocarpus nivalis

In the course of a chemotaxonomic survey of New Zealand Podocarpus species, a number of new flavonoid glycosides have been isolated from P. nivalis. These are: luteolin 3′-O-β-D-xyloside, luteolin 7-O-β-D-glucoside-3′-O-β-D-xyloside, dihydroquercetin 7-O-β-D-glucoside, 7-O-methyl-(2R:3R)-dihydrokaempferol 5-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, 7-O-methyl-(2R:3R)-dihydroquercetin 5-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, 7-O-methylkaempferol 5-O-β-D-glucopyranoside and 7-O-methylquercetin 5-O-β-D-glucopyranoside. Diagnostically useful physical techniques for distinguishing substitution patterns in dihydroflavonols are discussed and summarized. Glucosylation of the 5-hydroxyl group in (+)-dihydroflavonols is shown to reverse the sign of rotation at 589 nm.     

Pyruvic acid-containing mono- and oligo-saccharides from rhizobium trifolii bart A

After partial, acid hydrolysis of the extracellular, acid polysaccharide from Rh. trifolii Bart A, the following products were isolated and characterized: 3,4-O-(1-carboxyethylidene)-d-galactose, 4,6-O-(1-carboxyethylidene)-d-galactose, 3-O-[3,4-O-(1-carboxyethylidene)-β-d)-galactopyranosyl]-d-glucose, 3-O-[4,6-O-(1-carboxyethylidene)-β-d-galactopyranosyl]-d-glucose, O-[3,4-O-(1-carboxyethylidene)-β-d-galactopyranosyl ]-(1→3)-O-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)-d-glucose, and O-[4,6-O-(1- carboxyethylidene)-β-d-galactopyranosyl]-(1→3)-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)-d-glucose. The presence of pyruvic acid linked either to O-3 and O-4 or to O-4 and O-6 of the d-galactopyranosyl group of these saccharides indicates that both structures may be present in the original polysaccharide.     

The linkage of 4-O-methyl-L-galactose in the sulphated polysaccharide of Aeodes ulvoidea

Methyl 2-acetamido-5,6-di-O-benzyl-2-deoxy-β-d-glucofuranoside (11) was obtained in six steps from the known methyl 3-O-allyl-2-benzamido-2-deoxy-5,6-O-isopropylidene-β-d-glucofuranoside. Mild acid hydrolysis, followed by benzylation gave the 5,6-dibenzyl ether. The benzamido group was exchanged for an acetamido group by strong alkaline hydrolysis, followed by N-acetylation, and the allyl group was isomerized into a 1-propenyl group that was hydrolyzed with mercuric chloride. Treatment of 11 with l-α-chloropropionic acid and with diazomethabe gave methyl 2-acetamido-5,6-di-O-benzyl-2-deoxy-3-O-[d-1-(methoxycarbonyl)ethyl]-β-d-glucofuranoside which formed on mercaptolysis the internal ester 16, further converted into 2-acetamido-4-O-acetyl-5,6-di-O-benzyl-2-deoxy-3-O-[d-1-(methoxycarbonyl)ethyl]-d-glucose diethyl dithioacetal (18) by alkaline treatment followed by esterification with diazomethane and acetylation. Attempts to remove the O-acetyl group of the corresponding dimethyl acetal 20 with sodium methoxide in mild conditions were not successful.     

Dioxolane and dioxane acetal derivatives of D-allose: Condensation of 3-O-benzyl-D-allose with acetaldehyde

Condensation of 3-O-benzyl-D-allose with acetaldehyde forms a complex mixture from which potentially useful mono- and di-O-ethylidene derivatives were isolated and identified. Compounds isolated and identified after conversion of unsubstituted hydroxyl groups into the corresponding acetates included 1,2-di-O-acetyl-3-O-benzyl-4,6-O-ethylidene-β-D-allopyranose; 5,6-di-O-acetyl-3-O-benzyl-1,2-O-(R)-ethylidene-α-D-allofuranose; and two 3-O-benzyl-1,2:5,6-di-O-ethylidene-α-D-allofuranoses, both having the R configuration in the 1,2-O-ethylidene ring. Furanose and pyranose conformations were determined by n.m.r. analysis, and the location and configuration of each acetal ring was established. The benzyl ether group in the furanose derivatives was removed by catalytic hydrogenation with subsequent formation of 3-O-acetyl analogs.     

