Synthesis of cis-TMCDA: Optimization and characterization of a key intermediate

We report optimized synthetic procedures to cis-TMCDA and cis-cyclohexane-1,2-diamine. Our new two-step approach is an efficient and low-cost method for synthesizing the ligand cis-TMCDA. In the preparation of cis-cyclohexane-1,2-diamine, the crystallization of the unexpected intermediate cis-cyclohexane-1,2-diammonium hydrogensulfate ethylsulfate made the subsequent reactions easier in their workup, as nickel(II) chloride impurities were eliminated.     

Characterization of novel 2-oxoglutarate dependent dioxygenases converting l-proline to cis-4-hydroxy-l-proline

Hydroxyprolines are valuable chiral building blocks for organic synthesis of pharmaceuticals. Several microorganisms producing l-proline trans-4- and cis-3-hydroxylase were discovered and these enzymes were applied to the industrial production of trans-4- and cis-3-hydroxy-l-proline, respectively. Meanwhile, other hydroxyproline isomers, cis-4- and trans-3-hydroxy-l-proline, were not easily available because the corresponding hydroxylase have not been discovered. Herein we report novel l-proline cis-4-hydroxylases converting free l-proline to cis-4-hydroxy-l-proline. Two genes encoding uncharacterized proteins from Mesorhizobium loti and Sinorhizobium meliloti were cloned and overexpressed in Escherichia coli, respectively. The functions of purified proteins were investigated in detail, and consequently we detected l-proline cis-4-hydroxylase activity in both proteins. Likewise l-proline trans-4-, cis-3-hydroxylase and prolyl hydroxylase, these enzymes belonged to a 2-oxoglutarate dependent dioxygenase family and required a non-heme ferrous ion. Although their reaction mechanisms were similar to other hydroxylases, the amino acid sequence homology was not observed (less than 40%).     

Quantification of cis and trans influences in [PtX(PPh3)3] complexes. A P NMR study

In [PtX(PPh₃)₃]⁺ complexes (X = F, Cl, Br, I, AcO, NO₃, NO₂, H, Me) the mutual cis and trans influences of the PPh₃ groups can be considered constants in the first place, therefore the one bond Pt-P coupling constants of P_(cis) and P_(trans) reflect the cis and trans influences of X. The compounds [PtBr(PPh₃)₃](BF₄) (2), [PtI(PPh₃)₃](BF₄) (3), [Pt(AcO)(PPh₃)₃](BF₄) (4), [Pt(NO₃)(PPh₃)₃](BF₄) (5), and the two isomers [Pt(NO₂-O)(PPh₃)₃](BF₄) (6a) and [Pt(NO₂-N)(PPh₃)₃](BF₄) (6b) have been newly synthesised and the crystal structures of 2 and 4·CH₂Cl₂·0.25C₃H₆O have been determined. From the ¹J_PtP values of all compounds we have deduced the series: I > Br > Cl > NO₃ > ONO > F > AcO > NO₂ > H > Me (cis influence) and Me > H > NO₂ > AcO > I > ONO > Br > Cl > F > NO₃ (trans influence). These sequences are like those obtained for the (neutral) cis- and trans-[PtClX(PPh₃)₂] derivatives, showing that there is no dependence on the charge of the complexes. On the contrary, the weights of both influences, relative to those of X = Cl, were found to depend on the charge and nature of the complex.     

Synthesis and characterization of four cubical molybdenum(V) tetramers and their catalytic properties for the epoxidation of cis-cyclooctene using H2O2

Molybdenum tetramers: Mo₄(μ³-O)₄[μ-O₂P(CH₂Cl)₂]₄O₄ (1), Mo₄(μ³-O)₄(μ-O₂P(CH₂OH)₂)₄O₄ (2), Mo₄(μ³-O)₄[μ-O₂P(PhOMe)₂]₄O₄ (3), and Mo₄(μ³-O)₄[μ-O₂P(o-C₆H₄(CH₂)₂)]₄O₄ (4) have been synthesized and characterized by IR, UV-Vis, and ³¹P NMR spectroscopy. Molybdenum tetramers 1 and 4 along with the ligands L2A and L4 were structurally characterized by single crystal X-ray crystallography. An infinite 2D polymeric sheet was formed via inter and intra hydrogen bonds in the crystals of L2A. The crystals of L4 consist of infinite polymeric chains formed through hydrogen bonding. All molybdenum tetramers were tested as catalysts for the epoxidation of cis-cyclooctene in the presence of H₂O₂. Compounds 1 and 2 resulted in more than 80% epoxide after 24 hours at 70 °C, and displayed superior catalytic activities over compounds 3 and 4 under identical conditions. The superior catalytic activities of compounds 1 and 2 may be attributed to their better solubility in the ethanol/H₂O₂ system.     

