Revised structures of daturalactone and 12-oxowithanolide

Recently Dhar et al. reported the isolation of two new steroidal lactones from the leaves of Datura quercifolia HBK and formulated them as 5α,12α,17α-trihydroxy-1-oxo-6α, 7α-epoxy-22 S-witha-2,24-dienolide and 5α,17α-dihydroxy-1, 12-dioxo-6α,7α-epoxy-22 S-witha-2,24-dienolide on the basis of UV, IR, NMR and MS studies. Further detailed chemical and spectral studies have led to revised structures, namely 5α, 12α-dihydroxy-1-oxo-6α,7α: 24α, 25α-diepoxy-20 S, 22 R-with-2-enolide and 5α-hydroxy-1, 12-dioxo-6α, 7α: 24α, 25α-diepoxy-20 S, 22 R-with-2-enolide, respectively, for the above two compounds.     

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.     

Synthesis of a model of an inner chain of cell-wall proteoheteroglycan isolated from Piricularia oryzae: Branched d-mannopentaosides

Efficient syntheses are described of the branched d-mannopentaosides methyl 2,6-di-O-(2-O-α-d-mannopyranosyl-α-d-mannopyranosyl)α-d-mannopyranoside and methyl 2,4-di-O-(2-O-α-d-mannopyranosyl-α-d-mannopyranosyl)-α-d-mannopyranoside, starting from the glycosyl acceptors methyl 3,4-di-O-benzyl-α-d-mannopyranoside and methyl 3,6-di-O-benzyl-α-d-mannopyranoside, and employing the protected d-mannotriosides methyl 3,4-di-O-benzyl-2,6-di-O-(3,4,6-tri-O-benzyl-α-d-mannopyranosyl)-α-d-mannopyranoside, and methyl 3,6-di-O-benzyl-2,4-di-O-(3,4,6-tri-O-benzyl-α-d-mannopyranosyl)-α-d-mannopyranoside as key intermediates.     

Synthesis of a branched d-mannopentaoside and a branched d-mannohexaoside: Models of the outer chain of the glycan of soybean agglutinin

Synthetic routes are described to the d-mannopentaoside methyl 3-O-(3,6-di-O-α-d-mannopyranosyl-α-d-mannopyranosyl)-6-O-α-d-mannopyranosyl-α-d-mannopyranoside, and the d-mannohexaoside methyl 3-O-(3,6-di-O-α-d-mannopyranosyl-α-d-mannopyranosyl)-6-O-(2-O-α-d-mannopyranosyl-α-d-mannopyranosyl)-α- d-mannopyranoside, formed in a regio- and stereo-controlled way by employing the properly protected d-mannobioside methyl 2,4-di-O-benzyl-3-O-(2,4-di-O-benzyl-α-d-mannopyranosyl)-α-d-mannopyranoside and d-mannotrioside methyl 2,4-di-O-benzyl-3-O-(2,4-di-O-benzyl-α-d-mannopyranosyl)-6-O-(3,4,6-tri-O-benzyl-α-d- mannopyranosyl)-α-d-mannopyranoside as key intermediates.     

Ten cis-clerodane-type diterpene lactones from Gutierrezia texana

Ten new 5α,10α-cis-clerodane-type diterpene lactones were isolated from the aerial parts of Gutierrezia texana. Using NMR techniques and some chemical transformations, the structures were established as 6α,18-dihydroxy-cis-cleroda-3,13(14)-diene-15,16-olide; 18,19-dihydroxy-cis-cleroda-3,13(14)-diene-15,16-olide; cis-cleroda-3,13(14)-diene-15,16:18,19-diolide; 18,19-epoxy-19α-hydroxy-cis-cleroda-3,13(14)-diene-15,16-olide; 3α,4:18,19-diepoxy-18β,19α-dihydroxy-cis-cleroda-13(14)-ene-15,16-olide; 3α,4-epoxy-19α-hydroxy-cis-cleroda-13(14)-ene-15,16:18,19-diolide; 3α,4:18,19-diepoxy-19α-hydroxy-cis-cleroda-13(14)-ene-15,16-olide; 3α,4β,19α-trihydroxy-18,19-epoxy-cis-cleroda- 13(14)-ene-15,16-olide; 19-O-α-L-arabinopyranosyl-cis-cleroda-3,3,13(14)-diene-15,16-olide-19-oic ester and 2β,6α-dihydroxy-cis-cleroda-3,13(14)-diene-15,16:18,6α-diolide. One of the structures was also confirmed by X-ray crystallographic analysis.     

