Alarm pheromones in the genus Manica derived from the mandibular gland

The alarm pheromones present in the mandibular glands of Manica mutica and M. bradleyi are dominated by a novel C₁₀ ketone, 4,6-dimethyl-4-octene-3-one (manicone). Two other new insect pheromones, 4-methyl-3-hexanone and 3-decanone, are also present. In addition, two characteristic myrmicine alarm pheromones, 3-octanone and 4-methyl-3-heptanone, have been identified as mandibular gland constituents. While manicone functions as a powerful releaser of alarm behaviour for Manica workers a much weaker response was obtained to the other identified 3-alkanones. The significance of the occurrence of 3-ketones in members of the genus Manica and species in other genera of the Myrmicinae is analysed in terms of the accepted phylogeny of this subfamily.     

Mutagenicity of trialkyltriazenes: Mutagenic potency of alkyldiazonium ions,the putative ultimate carcinogens from dialkylnitrosamines

Although aryldialkyltriazenes have been known for many years and their mutagenic, carcinogenic and carcinostatic properties have been investigated, almost nothing is known of the related trialkyltriazenes. Our recently developed general preparative route to these substances has allowed the examination of the mutagenic properties of several representative examples of this class of compounds. This, 1-benzyl-3,3-dimethyl-, 3-benzyl-1,3-dimethyl-, 3-benzyl-3-ethyl-1-n-butyl- and 1,3-di-n-butyl-3-methyltriazenes are direct acting mutagens in the TA1535 strain of Salmonella typhimurium. The respective mutagenic potencies of these substances can be accounted for by the in situ generation of alkyldiazonium ions. These ions are considered to be strong candidates for the ultimate mutagens/carcinogens derived from some dialkylnitrosamines.     

A sterically congested aryltrimethylstannane - Synthesis, reactivity, transmetalation and CH-π interaction

The synthesis of a novel sterically congested tetraorganotin compound, (4-tert-butyl-2,6-dimesitylphenyl)trimethylstannane (1), is reported and its reactivity with special focus on transmetalation studied. The reaction of compound 1 with reagents such as HgCl₂, BiCl₃ and HOTf gave (4-tert-butyl-2,6-dimesitylphenyl)dimethyltin chloride (2) and (4-tert-butyl-2,6-dimesitylphenyl)dimethyltin triflate (3), respectively, as a result of selective tin-methyl bond cleavage. Less bulky aryltrimethyltin derivatives react with BiCl₃ to give both tin-methyl and tin-aryl bond cleavage. Hydrolysis of compound 3 proceeds slowly to give bis-(4-tert-butyl-2,6-dimesitylphenyl)dimethyl stannoxane (5) via the intermediate (4-tert-butyl-2,6-dimesitylphenyl)dimethyltin hydroxide (4). All terphenyldimethyltin derivatives that were characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis show C-H?π interactions. Based on these results, the optimum C-H?π distance (C?centroid_aryl distance) is suggested to be in the range 3.4 and 3.5 Å.     

Novel Dithiazine Compounds in Volatile Components from Cooked Sakuraebi (Sergia lucens Hansen)

Three novel dithiazine compounds in the aroma concentrate from cooked sakuraebi, Sergia lucens Hansen, were isolated. Their structures were confirmed as 4,6-dimethyl-2-propyl-1,3,5-dihydrodithiazine (A), 4-butyl-2,6-dimethyl-1,3,5-dihydrodithiazine (B) and pyrrolidino[1,2-e]4H-2,4-dimethyl-1,3,5-dithiazine (C) by spectroscopic analyses. The same compounds have also been found in the aroma concentrate from cooked krill. These three compounds were newly discovered as food volatiles, and among them, compound C seems to take an important role in the aroma of cooked small shrimp by its strong roasted aroma and its relatively high concentration.     

Are MUPs a Toxic Waste Disposal System?

