Synthesis and chromatographic properties of S-(1-carboxyethyl)-L-cysteine and S-(1-carboxypropyl)-L-cysteine

Details are reported for the synthesis of S-(1-carboxyethyl)-L-cysteine (1-CEC) and S-(1-carboxypropyl)-L-cysteine (1-CPC) from cysteine and 2-bromopropionic acid or 2-bromobutyric acid, respectively. Some analytical data and the behaviour of these two compounds on paper and ion-exchange chromatography are also reported, which allow their identification.     

Oxidative deamination of S-(1-carboxyethyl)-L-cysteine and S-(1-carboxypropyl)-L-cysteine by L-aminoacid oxidase

S-(1-carboxyethyl)-L-cysteine (1-CEC) and S-(1-carboxypropyl)-L-cysteine (1-CPC) are oxidatively deaminated by L-aminoacid oxidase with consumption of half a mole of oxygen per mole of substrate in the presence of catalase. This reaction gives rise to the corresponding alpha-ketoacids, identified by some chemical and chromatographic tests and by comparison with synthetic compounds. It has been possible, therefore, to demonstrate that S-(1-carboxyethyl)-thiopvruvic acid (1-CETP) and S-(1-carboxypropyl)-thiopvruvic acid (1-CPTP) are the main products of oxidative deamination of 1-CEC and 1-CPC.     

Cytotoxicity of S-(1,2-dichlorovinyl)glutathione and S-(1,2-dichlorovinyl)-L-cysteine in isolated rat kidney cells

S-(1,2-Dichlorovinyl)glutathione (DCVG) and S-(1,2-dichlorovinyl)-L-cysteine (DCVC) produced time- and concentration-dependent cell death in isolated rat kidney proximal tubular cells. AT-125 blocked and glycylglycine potentiated DCVG toxicity, indicating that metabolism by gamma-glutamyltransferase is required. S-(1,2-Dichlorovinyl)-L-cysteinylglycine, a putative metabolite of DCVG, also produced cell death, which was prevented by 1,10-phenanthroline, phenylalanylglycine, and aminooxyacetic acid, inhibitors of aminopeptidase M, cysteinylglycine dipeptidase, and cysteine conjugate beta-lyase, respectively. Aminooxyacetic acid and probenecid protected against DCVC toxicity, indicating a role for metabolism by cysteine conjugate beta-lyase and organic anion transport, respectively. DCVC produced a small decrease in cellular glutathione concentrations and did not change cellular glutathione disulfide concentrations or initiate lipid peroxidation. DCVC caused a large decrease in cellular glutamate and ATP concentrations with a parallel decrease in the total adenine nucleotide pool; these changes were partially prevented by aminooxyacetic acid. Both DCVG and DCVC inhibited succinate-dependent oxygen consumption, but DCVC had no effect when glutamate + malate or ascorbate + N,N,N',N'-tetramethyl-p-phenylenediamine were the electron donors. DCVC inhibited mitochondrial, but not microsomal, Ca2+ sequestration. These alterations in mitochondrial function were partially prevented by inhibition of DCVG and DCVC metabolism and were strongly correlated with decreases in cell viability, indicating that mitochondria may be the primary targets of nephrotoxic cysteine S-conjugates.     

Formation of S-[2-(N7-guanyl)ethyl] adducts by the postulated S-(2-chloroethyl)cysteinyl and S-(2-chloroethyl)glutathionyl conjugates of 1,2-dichloroethane