Synthesis of a branched d-mannopentaoside and a branched d-mannohexaoside: Models of the inner core of cell-wall glycoproteins of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Synthetic routes are discussed to the branched d-mannopentaoside methyl 6-O-(2,6-di-O-α-d-mannopyranosyl-α-d-mannopyranosyl)-3-O-α-d-mannopyranosyl-α-d-mannopyranoside and d-mannohexaoside methyl 6-O-(2,6-di-O-α-d-mannopyranosyl-α-d-mannopyranosyl)-3-O-(2-O-α-d-mannopyranosyl-α-d-mannopyranosyl)- α-d-mannopyranoside, employing the properly benzylated d-mannobioside methyl 2,4-di-O-benzyl-6-O-(3,4-di-O-benzyl-α-d-mannopyranosyl)-α-d-mannopyranoside and d-mannotrioside methyl 2,4-di-O-benzyl-6-O-(3,4-di-O-benzyl-α-d-mannopyranosyl)-3-O-(3,4,6-tri-O-benzyl-α-d-mannopyranosyl)-α-d- mannopyranoside as key intermediates.     

Chemical syntheses of 5α-cholesta-6,8(14)-dien-3β-ol-15-one and related 15-oxygenated sterols

Hydroboration of 5α-cholesta-8,14-dien-3β-ol (I) gave 5α-cholest-8-en-3β,15α-diol (IV) in 89% yield. 5α-Cholest-7-en-3β,15α-diol (V) was prepared in 91% yield by hydroboration of 5α-cholesta-7,14-dien-3β-ol (II). Hydroboration of 27:63 mixture of I and II gave IV and V in 18% and 70% yields, respectively. 5α-Cholest-8-en-15α-ol-3-one and 5α-cholest-7-en-15α-ol-3-one were prepared in high yields from IV and V, respectively, by either selective oxidation with silver carbonate-celite or by enzymatic oxidation using cholesterol oxidase. 7α,8α-Epoxy-5α-cholestan-3β,15α-diol (VIII) was prepared in 93% yield by treatment of V with m-chloroperbenzoic acid. 5α-Cholest-8(14)-en-7α-ol-3,15-dione (IX) was prepared in 56% yield by oxidation of VIII with pyridinium chlorochromate followed by treatment of the crude product with acid. Compound IX was also obtained in 72% yield by selective chemical oxidation of 5α-cholest-8(14)-en-3β,7α,15α-triol. 5α-Cholesta-6,8(14)-dien-3,15-dione (X) was prepared in 89% yield by treatment of IX with p-toluenesulfonic acid under controlled conditions. Reduction of X with lithium tri-tert-butoxyaluminum hydride under controlled conditions gave 5α-cholesta-6,8(14)-dien-3β-ol-15-one in 84% yield.     

Cytotoxic lignans from Podophyllum, and the nomenclature of aryltetralin lignans

Roots of Podophyllum hexandrum and P. peltatum both contain (1R,2R,3R)-desoxypodophyllotoxin [(1α,2α,3β)- desoxypodophyllotoxin] and the previously unreported (1R,2R,3R)-podophyllotoxone [(1α,2α,3α)-podophyllotoxone]. Thermal isomerization of (loc,2ct,3fl)-podophyllotoxone readily occurs to yield (1α,2α,3α)-podophyllotoxone (isopicropodophyllone) with traces of (1α,2β,3β)-podophyllotoxone (picropodophyllone). Small amounts of (1α,2α,3α)-podophyllotoxone were also present in dried roots of P. hexandrum and P. peltatum. A more systematic nomenclature for podophyllotoxin derivatives and other aryltetralin lignans using α,β conventions is proposed.     

