31P-15N One-Bond Couplings of Diastereoisomeric Adenosine Cyclic 3′,5′-Phosphoramidates

Abstract

¹J(³¹P¹⁵N) coupling constants of R _p and S _p adeno-sine cyclic 3′,5′-phosphoramidates (1), -N-methylphosphor-amidates (2) and -N,N-dimethylphosphoramidates (3) increase in the order of 1<2<3 and obey the Stec rule (J(R _p)< J(S _p)). A possible interpretation of coupling constant differences based on differences in substituent electronegativities and variation in hybridization at nitrogen atom, is suggested.     

Nucleosides,XLVI1 Syntheses and Reactions of 6- and 7-p-Chlorophenyllumazine Nucleosides

Abstract

The syntheses of 6-(4) and 7-p-chlorphenyl-1-(2,3,5-tri-O-benzoyl-β-D-ribofuranosyl)-lumazine (6), was well as the debenzoylation to the corresponding free nucleosides 5 and 7, were improved. Thiation of 4 and 6 by P₄S₁₀ led in excellent yields to 4-thiolumazine nucleosides (8, 10) which could be deblocked to 9 and 11 and converted on treatment with ammonia into the isopterin-N-1- ribofuranosides 13 and 14. 2,2′-Anhydro-nucleoside formation worked well with 5 and 7 respectively to give 15 and 16, which formed on acid hydrolysis the 6- and 7-substituted 1-β-D-arabinofuranosyl-lumazines 18 and 19. The new nucleosides have been characterized by UV and ¹H-NMR spectra.     

Pyrazolo[3,4-d)Pyrimidine 2′-Deoxyribo and 2′,3′-Dideoxyribo-Furanosides: Synthesis and Application to Oligonucleotide Chemistry

Abstract

The synthesis of pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine 2′-deoxyribo-nucleosides with various substituents at C-4 and C-6 (1 4) is described employing either liquid-liquid or solid-liquid phase-transfer glycosylation. From 1a (Z⁸C⁷A_d) and 2b (Z⁸C⁷G_d) the phosphoramidites 12a, b and 15a, b were synthesized. They were used in automated solid-phase synthesis resulting in the oligonucleotides 16 - 25. Deoxygenation (3′-OH) of 1a and 2b yielded pyrazolo[3,4-d]-pyrimidine 2′,3′-dideoxynucleosides isosteric to ddA, ddG, and ddI.     

Synthesis of Some Novel Acyclolumazine N-1 Nucleosides

Abstract

Reactjon of (2-acetoxyethoxy)methyl bromide with the silylated lumazine bases (1-6) in the presence of n-Bu₄NI leads to the formation of the nucleosides 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 and 18 respectively. Deacetylation with methanolic ammonia afforded the free nucleosides 9, 11, 13, 15, 17 and 19, respectively, in good yields. Structural proofs of the newly synthesized compounds are based on elemental analyses, UV and ¹H-NMR spactra. None of the acyclic nucleosides exhibited antiviral activity against HSV-1 in vitro.     

P1-(Thymidine 5′-)P1-amino-triphosphate: Synthesis,Hydrolysis and Reaction with Cytidine in Alkali1

Abstract

The title compound 1 is prepared from thymidine 5′-phos-phorodiamidate (2) and inorganic pyrophosphate (3) in anhydrous DMF, at 30–32°C. The products of alkaline hydrolysis of 1, at room temperature, are: thymidine 5′-phosphoramidate (4), thymidine 3′-phosphoramidate (8) and thymidine (9) as well as 3 and inorganic trimetaphosphate (10). In 1 N NH₄OH, 1 reacts with cytidine (15) to form cytidylyl-/2^T(3′)-5′/-thymidine (16) and a mixture of cytidine 2′,3′-cyclic phosphate (17) and 9.     

Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of some Acyclic Nucleoside Cyclic Phosphoramidate Derivatives

Abstract

The acyclic nucleosides 2 were treated with 2-chloro-3-methyl-1-oxa-3-aza-2-phosphacyclopentane (3) in the presence of diisopropylethylamine to give the corresponding phosphoramidite derivatives (4). The phosphoramidite intermediates (4) were oxidized with m-chloroperbenzoic acid to the phosphoramidate derivatives (5). Treatment of 5a,b with ZnBr₂ in CH₃NO₂ gave the corresponding acyclic nucleoside cyclic phosphoramidates (6a,b). Attempts to desilylation of 5c by tetrabutylammonium fluoride (TBAF) resulted in opening of the phosphoramidate ring. The newly synthesized compounds were evaluated for antiviral and antitumor cell activity.     