An approach to the synthesis of branched-chain amino sugars from c-methylene sugars

The reaction of 1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-3-C-methylene-α-D-ribo-hexofuranose (4) with mercuric azide in hot 50% aqueous tetrahydrofuran yielded, after reductive demercuration, 3-azido-3-deoxy-1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-3-C-methyl-α-D-glucofuranose (5). Partial, acid hydrolysis of5 afforded the diol7, which gave 3-azido-3-deoxy-1,2-O-isopropylidene-5,6-di-O-methanesulphonyl-3-C-methyl-α-D-glucofuranose (8) on sulphonylation. On hydrogenation over a platinum catalyst and N-acetylation, the dimethanesulphonate 8 furnished 3,6-acetylepimino-3,6-dideoxy-1,2-O-isopropylidene-5-O-methanesulphonyl-3-C-methyl-α-D-glucofuranose (9), which was also prepared by an analogous sequence of reactions on 3-azido-3-deoxy-1,2-O-isopropylidene-5-O-methanesulphonyl-3-C-methyl-6-O-toluene-p-sulphonyl-α-D-glucofuranose (13). The formation of the N-acetylepimine 9 establishes the D-gluco configuration for 5.1,2-O-Isopropylidene-3-C-methylene-α-D-ribo-hexofuranose (20) reacted with mercuric azide in aqueous tetrahydrofuran at ≈85° to give 3,6-anhydro-1,2-O-isopropylidene-3-C-methyl-α-D-glucofuranose (22) as a result of intramolecular participation by the C-6 hydroxyl group in the initial intermediate.     

A synthesis of 3-O-(α-d-mannopyranosyl)-d-mannose and its protein conjugate

Methods for the synthesis of 3-O-(α-d-mannopyranosyl)-d-mannose and 2-(4-aminophenyl)ethyl 3-O-(α-d-mannopyranosyl)-α-d-mannopyranoside have been investigated by a number of sequences. Glycosidations with 2,3-di-O-acetyl-4,6-di-O-benzyl-d-mannopyranosyl and 2-O-benzoyl-3,4,6-tri-O-benzyl-d-mannopyranosyl p-toluenesulfonates were found to give better yields than the Helferich modification, the use of a peracylated d-mannopyranosyl halide, or the use of triflyl leaving group. Only the α anomer was obtained. Factors influencing glycosidation reactions are discussed. A mercury(II) complex was used for selective 2-O-acylation of 4,6-di-O-benzyl-α-d-mannopyranosides. A disaccharide—protein conjugate was prepared by the isothiocyanate method.     

Galactan sulfate from the test of tunicates

Methyl and benzyl 3-O-β-d-xylopyranosyl-α-d-mannopyranoside were prepared by way of d-xylosylation (Koenigs-Knorr) of methyl and benzyl 4,6-O-benzylidene-α-d-mannopyranoside (1 and 17). Analogous 2-O-β-d-xylopyranosyl-α-d-mannopyranosides could not be prepared efficiently by this procedure. However, methyl and benzyl 3-O-acetyl-4,6-O-benzylidene-α-d-mannopyranoside, prepared by limited acetylation of 1 and 17, respectively, could be d-xylosylated by the same method, and afforded, after removal of protective groups, methyl and benzyl 2-O-β-d-xylopyranosyl-α-d-mannopyranoside. Hydrogenolysis of benzyl 2-O- and 3-O-β-d-xylopyranosyl-α-d-mannopyranoside yielded the corresponding, reducing disaccharides. In addition to these disaccharides, disaccharides containing an α-d-xylopyranosyl group, and trisaccharides having d-xylopyranosyl groups at both O-2 and O-3 were obtained as minor products.     