Mapping the extracellular topography of the α-chain in free and in membrane-bound acetylcholine receptor by antibodies against overlapping peptides spanning the entire extracellular parts of the chain

The extracellular surface of theα-chain ofTorpedo california acetylcholine receptor (AChR) was mapped for regions that are accessible to binding with antibodies against a panel of synthetic overlapping peptides which encompassed the entire extracellular parts of the chain. The binding of the antipeptide antibodies to membrane-bound AChR (mbAChR) and to isolated, soluble AChR. was determined. The specificity of each antiserum was narrowed down by determining the extent of its cross-reaction with the two adjacent peptides that overlap the immunizing peptide. With mbAChR, high antibody reactivity was obtained with antisera against peptidesα1–16,α89–104,α158–174,α262–276, andα388–408. Lower, but significant, levels of reactivity were obtained with antibodies against peptidesα67–82,α78–93,α100–115, andα111–126. On the other hand, free AChR bound high levels of antibodies against peptidesα34–49,α78–93,α134–150,α170–186, andα194–210. It also bound moderate levels of antibodies against peptidesα262–276 andα388–408. Low, yet significant, levels of binding were exhibited by antibodies against peptidesα45–60,α111–126, andα122–138. These binding studies, which enabled a comparison of the accessible regions in mbAChR and free AChR, revealed that the receptor undergoes considerable changes in conformation upon removal from the cell membrane. The exposed regions found here are discussed in relation to the functional sites of AChR (i.e., the acetylcholine binding site, the regions that are recognized by anti-AChR antibodies, T-cells and autoimmune responses and the regions that bind short and long neurotoxins).     

Evolutionary conservation of a testes-specific proteasome subunit gene in Drosophila

Proteasomes are large multisubunit particles that act as the proteolytic machinery for the ubiquitin-dependent proteolytic pathway. The core of this complex, the 20S proteasome, is made up of seven α-type and seven β-type subunits, arranged in an (α1–α7)(β1–β7)(β1–β7)(α1–α7) configuration. Previous work had shown that there exist alternative isoforms of the Drosophila melanogaster α4-type subunit, encoded by two distinct genes, α4t1_dm and α4t2_dm, and that these are expressed exclusively in the germline of the testes. We sought to investigate the evolutionary conservation of this phenomenon by screening for orthologs of the α4-type gene family in the distantly related Drosophila species, D. virilis. We isolated the D. virilis orthologs of the somatically expressed gene, α4_dm, and the testes-specific gene, α4t2_dm. We failed to find an ortholog of the other testes-specific gene, α4t1_dm. The α4_dv gene maps to the X chromosome at 12A-C, its product shares 90% amino acid identity with α4_dm, and it is expressed at high levels in both males and females. The other gene, α4t_dv, encodes a protein most similar to the testes-specific α4t2_dm proteasome subunit (59% a.a. identity), and it maps to position 27 on chomosome 2. The expression of the α4t_dv gene is testes-specific, like that of α4t2_dm. The existence of testes-specific α4-type subunits in two widely diverged subgenera of Drosophila suggests that these subunit isoforms have important functional roles in spermatogenesis.     

The synthesis of 6-deoxy-6-fluoro-α,α-trehalose and related analogues

Selective acid-catalysed methanolysis of 2,3,2′,3′-tetra-O-benzyl-4,6:4′,6′-di-O-benzylidene-α,α-trehalose yielded the monobenzylidene derivative, which was converted into the 4,6-dimesylate. Selective nucleophilic displacement of the primary sulphonyloxy group then gave 2,3-di-O-benzyl-6-deoxy-6-fluoro-4-O-mesyl-α-d-glucopyranosyl 2,3-di-O-benzyl-4,6-O-benzylidene-α-d-glucopyranoside. Removal of the protecting groups then yielded 6-deoxy-6-fluoro-α,α-trehalose. In addition, 6-deoxy-6-fluoro-4-O-mesyl-α,α-trehalose and a derivative of 4-chloro-4,6-dideoxy-6-fluoro-α-d-galactopyranosyl α-d-glucopyranoside were also prepared from the same substrate. Iodide displacement of 2,3-di-O-benzyl-4,6-di-O-mesyl-α-d-glucopyranosyl 2,3-di-O-benzyl-4,6-di-O-mesyl-α-d-glucopyranoside afforded the 6-iodide and 6,6′-di-iodide in yields of 31 and 36%, respectively. Similarly, the 6-azide and 6,6′-diazide were isolated in yields of 17 and 21%, respectively.     