The formation of S-[2-(N7-guanyl)ethyl]glutathione (GEG) from dihaloethanes is postulated to occur through two intermediates: the S-(2-haloethyl)glutathione conjugate and the corresponding episulfonium ion. We report the formation of GEG when deoxyguanosine (dG) was incubated with chemically synthesized S-(2-chloroethyl)glutathione (CEG). The depurination of GEG was shown to be first order with a half-life of 7.4 +/- 0.4 h at 27 degrees C. Evidence is also presented for the formation of S-[2-(N7-guanyl)ethyl]-L-cysteine (GEC) in incubation mixtures containing dG and S-(2-chloroethyl)-L-cysteine (CEC), the corresponding cysteine conjugate of CEG. This finding demonstrates that this (haloethyl)cysteine conjugate does not require activation by enzymatic action of cysteine conjugate beta-lyase but, instead, can directly alkylate DNA. The half-life of the depurination of GEC was 6.5 +/- 0.9 h, which is no different from that of GEG. Of the two conjugates, CEC is a somewhat more active alkylating agent toward dG than CEG as N7-guanylic adduct was detected in reaction mixtures with lower concentrations of CEC than with CEG.     

The emerging complexity of self-incompatibility (S-) loci

 A complex picture of S-loci is beginning to emerge from recent studies of the S-locus of RNase-based gametophytic self-incompatibility displayed by the Rosaceae, Solanaceae, and Scrophulariaceae, and of the S-locus of the type of sporophytic self-incompatibility displayed by the Brassicaceae. It now appears that not only do these S-loci contain two separate genes, one controlling pollen function and the other controlling pistil function in self-incompatibility interactions, but also many other genes whose functions are largely unknown. The implications of these recent findings for the study of the mechanisms of self-incompatibililty interactions and evolution of the self-incompatibility systems are discussed. Received: 7 January 1999 / Revision accepted: 13 January 1999     

Sicklepod Surface Wax Response to Photoperiod and S-(2,3-Dichloroallyl)diisopropylthiocarbamate (Diallate)

Sicklepod (Cassia obtusifolia L.) leaflet epicuticular fatty acid, fatty alcohol, and hydrocarbon contents were measured by gas-liquid chromatography from plants grown under 10-, 12-, 14-, or 16-hour photoperiods and treated with S-(2,3-dichloroallyl)diisopropylthiocarbamate (diallate) (0, 0.14, 0.28, 0.56, 1.12 kilograms per hectare). As diallate concentration increased, epicuticular fatty acid content decreased. Fatty alcohol content was maximal in plants treated with 0.28 kilograms per hectare diallate and was reduced from that level at herbicide concentrations above or below this rate. Hydrocarbon content patterns were similar to those of the fatty alcohols except that the hydrocarbons at 0.28 kilograms per hectare were 61% of that present in the control, whereas the concentration of fatty alcohols increased to 200% of the control in treatments of 0.28 kilograms per hectare diallate.     

S-(2-(acylamino)phenyl) 2,2-dimethylpropanethioates as CETP inhibitors

Studies on the relationship between the structure of the benzene moiety of S-(2-(acylamino)phenyl) 2,2-dimethylpropanethioates and CETP inhibitory activity were performed. Substituents on the benzene moiety influenced CETP inhibitory activity in a type and position dependent manner, and electron-withdrawing groups at the 4- or 5-position increased the activity. The most potent compound showed 50% inhibition of CETP activity in human plasma at a concentration of 2 microM.     

Synthesis of an S-(2-Aminoethyl)-L-Cysteine Conjugate in S-(2-Aminoethyl)-L-Cysteine- Resistant Adenine-Auxotrophic Cells of Datura innoxia Mill