Copper(I) halide complexes from cis-1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino) ethylene and some heterocyclic thiones

Reaction of copper(I) chloride or bromide with equimolar amounts of the diphos ligand cis-1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethylene (dppet) and a heterocyclic thione (L) in acetonitrile/methanol solvent afforded mononuclear complexes of the type [CuX(dppet)(L)] with the diphosphine ligand acting as a chelating ligand. However, the same reaction carried out at higher temperatures proceeds, in some cases, with exclusion of the phosphine ligand from the coordination sphere leading to double-S-bridged dimers. In contrast, copper(I) iodide under the same conditions gave the thione-free dimeric compound [CuI(dppet)]₂ which contains double-bridging iodine atoms. A notable exception was for the reaction with 5-methyl-1,3,4-thiadiazole-2-thione (mtdztH) which, under the same conditions, gave rise to the unexpected, simultaneous formation of the monomer [CuI(dppet)(CH₃CN)] as well as the above mentioned dimeric [CuI(dppet)]₂. Furthermore treatment [CuX(dppet)(L)] with two equivalents of triphenylphosphine was found to cause replacement of the diphos ligand, while substitution of the chlorine atom under HCl elimination and formation of [Cu(dppet)(mftztH)₂] occured in the unique case of treating [CuCl(dppet)(mftztH)] with one additional equivalent of the same thione ligand. The structures of one representative for each of the above mentioned types of complexes, namely [CuBr(dppet)(mftztH)], [Cu(dppet)(mftztH)₂], [Cu(μ-I)(dppet)]₂ · [CuI(dppet)(CH₃CN)] and [CuBr{μ-S(pymtH)}(pymtH)]₂ have been established by single-crystal X-ray diffraction.     

Synthesis of some O-, S- and N-glycosides of hept-2-ulopyranosonamides

(O-Peracylated α-d-gluco- and -galacto-hept-2-ulopyranosylbromide)onamides gave the corresponding (alkyl β-d-glyco-hept-2-ulopyranoside)onamides under Koenigs-Knorr conditions, and similar aryl glycosides were obtained with sodium phenolates; (aryl and hetaryl 2-thio-β-d-gluco-hept-2-ulopyranoside)onamides were formed with thiophenols in the presence of K₂CO₃ in acetone, and reactions with aniline in CH₂Cl₂ furnished (N-phenyl β-d-glyco-hept-2-ulopyranosylamine)onamides. Some deprotected derivatives of d-gluco configuration obtained by the Zemplén protocol showed no significant inhibition against rabbit muscle glycogen phosphorylase b.     

A cis-encoded sRNA controls the expression of fabH2 in Yersinia

YsrH is a novel cis-encoded sRNA located on the opposite strand to fabH2, which is essential for fatty acid biosynthesis in bacteria. In this study, YsrH-mediated regulation of fabH2 expression was investigated in Yersinia pseudotuberculosis. Constitutive and inducible over-expression of YsrH decreased the mRNA level of fabH2, while expression of downstream fabD and fabG remained unaffected. Polynucleotide phosphorylase (PNPase) also played an important role in this regulation process by mediating YsrH decay in the exponential phase. Thus, our data defines a cis-encoded sRNA that regulates fatty acid synthesis via a regulatory mechanism also involving PNPase.     

Synthesis, structures and in vitro cytotoxicity of some cationic cis-platinum(II) complexes containing chelating thiocarbamates

The thiocarbamates 4-RC₆H₄NHC(S)NR₂′ (R = H, Cl; R′ = Me, Et), 4-ClC₆H₄NHC(S)NR (NR = 2-pyridylpiperazine) react with cis-[PtCl₂(PTA)₂] (PTA = 1,3,5-triaza-7-phosphaadamantane) in the presence of base to afford the monocationic platinum(II) complexes cis-[Pt{SC(NR₂′) = NC₆H₄R}(PTA)₂]⁺ (R = H, Cl; R′ = Me, Et), cis-[Pt{SC(NR) = NC₆H₄Cl}(PTA)₂]⁺ (NR = 2-pyridylpiperazine), which were isolated as their PF₆ salts in high yields. The complexes were fully characterised spectroscopically and also by X-ray crystallography. Cytotoxicity of these complexes was studied in vitro in three human cancer cell lines (CH1, A549 and SW480) using the MTT assay.     

