The 9-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl (Fmoc) group and its use in oligonucleotide synthesis.

The introduction of the base-labile 9-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl (Fmoc) group into the exocyclic amino function of 2'-deoxynucleosides and their dimethoxytritylation and phosphitylation is described. The resulting key intermediates were investigated in the built-up of different oligodeoxyribonucleoside phosphate and thiophosphate chains which were deprotected under mild basic conditions leading to crude oligomers of high purity.     

9-O-Sulfation on alpha-NeuAc-(2-->8)-NeuAc and inter-residue lactonization

Treatment of alpha-NeuAc-(2-->8)-NeuAc (1) with SO3-pyridine (4 equiv) in DMF resulted in selective 9-O-sulfation on the nonreducing end residue and the formation of an inter-residual delta-lactone. The lactonization could result from the C-2 carboxylic acid of the nonreducing residue condensing with the hydroxyl group or/and sulfated group at C-9 of the reducing residue to form a six-membered ring between two adjacent sialic acid residues. When alpha-NeuAc-(2-->9)-NeuAc (5) was used as a sulfation substrate, only 9-O-sulfation on the nonreducing end residue was observed. According to capillary electrophoresis (CE) analysis, 9-O-sulfation on the disialic acid is a fast reaction, while sulfation on other hydroxyl groups is insignificant under the conditions used.     

The 9-Fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl (Fmoc) Group and Its Use in Oligonucleotide Synthesis

Abstract

The introduction of the base-labile 9-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl (Fmoc) group into the exocyclic amino function of 2′-deoxynucleosides and their dimethoxytritylation and phosphitylation is described. The resulting key intermediates were investigated in the built-up of different oligodeoxyribonucleoside phosphate and thiophosphate chains which were deprotected under mild basic conditions leading to crude oligomers of high purity.     

Conformation-activity relations of des-Arg9-bradykinin. I. Conformation of molecules in solution

The spatial structure of [des-Arg9]bradykinin, a selective agonist of the B1 type kinin receptors, was studied by means of theoretical conformational analysis. In order to restrict the number of conformations under consideration, we used available data on 1H NMR in (CD3)2SO solution indicating the C-terminal carboxyl group to interact with the guanidine group of Arg1 and the hydroxyl group of Ser6. The calculated set of [des-Arg9]bradykinin low-energy conformations was compared with the 1H NMR data. Four types of conformations were selected, which are consistent with experimental data and serve as sterically reliable models for the preferable three-dimensional structure of [des-Arg9]bradykinin in solution.     

Molecular distortions in 1-nitro-9-methylacridine and 1-nitro-9-aminoacridine

The high antitumor activity of certain 1-nitroacridines has been reported, and Ledakrin (1-nitro-9-(3-dimethylaminopropylimino)-acridine) is used clinically in Poland as an antineo-plastic agent. To investigate the role of the 1-nitro group in enhancing antitumor activity, the crystal structures of 1-nitro-9-aminoacridine and 1-nitro-9-methylacridine have been determined. 1-Nitro-9-methylacridine crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pbca, with Z = 8 and a = 13.822(4), b = 9.927(3), c = 17.248(6) Å, V = 2217(1) ų. The final R value, after least-squares refinement, is 0.056, for 2155 observed intensities. The structure of 1-nitro-9-aminoacridine is approximately isomorphous with that of the 9-methyl derivative, with unit cell dimensions a = 13.217(2), b = 10.011(1), c = 16.373(1) Å, V = 2166.4(5) ų. The final R value, after least-squares refinement, is 0.058, for 1534 observed intensities. The structures were solved independently by direct methods. The steric interference between the 1-nitro and the 9-methyl- or 9-amino-substituents on the acridine ring system causes considerable deviations from planarity in both structures. There are two possible intramolecular hydrogen bonds between the amino group and the disordered nitro group in 1-nitro-9-aminoacridine. Unlike N⁹-alkyl derivatives of 1-nitroacridines that have been previously described, in the 9-amino derivative the exocyclic nitrogen adopts the amino rather than the imino form.     

