Cyclization studies with (±)-10,11-oxidofarnesyl acetate,methyl farnesate,and methyl (±)-10,11-oxidofarnesate

As models for lanosterol biosynthesis and for more elaborate biogenetic-type total synthesis in the di- and triterpenoid series, the nonenzymic cyclization of methyl farnesate, methyl (±)-10,11-oxidofarnesate and (±)-10,11-oxidofarnesyl acetate was studied. In addition to the 10,11-halohydrin, N-bromosuccinimide/water was observed to convert methyl farnesate to bromobicycles 40 and 41. Acid-catalyzed cyclization of (±)-10,11-oxido farnesate and the corresponding 2,3-cis isomer produced inter alia 3-hydroxy octalins 20a and 21a. Similarly, methyl (±)-10,11-oxidofarnesate was transformed to inter alia the hydroxylated bicyclic esters 34 and 35. Mechanistic and other aspects of these reactions are taken up.     

Biotransformation of electron-poor alkenes by yeasts: Asymmetric reduction of (4S)-(+)-carvone by yeast enoate reductases

Within the framework of a large-scale screening carried out on 146 yeasts of environmental origin, 16 strains (11% of the total) exhibited the ability to biotransform (4S)-(+)-carvone. Such positive yeasts, belonging to 14 species of 6 genera (Candida, Cryptococcus, Hanseniaspora, Kluyveromyces, Pichia and Saccharomyces), were thus used under different physiological state (growing, resting and lyophilised cells). Yields (expressed as% of biotransformation) varied from 0.14 to 30.04%, in dependence of both the strain and the physiological state of the cells. Products obtained from reduction of (4S)-(+)-carvone were 1S,4S- and 1R,4S-dihydrocarvone, (1S,2S,4S)-, (1S,2R,4S)- and (1R,2S,4S)-dihydrocarveol. Only traces of (1R,2R,4S)-dihydrocarveol were observed in a few strains. As far as the stereoselectivity of the biocatalysis, with the sole exception of a few strains, the use of yeasts determined the prevalent accumulation of 1S,4S-isomers [(1S,4S)-dihydrocarvone + (1S,2S,4S)-dihydrocarveol + (1S,2R,4S)-dihydrocarveol].The addition of glucose (acting as auxiliary substrate for cofactor-recycling system) to lyophilised yeast cells determined a considerable increase of biocatalytic activity: in particular, two strains showed a surprising increase of the% of biotransformation of (4S)-(+)-carvone (to values >98%).     

Cation selective electroanalysis of K(+)-, Na(+)- and Ca2(+) concentrations in acetate dialysis solutions

An account is given on the influence of acetate ions in direct potentiometric analyses of dialytic solutions using K+, Na+ and Ca2+ selective carrier PVC solid contact sensors. By calibrating the flow-through membrane electrodes with anion-corrected solutions, the deviation of ion concentrations based on the acetate effect can be eliminated. The phenomena observed are attributed primarily to an acetate anion interference.     

Asymmetric total synthesis of (+)- and (-)-clusianone and (+)- and (-)-clusianone methyl enol ether via ACC alkylation and evaluation of their anti-HIV activity

The total asymmetric synthesis of (+)- and (−)-clusianone and (+)- and (−)-clusianone methyl enol ether is reported. Asymmetric induction is achieved through the use of ACC alkylation, providing the key intermediates with an er of 99:1. The four synthetic compounds were evaluated for their anti-HIV activity. Both (+)- and (−)-clusianone displayed significant anti-HIV activity.     

Phosphorylation of the salivary Na(+)-K(+)-2Cl(-) cotransporter

Westudied the phosphorylation of the secretoryNa⁺-K⁺-2Cl cotransporter (NKCC1)in rat parotid acinar cells. We have previously shown that NKCC1activity in these cells is dramatically upregulated in response to-adrenergic stimulation and that this upregulation correlates withNKCC1 phosphorylation, possibly due to protein kinase A (PKA). We showhere that when ATP is added to purified acinar basolateral membranes(BLM), NKCC1 is phosphorylated as a result of membrane-associatedprotein kinase activity. Additional NKCC1 phosphorylation is seen whenPKA is added to BLMs, but our data indicate that this is due to aneffect of PKA on endogenous membrane kinase or phosphatase activities,rather than its direct phosphorylation of NKCC1. Also, phosphopeptidemapping demonstrates that these phosphorylations do not take place atthe site associated with the upregulation of NKCC1 by -adrenergicstimulation. However, this upregulatory phosphorylation can be mimickedby the addition of cAMP to permeabilized acini, and this effect can beblocked by a specific PKA inhibitor. These latter results provide good evidence that PKA is indeed involved in the upregulatoryphosphorylation of NKCC1 and suggest that an additional factor presentin the acinar cell but absent from isolated membranes is required to bring about the phosphorylation.

