SYNTHESIS OF 4-ACYL-1H-1,2,3-TRIAZOLIC NUCLEOSIDES

Two simple regiospecific methodologies based on triazolic ring construction in the course of synthesis were applied for the synthesis of 1,2,3-triazolic nucleoside analogues. The cycloaddition reactions between diazomalonaldehyde and appropriate glycosylamine derivatives were rather effective, producing the desired nucleosides 11, 17 and 24. Diazotization of enamines 21a and 21b led to the corresponding triazolic ribonucleoside derivatives 22a and 22b, in good yields. Deprotection reaction of 22a, 22b and 24 was easily achieved by Lewis acid catalysis, producing the corresponding ribonucleosides 23a, 23b and 25.     

The biogenetic-type total synthesis of ajmaline

Chemical steps 14→15→20→21→22→23a→23b→24a→24b→25→29→30→42→43→44→45→46→1 constitute the first biogenetic-type total synthesis of the indole alkaloid ajmaline.     

Tetra- and hexahydro derivatives of aldosterone and 18-hydroxycorticosterone by chemical and microbial reductions

Preparative methods were developed for reduction with NaBH4 at 0 of 3 beta, 5 alpha- and 3 alpha, 5 beta-tetrahydroaldosterone (1) and (12) to their respective 20 alpha-ol derivatives 2a and 13a. Corroboration of structures was obtained by periodate oxidations to the lactols 3b and 14b and thence, by further oxidation, to the lactones 4 and 15 respectively; these lactones were also independently obtained from 1 and 12. Reduction with NaBH4 at 80 degrees C converted 1 and 12 into 18-hydroxy-3 beta, 5 alpha, 20- and 18-hydroxy-3 alpha, 5 beta, 20-hexahydrocorticosterone 6a and 17a respectively, which were mixtures of epimers at C-20. Compound 17a could also be prepared by reduction of the lactone 21 with sodium aluminum bis-(methoxyethoxy) hydride. Again, periodate oxidations of 6a and 17a gave the lactols 7b and 22b and thence, by Jones oxidation, the diketolactones 8 and 23, which were also prepared from 18-hydroxy-11-dehydrocorticosterone (10) and 18-hydroxycorticosterone (24) respectively. Improved conditions for reduction with Clostridium paraputrificum permitted convenient conversion of aldosterone (11), the corresponding 18 leads to 11 lactone 18a and 18-hydroxycorticosterone (24) into their 3 alpha, 5 beta-tetrahydro derivatives.     

Synthesis of 4'-deoxy-4'-fluorokanamycin A and B.

4'-Deoxy-4'-fluorokanamycins A (17) and B (25) have been prepared through fluorinative ring-opening of the D-galacto-3',4'-oxiranes (8 and 21) derived from kanamycin A and B with potassium hydrogenfluoride in ethane-1,2-diol. The mechanism of preponderant formation of the 4'-deoxy-4'-fluoro-D-gluco (9 and 22) over the 3'-deoxy-3'-fluoro-D-gulo derivatives was discussed. In the synthesis of 25, the unusual 3',6'-epimine (23) was the main product along with the 4'-deoxy-4'-fluoro derivative. The mechanism of this reaction is also discussed. Both 17 and 25 were active against resistant bacteria producing aminoglycoside-adenylylating enzymes for HO-4'.     

Non-classical antifolates, 5-(N-phenylpyrrolidin-3-yl)-2,4,6-triaminopyrimidines and 2,4-Diamino-6(5H)-oxopyrimidines,synthesis and antitumor studies