The synthesis,and study of the β-elimination reaction,of di- and tri-peptides having a 3-O(2-acetamido-3,4,6-trio-O-acetyl-2-deoxy-β-D-glucopyranosyl)-L-serine residue

2-Acetamido-3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-2-deoxy-α-D-glucopyra-nosyl chloride was condensed with the N-(benzyloxycarbonyl) derivatives of, respectively, L-seryl-glycine ethyl, L-seryl-L-alanine methyl, L-seryl-L-phenylalanine methyl, and L-seryl-L-aspartic dibenzyl esters to give (3-O-GlcpNAc-CbzN-L-Ser)-GlyOEt (8), (3-O-GlcpNAc-CbzN-L-Ser)-L-AlaOMe (9), (3-O-GlcpNAc-CbzN-L-Ser)-L-PheOMe (10), and (3-O-GlcpNAc-CbzN-L-Ser)-L-Asp(diOBzl) (11), respectively; O-(2-acetamido-3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-β-D-glucopyranosy-l)-N-(benzyloxycarbonyl)-L-serine methyl ester was deblocked by treatment with hydrobromic acid in glacial acetic acid, followed by triethylamine, to give a glycoamino acid that was condensed with the N-(benzyloxycarbonyl) derivatives of the p-nitrophenyl ester of glycine, L-alanine, and L-proline, respectively, to give CbzNGly-(3-O)-Glcp NAc-L-SerOMe) (17), CbzN-L-Ala-(3-O-GlcpNAc-L-SerOMe), and CbzN-L-Pro-(3-O-GlcpNAc-L-SerOMe), respectively. Similarly, the glycopeptide resulting from 8 was condensed with the activated esters of glycine, L-alanine, L-phenylalanine, L-proline, and L-serine, respectively, to give CbzNGly-(3-OGlcpNAc-L-Ser)-GlyOEt, CbzN-L-Ala-(3-O-GlcpNAc-L-Ser)-GlyOEt, CbzN-L-Phe-(3-O-GlcpNAc-L-Ser)-GlyOEt, and CbzN-L-Ser-(3-O-GlcpNAc-L-Ser)-GlyOEt, respectively; that from 9, with the p-nitrophenyl esters of glycine¹,L-alanine, L-phenylalanine, L-proline, and L-leucine, respectively, to give CbzNGly-(3-O-GlcpNAc-L-Ser)-L-AlaOMe, CbzN-L-Ala(3-O-GlcpNAc-L-Ser)-L-AlaOMe, CbzN-L-Phe-(3-O-GlcpNAc-L-Ser)-L]-AlaOMe, CbzN-L-Pro-(3-O-GlcpNAc-L-Ser)-L-AlaOMe, and CbzN-L-Leu-(3-O-GlcpNAc- L-Ser)-L-AlaOMe, respectively; that from 10, with the derivatives of glycine, L-alanine, L-phenylalanine, and L-leucine, respectively, to give CbzNGly-(3-O-GlcpNAc-L-Ser)-L-PheOMe, CbzN-L-Phe-(3-O-GlcpNAc-L-Ser)-L-PheOMe, CbzN-L-Phe-(3-O-GlcpNAc-L-Ser)-L-PheOMe, and CbzN-L-Leu-(3-O-GlcpNAc-L-Ser)-L-PheOMe, respectively; and that from 11, with the derivatives of glycine, L-alanine, L-phenylalanine, L-proline, and L-leucine, respectively, to give CbzNGly-(3-O-GlcpNAc-L-Ser)-L-Asp(diOBzl), CbzN-L-Ala-(3-O-GlcpNAc-L-Ser)-L-Asp(diOBzl), CbzN-L-Phe-(3-O-GlcpNAc-L-Ser)-L-Asp(diOBzl), CbzN-L-Pro-(3-O-GlcpNAc-L-Ser)-L-Asp(diOBzl), and CbzN-L-Leu-(3-O-GlcpNAc-L-Ser)-L-Asp-(diOBzl), respectively. O-(2-Acetamido-3,4,5-tri-O-acetyl-2-deoxy-β-D-gluco-pyranosyl)-N-(benzyloxycarbonyl)- L-asparaginylglycyl-L-serine methyl ester (20) was synthesized by treating the free amine of 17 with the p-nitrophenyl ester of N-(benzyloxycarbonyl)-L-asparagine. 2-Acetamido-3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-1-N-[N-(benzyloxycarbo-nyl)-L-aspart-1-oyl-(glycyl-L-serine methyl ester)-4-oyl]-2-deoxy-β-D-glucopyranosylamine (41) was synthesized by the condensation of 2-acetamido-3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-1-N-[N-(benzyloxycarbo-nyl)-L-aspart-4-oyl]-2-deoxy-β-D-glucopyranosylamine with glycyl-L-serine methyl ester. Attempts to transfer the 2-acetamido-3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-2-deoxy-D-glucopyranosyl group from the hydroxyl group of L-serine in 20 to the amido group of L-asparagine, to give 41, were unsuccessful. The β-elimination of some of the glycodi- and glycotri-peptides was studied.     