Synthesis of Certain 4-Substituted-1-β-D-Ribofuranosyl-3-Hydroxypyrazoles Structurally Related to the Antibiotic Pyrazofurin

Abstract

Several 4-substituted-1-β-D-ribofuranosyl-3-hydroxypyrazoles were prepared as structural analogs of pyrazofurin. Glycosylation of the TMS derivative of ethyl 3(5)-hydroxypyrazole-4-carboxylate (3) with 1-0-acetyl-2,3,5-tri-0-benzoyl-D-ribofuranose in the presence of TMS-triflate gave predominantly ethyl 3-hydroxy-1-(2,3,5-tri-0-benzoyl-β-D-ribofuranosyl)pyrazole-4-carboxylate (4a), which on subsequent ammonolysis furnished 3-hydroxy-1-β-D-ribofuranosylpyrazole-4-carboxamide (5). Benzylation of 4a with benzyl bromide and further ammonolysis gave 3-benzyloxy-1-β-D-ribofuranosylpyrazole-4-carboxamide (8a). Catalytic (Pd/C) hydrogenation of 8a afforded yet another high yield route to 5. Saponification of the ester function of ethyl 3-benzyloxy-1-β-D-ribofuranosylpyrazole-4-carboxylate (7b) gave the corresponding 4-carboxylic acid (6a). Phosphorylation of 8a and subsequent debenzylation of the intermediate 11a gave 3-hydroxy-1-β-D-ribofuranosylpyrazole-4-carboxamide 5′-phosphate (11b). Dehydration of 3-benzyloxy-1-(2,3,5-tri-0-acetyl-β-D-ribofuranosyl)pyrazole-4-carboxamide (8b) with POCl₃ provided the corresponding 4-carbonitrile derivative (10a), which on debenzylation with Cl₃SiI gave 3-hydroxy-1-(2,3,5-tri-0-acetyl-β-D-ribofuranosyl)pyrazole-4-carbonitrile (13). Reaction of 13 with H₂S/pyridine and subsequent deacetylation gave 3-hydroxy-1-β-D-ribofuranosylpyrazole-4-thiocarboxamide (12b). Similarly, treatment of 13 with NH₂OH afforded 3-hydroxy-1-β-D-ribofuranosylpyrazole-4-carboxamidoxime (14a), which on catalytic (Pd/C) hydrogenation gave the corresponding 4-carboxamidine derivative (14b). The structural assignment of these pyrazole ribonucleosides was made by single-crystal X-ray analysis of 6a. None of these compounds exhibited any significant antitumor or antiviral activity in cell culture.     

Comparative studies of the phytochrome system in cell cultures from different plants

Phytochrome contents have been assayed in vivo in cell suspension cultures of Petroselinum hortense, Daucus carota and Glycine max. After transferring the cells to fresh medium phytochrome increased in parallel with the increase in cell number, whereas the amount of phytochrome per cell remained constant. The rate of phytochrome reaccumulation after pretreatment with 15 h red light was very similar in all three systems (2.8–3.6 (e) 10^–5/h). Dark reversion and a fast and slow P_fr destruction were observed in all systems. The rate constants of these reactions varied strongly between the systems. The phytochrome systems of the cell cultures were compared with those of etiolated and light-grown seedlings and it was concluded that the cell suspension cultures of Petroselinum hortense and Daucus carota behaved similarly to light-grown seedlings. In contrast, those of Glycine max behaved similarly to a dark grown seedling.Abbreviations P_r'fr red, far-red absorbing forms of phytochrome - P_tot P_r+P_fr total amount of phytochrome - fwt fresh weight     

Metal Carbonate-Mediated Complete Deacylation of Polyacyl Protected Nucleosides

Abstract

Treatment of poly-acetyl or -benzoyl protected ribonucleosides (1a-i) and 2′-deoxyribonucleosides (3a-d) with metal carbonates such as NaHCO₃ or Na₂CO₃ in MeOH gave the corresponding deacylated free ribomucleosides (2a-d and 4a-b) in excellent high yields.     