A series of non-classical antifolates, namely 5-(N-phenylpyrrolidin-3-yl)-2,4,6-triaminopyrimidines (25a-i) and 2,4-diamino-(N-phenylpyrrolidin-3-yl)-6(5H)-oxopyrimidines (26a,b,c,f,h,i) was synthesized and evaluated for their in vitro cytotoxicity. Reacting aniline derivatives with 1,4-dibromo-2-butanol gave 1-phenyl-3-pyrrolidinols (19a--i), which were oxidized to pyrrolidin-3-ones (20a-i). The Knoevenagel reaction of 20a-i with malononitrile or ethyl cyanoacetate gave 3-(dicyanomethylene)- (21a-i) and 3-[cyano(ethoxycarbonyl)methylene]-pyrrolidines (22a,b,c,f,h,i), respectively, which were subsequently reduced to the corresponding 3-(dicyano)methyl- or 3-[cyano(ethoxycarbonyl)methyl)]pyrrolidines (23a-i and 24a,b,c,f,h,i, respectively). Condensation of either 23a-i or 24a,b,c,f,h,i with guanidine afforded the target compounds. The cytotoxicity of these compounds was evaluated based on their ability to inhibit various human tumors (human colon adenocarcinoma COLO 205, lung carcinoma H23 and its adriamycin resistant cell line H23/0.3, T-cell leukemia MOLT-4, promyelocytic leukemia HL-60, and T-cell acute lymphocytic leukemia CCRF-CEM) cell growth in culture. These studies revealed that the 2,4,6-triaminopyrimidine derivatives were more cytotoxic than the 2,4-diamino-6(5H)-oxopyrimidine counter parts, in which the latter was inactive in all testing systems. The 2,4,6-triaminopyrimidine derivatives bearing halogen substituent on the phenyl ring (25f,h,i) were cytotoxic in all cultured leukemia cell growth. Among these compounds, 5-(4-fluoro and 4-chlorophenyl)-2,4,6-triaminopyrimidines (25e and 25h, respectively) were more potent than methotrexate (MTX) in inhibiting of H23/0.3 cell growth. These compounds inhibit the folate metabolic pathways as indicated by tritium release from [5-3H]deoxyuridine in MTX sensitive human fibrosarcoma HT-1080 cells. Dihydrofolate reductase is the major target for 25f,h,i, as shown by leucovorin (LV) rescue of MTX cytotoxicity.     

Twelve new serotypes ofArizona bacteria isolated from zoo animals

Twelve previously undescribed serotypes ofArizona isolated from zoo animals were characterized. They were 10a, 10b : 13(14) : 28a, 28b, 28d; 9a, 9c : 33 : 28a, 28b; 1,4 : 24 : 21; 1,4 : 29 : 31; 19 : 22 : 28a, 28b; 7a, 7c : 27 : 31 : 38; 26 : 33 : 28a, 28b; 9a, 9b : 29 : 21; 23 : 33 : 28a, 28b; 7a, 7b : 22 : 34; 5 : 1,6; and 23 : 33 : 28a, 28b : 42.     

Verification of the turn at positions 22 and 23 of the β-amyloid fibrils with Italian mutation using solid-state NMR

The aggregation of 42-mer amyloid β (Aβ42) plays a central role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease. Our recent research on proline mutagenesis of Aβ42 suggested that the formation of a turn structure at positions 22 and 23 could play a crucial role in its aggregative ability and neurotoxicity. Since E22K-Aβ42 (Italian mutation) aggregated more rapidly and with more potent neurotoxicity than wild-type Aβ42, the tertiary structure at positions 21–24 of E22K-Aβ42 fibrils was analyzed by solid-state NMR using dipolar-assisted rotational resonance (DARR) to identify the ‘malignant’ conformation of Aβ42. Two sets of chemical shifts for Asp-23 were observed in a ratio of about 2.6:1. The 2D DARR spectra at the mixing time of 500 ms suggested that the side chains of Asp-23 and Val-24 in the major conformer, and those of Lys-22 and Asp-23 in the minor conformer could be located on the same side, respectively. These data support the presence of a turn structure at positions 22 and 23 in E22K-Aβ42 fibrils. The formation of a salt bridge between Lys-22 and Asp-23 in the minor conformer might be a reason why E22K-Aβ42 is more pathogenic than wild-type Aβ42.     

Synthesis and antitumor activity of novel 10-substituted camptothecin analogues

In an attempt to improve the antitumor activity and decrease the cytotoxicity of camptothecin, 18 new 10-substituted camptothecin derivatives were prepared. The cytotoxicity in vitro on cancer cell lines and antitumor activity in vivo, and inhibitory properties of topoisomerase I of these derivatives were evaluated. Most of these derivatives possessed lower cytotoxicities than CPT, and the compounds 13, 21, 22, 23, and 24 showed similar topoisomerase I inhibitory activity to CPT. Analogues 13 exhibited the best antitumor activity in vivo among all derivatives we prepared.     