Comparison of structural features of three new cis-dioxomolybdenum(VI) complexes with 2-hydroxy-1-naphthaldehyde-S-methylisothiosemicarbazone: Possible role of intermolecular interactions on the geometry of the cis-MoO2 unit

Three closely related [MoO₂(L)(ML)] complexes, where L is the 2-hydroxy-1-naphthaldehyde-S-methylisothiosemicarbazone ligand, and ML is EtOH (I), Py (II) and DMSO (III), were synthesized, characterized by NMR and IR spectra, and their X-ray crystal structures were determined. The crystal structure properties of these three closely related complexes were compared. Two cis-Mo-O bond lengths were almost the same in the crystal structure of complexes II and III, while in complex I a significant difference between the two cis-Mo-O bond lengths was observed. At the same time, the geometry of L ligand in complex I is different, compared to II and III. DFT calculations on the isolated molecule I, as well as geometrical analysis of the complexes indicate that intramolecular interactions are not responsible for these structural differences. On the other hand, the pattern of intermolecular contacts in the crystal structure of I differs from those observed in II and III. Analyses indicate that differences in cis-Mo-O bond lengths and in the geometry of ligand L could be related to intermolecular interactions. These results suggest the possibility that in enzymes oxotransferases or in their model systems, the Mo-O bond length could be designed by the interactions of chelate ligands with the surroundings.     

A mutational analysis of active site residues in trans-3-chloroacrylic acid dehalogenase

trans-3-Chloroacrylic acid dehalogenase (CaaD) catalyzes the hydrolytic dehalogenation of trans-3-haloacrylates to yield malonate semialdehyde by a mechanism utilizing βPro-1, αArg-8, αArg-11, and αGlu-52. These residues are implicated in a promiscuous hydratase activity where 2-oxo-3-pentynoate is processed to acetopyruvate. The roles of three nearby residues (βAsn-39, αPhe-39, and αPhe-50) are unexplored. Mutants were constructed at these positions (βN39A, αF39A, αF39T, αF50A and αF50Y) and kinetic parameters determined along with those of the αR8K and αR11K mutants. Analysis indicates that αArg-8, αArg-11, and βAsn-39 are critical for dehalogenase activity whereas αArg-11 and αPhe-50 are critical for hydratase activity. Docking studies suggest structural bases for these observations.     

Quantifying the trans influence of triphenylarsine. Crystal and molecular structures of cis-[PtCl2(SMe2)(AsPh3)] and cis-[PtCl2(AsPh3)2]·CHCl3

Reaction between a mixture of cis-trans-[PtCl₂(SMe₂)₂] and 1 equiv. AsPh₃ in chloroform gives cis-[PtCl₂(SMe₂)(AsPh₃)] crystallizing in P2₁/n with a=10.397(2), b=14.876(3), c=13.956(3) Å, β=90.86(3)° and Z=4. Selected geometrical parameters are PtAs 2.3531(10), PtS 2.262(2), PtCl (trans to S) 2.301(2), PtCl (trans to As) 2.328(2) Å and SPtAs 88.85(6), SPtCl(2) 90.77(8), AsPtCl(1) 91.07(6) and ClPtCl 89.42(7)°. cis-[PtCl₂(AsPh₃)₂]·CHCl₃ crystallizes in P2₁/c with a=20.557(4), b=9.5951(19), c=20.147(4) Å, β=96.77(3)° and Z=4. Selected geometrical parameters are PtAs(1) 2.3599(9), PtAs(2) 2.3770(9), PtCl(1) (trans to As(1)) 2.3515(18), PtCl(2) (trans to As(2)) 2.3251(18) Å and AsPtAs 97.87(3), As(1)PtCl(2) 88.67(5), As(2)PtCl(1) 84.30(5) and ClPtCl 89.32(7)°. By comparison with related structures from the literature the following trans influence series was established PMe₂Ph>PPh₃>AsPh₃≈SbPh₃>Me₂SO≈SMe₂≈SPh₂>NH₃≈olefin>Cl⁻>MeCN.     

Cobalt and iron complexes of chiral C1- and C2-terpyridines: Synthesis, characterization and use in catalytic asymmetric cyclopropanation of styrenes

Optically pure C₁- and C₂-terpyridine ligands (L) form cobalt(II) and iron(II) complexes of formula [Co(L)Cl₂] and [Fe(L)Cl₂], respectively, and Iron(III) complexes of formulas [Fe(L)Cl₃]. Structures of three new chiral cobalt(II) and one iron(III) complexes were analysed using X-ray crystal structure analysis. These complexes were shown to be precursor of efficient catalyst for cyclopropanation. Reaction with AgOTf converted the complex to active catalyst, which gave enantioselectivities of up to 76% ee for the trans-isomers and 83% ee for the cis-isomers of styrene cyclopropanes with ethyl diazoacetate. Hammett studies showed the active species for both cobalt and iron complexes to have a non-linear relationship to σ_p constant.     