     

Enantiospecific synthesis of carbocyclic (+)-(E)-5-(2-bromovinyl)-2'-deoxyuridine

(+)-1-[(1R, 3S, 4R)-3-hydroxy-4-hydroxymethylcyclopentyl]-5-[(E)-2- bromovinyl]-1H,3H-pyrimidin-2,4-dione 10 was synthesized starting from (+)-endo-5-norbornen-2-yl acetate. This chiral educt was obtained by enzymatic hydrolysis of racemic esters of endo-5-norbornen-2-ol.     

Biomimetic synthesis of acid-sensitive (-)- and (+)-caparrapi oxides, (-)- and (+)-8-epicaparrapi oxides, and (+)-dysifragin induced by artificial cyclases

Asymmetric total syntheses of acid-sensitive (-)- and (+)-caparrapi oxides (1) and (+)-8-epicaparrapi oxide (2) from farnesol (10) are achieved using Sharpless-Katsuki epoxidation and Lewis acid-assisted chiral Br?nsted acid (chiral LBA)-induced polyene cyclization as key steps. The relative configuration of (+)-dysifragin (4) is determined by a single-crystal X-ray diffraction and its total synthesis is accomplished by the diastereoselective epoxidation of (+)-1. Furthermore, (-)-1 can be directly synthesized from (S)-nerolidol (3) and (R)-LBA with 88% ds by reagent control, which overcame substrate control, while (-)-2 is obtained from (R)-3 and (R)-LBA with >99% ds by the double asymmetric induction.     

Lipase-catalyzed irreversible transesterification of 1-(2-furyl)ethanol using isopropenyl acetate

Asymmetric acetylation of racemic 1-(2-furyl)ethanol with the innocuous acyl donor isopropenyl acetate catalyzed by lipases in organic media afforded the chiral alcohol and acetate in high enantiomeric excess (up to 99%). The effect of molecular sieves as well as organic solvents on the kinetic resolution were studied. An effective separation of the enantiomers of both substrate and product was performed using gas chromatography on the chiral stationary phase heptakis-(2,3-di-O-methyl-6-O-tert-butyldimethylsilyl)-beta-cyclodextrin.     

Biosynthesis of monoterpenes. Enantioselectivity in the enzymatic cyclization of (+)- and (-)-linalyl pyrophosphate to (+)- and (-)-pinene and (+)- and (-)-camphene

Cyclase I from Salvia officinalis leaf catalyzes the conversion of geranyl pyrophosphate to the stereo-chemically related bicyclic monoterpenes (+)-alpha-pinene and (+)-camphene and to lesser quantities of monocyclic and acyclic olefins, whereas cyclase II from this plant tissue converts the same acyclic precursor to (-)-alpha-pinene, (-)-beta-pinene and (-)-camphene as well as to lesser amounts of monocyclics and acyclics. These antipodal cyclizations are considered to proceed by the initial isomerization of the substrate to the respective bound tertiary allylic intermediates (-)-(3R)- and (+)-(3S)-linalyl pyrophosphate. [(3R)-8,9-14C,(3RS)-1E-3H]Linalyl pyrophosphate (3H:14C = 5.14) was tested as a substrate with both cyclases to determine the configuration of the cyclizing intermediate. This substrate with cyclase I yielded alpha-pinene and camphene with 3H:14C ratios of 3.1 and 4.2, respectively, indicating preferential, but not exclusive, utilization of the (3R)-enantiomer. With cyclase II, the doubly labeled substrate gave bicyclic olefins with 3H:14C ratios of from 13 to 20, indicating preferential, but not exclusive, utilization of the (3S)-enantiomer in this case. (3R)- and (3S)-[1Z-3H]linalyl pyrophosphate were separately compared to the achiral precursors [1-3H]geranyl pyrophosphate and [1-3H]neryl pyrophosphate (cis-isomer) as substrates for the cyclizations. With cyclase I, geranyl, neryl, and (3R)-linalyl pyrophosphate gave rise exclusively to (+)-alpha-pinene and (+)-camphene, whereas (3S)-linayl pyrophosphate produced, at relatively low rates, the (-)-isomers. With cyclase II, geranyl, neryl, and (3S)-linalyl pyrophosphate yielded exclusively the (-)-isomer series, whereas (3R)-linalyl pyrophosphate afforded the (+)-isomers at low rates. These results are entirely consistent with the predicted stereochemistries and additionally revealed the unusual ability of these enzymes to catalyze antipodal cyclizations when presented with the unnatural linalyl enantiomer.     

