Structure revision of the coumarin,ceylantin

Ceylantin, isolated from Atalantia ceylanica, has been found to be identical with racemosin, isolated from A. racemosa, and the revised 5,8-dimethoxy-6,7-pyranocoumarin structure confirmed by nuclear Overhauser experiments.     

Nonacosane-5,8-diol: A new component of plant waxes

A new fraction has been isolated by chromatographic methods from the wax of the Bulgarian oil-bearing rose. According to its IR, NMR and MS it was characterized as an homologous series of γ-diols, from C¹⁷ to C³³ with the major homologues those containing an odd number of carbon atoms. Nonacosane-5,8-diol is the major constituent.     

Insights into the mechanism of streptonigrin-induced protein arginine deiminase inactivation

Protein citrullination is just one of more than 200 known PTMs. This modification, catalyzed by the protein arginine deiminases (PADs 1–4 and PAD6 in humans), converts the positively charged guanidinium group of an arginine residue into a neutral ureido-group. Given the strong links between dysregulated PAD activity and human disease, we initiated a program to develop PAD inhibitors as potential therapeutics for these and other diseases in which the PADs are thought to play a role. Streptonigrin which possesses both anti-tumor and anti-bacterial activity was later identified as a highly potent PAD4 inhibitor. In an effort to understand why streptonigrin is such a potent and selective PAD4 inhibitor, we explored its structure–activity relationships by examining the inhibitory effects of several analogues that mimic the A, B, C, and/or D rings of streptonigrin. We report the identification of the 7-amino-quinoline-5,8-dione core of streptonigrin as a highly potent pharmacophore that acts as a pan-PAD inhibitor.     

Synthesis and antifungal evaluation of 7-arylamino-5,8-dioxo-5,8-dihydroisoquinoline-4-carboxylates

7-Arylamino-5,8-dioxo-5,8-dihydroisoquinoline-4-carboxylates were synthesized and tested for in vitro antifungal activity against two pathogenic strains of fungi. Most of tested compounds showed good antifungal activity. The results suggest that those 5,8-dioxo-5,8-dihydroisoquinolines would be potent antifungal agents.     

The anti-cancer,anti-inflammatory and tuberculostatic activities of a series of 6,7-substituted-5,8-quinolinequinones

A variety of 6,7-substituted-5,8-quinolinequinones were synthesised and assessed for their anti-tumour and anti-inflammatory activities, and their ability to inhibit the growth of Mycobacterium bovis BCG. In particular, the introduction of a sulfur group at the 7-position of the quinolinequinone led to the discovery of two compounds, 6-methylamino-7-methylsulfanyl-5,8-quinolinequinone (10a) and 6-amino-7-methylsulfonyl-5,8-quinolinequinone (12), that exhibited selectivity for leukemic cells over T-cells, a highly desirable property for an anti-cancer drug. A number of anti-inflammatory (AI) compounds were also identified, with 6,7-bis-methylsulfanyl-5,8-quinolinequinone (18a) exhibiting the highest AI activity (0.11 μM), while 6,7-dichloro-5,8-quinolinequinone (7a), 6,7-dichloro-2-methyl-5,8-quinolinequinone (7b), and 6,7-bis-phenylsulfanyl-quinoline-5,8-diol (19) also exhibited good AI activity and specificity. Several quinolinequinone TB-drug candidates were identified. Of these, 6-amino-7-chloro-5,8-quinolinequinone (11) and 6-amino-7-methanesulfinyl-5,8-quinolinequinone (14), exhibited low MICs (1.56–3.13 μg/mL) for the 100% growth inhibition of M. Bovis BCG. Some general trends pertaining to the functional group substitution of the quinolinequinone core and biological activity were also identified.     

Two new sterols from Chlorella ellipsoidea

Eight sterols were observed in Chlorella ellipsoidea and the four major components were identified as ergosterol, 5α-ergost-7-en-3β-ol, 22-trans-ergosta-5,8(9),22-trien-3β-ol and ergosta-5,8(9)-dien-3β-ol. This is the first report of the latter two sterols from green plants.     