Structure-antibacterial activity relationship for 9-O,9'-O-demethyl (+)-virgatusin

The relationship between the antibacterial activity and structure of 9-O,9'-O-demethyl (+)-virgatusin (Virg 3) was examined. The conversion of hydroxy groups on the 9 and 9' positions to amino groups increased the activity. It was found that the 3'-methoxy group was more important for higher activity than the 4'-methoxy group on the 7'-phenyl group, and that the 3,4-methylenedioxy group on the 7-phenyl group was necessary for activity.     

Synthesis of 9-N-cinchona alkaloid peptide hybrid derivatives: preparation and conformational study of 9-N-acylamino(9-deoxy)cinchona alkaloids

The synthesis and conformational analyses of several 9-N-acylamino(9-deoxy)cinchona alkaloids is presented. Peptides were connected to cinchona alkaloids via a 9-amino group. The synthesis of the new cinchona alkaloid derivatives was performed straightforwardly from 9-amino(9-deoxy)dihydroquinidine via coupling with carboxylic acid chlorides and several dipeptides. Both alkaloid derivatives with the configuration of the corresponding natural product as well as its unnatural epimer were studied. The conformations of the prepared derivatives in solution were determined by NMR spectroscopy. It is shown that the conformation is strongly influenced by the configuration at the 9-position.     

Synthesis and antiproliferative activity of 2,6-diamino-9-benzyl-9-deazapurine and related compounds

Treatment of 6-bromomethyl- or 6-dibromomethyl-5-nitropyrimidine-2,4-diamine with KCN gave the same product--(2,6-diamino-5-nitropyrimidinyl)acetonitrile. Benzylation of the nitrile took place on the alpha-carbon to the cyano group preferentially affording the corresponding mono- and dibenzyl derivative, whose reductive cyclization resulted in 7-benzyl-5H-pyrrolo[3,2-d]pyrimidine-2,4-diamine and 7,7-dibenzyl-7H-pyrrolo[3,2-d]pyrimidine-2,4,6-triamine, respectively. Suitability of the protection of N(2) and N(4) atoms with benzyl, acetyl, or benzoyl groups was also investigated. The in vitro evaluation of cell growth inhibition on CCRF-CEM, HL-60, HeLa S3, and L1210 cell lines showed significant activity in 8 new compounds. The most potent compounds were the above mentioned 6-dibromomethyl derivative (IC(50)=0.54, 1.7, 5.0, and 1.9 molL(-1)) and 7,N(2),N(4)-tribenzyl-5H-pyrrolo[3,2-d]pyrimidine-2,4-diamine (IC(50)=1.9, 2.7, 7.3, and 1.0 molL(-1)).     

Association of Radiologic Findings with Mortality in Patients with Avian Influenza H7N9 Pneumonia

Background

The novel H7N9 virus causes severe illness, including pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome, with high rates of mortality. We investigated the association of initial radiologic characteristics obtained at admission with clinical outcomes in patients with avian influenza H7N9 pneumonia.

Methods

Demographics, comorbidities, clinical findings, radiologic appearance and scores of the affected lung parenchyma were compared between survivor group (n = 15) and mortality group (n = 7). Two radiologic scores were calculated, one using chest radiography and one using CT. Follow-up CT scans at discharge were analyzed in 12 patients of the survival group.

Results

All the patients in mortality group developed acute respiratory distress syndrome and required mechanical ventilation, while in the survival group 33% (5/15) developed acute respiratory distress syndrome (P<0.05) and 27% (4/15) required mechanical ventilation (P<0.05). The mean radiographic and CT scores of the mortality group were 50% higher compared to the survival group (P<0.05). ROC analysis revealed an area under curve of 0.738 for the radiographic score with an optimal cutoff value of a score of 19 for prediction of mortality, with a sensitivity of 71% and a specificity of 67%, and an area under curve of 0.833 for the CT score with an optimal cutoff value of a CT score of 21 for prediction of mortality, with a sensitivity of 86% and a specificity of 73%. The mean CT score of the affected lung parenchyma at discharge was 30% lower than the initial CT examination (P<0.05).

Conclusion

High initial radiologic score is associated with mortality in patients with avian influenza H7N9 pneumonia.     