In vitro plant regeneration of leguminous trees (Albizia spp)

Hypocotyl explants of three leguminous forest tree species, Albizia amara, A. lucida and A. richardiana, have differentiated shoot buds on B₅ basal medium. Maximum number of shoots per explant developed on basal medium augmented with 2,4-D (0.1 M) in A. amara (2) and BA (10 M) for both A. lucida (2) and A. richardiana (1.6). Higher concentrations of auxins in the medium, in general, enhanced rooting and callusing but cytokinins promoted the growth of green calli. BA enchanced the differentiation of shoots in the three species. The in vitro grown shoots of A. amara and A. richardiana, after subculturing on B₅+1 M IAA developed roots (up to 30–40%). These plants have been successfully transferred to the field.Abbreviations 2,4-D 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid - BA 6-benzylaminopurine - BM Gamborg's B₅ medium with 0.9% agar+3% sucrose - IAA Indole-3-acetic acid - IBA Indole-3-butyric acid - Kn Kinetin - NAA -naphthaleneacetic acid     

Shoot and root organogenesis of Camellia sasanqua

In vitro-derived shoot tips, (10 mm) taken from primary cultures of Camellia sasanqua L., were evaluated for organogenesis when cultured on a half-strength MS medium supplemented with various concentrations of NAA, IBA, BA and GA₃. Maximum shoot proliferation and growth for juvenile and mature tissue was obtained when 0.54 M NAA, 8.8 M BA plus 14.4 to 28.9 M GA₃ was added to the culture media, with a pH between 4.5 and 5.0. In vitro-derived shoots (20 mm) from mature C. sasanqua Day Dream and juvenile C. sasanqua cultures initiated roots in vitro after immersion in 2.5 mM IBA for 30 min. Sixty percent of the mature shoots and 90% of the juvenile shoots initiated roots within 3 weeks of treatment with IBA.Abbreviations MS Murashige and Skoog (1962) - IBA lH-indole-3-butanoic acid - BA N-(phenyl-methyl)-lH-purine-6-amine - GA₃ gibberellic acid - kinetin N-(Z-furanyl-methyl)-lH-purine-6-amine - NAA l-naphthaleneacetic acid - L Linear - Q Quadratic     

Synthesis and Biological Properties of 9-(2, 4-Dihydroxybutyl) Adenine and Guanine: New Analogues Of 9-(2, 3-Dihydroxyprqpyl)adenine (Dhpa) and 9-(2-Hydroxyethoxymethyl)guanine (Acyclovir)

Abstract

New analogues of antiviral agents 9-(2, 3-dihy-droxyproply) adenine (DHPA, 1a.) and 9-(2-hydroxyethoxymethyl) guanine (acyclovir, Ib) - compounds Ic and Id were prepared and their biological activity was investigated. Racemic 1, 2, 4-butanetriol (2) was converted to the corresponding benzylidene derivative (3a) by acetalation with benzalde-hyde and triethyl orthoformate. Acetal 3a and p-toluene- sul-fonyl chloride in pyridine gave the corresponding p-toluenes fonate 3b. Alkylation of adenine 5a via sodium salt of 5a with 3b in dimethylformamide or in the presence of tetra-n-butylammonium fluoride in tetrahydrofuran gave intermediate 6a. Reaction of 2-amino-6-chloropurine (5b) with 3b effected by K₂CO₃ in dimethylsulfoxide gave compound 6b and a smaller amount of 7-alkylated proauct 7. A similar transformation catalyzed by tetra-n-butylammonium fluoride afforded only intermediate 5b. Acid-catalyzed de-protection (hydrolysis) of 6b and 6a gave the title compounds Ic and Id. The S-enantiomer of Ic was deaminated with adenosine deaminase. Our results argue against the presence of a methyl group-binding site of adenosine deaminase. Compounds Ic and Id exhibited little or no activity in antiviral assays with several DNA and RNA viruses.     

3′-3′,3′-5′ and 5′-5′ TpT-Amides: Synthesis,Characterization and Alkaline Hydrolysis

Abstract

A simple procedure is described for the preparation of the title compounds 1, 8 and 9. 3′-3′ or 3′-5′ or 5′-5′ TpT was reacted with a twofold molar excess of TPS in anhydrous DMF, at room temperature, for 5 min, followed by a 1 min in situ treatment of the reaction mixture with excess 7.0 N NH₄OH, at 0°C. The alkaline hydrolysis of 1, 8 and 9 proceeds without the assistance of 3′- and 5′-hydroxyl groups resulting in equimolar mixtures of thymidine (4) and thymidine 3′-phosphoramidate (6) (for the 3′-3′ isomer) or thymidine 5′-phosphoramidate (7) (for the 5′-5′ isomer) or 6 and 7 in equal quantities (for the 3′-5′ isomer).     

Citrate inhibition of glucose uptake in Aspergillus niger

Summary The in vitro uptake of glucose and 2-desoxyglucose by whole mycelia of Aspergillus niger, pregrown under citric acid producing conditions, is inhibited by citrate (I _0.5 15 mM), which affects a high affinity glucose transport system (K_m 0.14 – 0.17 mM).     