Male house mice produce large quantities of major urinary proteins (MUPs), which function to bind and transport volatile pheromones, though they may also function as scavengers that bind and excrete toxic compounds (‘toxic waste hypothesis’). In this study, we demonstrate the presence of an industrial chemical, 2,4-di-tert-butylphenol (DTBP), in the urine of wild-derived house mice (Mus musculus musculus). Addition of guanidine hydrochloride to male and female urine resulted in an increased release of DTBP. This increase was only observed in the high molecular weight fractions (HMWF; > 3 kDa) separated from male or female urine, suggesting that the increased release of DTBP was likely due to the denaturation of MUPs and the subsequent release of MUP-bound DTBP. Furthermore, when DTBP was added to a HMWF isolated from male urine, an increase in 2-sec-butyl-4,5-dihydrothiazole (SBT), the major ligand of MUPs and a male-specific pheromone, was observed, indicating that DTBP was bound to MUPs and displaced SBT. These results suggest that DTBP is a MUP ligand. Moreover, we found evidence for competitive ligand binding between DTBP and SBT, suggesting that males potentially face a tradeoff between eliminating toxic wastes versus transporting pheromones. Our findings support the hypothesis that MUPs bind and eliminate toxic wastes, which may provide the most important fitness benefits of excreting large quantities of these proteins.     

Caste and colony variations in the chemical composition of the cephalic secretions of the African weaver ant, Oecophylla longinoda

ABSTRACT. Considerable differences were found in the composition of the volatile cephalic chemical of the castes of Oecophylla longinoda. The mandibular glands of minor workers contain a series of primary alcohols, predominantly 1-hexanol, 1-octanol and 1-nonanol, together with nerol and geraniol. Hexanal, 2-butyl-2-octenal and 3-undecanone (components of the mandibular gland secretion of major workers, and which are important stimuli in alarm communication) are absent. Major workers are attracted and arrested by high concentrations of nerol, which is part of a possible mechanism for communication within the nest. The heads of males contain a pungent secretion, which may be used in defence; the major constituents are five aliphatic acids. The quantities of both main and trace constituents of the mandibular gland secretion of major workers were found to vary between colonies collected in different areas of West Africa.     

Synthesis and characterization of gallium complexes bearing 4-alkyl-2,6-bis(aryliminomethylene)-phenol ligands; crystal structure of dimethyl[4-methyl-2,6-bis-(p-methylphenyliminomethylene)-phenolato]gallium

Eight new dimethylgallium complexes bearing 4-alkyl-2,6-bis(aryliminomethylene)-phenol ligands of type Me₂GaL [L = 4-methyl-2,6-bis-(phenyliminomethylene)-phenolato (3); L = 4-methyl-2,6-bis-(p-methylphenyliminomethylene)-phenolato (4); L = 4-methyl-2,6-bis-(1-naphthyliminomethylene)-phenolato (5); L = 4-methyl-2,6-bis-(2-chlorophenyliminomethylene)-phenolato (6); 4-tert-butyl-2,6-bis-(phenyliminomethylene)-phenolato (7); L = 4-tert-butyl-2,6-bis-(p-methylphenyliminomethylene)-phenolato (8); L = 4-tert-butyl-2,6-bis-(1-naphthyliminomethylene)-phenolato (9); and L = 4-tert-butyl-2,6-bis-(2-chlorophenyliminomethylene)-phenolato] (3) have been synthesized by the reaction of trimethylgallium with appropriate phenol. The complexes obtained have been characterized by elemental analysis, ¹H NMR, IR and mass spectroscopy, respectively. The solid-state structures of dimethyl[4-methyl-2,6-bis-(p-methylphenyliminomethylene)-phenolato]gallium (4) have been determined by X-ray single crystal analysis. In the structure, Ga atom is coordinated by one nitrogen atom and the other nitrogen atom remains constant. The distorted tetrahedron geometry around gallium is presented.     