The use of 1-O-sulfonyl-d-mannopyranose derivatives in β-d-mannopyranoside synthesis

Several 1-O-sulfonyl derivatives of d-mannopyranose having a nonparticipating benzyl ether group at C-2 and ester functions at C-6 and C-4 were synthesized from the corresponding d-mannopyranosyl chloride derivatives with silver sulfonates in acetonitrile. The reaction of 1-O-sulfonyl-d-mannopyranose compounds with methanol in various solvents at room temperature gave high yields of glycosides with low degrees of stercoselectivity. On the other hand, 1-O-suffonyl-d-mannopyranose derivatives having an acyl participating-group at O-2 and benzyl ethers at C-3, C-4, and C-6 gave high yields and high stereoselectivity of α-d-mannopyranosides with primary and secondary alcohols in several solvents. Model studies were carried out to determine the best combination of 2-O-acyl group, solvent, time, temperature, and 1-O-sufonyl group to give high yields with high stereoselectivity. The method has been used to prepare in good yields more complex glycosides, including perbenzylated methy 2-O-(α-d-mannopyranosyl)-α-d-mannopyranoside.     

Synthesis and structural characterization of 3-O-ethylene glycol functionalized cellulose derivatives

The synthesis of 3-O-ethylene glycol cellulosics via 2,6-di-O-thexyldimethylsilyl cellulose was studied. Reaction yield and degree of substitution were dependent on reaction conditions and size of the ethylene glycol group. The presence of tetra-n-butylammonium iodide in catalytic amounts and prolonged reaction times significantly increased the degree of substitution of the ethylene glycol substituents. However, the longer reaction times lead to significant degradation of the cellulosic polymer chain. The structure of the 3-O-ethylene glycol 2,6-di-O-thexyldimethylsilyl cellulose intermediates and the 3-O-ethylene glycol 2,6-di-O-acetyl celluloses were confirmed by means of one- and two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy. The degree of 3-O-ethylene glycol substitution was confirmed by quantitative ¹³C NMR ratified by T1 experiments.     