Conversion of 2-(aminomethyl) substituted pyridine and quinoline to their dicarbonyldiimides using copper(II) acetate

In air, hydrated ethanolic (95%) solution of 2-(aminomethyl) substituted pyridine and quinoline, on stirring with half equivalent of Cu(OAc)₂·H₂O, respectively afforded [Cu(bpca)(OAc)(H₂O)]·H₂O (1) and [Cu(bqca)(OAc)(H₂O)] (2) {bpca = bis(2-pyridylcarbonyl)diimide ion and bqca = bis(2-quinolylcarbonyl)diimide ion} in good yields. These reactions involve oxidation of the methylene group and formation of the bond between nitrogen and carbon in N-C(O) through coupling. The complex [Cu(pqca)(OAc)(H₂O)]₃[Cu₂(OAc)₄(EtOH)₂]_1.5 (3) {pqca = (2-pyridylcarbonyl)(2-quinolylcarbonyl)diimide ion} was synthesized by stirring an ethanolic solution of the Schiff base [(2-pyridyl)-N-((2-quinolyl)methylene)methanamine] (L1) and with one equivalent of Cu(OAc)₂·H₂O. A plausible mechanism for the conversion has been proposed. The free ligands were isolated as crystalline solids from compounds 1-3, by extrusion of Cu²⁺ ion using EDTA²⁻. The molecular structures of 1-3 and bqcaH were established by X-ray crystallography and compounds having quinolyl group have π-stacking interactions.     

Syntheses of methyl (4,6-dideoxy-alpha-L-lyxo-hexopyranosyl)-(1-->3)- and (4-deoxy-4-fluoro-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl)-(1-->3)- 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-alpha-D-glucopyranosides, analogs of the mycobacterial arabinogalactan linkage disaccharide

We have made thioglycoside donors for the 4,6-dideoxy-L-lyxo-hexopyranosyl ('4-deoxy-L-rhamnosyl') and 4-deoxy-4-fluoro-L-rhamnosyl monosaccharide residues. The preparation of the deoxyfluororhamnose was not straightforward, and revealed some unexpected behavior of the diethylaminosulfur trifluoride (DAST) reagent. The new glycosyl donors were used to synthesize two analogs of the mycobacterial arabinogalactan linkage disaccharide -->4)-alpha-L-Rha-(1-->3)-alpha-D-GlcNAc. These analogs are prototypes for a family of potential inhibitors of the enzymes involved in the early stages of cell-wall construction in mycobacteria.     

Dynamic regulation of Na(+)-K(+)-2Cl(-) cotransporter surface expression by PKC-{epsilon} in Cl(-)--secretory epithelia

In secretory epithelia, activation of PKC by phorbol ester and carbachol negatively regulates Cl^– secretion, the transport event of secretory diarrhea. Previous studies have implicated the basolateral Na⁺-K⁺-2Cl^– cotransporter (NKCC1) as a target of PKC-dependent inhibition of Cl^– secretion. In the present study, we examined the regulation of surface expression of NKCC1 in response to the activation of PKC. Treatment of confluent T84 intestinal epithelial cells with the phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (PMA) reduced the amount of NKCC1 accessible to basolateral surface biotinylation. Loss of cell surface NKCC1 was due to internalization as shown by 1) the resistance of biotinylated NKCC1 to surface biotin stripping after incubation with PMA and 2) indirect immunofluorescent labeling. PMA-induced internalization of NKCC1 is dependent on the -isoform of PKC as determined on the basis of sensitivity to a panel of PKC inhibitors. The effect of PMA on surface expression of NKCC1 was specific because PMA did not significantly alter the amount of Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase or E-cadherin available for surface biotinylation. After extended PMA exposure (>2 h), NKCC1 became degraded in a proteasome-dependent fashion. Like PMA, carbachol reduced the amount of NKCC1 accessible to basolateral surface biotinylation in a PKC--dependent manner. However, long-term exposure to carbachol did not result in degradation of NKCC1; rather, NKCC1 that was internalized after exposure to carbachol was recycled back to the cell membrane. PKC--dependent alteration of NKCC1 surface expression represents a novel mechanism for regulating Cl^– secretion. endocytosis; recycling; ion transporters     