Inhibitors of sterol biosynthesis. Syntheses of 14α-alkyl substituted 15-oxygenated sterols

The chemical syntheses of a number of 14α-alkyl substituted 15-oxygenated sterols have been pursued to permit evaluation of their activity in the inhibition of the biosynthesis of cholesterol and other biological effects. Described herein are the first chemical syntheses of 14α-ethyl-5α-cholest-7-en-3β-ol-15-one, bis-3β,15α-acetoxy-14α-ethyl-5α-cholest-7-ene, 3β-acetoxy-14α-ethyl-5α-cholest-7-en-15β-ol, 14α-ethyl-5α-cholest-7-en-3β,15β-diol, 14α-ethyl-5α-cholest-7-en-3β,15α-diol, 3β-hexadecanoyloxy-14α-ethyl-5α-cholest-7-en-15α-ol, 3β-hexadecanoyloxy-14α-ethyl-5α-cholest-7-en-15β-ol, bis-3β,15α-hexadecanoyloxy-14α-ethyl-5α-cholest-7-ene, 3β-hexadecanoyloxy-14α-ethyl-5α-cholest-7-en-15-one, 3α-benzoyloxy-14α-ethyl-5α-cholest-7-en-15-one, 14α-ethyl-5α-cholest-7-en-3α-ol-15-one, 14α-ethyl-5α-cholest-7-en-15-on-3β-yl pyridinium sulfate, 14α-ethyl-5α-cholest-7-en-15-on-3β-yl potassium sulfate (monohydrate), 14α-ethyl-5α-cholest-7-en-15-on-3α-yl pyridinium sulfate, 14α-ethyl-5α-cholest-7-en-15-on-3α-yl potassium sulfate (monohydrate), 3β-ethoxy-14α-ethyl-5α-cholest-7-en-15-one, 3β-acetoxy-14α-n-propyl-5α-cholest-7-en-15-one, 14α-n-propyl-5α-cholest-7-en-3β-ol-15-one, bis-3β, 15α-acetoxy-14α-n-propyl-5α-cholest-7-ene, 3β-acetoxy-14α-n-propyl-5α-cholest-7-en-15β-ol, 14α-n-propyl-5α-cholest-7-en-3β, 15α-diol, 14α-n-propyl-5α-cholest-7-en-3β, 15β-diol, 14α-n-butyl-5α-cholest-7-en-3β-ol-15-one, 3β-acetoxy-14-α-n-butyl-5α-cholest-7-en-15-one, bis-3β,15α-acetoxy-14α-n-butyl-5α-cholest-7-ene, 3β-acetoxy-14α-n-butyl-5α-cholest-7-en-15β-ol, 14α-n-butyl-5β-cholest-7-en-3β, 15β-diol, and 14α-n-butyl-5α-cholest-7-en-3β, 15α-diol.     

Activity of organophosphorus insecticides in bacterial tests for mutagenicity and DNA repair — Direct alkylation vs. metabolic activation and breakdown. I. Butonate,vinylbutonate, trichlorfon,dichlorvos, demethyl dichlorvos and demethyl vinylbutonate

The following organophosphates were tested for their ability to induce DNA damage in a rec-type repair test with Proteus mirabilis strains PG713 (rec^? hcr^?) and PG273 (wild type) and point mutations in his^? strain TA100 of Salmonella typhimurium — butonate: O,O-dimethyl-(1-n-butyryloxy-2,2,2-trichloroethyl)-phosphonate; vinylbutonate: O,O-dimethyl-(n-butyryloxy-2,2-dichlorovinyl)-phosphonate; trichlorfon: O,O-dimethyl-(1-hydroxy-2,2,2-trichloroethyl)-phosphonate; dichlorvos: O,O-dimethyl-O-(2,2-dichlorovinyl)-phosphate; the demethylated derivatives — demethyldichlorvos: O-methyl-O-(2,2-dichlorovinyl)-phosphoric acid; demethyl vinylbutonate: O-methyl-(1-n-butyryloxy-2,2-dichlorovinyl)phosphonic acid. Of the six compounds tested, dichlorvos and trichlorfon induced base pair substitutions and DNA damage. No mutagenicity and DNA damage were found in experiments with butonate, vinylbutonate, demethyl vinylbutonate and demethyl dichlorvos. Genotoxic activity for dichlorvos and the absence of both mutagenic and DNA damaging properties for its non-alkylating demethyl derivative favors the hypothesis that alkylation of DNA is the essential step for mutation induction by this organophosphate. Furthermore, the absence of genetic effects after treatment with vinylbutonate and demethyl dichlorvos does not support a crucial role of vinyl or allyl groups in side chains of organophosphates for genetic activity. Microsomal enzymes decreased genetic activity of dichlorvos and trichlorfon in vitro. No evidence for a role of metabolic activation in the mutagenic activity of any of these compounds was found.     