Lewis acid catalysed methylation of N‐(9H‐fluoren‐9‐yl)methanesulfonyl (Fms) protected lipophilic α‐amino acid methyl esters

This work reports an efficient Lewis acid catalysed N‐methylation procedure of lipophilic α‐amino acid methyl esters in solution phase. The developed methodology involves the use of the reagent system AlCl₃/diazomethane as methylating agent and α‐amino acid methyl esters protected on the amino function with the (9H‐fluoren‐9‐yl)methanesulfonyl (Fms) group. The removal of Fms protecting group is achieved under the same conditions to those used for Fmoc removal. Thus the Fms group can be interchangeable with the Fmoc group in the synthesis of N‐methylated peptides using standard Fmoc‐based strategies. Finally, the absence of racemization during the methylation reaction and the removal of Fms group were demonstrated by synthesising a pair of diastereomeric dipeptides. Copyright © 2015 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Novel 9a-carbamoyl- and 9a-thiocarbamoyl-3-decladinosyl-6-hydroxy and 6-methoxy derivatives of 15-membered macrolides

An efficient method for the synthesis of diverse 9a-carbamoyl- and 9a-thiocarbamoyl-3-decladinosyl-6-hydroxy and 3-decladinosyl-6-methoxy derivatives of 15-membered azalides has been developed. These derivatives bear various alkyl and aryl groups attached to macrolide scaffold through urea or thiourea moieties at 9a position. Chemical transformations of hydroxy group at position C-3 afforded range of ketolides, anhydrolides, hemiketals, cyclic ethers, and acylides. It has been shown that 6-hydroxy and 6-methoxy derivatives undergo different chemical transformations under otherwise identical reaction conditions. Antimicrobial properties of prepared compounds were evaluated.     

Immunolocalization and activity of the MMP-9 and MMP-2 in odontogenic region of the rat incisor tooth after post shortening procedure

MMP-9 and MMP-2 are metalloproteinases which degrade the denatured collagen fibers. However, there is no report about roles of these MMPs in the odontogenic region of the adult rat incisor tooth under different eruption conditions. Male Wistar rats were divided in a normofunctional group (NF) in which their lower teeth remained in a normal eruption. In a hypofunctional group (HP) rats underwent shortening of their lower left incisor tooth every 2 days during 12 days. The eruption rate as well as the expression and activities of MMP-9 and MMP-2 were evaluated using imunohistochemistry and zymography. Although the shortening increased the eruption rate, no changes in the MMP-9 and MMP-2 were observed. We conclude that in adult rats, in opposite to development of tooth, the MMP-9 and MMP-2 present in the odontogenic region does not seem to play a direct role in the remodeling matrix, even after post-shortening procedures which to lead an acceleration of the eruption process in the incisor.     

Isomerization of all-trans-9- and 13-desmethylretinol by retinal pigment epithelial cells.

Photoisomerization of 11-cis-retinal to all-trans-retinal triggers phototransduction in the retinal photoreceptor cells and causes ultimately the sensation of vision. 11-cis-Retinal is enzymatically regenerated through a complex set of reactions in adjacent retinal pigment epithelial cells (RPE). In this study using all-trans-9-desmethylretinol (lacking the C(19) methyl group) and all-trans-13-desmethylretinol (lacking the C(20) methyl group), we explored the effects of C(19) and C(20) methyl group removals on isomerization of these retinols in RPE microsomes. The C(19) methyl group may be involved in the substrate activation, whereas the C(20) methyl group causes steric hindrance with a proton in position C(10) of 11-cis-retinol; thus, removal of this group could accelerate isomerization. We found that all-trans-9-desmethylretinol and all-trans-13-desmethylretinol are isomerized to their corresponding 11-cis-alcohols, although with lower efficiencies than isomerization of all-trans-retinol to 11-cis-retinol. These findings make the mechanism of isomerization through the C(19) methyl group unlikely, because in the case of 9-desmethylretinol, the isomerization would have to progress by proton abstraction from electron-rich olefinic C(9). The differences between all-trans-retinol, all-trans-9-desmethylretinol, and all-trans-13-desmethylretinol appear to be a consequence of the enzymatic properties, and binding affinities of the isomerization system, rather than differences in the chemical or thermodynamic properties of these compounds. This observation is also supported by quantum chemical calculations. It appears that both methyl groups are not essential for the isomerization reaction and are not likely involved in formation of a transition stage during the isomerization process.     