3,3]-Claisen rearrangements in 24alpha-methyl steroid synthesis. Application to campesterol, crinosterol, and Delta25-crinosterol side chain construction

This paper elaborates an improved synthesis of crinosterol and campesterol starting from stigmasterol. The proposed approach is based on Claisen rearrangement of Delta23-22-allylic alcohols with various configurations of the 22-hydroxy group and geometry of the Delta23-double bond. It allows complete use of the starting steroid for preparing 24alpha-methyl derivatives. It was possible to partially control the stereochemistry at C-25. Hydrogenation of the Delta22-double bond was shown to proceed with partial isomerization of the C-24 alkyl substituent. The Ireland ester enolate variant of the Claisen rearrangement was demonstrated to be useful for preparing 24alpha-methyl steroids containing the Delta22,25-system.     

Synthesis of 24-Epibrassinolide-related Compounds with Plant Growth-promoting Activity

2-Mono- and 2,3-diacetate derivatives of (22R,23R)- and (22S,23S)-24-epibrassinolides, and (22R,23R)- and (22S,23S)-2-deoxy-24-epibrassinolides were synthesized. They were found to possess weak biological activity in a rice-lamina inclination test.     

Blazeispirane and protoblazeispirane derivatives from the cultured mycelia of the fungus Agaricus blazei

Two blazeispirane derivatives including blazeispirols G and I were isolated from the cultured mycelia of the fungus Agaricus blazei Murill and were established to be (20S, 22S, 23R, 24S)-14 beta,22: 22,25-diepoxy-5-methoxy-des-A-ergosta-5,7,9-triene-11 alpha,23-diol and (20S, 22S, 23R, 24S)-14 beta,22:22,25-diepoxy-5-methoxy-des-A-ergosta-5,7,9,11-tetraene-23,28-diol by comparison of extensive 1D and 2D NMR spectral data with that of blazeispirol A. Furthermore, four blazeispirol derivatives blazeispirols, U, V, V(1) and Z(1) were isolated form the same source described above. Their structures were determined to be (20S, 22S, 23R, 24S)-14 beta,22:22,25-diepoxy-23-hydroxyergosta-4,6,8,11-tetraen-3-one, (20S, 22S, 23R, 24S)-14 beta,22:22,25-diepoxy-6 alpha,7 alpha,23-trihydroxyergosta-4,8,11-trien-3-one, (20S, 22S, 23R, 24S)-14 beta,22:22,25-diepoxy-6 beta,7 alpha,23-trihydroxyergosta-4,8,11-trien-3-one and (20S, 22S, 23R, 24S)-14 beta,22:22,25-diepoxy-23-hydroxy-4,5-seco-ergosta-6,8-diene-3,5-dione by extensive 1 D and 2D NMR spectral data.     

Design, synthesis and vasorelaxant evaluation of novel coumarin-pyrimidine hybrids

The main objective of the present work depends on the hybridization of coumarin moiety as a vasorelaxant scaffold and pyrimidine ring with known potential cardiovascular activity in order to prepare some new potent antihypertensive candidates. Hence, two groups of pyrimidinyl coumarin derivatives were synthesized and evaluated for their vasorelaxing activity. These compounds were prepared via two routes; either preparation of the guanidinocoumarin 4 followed by a cocktail of cyclization reactions to yield a different array of 6-(substituted pyrimidin-2-yl)aminocoumarins 5-17, or through cyclization of the precursor chalcones 22a-g with guanidine hydrochloride to generate the corresponding final compounds, 8-(6-aryl-2-aminopyrimidin-4-yl)-7-methoxycoumarins 23a-g. The effect of these compounds and the coumarin intermediates 3, 4, 21 and 22a-g on nor-epinephrine induced contracture in thoracic rat aortic rings was investigated using prazocin as reference drug. Several derivatives showed promising activities either equal or even better than that of prazocin (IC(50) 0.487 mM). The most prospective compounds; the pyrimidinylamino coumarin derivatives 8, 17 (IC(50) 0.411, IC(50) 0.421 mM) and the chalcones 22b, 22e (IC(50) 0.371, 0.374 mM) that displayed the highest activity can be a base for lead optimization and simple but efficient design of new compounds. 2D-QSAR analysis was applied to find a correlation between the experimental vasorelaxant activities of the newly synthesized coumarin derivatives and their different physicochemical parameters. The result of this study showed that the increase in aqueous solubility while retaining good hydrophobic character of the overall molecule is the key for maintaining high relaxation activity.     