Determination of the antioxidant 3-tert.-butyl-4-hydroxyanisole in rat plasma using high-resolution gas chromatography—mass spectrometry

A method is described for the determination of the antioxidant 3-tert.-butyl-4-hydroxyanisole in rat plasma using high-resolution capillary gas chromatography—mass spectrometry with selective ion monitoring. Following the addition of the isomer 2-tert.-butyl-4-hydroxyanisole, used as an internal standard, extraction was made with n-hexane and the extract derivatized with heptafluorobutyric anhydride.The gas chromatographic separation was carried out on a SE-52 fused silica capillary column and the derivatized 3-tert.-butyl-4-hydroxyanisole and its isomer detected by recording the intensities of their common fragment ion at m/e 361. The sensitivity of the method allowed the antioxidant to be measured in 0.1-ml rat plasma samples down to a level of 10 ng/ml with a high degree of specificity and accuracy. The method has been applied to a preliminary pharmacokinetic study in rats after oral dosage.     

Multiple Δ11-desaturase genes selectively used for sex pheromone biosynthesis are conserved in Ostrinia moth genomes

Regulation of the expression of fatty acyl-CoA desaturases, which introduce a double bond into the fatty acid moiety of the substrate, is crucial for the production of species-specific sex pheromones in moths. In Ostrinia moths, two distinct Δ11-desaturases and a Δ14-desaturase are known to be selectively used in the biosynthesis of sex pheromones. Of the two Δ11-desaturases, one identified from Ostrinia nubilalis and Ostrinia scapulalis, Z/EΔ11, forms the Z and E isomers of a double bond at position 11, whereas the other identified from Ostrinia latipennis, LATPG1(=EΔ11), exclusively forms an E double bond at position 11. Since the retroposon(ezi)-fused, non-functional Δ11-desaturase gene, ezi-Δ11α, in the genomes of O. nubilalis and O. furnacalis was previously suggested to be an orthologue of latpg1, we here explored Z/EΔ11 orthologues in the genome of O. latipennis. We newly identified two Δ11-desaturase genes, latpg2 and latpg3, which were orthologous to ezi-Δ11β and Z/EΔ11, respectively. We found that an ezi-like element was integrated in intron 1 of latpg1, and confirmed that only latpg1 was expressed in the pheromone gland of O. latipennis. Thus, at least three Δ11-desaturase genes are present in the genome of O. latipennis, and latpg1 is selectively transcribed in the pheromone gland of this moth. The non-functionality of ezi-inserted desaturase genes in O. nubilalis and O. furnacalis may not be a direct consequence of the insertion of an ezi- or ezi-like element into the gene.     

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.     

Sexual excitation by pheromones of the confused flour beetle

Extracts of confused flour beetle (Tribolium confusum) volatiles were separated into their components by gas chromatography and identified by mass spectroscopy as 1-pentadecene, n-hexadecane, 1-heptadecene, and heptadecadiene, the last three reported for the first time in this species. The first three of these compounds were tested and found to induce copulation. The pheromones are produced in males and females but appear to affect males only.     