Unique flavonoid glycosides from the new zealand white pine, Dacrycarpus dacrydioides

A number of new flavonoid glycosides have been isolated from foliage of the New Zealand white pine, Dacrycarpus dacrydioides. These include tricetin 3′,5′-di-O-β-glucopyranoside; the 3′-O-β-xylopyranoside, 7-O-α-rhamnopyranoside and 7-O-α-rhamnopyranoside-3′-O-β-xylopyranoside of 3-O-methylmyricetin; the 3′-O-β-xylopyranoside, 7-O-α-rhamnopyranoside and 7-O-α-rhamnopyranoside-3′-O-β-xylopyranoside of 3-O-methyl-quercetin, and the 3′-O-β-xylopyranoside and 7-O-α-rhamnopyranoside-3′-O-β-xylopyranoside of 3,4′-di-O-methylmyricetin. The accumulation of 3-methoxyflavones and B-ring trioxygenated flavonoids appears to distinguish D. dacrydioides from all other New Zealand members of the classical genus Podocarpus. Support for De Laubenfels' proposed separation of Dacrycarpus from this genus is seen in the present work.     

Structure of indole-3-acetic acid myoinositol esters and pentamethyl-myoinositols

GC-MS properties of three isomeric esters of indole-3-acetic acid and myoinositol, three esters of indole-3-acectic acid and myoinositol arabinoside and three esters of indole-3-acetic acid and myoinositol galactoside are presented. MS fragmentation patterns for the four possible pentamethyl myoinositols are also shown. These data indicated that the arabinose, and galactose of the glycosides were in the pyranose form and that C-1 of the sugar was linked to the 5 hydroxyl of myoinositol. Homologies in fragmentation patterns for the esters and the glycoside esters, together with knowledge of the properties of 2-O-indole-3-acetyl-myoinositol, permitted identification of one of the arabinosides as 5-O-l-arabinopyranosyl-2-O-indole-3-acetyl-myoinositol and one of the galactosides as 5-O-d- galactopyranosyl-2-O-indole-3-acetyl-myoinositol. The remaining two GLC peaks observed for the arabinoside were then, most likely, the two mixtures of diastereoisomers 1 d- and 1 l-5-O-l-arabinopryranosyl-1-O-indole-3-acetyl myoinositol and 1 d- and 1 l-5-O-l-arabinopyranosyl-4-O-indole-3-acetyl-myoinositol. The remaining two GLC peaks observed for the galactoside would then be the 1 d and 1 l-5-O-d-galactopyranosyl-1-O-indole-3-acetyl-myoinositol and 1 d- and 1 l-5-O-d- galactopyranosyl-4-O-indoleacetyl-myoinositol.     

The synthesis of evernitrose and 3-epi-evernitrose

Evernitrose (2,3,6-trideoxy-3-C-methyl-4-O-methyl-3-nitro-L-arabino-hexopyranose) was synthesized from methyl 2,6-dideoxy-4-O-methyl-α-L-erythro-hexopyranosid-3-ulose (2) through introduction of an amino group attached to the tertiary branching carbon by the method of Bourgeois, and subsequent oxidation of the amino group by m-chloroperoxybenzoic acid to a nitro group. 3-Cyano-3-O-mesylation of 2 by Bourgeois's method gave exclusively the desired product having the L-ribo configuration; furthermore, the β anomer of 2 gave the L-ribo and L-arabino products in the ratio of 1:2. The latter compound was converted into 3-epi-evernitrose by a similar sequence of reactions.     

Synthesis of 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-3-O-β-d-mannopyranosyl-d-glucose

Condensation of 4,6-di-O-acetyl-2,3-O-carbonyl-α-d-mannopyranosyl bromide with benzyl 2-acetamido-4,6-O-benzylidene-2-deoxy-α-d-glucopyranoside (2) gave an α-d-linked disaccharide, further transformed by removal of the carbonyl and benzylidene groups and acetylation into the previously reported benzyl 2-acetamido-4,6-O-benzylidene-2-deoxy-3-O-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-α-d-mannopyranosyl)-α-d-glucopyranoside. Condensation of 3,4,6-tri-O-benzyl-1,2-O-(1-ethoxyethylidene)-α-d-glucopyranose or 2-O-acetyl-3,4,6-tri-O-benzyl-α-d-glucopyranosyl bromide with 2 gave benzyl 2-acetamido-3-O-(2-O-acetyl-3,4,6-tri-O-benzyl-β-d-glucopyranosyl)-4,6-O-benzylidene-2-deoxy-α-d-glucopyranoside. Removal of the acetyl group at O-2, followed by oxidation with acetic anhydride-dimethyl sulfoxide, gave the β-d-arabino-hexosid-2-ulose 14. Reduction with sodium borohydride, and removal of the protective groups, gave 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-3-O-β-d-mannopyranosyl-d-glucose, which was characterized as the heptaacetate. The anomeric configuration of the glycosidic linkage was ascertained by comparison with the α-d-linked analog.     