Structure and absolute configuration of the sesquiterpenoid emmotins

The trunk wood of Emmotum nitens (Icacinaceae) contains the aromatic sesquiterpenes (2R,3S)-2-hydroxy-3-(2′-hydroxyisopropyl)-5,8-dimethyl-1-oxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene (emotin-F), 2-hydroxy-3-(2′-hydroxyisopropyl)-5,8-dimethylnaphthalene (emmotin-G) and 3-(2′-hydroxyisopropyl)-5,8-dimethyl-1,2-naphtho-quinone (emmotin-H). The identity of the carbon skeletons of these emmotins was proved by conversion of all three into an identical quinoxaline derivative. The nature of this skeleton and the absolute configuration of emmotin-F, as well as of the previously described emmotins A and B, was established by conversion of emmotin-F into (+)-occidol.     

Three further naphthoquinones produced by Fusarium solani

Three naphthoquinone pigments are described which were produced by Fusarium solani. They are 2,3-dihydro-5,8-dihydroxy-6-methoxy-2-hydroxymethyl-3-(2-hydroxypropyl)-1,4-naphthalenedione, 2,3-dihydro-5-hydroxy-4-hydroxymethyl-8-methoxy-naphtho[1,2-b]furan-6,9-dione and 5,8-dihydroxy-2-methoxy-6-hydroxymethyl-7-(2-hydroxypropyl)-1,4-naphthalenedione. One of these pigments was shown to be the precursor of the other two.     

Thonningine-A and thonningine-B: two 3-phenylcoumarins from the seeds of Millettia thonningii

The seeds of Millettia thonningii have yielded four isoflavones and three 4-hydroxy-3-phenylcoumarins, of which two are novel. On the basis of spectral analyses the novel compounds have been identified as 4-hydroxy-5,8-dimethoxy-3-(3′,4′-methylenedioxy)phenyl-2″-isopropenylfurano (4″,5″:6,7)coumarin (thonningine-A) and 4-hydroxy-5,8-dimethoxy-3-(4′-methoxy)phenyl-2″-isopropenylfurano(4″, 5″: 6,7)coumarin (thonningine-B).     

Configurational studies on red algae carotenoids

The configurations of (6′R)-β,ε-carotene, (3′R,6′R)-β,ε-caroten-3′-ol (α-cryptoxanthin), (3R,3′R,6′R)-β,ε-carotene-3,3′-diol (lutein), (3R)-β,β-caroten-3-ol (β-cryptoxanthin), (3R,3′R)-β,β-carotene-3,3′-diol (zeaxanthin) and all-trans (3S,5R,6S,3′R)-5,6-epoxy-5,6-dihydro-β,β-carotene-3,3′-diol (antheraxanthin) were established by CD and ¹H NMR studies. The red algal carotenoids consequently possessed chiralities at each chiral center (C-3, C-5, C-6, C-3′, C-6′), corresponding to the chiralities established for the same carotenoids in higher plants. Two post mortem artifacts from Erythrotrichia carnea were assigned the chiral structures (3S,5R,8R,3′R)-5,8-epoxy-5,8-dihydro-β,β-carotene-3,3′-diol [(8R)-mutatoxanthin] and (3S,5R,8S,3′R)-5,8-epoxy-5,8-dihydro-β,β-carotene-3,3′-diol [(8S)-mutatoxanthin]. This is the first well documented report of a naturally occurring β,ε-caroten-3′-ol (¹H NMR, CD, chemical derivatization).     

Feedback regulation of polyamine synthesis in Ehrlich ascites tumor cells. Analysis using nonmetabolizable derivatives of putrescine and spormine

Ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) is subject to feedback regulation by the polyamines. Thus, addition of putrescine, spermidine or spermine to cells causes inhibition of ODC mRNA translation. Putrescine and spermine are readily converted into spermidine. Therefore, it is conceivable that the inhibition of ODC synthesis observed in putrescine- and spermine-supplemented cells is instead an effect of spermidine. To examine this possibility we have used two analogs of putrescine and spermine, namely 1,4-dimethylputrescine and 5,8-dimethylspermine, which cannot be converted into spermidine. Both analogs were found to inhibit the incorporation of [³⁵S]methionine into ODC protein to approximately the same extent, suggesting that putrescine as well as spermine exert a negative feedback control of ODC mRNA translation in the cell. In addition to suppressing ODC synthesis, both analogs were found to increase the turnover rate of the enzyme. 5,8-Dimethylspermine caused a marked decrease in the activity of S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase (AdoMetDC). This effect was not obtained with 1,4-dimethylputrescine, indicating that spermine, but not putrescien, exerts a negative control of AdoMetDC. Treatment with 1,4-dimethylputrescine caused extensive depletion of the cellular putrescine and spermidine content, but accumulation of spermine. 5,8-Dimethylspermine treatment, on the other hand, effectively depleted the spermine content and had less effect on the putrescine and spermidine content, at least initially. Nevertheless, the total polyamine content was more extensively reduced by treatment with 5,8-dimethylspermine than with 1,4-dimethylputrescine. Accordingly, only 5,8-dimethylspermine treatment exerted a significant inhibitory effect on Ehrlich ascites tumor cell growth.     