Proteolytic specificity of hemorrhagic toxin b from Crotalus atrox (western diamondback rattlesnake) venom

In our effort to identify the proteolytic specificity of various hemorrhagic toxins isolated from western diamondback rattlesnake venom, hemorrhagic toxin b was isolated in homogeneous form by previously published methods. Hemorrhagic toxin b hydrolyzed glucagon, producing six fragments. The proteolytic sites were identified as Thr(5)-Phe(6), Thr(10)-Ser(11), Asp(15)-Ser(16), Asp(21)-Phe(22) and Try(25)-Leu(26). When oxidized insulin B chain was used, proteolysis occurred at four sites: Asn(3)-Gln(4), His(10)-Leu(11), Tyr(16)-Leu(17) and Gly(23)-Phe(24). The proteolytic specificity of hemorrhagic toxin b is quite different from those of the nonvenom proteases such as thermomycolin, aspergillopeptidase c, alkaline protease from Aspergillus flavus, elastase, subtilisin and papain.     

Synthesis of triazole nucleoside derivatives

5'-O-Mesyl-2',3'-O-isopropylidene ribonucleosides (4 and 12) were converted to their 5'-substituted nucleosides in good yields by reacted with NaN3 or KI. 2',3'-O-Isopropylidene ribonucleosides (3 and 11) were prepared in good yields from ribonucleosides 1 and 2 with a reaction mixture of acetone and triethyl orthoformate instead of using acetone diethyl acetal. Compound 1 or 2 was treated with 2-acetoxyisobutyryl halide (Cl or Br) to give 1-[2-O-acetyl-3-halo-3-deoxy-5-O-(2,5,5-trimethyl-1,3-dioxolan-4-on-2-yl)-beta-D-xylofuranosyl]-1,2,4-triazole-3-carboxamide (19, 22, and 23) in high yields. Instead of using 2-acetoxyisobutyryl bromide, the mixture of 2-acetoxyisobutyryl chloride and NaBr was employed in the synthesis of 22 and 23. Treatment of 19 with an activated Zn/Cu couple and deprotection gave 2',3'-anhydro nucleoside (21), and treatment of 22 and 23 with an activated Zn/Cu couple and a little of HOAc and deprotection gave corresponding 2',3'-unsaturated triazole nucleosides (24 and 25), respectively. The biological activity of the compounds (7-10, 15-18, and 24) was examined in human liver cancer cells (A-549), lung cancer cells (BEL-7402), and Flu-A cells.     

Novel carboranyl amino acids and peptides: reagents for antibody modification and subsequent neutron-capture studies.

A new alpha-amino acid derivative incorporating the 1,2-dicarba-closo- dodecarborane(12) cage, namely 5-(2-methyl-1,2-dicarba-closo-dodecarborane(12)-1-yl)- 2-aminopentanoic acid (2), was synthesized by the alkylation of the benzophenone Schiff's base of glycine methyl ester with 3-(2-methyl-1,2-dicarba-closo-dodecaborane(12)-1-yl)pr opyl iodide (8). This amino acid was employed in the synthesis of peptide derivatives such as 19-21 using solid-phase Merrifield methods. Dipeptide 19 was converted to a water-soluble ionic derivative by the pyrrolidine-mediated carborane cage degradation reaction followed by cation exchange to afford sodium salt 22. Dansylation of 22 with dansyl chloride yielded fluorescence-labeled dipeptide 23. Undecapeptide 21 was dansylated while still anchored to the Merrifield resin. Following its cleavage from the resin with hydrogen fluoride, product 25 was acetylated to block the free amino group on the lysine residue and then converted to water-soluble derivative 27. Trial conjugations of dipeptide 23 and undecapeptide 27 to T84.66, an anti-CEA antibody, were carried out by means of carboxyl activation with N-hydroxysulfosuccinimide and N,N-diisopropylcarbodiimide. Studies of the chemical syntheses of these and other peptide derivatives and the conjugation of 23 and 27 to the antibody are described.     