Novel dinoflagellate 4α-methylated sterols from four caribbean gorgonians

Fourteen 4α-methyl sterols have been isolated from the gorgonians Briareum asbestinum, Gorgonia mariae, Muriceopsis flavida and Pseudoplexaura wagenaari, including the following five new sterols: 4α-methyl-24-methylene-5α-cholestan-3β-ol, (24R)-4α, 24-dimethyl-5α-cholesta-7,22-dien-3,β-ol, 4α,24S(or 23ξ)-dimethyl-5α-cholest-7-en-3β-ol, (22E, 24R)-4α,23,24-trimethyl-5α-cholesta-7,22-dien-3β-ol and (24R)-4α,24-dimethyl-5α-cholesta-8(14),22-dien-3β-ol. There is strong evidence that these 4α-methyl sterols are synthesized by the algal (dinoflagellate) symbionts (zooxanthellae) of the gorgonians. It is suggested that analysis of 4Δ-methyl sterol mixtures isolated from a zooxanthellae-bearing invertebrate, collected in several different geographic locations, might give information on the specificity of the symbiotic association between a given animal species and a particular strain of zooxanthellae.     

Structural studies on some saponins from Lecaniodiscus cupanioides

Four triterpenoid saponins isolated from the stem bark of Lecaniodiscus cupanioides and denoted S-2,S-3,S-4 and S-5, were identified as follows. S-2:3-O-[α-l-arabinopyranosyl-(1→3)-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-α-l-arabinopyranosyl]-hederagenin; S-3:3-O-[α-d-xylopyranosyl-(1→3)-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-α-l-arabino-pyranosyl ]-hederagenin; S-4:3-O- [α-l-arabinopyranosyl-(1→3)-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→ 2)-α-l-arabinopyranosyl]-hederagenin; S-5:3-O- [α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-α-l-arabinopyranosyl ]-hederagenin. Of these, S-2 and S-4 are new substances.     

Sterols with unusual nuclear unsaturation from three cultured marine dinoflagellates

Several new 4α-methyl sterols with unusual unsaturation in the Δ⁸⁽¹⁴⁾-or Δ¹⁴-positions, 4α,24S-dimethyl-5α-cholest-8 (14)-en-3β-ol, 4α-methyl-24ξ-ethyl-5α-cholest-8(14)-en-3β-ol, 4α-methyl-24(Z)-ethylidene-5α-cholest-8(14)- en-3β-ol, 4α,23 (or 22),24ξ-trimethyl-5α-cholesta-8(14),22-dien-3β-ol, 4α,24S(or 23ξ)-dimethyl-5α-cholest-14-en-3β-ol and 14-dehydrodinosterol, have been isolated from extracts of the cultured marine dinoflagellates Amphidinium carterae, A. corpulentum and Glenodinium sp. 4α-Methyl-24ξ-ethyl-5α-cholestan-3β-ol was isolated from the steryl ester fraction of Glenodinium sp. The structures of these new sterols are based upon extensive 360 MHz ¹H NMR and MS analyses.     

Brassinosteroids and sterols from a green alga,Hydrodictyon reticulatum: Configuration at C-24

Two brassinosteroids, (24S)-24-ethylbrassinone [(22R,23R,24S)-2α,3α,22,23-tetrahydroxy-24-ethyl-5α-cholestan-6-one] and 24-epicastasterone [(22R,23R,24R)-2α,3α,22,23-tetrahydroxy-24-methyl-5α-cholestan-6-one] have been identified from Hydrodictyon reticulatum. Examination of the sterols of this alga has established that 24-ethylcholesterol is predominantly the 24α-epimer, but 24-methylcholesterol is a mixture of the 24α- and 24β-epimers. Thus, similarity with respect to the C-24 configuration was observed between the brassinosteroids and 4-demethylsterols.     

Application of α- and β-naphthoflavones as monooxygenase inhibitors of Absidia coerulea KCh 93, Syncephalastrum racemosum KCh 105 and Chaetomium sp. KCh 6651 in transformation of 17α-methyltestosterone

In this work, 17α-methyltestosterone was effectively hydroxylated by Absidia coerulea KCh 93, Syncephalastrum racemosum KCh 105 and Chaetomium sp. KCh 6651. A. coerulea KCh 93 afforded 6β-, 12β-, 7α-, 11α-, 15α-hydroxy derivatives with 44%, 29%, 6%, 5% and 9% yields, respectively. S. racemosum KCh 105 afforded 7α-, 15α- and 11α-hydroxy derivatives with yields of 45%, 19% and 17%, respectively. Chaetomium sp. KCh 6651 afforded 15α-, 11α-, 7α-, 6β-, 9α-, 14α-hydroxy and 6β,14α-dihydroxy derivatives with yields of 31%, 20%, 16%, 7%, 5%, 7% and 4%, respectively. 14α-Hydroxy and 6β,14α-dihydroxy derivatives were determined as new compounds. Effect of various sources of nitrogen and carbon in the media on biotransformations were tested, however did not affect the degree of substrate conversion or the composition of the products formed. The addition of α- or β-naphthoflavones inhibited 17α-methyltestosterone hydroxylation but did not change the percentage composition of the resulting products.     