Caspase-8及Caspase-9在肝细胞癌组织中的表达及意义

目的:观察凋亡相关因子半胱氨酸天冬氨酸蛋白酶8(caspase-8)和半胱氨酸天冬氨酸蛋白酶9(caspase-9)在肝细胞癌中的表达及临床病理意义。方法:选择我院自2012年7月~2013年4月的53例肝细胞肝癌患者作为观察组,选择同一时期在医院体检的50例正常肝组织患者作为对照组,采用原位分子杂交方法对两组患者的Caspase-8和Caspase-9mRNA进行检测。结果:观察组与对照组中caspase-8、caspase-9的阳性表达率分别为84.91%(45/53)、88.68%(47/53)和60.00%(30/50)、82.00%(41/50),观察组与对照组比较均有升高趋势,比值有显著性差异(P0.05)。结论:肝癌细胞中caspase-8、caspase-9的较高表达显示在肝癌的发生发展过程中起到重要作用,在肝癌组织细胞增殖凋亡中具有一定作用,肝癌中caspase-8和caspase-9蛋白的表达均对于判断肝癌预后具有一定的临床价值。     

Sur la stéréospécificité de la ribonucléoside-diphosphate-réductase: préparation de désoxyribonucléosides pyrimidiques deutérés

Methyl 2-deoxy-3,5,6-tri-O-p-nitrobenzoyl- -ribo-hexofuranoside was converted into the glycosyl halide which was then condensed with 2,4-bis(trimethylsilyloxy)-pyrimidine in the presence of mercuric chloride to give, after alkaline methanolysis, 1-(2-deoxy-β- -ribo-hexofuranosyl)uracil, in a yield too low for the reaction to be applied to deuterated compounds. Methyl 2-deoxy- -allofuranoside-2-d was degraded into methyl 2-deoxy- -arabinofuranoside-2-d. Its di-p-nitrobenzoate was converted into the glycosyl halide which was coupled with 2,4-bis(trimethylsilyloxy)-pyrimidine to give, after alkaline hydrolysis, deuterated deoxyuridine. Thiationammonolysis of a mixture of the 3′,5′-di-p-nitrobenzoates of the latter compound and its anomer gave the corresponding deoxycytidines. Comparison of the n.m.r. spectra of these compounds to that of deuterated deoxycytidine, prepared by the enzymic reduction of cytidine 5′-pyrophosphate with the Escherichia coli system in the presence of deuterium oxide confirmed that the substitution of a hydroxyl group by a hydrogen atom proceeds with retention of configuration.     

慢性肾小球肾炎患者血清MMP-9和TIMP-1的浓度及意义

目的:观察慢性肾小球肾炎血清基质金属蛋白酶9(matrix metalo protein-ase-9,MMP-9)、金属蛋白酶组织抑制剂1(tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases,TIMP-1)的浓度与肾组织中MMP-9、TIMP-1表达的相关性,探讨慢性肾小球肾炎血清MMP-9、TIMP-1对肾脏纤维化的判断价值。方法:通过肾组织活检病理检查,将入选慢性肾炎的病例分增生组(A组)15例,纤维化组(B组)15例,另选10例志愿者作为健康对照组C组。应用免疫组化法观察A、B两组MMP-9、TIMP-1在肾组织中的表达情况,并且进行半定量分析,比较它们之间有无差别。应用ELISA双抗体夹心法检测A、B、C三组MMP-9、TIMP-1在血清中的浓度,比较它们之间有无差别。观察A、B两组MMP-9、TIMP-1在肾组织中的表达水平与在血清的浓度有无相关性。结果:A、B两组MMP-9在肾小球和肾间质少见表达,主要在肾小管上皮细胞浆中表达增高,两组之间表达的强度有显著差异性;A组TIMP-1在肾小球中少见表达,在肾小管上皮细胞增强。B组TIMP-1在肾小球中有少量表达,在肾小管上皮细胞较A组进一步增强,两组之间表达的强度有显著差异性(P0.05)。血清中MMP-9、TIMP-1浓度在A、B组显著高于C组,血清中MMP-9在A、B两组之间无显著差异性,血清中TIMP-1在A、B、C三组间两两比较有显著差别(P0.05)。结论:慢性肾炎患者血清中MMP-9、TIMP-1浓度与肾脏组织中MMP-9、TIMP-1的表达呈正相关。MMP-9、TIMP-1的相关性分析P值小于0.01。血清MMP-9、TIMP-1参与了肾脏纤维化的进展,慢性肾小球肾炎血清中MMP-9、TIMP-1的浓度可在一定程度上反映肾脏纤维化程度。     