Studies on the interaction between human serum protein fractions and 18O-labeled oxosteroids

The nature of the interaction between progesterone or testosterone and human albumin as well as the interaction between progesterone and partially purified human transcortin has been studied. Modification of lysine residues of albumin with maleic anhydride resulted in a decreased binding of the steroid as judged from equilibrium dialysis experiments. This suggested that lysine residues in albumin interact with the oxosteroids. In order to check this hypothesis, steroids labeled with 18O in their oxo function (testosterone and progesterone) were synthesized for use as probes of the interactions. However, no loss of label was noted when testosterone or progesterone specifically 18O-labeled in their oxo functions were incubated with albumin. This suggested that no covalent interaction between the steroidal oxo group and albumin took place. This was in contrast to the results obtained with 3,20-18O-labeled progesterone and partially purified transcortin, where a complete loss of 18O label in the protein-bound steroid was found. The nonbound steroid showed an almost complete retention of label. These results indicate a participation of steroid oxo groups in the binding of progesterone to transcortin. Of the possible mechanisms discussed, imine bonds between the steroid and transcortin seem most likely although other types of interactions cannot be ruled out.     

Approaches to the design of selective ligands for membrane progesterone receptor alpha

A number of progesterone derivatives were assayed in terms of their affinity for recombinant human membrane progesterone receptor alpha (mPRα) in comparison with nuclear progesterone receptor (nPR). The 16α,17α-cycloalkane group diminished an affinity of steroids for mPRα without significant influence on affinity for nPR, thus rendering a prominent selectivity of ligands for nPR. On the contrary, substitution of methyl at C10 for ethyl or methoxy group moderately increased the affinity for mPRα and significantly lowered the affinity for nPR. A similar but even more prominent effect was observed upon substitution of the 3-oxo group for the 3-O-methoxyimino group. A significant preference towards mPRα was also rendered by the 17α-hydroxy group and additional C6–C7-double bond. The data suggest that the modes of lig- and interaction with mPRα and nPR in the C3 region of the steroid molecule are different. One can speculate that combination of the above substitutions at C17, C10, C6, and C3 may give ligand(s) with high specificity towards mPRα over nPR.     

Identification of 2-O (indole-3-acetyl)-D-glucopyranose, 4-O-(indole-3-acetyl)-D-glucopyranose and 6-O-(indole-3-acetyl)-D-glucopyranose from kernels of Zea mays by gas-liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry

New esters of indole-3-acetic acid and d-glucose have been isolated from mature sweet-corn kernels of Zea mays. The esters were resolved by t.l.c. into two fractions having R_F values distinct from that of authentic 1-O-(indole-3-acetyl)-β-d-glucopyranose. Analysis of the trimethylsilyl ethers of the two fractions by combined gas-liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (g.l.c.-m.s.) showed that the esters have a free carbonyl group. Labeling of the carbonyl carbon atom with an O-methyloxime group, and analysis of the O-trimethylsilyl O-methyloxime derivatives by g.l.c.-m.s. permitted the new compounds to be identified as a mixture of 2-O-(indole-3-acetyl)-d-glucopyranose, 4-O-(indole-3-acetyl)-d-glucopyranose, and 6-O-(indole-3-acetyl)-d-glucopyranose.