Production of virus resistant and insect tolerant transgenic tobacco plants

The cucumber mosaic virus coat protein (CMV-CP) gene and a modified Bacillus thuringiensis -endotoxin (Bt toxin) gene were cloned into plant expression vector pE3. Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum cv. G28) leaf discs were transformed with Agrobacterium tumefaciens A12 carrying recombinant pE14. Transgenic r₀ and R₁ tobacco plants expressing CMV-CP and Bt toxin genes were protected from CMV infection as well as feeding damage of Manduca Sexta (tobacco hornworm) larvae. These results demonstrate that it is feasible to breed new cultivars with multiple resistances via genetic engineering.Abbreviations CMV cucumber mosaic virus - Bt toxin Bacillus thuringiensis -endotoxin - CaMV cauliflower mosaic virus - NOS nopaline synthase - Kan Kanamycin - Spe spectinomycin - Carb Carbenicillin     

The Effect of Universal Fluorinated Nucleobases on the Catalytic Activity of Ribozymes

Abstract

Four fluoro modified universal nucleobases have been synthesized. The universal nucleobases 1 and 2 , containing a 2,4-difluorobenzene as nucleobase and a 4,6-difluorobenzimidazole, respectively, were chemically incorporated into a selected hammerhead ribozyme sequence which has already been retrovirally expressed as an anti-HIV ribozyme to investigate their effect on the catalytic activity of the ribozymes. The substitution of the natural nucleosides with either 1 or 2 results only in a small decrease of the catalytic activity. The K_m value for the monosubstituted ribozyme with a 2,4-difluorobenzene is 309 nM^?1, the corresponding k_cat is 2.91 · 10^?3 min^?1. A disubstituted hammerhead ribozyme carrying one of each modification has also been synthesized. For a further stabilization of the ribozyme/substrate complex 2′-(β-aminoethoxy) modified fluorinated nucleosides 15 and 16 have been developed.     

Simultaneous saccharification and fermentation by mixed cultures ofBrettanomyces clausenii andPichia spipitis R of SO2-prehydrolysed wood

Summary Using pilot scale Wenger and Stake II reactors for prehydrolysing aspen and coniferous wood chips in the presence of SO₂ catalyst, highly digestible lignocellulosic substrates were generated from which about 90% yields of hemicellulose mostly in monomeric form could be recovered. Simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) of these SO₂ feedstocks by a mixed culture ofBrettanomyces clausenii andPichia stipitis R resulted in rapid and efficient fermentation giving a final yield of 369 and 360 L ethanol/tonne of the prehydrolysed woods, respectively. BecauseB. clausenii is an excellent cellobiose fermenter, no -glucosidase was needed during SSF.     

Photosynthetic ability in dark-grown Reboulia hemisphaerica and Barbula unguiculata cells in suspension culture

Suspension cultured cells of the liverwort, Reboulia hemisphaerica and of the moss, Barbula unguiculata were independently subcultured in the medium containing 2% glucose in the dark or in the light for more than one year, and the photosynthetic activities of the final cultures were determined. Throughout the culture period light-grown cells of both species contained high amount of chlorophyll (4 to 34 g mg^–1 dry weight) and showed a high photosynthetic activity (10 to 84 mol O₂ mg^–1 chlorophyll h^–1). Dark-grown cells of R. hemisphaerica showed the same level of chlorophyll content and photosynthetic O₂ evolving activity as light-grown cells. Although chlorophyll content in dark-grown B. unguiculata cells was ten-fold lower than that in light-grown cells, the photosynthetic activity of these dark-grown cells was higher than that of light-grown cells based on chlorophyll content.     

Growth,nitrogen fixation,and mass culture of isolatedAnabaena azollae

Summary An independent strain ofAnabaena azollae was evaluated for its potential as a biofertilizer in wetland rice fields. Sustained rapid growth (doubling time=10.5 h) and nitrogenase activity (32 nmol C₂H₄ h^–1 g^–1 chl) was recorded. Mass cultivation (up to 300 litres) for the first time with this species was also achieved.     

9-(6-Deoxy- β -D-Allofuranosyl)Adenine Cyclic 3′,5′ -Phosphor-Amidate: A New Cyclic AMP Amide Derivative Containing an Equatorial Methyl Group at the 5′-Position

Abstract

R _P and S _P phosphorus diastereoisomers of the title compound (2) are prepared from the corresponding cyclic monophosphate. Solution conformation of the dioxaphosphor-inane ring and hydrolysis of R _p-2 and S _p-2 are studied and compared with those of the phosphorus diastereoisomers of the isomeric compound that contains the 5′-methyl group in the axial position.