Monomeric versus dimeric structures in ternary complexes of manganese(II) with derivatives of benzoic acid and nitrogenous bases: structural details and spectral properties

Adducts formed by [Mn(2,6-dmb)₂(H₂O)₃]_n · nH₂O, 2,6-dmb=2,6-dimethoxybenzoate(1-), Mn(2,4-dhb)₂ · 8H₂O, Mn(2,5-dhb)₂ · 4H₂O or Mn(2,6-dhb)₂ · 8H₂O, dhb=dihydroxybenzoate(1-), and 2,2^′-bipyridine (bpy), 4,4^′-dimethyl-2,2^′-bipyridine (Me₂bpy) or 4,7-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline (Me₂phen) were isolated in the solid state and characterised by IR, EPR and thermogravimetry. Two of them, [Mn(2,6-dhb)₂(bpy)₂] (1) and [Mn₂(2,6-dmb)₄(Me₂Phen)₂(H₂O)₂] · 2EtOH (2), were studied by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The adduct 1 is mononuclear and consists of hexa-co-ordinate manganese(II) ions bound to two bipyridine and two 2,6-dihydroxybenzoate ligands in a cis-octahedral arrangement. The complex 2 exhibits a dinuclear structure in which two manganese(II) ions share two carboxylate groups adopting a rather uncommon single-atom bridging mode. The results allow us to conclude that weak, e.g., hydrogen bonding and stacking interactions govern the type of structure, monomeric or dimeric. The spectral features of the complexes are discussed. In particular, the solid-state EPR features of the complexes are interpreted in terms of D, E and H_max, the high-field resonance. For the monomeric species, the higher is the D value, the higher is H_max.     

New acyclic sesquiterpenoid derivatives and a monoterpene disaccharide from Dichondra repens Forst.

A new highly oxygenated acyclic sesquiterpenoid (2E, 6E)-8,10,11-trihydroxyl-7,11-dimethyl-3-hydroxymethyl-2,6-dodecadienoic acid (1) and its glucoside (2), together with a new pinane monoterpene disaccharide glucoside 6,6-dimethyl-2-methlenebicyclo [3.1.1]hept-3-O-(6-O-apiofuranosyl)-β-d-glucopyranoside (3) were isolated from hydrophilic extract of Dichondra repens. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analyses and chemical methods. The three compounds did not show any cytotoxic activity (IC50 > 20 μM) against two human lung cancer cell lines (NCI-H661 and A549).     

Entada saponin-III,a saponin isolated from the bark of Entada phaseoloides

The structure of Entada saponin (ES)-III, one of the main saponins of Entada phaseoloides bark, was established to be 3-O-[β-d-xylopyranosyl (1 → 2)-α-l-arabinopyranosyl (1 → 6)] [β-l-glucopyranosyl (1 → 4)]-2-acetamido-2-deoxy-β-l-glucopyranosyl-28-O-[β-l-apiofuranosyl (1 → 3)-β-d-xylopyranosyl (1 → 2)] [(2-O-acetoxyl)-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 4)] (6 − O(R) (−)2,6-dimethyl-2-trans-2,7-octadienoyl)-β-d-glucopyranosyl echinocystic acid.     

Bacterial Metabolism of 2,6-Xylenol

Strain DM1, a Mycobacterium sp. that utilizes 2,6-xylenol, 2,3,6-trimethylphenol, and o-cresol as sources of carbon and energy, was isolated. Intact cells of Mycobacterium strain DM1 grown with 2,6-xylenol cooxidized 2,4,6-trimethylphenol to 2,4,6-trimethylresorcinol. 4-Chloro-3,5-dimethylphenol prevents 2,6-xylenol from being totally degraded; it was quantitatively converted to 2,6-dimethylhydroquinone by resting cells. 2,6-Dimethylhydroquinone, citraconate, and an unidentified metabolite were detected as products of 2,6-xylenol oxidation in cells that were partially inactivated by EDTA. Under oxygen limitation, 2,6-dimethylhy-droquinone, citraconate, and an unidentified metabolite were released during 2,6-xylenol turnover by resting cells. Cell extracts of 2,6-xylenol-grown cells contained a 2,6-dimethylhydroquinone-converting enzyme. When supplemented with NADH, cell extracts catalyzed the reduction of 2,6-dimethyl-3-hydroxyquinone to 2,6-dimethyl-3-hydroxyhydroquinone. Since a citraconase was also demonstrated in cell extracts, a new metabolic pathway with 2,6-dimethyl-3-hydroxyhydroquinone as the ring fission substrate is proposed.     