7-酮基胆甾醇-9-羧基壬烷通过SREBP1c通路缓解油酸诱导HepG2细胞脂质生成

本研究目的是为了探究7-酮基胆甾醇-9-羧基壬烷（OXL-1）对油酸诱导的HepG2细胞形成的非酒精性脂肪性肝病（NAFLD）细胞模型中脂质生成的潜在抑制作用。油红染色显示OXL-1能显著降低油酸诱导的甘油三酯（TG）和总胆固醇（TC）的脂质生成。基因芯片分析发现,与对照组相比,HepG2细胞经OXL-1处理后固醇调节元件结合蛋白1c（SREBP1c）、脂肪酸合酶（FAS）及乙酰辅酶a羧化酶α（ACCα）转录表达显著降低。相比较于对照组,OXL-1组甘油三脂减少56.87% ± 9.08%（P<0.01）,总胆固醇减少24.96% ± 5.45%（P<0.01）。同时也使SREBP1c、FAS和ACCα蛋白质表达水平降低。OXL-1组相比OA组,其SREBP1c、FAS和ACCα的蛋白质表达分别下调52.62% ± 6.38%（P<0.01）、51.14% ± 8.75%（P<0.01）和19.46% ± 3.64%（P<0.05）。结果说明,OXL-1可能经由SREBP1c、FAS和ACCα的转录和蛋白质水平的调控作用来阻止OA诱导的脂质蓄积。综上结果揭示,OXL-1可能在非酒精性脂肪肝病细胞模型中作为一种阻止脂质积累的新型化合物。     

Cytochrome P4502C9 (CYP2C9) allele frequencies in Canadian Native Indian and Inuit populations.

CYP2C9 is the major P450 2C enzyme in human liver and contributes to the metabolism of a number of clinically important substrate drugs. This polymorphically expressed enzyme has been studied in Caucasian, Asian, and to some extent in African American populations, but little is known about the genetic variation in Native American populations. We therefore determined the 2C9*2 (Arg144Cys) and 2C9*3 (Ile359Leu) allele frequencies in 153 Native Canadian Indian (CNI) and 151 Inuit subjects by PCR-RFLP techniques. We also present genotyping data for two reference populations, 325 Caucasian (white North American) and 102 Chinese subjects. Genotyping analysis did not reveal any 2C9*4 alleles in the CNI, Inuit, Caucasian, or Chinese individuals. The 2C9*2 allele appears to be absent in Chinese and Inuit populations, but was present in CNI and Caucasian subjects at frequencies of 0.03 and 0.08-0.15, respectively. The 2C9*3 allele was not detected in the Inuit group, but occured in the CNI group (f = 0.06) at a frequency comparable to that of other ethnic groups. This group of Inuit individuals are the first population in which no 2C9*2 or *3 alleles have been detected so far. Therefore, these alleles may be extremely rare or absent, and unless other novel polymorphisms exist in this Inuit group one would not anticipate any CYP2C9 poor metabolizer subjects among this population.     

Synthesis of the 'primer-adaptor' trisaccharide moiety of Escherichia coli O8, O9, and O9a lipopolysaccharide

Described is the synthesis of the trisaccharide alpha-D-Manp-(1-->3)-alpha-D-Manp-(1-->3)-beta-D-GlcpNAcO(CH2)8N3, the glycan portion of which corresponds to the 'adaptor-primer' moiety linking the O-chain and core oligosaccharide in the lipopolysaccharide of several Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae serotypes. This report represents the first synthesis of this trisaccharide motif, and in the route involved, a key step is a [2+1] coupling of a protected Manp-(1-->3)-alpha-D-Manp glycosyl donor with a GlcpNAc acceptor. The azido group was included in the target to facilitate future preparation of neoglycoconjugates.