Two farnesol derivatives from Cousinia adenostica

The aerial parts of Cousinia adenostica afforded, in addition to widespread compounds, cynaropicrin, chlorojanerin and janerin as well as two new farnesol derivatives, 5,8,12-trihydroxyfarnesol and 12-acetoxy-5,8-dihydroxyfarnesyl acetate.     

Microwave assisted synthesis of new indophenazine 1,3,5-trisubstruted pyrazoline derivatives of benzofuran and their antimicrobial activity

2-[1-(5,8-Dihydro quinoxalino[2,3-b]indoloacetyl)-3-(1-benzofuran-2-yl)-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazol-5-yl] phenyl derivatives were synthesized from 2-(5,8-dihydro quinoxalino[2,3-b]indol-5-yl) acetohydrazide and (2E)-1-(1-benzofuran-2-yl)-4-phenylbut-2-en-1-ones derivatives using microwave-assisted route. The structures of all the compounds have been established on the basis of analytical and spectral data. Among the 14 compounds IPB-1, IPB-5, IPB-10, IPB-11 and IPB-12 were found good antibacterial activity and MICs were found bellow 10 μg/mL against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Streptococcus aureus, which can compared with sparfloxacin and norfloxacin.     

Reaction mechanism of 5,8-linoleate diol synthase, 10R-dioxygenase,and 8,11-hydroperoxide isomerase of Aspergillus clavatus

Aspergilli express fusion proteins of an animal haem peroxidase domain with fatty acid dioxygenase (DOX) activity (∼ 600 amino acids) and a functional or non-functional hydroperoxide isomerase/cytochrome P450 domain (∼ 500 amino acids with EXXR and GPHXCLG motifs). 5,8-Linoleate diol synthases (LDS; ppoA) and 10R-DOX (ppoC) of Aspergillusnidulans and A. fumigatus belong to this group. Our objective was to determine the oxylipins formed from linoleic acid by A. clavatus and their mechanism of biosynthesis. A. clavatus oxidized linoleic acid to (8R)-hydroperoxylinoleic acid (8R-HPODE), (10R)-hydroperoxy-8(E),12(Z)-octadecadienoic acid (10R-HPODE), and to (5S,8R)-dihydroxy- and (8R,11S)-dihydroxylinoleic acids (DiHODE) as major products. This occurred by abstraction of the pro-S hydrogen at C-8 and antarafacial dioxygenation at C-8 or at C-10 with double bond migration. 8R-HPODE was then isomerized to 5S,8R-DiHODE and to 8R,11S-DiHODE by abstraction of the pro-S hydrogens at C-5 and C-11 of 8R-HPODE, respectively, followed by suprafacial oxygenation. The genome of A. clavatus codes for two enzymes, which can be aligned with > 65% amino acid identity to 10R-DOX and 5,8-LDS, respectively. The 5,8-LDS homologue likely forms and isomerizes 8R-HPODE to 5S,8R-DiHODE. A third gene (ppoB) codes for a protein which carries a serine residue at the cysteine position of the P450 motif. This Cys to Ser replacement is known to abolish P450 2B4 catalysis and the hydroperoxide isomerase activity of 5,8-LDS, suggesting that ppoB of A. clavatus may not be involved in the biosynthesis of 8R,11S-DiHODE.     

Nudol,a phenanthrene of the orchids Eulophia nuda, Eria carinata and Eria stricta

An amorphous phenanthrene, named nudol has been isolated from Eulophia nuda, Eria carinata and E. stricta. It was identified as 2,7-dihydroxy-3,4-dimethoxyphenanthrene. Synthesis of nudol and its dimethyl ether is described.     