Microbiological Hydroxylation of Cinerone to Cinerolone

Cinerone [2-(2′-cis-butenyl)-3-methyl-2-cyclopenten-1-one] is hydroxylated to cinerolone [2-(2′-cis-butenyl)-3-methyl-4-hydroxy-2-cyclopenten-1-one] by a number of streptomycetes, bacteria, and fungi. Aspergillus niger ATCC 9,142 and Streptomyces aureofaciens ATCC 10,762 were found to be the most effective hydroxylators. The optical activity of the product was found to range from [α]_D²⁵ 0° to -8.6°, depending on the organism and conditions of culture. Two additional hydroxylated products of cinerone have been isolated and identified as 2-n-butyl-4-hydroxy-3-methyl-2-cyclopenten-1-one and 2-(2′-cis-butenyl-4′-hydroxy)-3-methyl-2-cyclopenten-1-one, respectively.     

Reproductive development and ontogeny of queen pheromone production in the fire ant Solenopsis invicta

Queens of the fire ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren, produce several releaser and primer pheromones. Using bioassays, the ontogeny of three of these pheromones related to reproductive development was investigated. Virgin queens, in which the process of wing-shedding (dealation) serves as an indicator of the initiation of reproductive development, were studied. First, the production of two queen pheromones produced in the poison gland was examined. The pheromone responsible for initiation and maintenance of retinue formation, a releaser effect, was found to be produced in detectable quantities 2 days after dealation, at which time queens showed significant ovary development and many (30%) had started laying eggs. A primer pheromone that inhibits alate virgin queens from dealating was detected in queens 3 days following wing-shedding, when 80% of the queens were ovipositing. Second, I examined the onset of a pheromone of unknown glandular origin produced by reproductively active virgin queens which leads to their destruction in queenright colonies by stimulating workers to attack and kill them. This pheromone is secreted in quantities detectable by bioassay 2 days after dealation. Thus, in S. invicta, the ontogeny of three distinct queen pheromones is tightly linked with ovary development and initiation of egg laying. These results demonstrate reproductive and communicative functions are closely associated during the transition from potential to functional queen.     

Scaffold-switching: An exploration of 5,6-fused bicyclic heteroaromatics systems to afford antituberculosis activity akin to the imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine-3-carboxylates

A set of 5,6-fused bicyclic heteroaromatic scaffolds were investigated for their in vitro anti-tubercular activity versus replicating and non-replicating strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) in an attempt to find an alternative scaffold to the imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine and imidazo[1,2-a]pyrimidines that were previously shown to have potent activity against replicating and drug resistant Mtb. The five new bicyclic heteroaromatic scaffolds explored in this study include a 2,6-dimethylimidazo[1,2-b]pyridazine-3-carboxamide (7), a 2,6-dimethyl-1H-indole-3-carboxamide (8), a 6-methyl-1H-indazole-3-carboxamide (9), a 7-methyl-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]pyridine-3-carboxamide (10), and a 5,7-dimethyl-[1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-2-carboxamide (11). Additionally, imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines isomers (2 and 12) and a homologous imidazo[1,2-a]pyrimidine isomer (6) were prepared and compared. Compounds 2 and 6 were found to be the most potent against H₃₇Rv Mtb (MIC’s of 0.1 μM and 1.3 μM) and were inactive (MIC >128 μM) against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Candida albicans. Against other non-tubercular mycobacteria strains, compounds 2 and 6 had activity against Mycobacterium avium (16 and 122 μM, respectively), Mycobacterium kansasii (4 and 19 μM, respectively), Mycobacterium bovis BCG (1 and 8 μM, respectively) while all the other scaffolds were inactive (>128 μM).