Involvement of TNF-α mRNA downregulation in tumor cell sensitivity to TNF-α Pentoxifylline enhances sensitivity of a human ovarian cancer cell line (OVC-8) to TNF-α

The OVC-8 human ovarian cancer cell line constitutively expresses tumor necrosis factorα (TNF-α) mRNA and protein and is resistant to TNF-α. When OVC-8 cells are treated with pentoxifylline (PTX), the level of mRNA for TNF-α is markedly reduced. Combination treatment of OVC-8 cells with PTX and TNF-α overcomes the resistance. PTX-treatment has no effect on the expression of TNF-α mRNA in C30 cells, which do not constitutively express TNF-α mRNA. The combination of PTX and TNF-α do not overcome the resistance of C30 cells to TNF-α. PTX or anti-TNF-α monoclonal antibody has no effect on the growth of OVC-8 cells, suggesting that the growth of OVC-8 cells does not depend upon an autocrine action of TNF-α. The synergistic cytotoxic effect obtained with ovarian cancer cells suggests that the combination of PTX and TNF-α could be applied clinically in the therapy of TNF-α-producing ovarian cancer.     

Studies on the structure of a polysaccharide from Epidermophyton floccosum and approach to a synthesis of the basic trisaccharide repeating units

An alkali-soluble polysaccharide, designated as S-Iawe, has been isolated from the maycelia of Epidermophyton floccosum. Methylation, periodate oxidation, and acetolysis studies suggested that S-lawe is composed of (1→6)-Oα-d-mannopyranosyl-(1→6)-O-[α-d-mannopyranosyl-(1→2)]-O-α-d-mannopyranosyl repeating units. Condensation of 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-α-d-mannopyranosyl bromide with methyl 3-O-benzyl-4,6-O-benzylidene-α-d-mannopyranoside in the presence of mercuric cyanide gave in 70% yield methyl 3-O-benzyl-4,6-O-benzylidene-2-O-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-α-d-mannopyranosyl)-α-d-mannopyranoside. Condensation of the debenzylidenated disaccharide with 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acctyl-α-d-mannopyranosyl bromide afforded the corresponding trisaccharide repeating unit.     

Spirostanol saponins from Paris polyphylla,structures of polyphyllin C,D, E and F

The structures of four new saponins, polyphyllin C, D, E and F, isolated from the tubers of Paris polyphylla have been elucidated as diosgenin-3-O-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl(1→3)-β-d-glucopyranoside, diosgenin-3-O-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl(1→3)- [α-l-arabinofuranosyl(1→4)]-β-d-glucopyranoside, diosgenin-3-O-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl(1→2)-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl (1→4)[α-l-rhamnopyranosyl(1→3)]-β-d-glucopyranoside and diosgenin-3-O-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl(1→4)[α-l- rhamnopyranosyl(1→3)][β-d-glucopyranosyl(1→2)]-α-l-rhamnopyranoside, respectively, on the basis of chemical and spectral data.     

Competitive feeding experiments with tropine in Datura

Datura meteloides plants were fed with tropine-[N-¹⁴Me] and the same compound together with the competitive inhibitors 3α-tigloyloxytropane: tropan-3α,6β-diol: 6β-hydroxy-3α-tigloyloxytropane: 3α,6β-ditigloyloxytropane: teloidine: meteloidine and 3α,6β-ditigloyloxytropan-7β-ol. The results obtained favour two distinct routes for the biosynthesis of the tigloyl esters of tropan-3α,6β-diol and teloidine (tropan-3α,6β,7β-triol); the first, either tropine → tropan-3α,6β-diol-3α,6β-ditigloyloxytropane or more probably, tropine→3α-tigloyloxytropane→6β-hydroxy-3α-tigloyloxytropane→3α,6β-ditigloyloxytropane; and second, tropine→3α,-tigloyloxytropane→“7β-hydroxy-3α-tigloyloxytropane”→meteloidine→3α,6β-ditigloyloxytropan-7β-ol.