Transmembrane localization of cis-isomers of zeaxanthin in the host dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine bilayer membrane

The effects of the 9-cis and 13-cis isomers of zeaxanthin on the molecular organization and dynamics of dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC) membranes were investigated using conventional and saturation recovery EPR observations of the 1-palmitoyl-2-(14-doxylstearoyl)phosphatidylcholine (14-PC) spin label. The results were compared with the effects caused by the all-trans isomer of zeaxanthin. Effects on membrane fluidity, order, hydrophobicity, and the oxygen transport parameter were monitored at the center of the fluid phase DMPC membrane. The local diffusion-solubility product of oxygen molecules (oxygen transport parameter) in the membrane center, studied by saturation-recovery EPR, decreased by 47% and 27% by including 10 mol% 13-cis and 9-cis zeaxanthin, respectively; whereas, incorporation of all-trans zeaxanthin decreased this parameter by only 11%. At a zeaxanthin-to-DMPC mole ratio of 1:9, all investigated isomers decreased the membrane fluidity and increased the alkyl chain order in the membrane center. They also increased the hydrophobicity of the membrane interior. The effects of these isomers of zeaxanthin on the membrane properties mentioned above increase as: all-trans < 9-cis ≤ 13-cis. Obtained results suggest that the investigated cis-isomers of zeaxanthin, similar to the all-trans isomer, are located in the membrane interior, adopting transmembrane orientation with the polar terminal hydroxyl groups located in the opposite leaflets of the bilayer. However, the existence of the second pool of cis-zeaxanthin molecules located in the one leaflet and anchored by the terminal hydroxyl groups in the same polar headgroup region cannot be completely ruled out.     

Effects of Cd on cis-dimer structure of E-cadherin in living cells

E-cadherin, a calcium (Ca²⁺)-dependent cell–cell adhesion molecule, plays a key role in the maintenance of tissue integrity. We have previously demonstrated that E-cadherin functions in vivo as a cis-dimer through chemical cross-linking reagents. Ca²⁺ plays an important role in the cis-dimer formation of cadherin. However, the molecular mechanisms by which Ca²⁺ interacts with the binding sites that regulate cis-dimer structures have not been completely elucidated.     

Synthesis of two new haptens of 16alpha-hydroxydehydroepiandrosterone (3beta,16alpha-dihydroxyandrost-5-en-17-one)

Synthetic routes leading to 19E and 7Z O-(carboxymethyl)oximes derived from 16alpha-hydroxydehydroepiandrosterone were developed using two independent methods for introduction of the 16alpha-hydroxy group. Firstly, the oxime moiety was built, and then, either epoxidation of the enol acetate followed by the boron trifluoride mediated rearrangement or alkaline hydrolysis of the corresponding alpha-bromide in aqueous N,N-dimethylformamide were employed. The last step in both methods was removal of the protecting groups, which consisted of acid deprotection of the acetates and gentle alkaline hydrolysis of the methyl ester. Final haptens were designed as components for immunoanalytical kits.     

Enantiomeric separation of racemic 1-benzyl-N-methyltetrahydroisoquinolines on chiral columns and chiral purity determinations of the O-methylated metabolites in plant cell cultures by HPLC-CD on-line coupling in combination with HPLC-MS

Effective enantiomeric separations of 1-benzyl-N-methyltetrahydroisoquinolines were achieved using commercially available Chiralcel OD-H and OJ-H columns. Online LC-CD analysis allowed for the establishment of a correlation between the absolute configuration of the separated enantiomers and their characteristic CD transitions. LC-MS combined with LC-CD analysis permitted chiral purity determinations of O-methylated metabolites of nine phenolic 1-benzyl-N-methyltetrahydroisoquinolines in cell cultures of Corydalis, Macleaya, and Nandina species.     

Involvement of 14-3-3 protein post-translational modifications in Giardiaduodenalis encystation

14-3-3s are a family of phosphoserine/phosphothreonine binding proteins directly affecting many protein functions by regulating enzyme activity, intracellular localisation or mediating protein-protein interaction. The single 14-3-3 (g14-3-3) of the flagellated parasite Giardia duodenalis is phosphorylated at residue threonine 214 (T214) and polyglycylated at the extreme C-terminus in a stage-specific manner. To define the role of each post-translational modification, Giardia transgenic lines expressing a N-terminally FLAG-tagged g14-3-3, or the single point mutant T214A, or the E246A and the E247A mutants of the putative polyglycylation sites, were generated in this study. By affinity chromatography and MALDI-MS analysis, Glu246 was identified as the only site of polyglycylation. The absence of a polyglycine chain results in the nuclear localisation of the protein at any parasite life-stage, suggesting a role for polyglycylation in 14-3-3 nucleo/cytoplasm shuttling. Moreover, cyst formation was strongly induced in parasites expressing the E246A mutant and delayed in those harbouring the T214A mutant. Finally, in vitro overlay assays with a GST_T214E mutant indicated that phosphorylation can alter in vitro the binding properties of 14-3-3. The present data suggest that g14-3-3 post-translational modifications act in combination to affect encystation efficiency in Giardia.