A line of S-(2-aminoethyl)-L-cysteine-resistant adenine-auxotrophiccells (Ad^–AEC^r strain) was isolated from adenine-auxotrophiccells (Ad^– strain) of Datura innoxia Mill by a stepwiseselection method. Ad^–AEC^r and Bl cells, which were clonedfrom the original Ad^–AEC^r cells, were able to grow activelyon medium that contained 10 mM S-(2-aminoethyl)-L-cysteine (AEC),whereas the growth of Ad^– cells ceased completely in thepresence of 0.5 mM AEC. The resistant phenotype has been maintainedfor at least 10 months in culture on medium without AEC. Levels of free lysine in Ad^–AEC^r and Bl cells were similarto that in Ad^– cells. By contrast, the level of free AECin Ad^–AEC cells was 10-fold lower than in Ad^– cellsand no free AEC was detectable in Bl cells. However, acid hydrolysisof extracts from Ad^–AEC^r and Bl cells resulted in a remarkableincrease in levels of detectable AEC. This result indicatesthat conjugated AEC is synthesized and accumulated in the AEC-resistantcells. The level of the AEC conjugate in Bl cells increasedwith increases in the concentration of AEC in the culture medium,while intracellular levels of AEC were so low as not to be detectablein the case of cells grown on medium supplemented with AEC atless than 1 mM. The AEC conjugate was also detected in Ad^–cells, but at lower levels than in the AEC-resistant cells.In addition, AEC was found to be incorporated into soluble proteinsin Ad^– cells. These results suggest that the resistance of AEC-resistant cellsof Datura innoxia is accomplished via acceleration of the synthesisof the AEC conjugate which prevents any increase in intracellularlevels of free AEC. ¹Present address: Institute for Biology and Chemistry, TsumuraCo.Ltd., Inashiki, Ibaraki, 300-03 Japan. ²Present address: North Kanto Shop, Sakata Seed Co. Ltd.,Saitama,347 Japan.     

The synthesis of S-(3-aminopropyl)thiosulfuric acid

In order to investigate the metabolism in vivo of homocystamine we needed the corresponding -SSO3H derivative and we attempted to prepare it. In this paper details are reported for the synthesis of S-(3-Aminopropyl)-thiosulfuric acid from 3-Bromopropylamine or thiosulfate. Same analytical date and chromatographic properties one also reported, which allow its identification.     

An Efficient Chemoenzymatic Synthesis of S-(-)-Fenpropimorph

First enantioselective synthesis of S-(-)-1-[3-(4-tert-butylphenyl)-2-methyl]propyl-cis-3,5-dimethylmorpholine (6), biologically active enantiomer of the systematic fungicide fenpropimorph, is reported. It comprises reacting 4-tert-butylbenzylbromide with methyldiethylmalonate, decarbethoxylation of 2 into racemic 3-(4-tert-butylphenyl)-2-methylpropionic acid ethylester (3) in DMSO in the presence of alkali, then Pseudomonas sp. lipase catalyzed kinetic resolution of racemic 3 into S-(+)-acid (4), base-catalyzed racemization and recycling of the R-(-)-ester 3, acylation of cis-3,5-dimethylmorpholine, and final reduction of the intermediary amide 5 to provide enantiomerically pure S-(-)-6.     

Uniconazole (S-3307) induced cadmium tolerance in wheat

Uniconazole, a triazole, was applied to seed at a concentration of 0. l g kg^–1 seed to protect wheat plants from the toxic metal cadmium (Cd). The degree of protection afforded by uniconazole against Cd toxicity was assessed by measuring fresh and dry weights of shoots and roots and by estimating the chlorophyll and solute leakage level in the leaves. Fresh weights and dry weights of roots and shoots were higher in Cd + uniconazole treated plants compared to uniconazole and cadmium treatment alone. Uniconazole + cadmium treated plants were darker in color, having more chlorophyll. Solute leakage was increased with the increasing concentrations of Cd and loss of membrane permeability was alleviated by the use of uniconazole.     

An Efficient Chemoenzymatic Synthesis of S-(-)-Fenpropimorph

First enantioselective synthesis of S-(-)-1-[3-(4-tert-butylphenyl)-2-methyl]propyl-cis-3,5-dimethylmorpholine (6), biologically active enantiomer of the systematic fungicide fenpropimorph, is reported. It comprises reacting 4-tert-butylbenzylbromide with methyldiethylmalonate, decarbethoxylation of 2 into racemic 3-(4-tert-butylphenyl)-2-methylpropionic acid ethylester (3) in DMSO in the presence of alkali, then Pseudomonas sp. lipase catalyzed kinetic resolution of racemic 3 into S-(+)-acid (4), base-catalyzed racemization and recycling of the R-(-)-ester 3, acylation of cis-3,5-dimethylmorpholine, and final reduction of the intermediary amide 5 to provide enantiomerically pure S-(-)-6.