Blazeispirols B, C, E and F, des-A-ergostane-type compounds, from the cultured mycelia of the fungus Agaricus blazei

Four new des-A-ergostane derivatives including blazeispirols B, C, E and F were isolated from the cultured mycelia of fungus Agaricus blazei Murill and were established to be (20S, 22R, 23R, 24S)-14beta,22: 22,25-diepoxy-5-methoxy-des-A-ergosta-5,7,9,11-tetraen-23-ol; (20S, 22S, 23R, 24S)-14beta,22: 22,25-diepoxy-5-methoxy-des-A-ergosta-5,7,9-trien-23-ol; (20S, 22S, 23R, 24S)-14beta, 22: 22, 25-diepoxy-5-methoxy-des-A-ergosta-5,7,9,11-tetraene-19,23-diol and (20S, 22S, 23R, 24S)-14beta,22: 22,25-diepoxy-des-A-ergosta-5,7,9-triene-5,23-diol by comparison of extensive 1D and 2D NMR spectral data with that of blazeispirol A.     

Synthesis and biological activity of brassinolide and its 22β,23β-isomer: Novel plant growth-promoting steroids

Brassinolide (2α,3α,22α, 23α-tetrahydroxy-24α-methyl-B-homo-7-oxa-5α-cholestan-6-one), a novel plant growth-promoting steroid isolated from rape pollen, and its hitherto unknown 22β, 23β-isomer were synthesized from a C-24 epimeric 60:40 mixture of 22-dehydrocampesterol (24α-methyl) and brassicasterol (24β-methyl) from oysters. The method of synthesis favored the formation of the 22β, 23β-isomer by better than 4:1. Comparative plant growth-promoting capabilities of brassinolide, both natural and synthetic, and its three side chain $\text{cis}$-glycolic isomers in the bean second internode bioassay showed that the natural and synthetic brassinolides were equally active and caused splitting of the internode at the 0.1 μg level. The least active was the 22β,23β-isomer of brassinolide. The isomers with the 22α, 23α and 24β, and the 22β, 23β and 24β configurations were highly active and were required at about 10 times the concentration of brassinolide to cause the same physiological response. In the bean first internode bioassay, an auxin-induced growth test system which employs isolated bean plant segments, the isomer with 22β, 23β and 24β configuration caused a greater response than brassinolide. Two of the four tetrahydroxy ketones obtained in the synthesis of the isomers were also active in both assays.     

High potent and selective arylpiperazine derivatives as ligands for the 5-HT1A receptor

This paper reports the synthesis and affinities on the 5-HT1A versus the alpha1A receptors of new arylpiperazinylalkylthiothienopyrimidine and thiadiazole derivatives 16-24. Arylpiperazines 16-23 show affinities values in the nanomolar range for the 5-HT1A receptor. The compound 16 is highly potent (Ki 0.26 nM, selectivity 28), the derivatives 20 and 21 are less potent, but highly selective (Ki 9.40 and 5.06 nM, selectivity 207 and 73, respectively).     

Structure–activity relationship of isoform selective inhibitors of Rac1/1b GTPase nucleotide binding

The synthesis of a series of berberine, phenantridine and isoquinoline derivatives was realized to explore their Rho GTPase nucleotide inhibitory activity. The compounds were evaluated in a nucleotide binding competition assay against Rac1, Rac1b, Cdc42 and in a cellular Rac GTPase activation assay. The insertion of 19 AA in the splice variant Rac1b is shown to be sufficient to introduce a conformational difference that allows compounds 4, 21, 22, and 26 to exhibit selective inhibition of Rac 1b over Rac1.     

Fluoroanalogues of anti-cytomegalovirus agent cyclopropavir: synthesis and antiviral activity of (E)- and (Z)-9-{[2,2-bis(hydroxymethyl)-3-fluorocyclopropylidene]methyl}-adenines and guanines

Synthesis of fluorinated cyclopropavir analogues 13a, 13b, 14a, and 14b is described starting from alkene 15. Addition of carbene derived from dibromofluoromethane gave bromofluoro cyclopropane 16. Reduction (compound 17) followed by desilylation gave intermediate 18, which was transformed to 2-nitrophenylselenenyl derivative 19. Oxidation to selenoxide 20 was followed by beta-elimination to afford methylenecyclopropane 21. Addition of bromine provided compound 22 for alkylation-elimination of adenine and 2-amino-6-chloropurine. The resultant E,Z isomeric mixtures of methylenecyclopropanes 23a + 24a and 23c + 24c were resolved and the individual isomers were deprotected to give adenine analogues 13a and 14a as well as compounds 13c and 14c. Hydrolytic dechlorination of 13c and 14c furnished guanine analogues 13b and 14b. The only significant antiviral effects were observed with analogue 13a against HCMV and 14a against VZV in cytopathic inhibition assays.