Steric analysis of 8-hydroxy- and 10-hydroxyoctadecadienoic acids and dihydroxyoctadecadienoic acids formed from 8R-hydroperoxyoctadecadienoic acid by hydroperoxide isomerases

8-Hydroxyoctadeca-9Z,12Z-dienoic acid (8-HODE) and 10-hydroxyoctadeca-8E,12Z-octadecadienoic acid (10-HODE) are produced by fungi, e.g., 8R-HODE by Gaeumannomyces graminis (take-all of wheat) and Aspergillus nidulans, 10S-HODE by Lentinula edodes, and 10R-HODE by Epichloe typhina. Racemic [8-(2)H]8-HODE and [10-(2)H]10-HODE were prepared by oxidation of 8- and 10-HODE to keto fatty acids by Dess-Martin periodinane followed by reduction to hydroxy fatty acids with NaB(2)H(4). The hydroxy fatty acids were analyzed by chiral phase high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) with 8R-HODE and 10S-HODE as standards. 8R-HODE eluted after 8S-HODE on silica with cellulose tribenzoate (Chiralcel OB-H), and 10S-HODE eluted before 10R-HODE on silica with an aromatic chiral selector (Reprosil Chiral-NR). 5S,8R-Dihydroxyoctadeca-9Z,12Z-dienoic acid (5S,8R-DiHODE) is formed from 18:2n-6 by A. nidulans and 8R,11S-dihydroxyoctadeca-9Z,12Z-dienoic acid (8R,11S-DiHODE) by Agaricus bisporus. 8R-Hydroperoxylinoleic acid (8R-HPODE) can be transformed to 5S,8R-DiHODE and 8R,11-DiHODE by Aspergillus spp., and 8R,13-dihydroxy-9Z,11E-dienoic acid (8R,13-DiHODE) can also be detected. We prepared racemic [5,8-(2)H(2)]5,8- and [8,11-(2)H(2)]8,11-DiHODE by oxidation and reduction as above and 8R,13S- and 8R,13R-DiHODE by oxidation of 8R-HODE by S and R lipoxygenases. The diastereoisomers were separated and identified by normal phase HPLC-MS/MS analysis. We used the methods for steric analysis of fungal oxylipins. Aspergillus spp. produced 8R-HODE (>95% R), 10R-HODE (>70% R), and 5S,8R- and 8R,11S-DiHODE with high stereoselectivity (>95%), whereas 8R,13-DiHODE was likely formed by nonenzymatic hydrolysis of 8R,11S-DiHODE.     

3,4-dihydroxy-2-hydroxymethylpyrrolidine from Arachniodes standishii

3,4-Dihydroxy-2-hydroxymethylpyrrolidine, which has not been encountered naturally before, was isolated from the Pteridophyte Arachniodes standishii. Its configuration was determined as 2,3-cis and 3,4-trans from NMR spectra.     

Production of 5,8-dihydroxy-9,12(Z,Z)-octadecadienoic acid from linoleic acid by whole recombinant Escherichia coli cells expressing diol synthase from Aspergillus nidulans

Diol synthase from Aspergillus nidulans was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. Recombinant E. coli cells expressing diol synthase from A. nidulans converted linoleic acid to a product that was identified as 5,8-dihydroxy-9,12(Z,Z)-octadecadienoic acid by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The recombinant cells and the purified enzyme showed the highest activity for linoleic acid among the fatty acids tested. The optimal reaction conditions for the production of 5,8-dihydroxy-9,12(Z,Z)-octadecadienoic acid from linoleic acid using whole recombinant E. coli cells expressing diol synthase were pH 7.5, 35°C, 250 rpm, 5 g l^?1 linoleic acid, 23 g l^?1 cells, and 20% (v/v) dimethyl sulfoxide in a 250-ml baffled flask. Under these optimized conditions, whole recombinant cells expressing diol synthase produced 4.98 g l^?1 5,8-dihydroxy-9,12(Z,Z)-octadecadienoic acid for 150 min without detectable byproducts, with a conversion yield of 99% (w/w) and a productivity of 2.5 g l^?1 h^?1. This is the first report on the biotechnological production of dihydroxy fatty acid using whole recombinant cells expressing diol synthase.     

Isolation and X-ray structure determination of a neolignan from Clerodendron inerme seeds

A new neolignan, 5,8-epoxy-6,7-dimethyl 2′,3′,2″,3″-dimethylene dioxy-4′,1″-dimethoxy-1,2:3,4-dibenzo-1,3-cyclooctadiene, from the petrol extract of Clerodendron inerme seeds, was characterized by spectroscopic and X-ray crystallographic methods. This compound makes up ca 5% by wt of the seeds.