Syntheses of methyl ethers of methyl α-D-mannopyranoside,and hydrogen bonding in diastereoisomers of methyl 4-O-(1-ethoxyethyl)-α-D-mannopyranoside

The synthesis of the 4-methyl, the 2,4-dimethyl, and the 2,3,6-trimethyl ethers of methyl α-D-mannopyranoside has been accomplished by the use of selective, benzoyl protecting groups, the 1-ethoxyethyl protecting group, and methylation with diazomethane. Considerable differences were noted in the i.r.- and n.m.r.-spectroscopic and t.l.c. properties of the diastereoisomers of methyl 4-O-[1-ethoxyethyl]-α-D-mannopyranoside. A structure, analogous to that of trans-decalin, maintained by intramolecular hydrogen-bonding is proposed for these compounds. The differences in physical properties of the two diastereoisomers are interpreted on the basis that the (R) isomer has an axially attached methyl group, and, therefore, the ring involved cannot be so stable as that of the (S) isomer.     

Syntheses and reactions of methyl (Z)-9,10-epoxy-13-oxo-(E)-11-octadecenoate and methyl (E)-9,10-epoxy-13-oxo-(E)-11-octadecenoate

The syntheses and reactions of two epoxyketoacids (methyl (Z)-9,10-epoxy-13-oxo-(E)-11-octadecenoate (IV) and methyl (E)-9,10-epoxy-13-oxo-(E)-11-octadecenoate (V)) are described. The synthetic method is based on the stereoselective oxidation of linoleic acid by soybean lipoxygenase to produce the corresponding 13-hydroperoxide. Reduction of the hydroperoxide with sodium borohydride followed by oxidation, esterification and epoxidation yielded the compounds IV and V with a global yield of 14% and 3%, respectively, referred to the diasteromerically pure isolated compounds. Confirmation of the structures was carried out by reduction of the ketone group with sodium borohydride and by the opening of the oxirane ring with methanolic boron trifluoride. The reduction of compounds IV and V with hydrogen mainly yielded the tetrahydrofuranoid fatty acid, methyl 10,13-epoxyoctadecanoate. This reaction may be considered a new procedure to obtain tetrahydrofuranoid fatty acids.     

Microbial manganese(III) reduction fuelled by anaerobic acetate oxidation

Soluble manganese in the intermediate +III oxidation state (Mn³⁺) is a newly identified oxidant in anoxic environments, whereas acetate is a naturally abundant substrate that fuels microbial activity. Microbial populations coupling anaerobic acetate oxidation to Mn³⁺ reduction, however, have yet to be identified. We isolated a Shewanella strain capable of oxidizing acetate anaerobically with Mn³⁺ as the electron acceptor, and confirmed this phenotype in other strains. This metabolic connection between acetate and soluble Mn³⁺ represents a new biogeochemical link between carbon and manganese cycles. Genomic analyses uncovered four distinct genes that allow for pathway variations in the complete dehydrogenase‐driven TCA cycle that could support anaerobic acetate oxidation coupled to metal reduction in Shewanella and other Gammaproteobacteria. An oxygen‐tolerant TCA cycle supporting anaerobic manganese reduction is thus a new connection in the manganese‐driven carbon cycle, and a new variable for models that use manganese as a proxy to infer oxygenation events on early Earth.     

Biotransformation of (+)- and (-)-camphorquinones by plant cultured cells

Biotransformation of (+)- and (-)-camphorquinones with suspension plant cultured cells of Nicotiana tabacum and Catharanthus roseus was investigated. It was found that the plant cultured cells of N. tabacum and C. roseus reduce stereoselectively the carbonyl group of (+)- and (-)-camphorquinones to the corresponding alpha-keto alcohols.     

Syntheses of quinolone hydrochloride enantiomers from synthons (R)- and (S)-2-methylpiperazine

A series of R and S enantiomers of 7-(3-methylpiperazin-1-yl) quinolone derivatives were synthesized from (R)- and (S)-tert-butyl 2-methylpiperazine-1-carboxylate and tested for their antibacterial activities on 14 kinds of bacteria. Although no distinct difference in in vitro antibacterial activities was observed, 2-64-fold difference between R and S enantiomers was observed in approximately 52% of cases.