Zwitterionic character of nucleotides: possible significance in the evolution of nucleic acids.

X-ray crystallography has shown that the free acids of adenosine 5'- and 3'-monophosphates and of cytidine 5'- and 3'-monophosphates exist as zwiterions in the solid state with protonation of the adenine base at the N(1) site and of the cytosine base at the corresponding site N(3) and the phosphate group negatively charged. In this paper, evidence is presented for the zwitterionic character of the free acids of the monomeric nucleotides guanosine 5'-monophosphate and inosine 5'-monophosphate with protonation of the base at the N(7) site of the imidazole moiety.     

The synthesis of [([beta-D-ribofuranosyloxy)methyl]nucleosides

The coupling reaction of acetoxymethoxy ribofuranoside 4 with nucleic acid bases 5a-f to synthesize novel (ribofuranosyloxy)methyl uracil, thymine, cytosine, adenine, guanine derivatives 6a-g respectively in preference to the expected formation of natural nucleosides 2',3',5'-tri-O-benzoyl uridine, methyluridine, cytidine, adenosine and guanosine 7a-g is described. Detailed study of these reactions catalysed by Lewis acids TMSOTf and SnCl4 is described. TMSOTf exhibited selectivity for the formation of ribofuranosyloxy methyl derivatives 6a-g rather than 7a-g. Reason for formation of 6a-g is explained by HSAB principle.     

Synergistic effect of purine derivatives on the toxicity of pyrazofurin and 6-azauridine towards cultured mammalian cells

A novel synergistic effect of several purine derivatives such as adenine, adenosine, hypoxanthine, and guanine on the toxicity of nucleoside analogs pyrazofurin and 6-azauridine towards cultured Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells has been observed. The presence of the above purine derivatives enhanced the toxicity of pyrazofurin and 6-azauridine, in a dose dependent manner. The growth inhibitory effects of these nucleoside analogs either alone or in combination with the purine derivatives were reversed by uridine and cytidine, providing evidence that the synergistic effect of the purine derivatives was exerted at the level of pyrimidine nucleotide biosynthesis. Studies with mutant cells lacking various purine phosphorylating enzymes show that phosphorylation of purine derivatives through reactions utilizing phosphoribosylpyrophosate (PRPP) is essential for observing the synergistic response. It is suggested that the above purine derivatives (including adenosine, via conversion to hypoxanthine) exert their synergistic effects by depleting the cellular pool of PRPP by two separate mechanisms (direct utilization and feedback inhibition of its synthesis), which as a result becomes rate limiting in the synthesis of orotidine monophosphate (OMP). The reduced levels of OMP, which is a competing substrate with pyrazofurin- and 6-azauridine-5'-monophosphates for binding to the target enzyme OMP decarboxylase, could then account for the inhibition of the enzyme at lower concentrations of these analogs.     

Ribonucleoside 3'-di- and -triphosphates. Synthesis of guanosine tetraphosphate (ppGpp).

A procedure has been outlined for the synthesis of ribonucleoside 3'-di- and -triphosphates. The synthetic scheme involves the conversion of a ribonucleoside 3'-monophosphate to its 2'-(5'-di)-O-(1-methoxyethyl) derivative, followed by successive treatments of the blocked ribonucleotide with 1,1'-carbonyldiimidazole and mono(tri-n-butylammonium) phosphate or pyrophosphate. The resulting ribonucleoside 3'-di- and -triphosphate derivatives are then deblocked by treatment with dilute aqueous acetic acid, pH 3.0. The use of this procedure is illustrated for adenosine 3'-monophosphate, which has been converted to its corresponding 3'-di- and -triphosphates in 61% overall yield. The decomposition of adenosine 3'-di- and -triphosphates to adenosine 2'-monophosphate, adenosine 3'-monophosphate, and adenosine cyclic 2',3'-monophosphate as a function of pH at 100 degrees has been studied as has the attempted polymerization of adenosine 3'-diphosphate with polynucleotide phosphorylase. Also prepared was guanosine 5'-diphosphate 3'-diphosphate (guanosine tetraphosphate; ppGpp), which was accessible via treatment of 2'-O-(1-methoxyethyl)guanosine 5'-monophosphate 3'-monophosphate with the phosphorimidazolidate of mono(tri-n-butyl ammonium) phosphate. The resulting blocked tetraphosphate was deblocked in dilute aqueous acetic acid to afford ppGpp in an overall yield of 18%.     

Synthesis,characterization, and reactions of 2′-, 3′-, and 5′-(2-bromoethyl)-AMP: Potential affinity labels for nucleotide binding sites in enzymes

Two new adenosine analogs, 2′-(2-bromoethyl) adenosine monophosphate and 3′-(2-bromoethyl) adenosine monophosphate, were synthesized, purified by semipreparative high-pressure liquid chromatography, and completely characterized. A new synthesis of 5′-(2-bromoethyl) adenosine monophosphate is presented which facilitates the preparation of radioactive reagent with label either in the ethyl group or the purine ring of the nucleotide derivative. The reactive moiety of these derivatives, a bromoalkyl group, has the ability to react with the nucleophilic side chains of several amino acids. The second-order, pH-independent rate constants for reaction with the side chains of the amino acids cysteine, lysine, histidine, and tyrosine were determined as 3×10^?4, 6×10^?6, 3×10^?7, and <1×10^?7 M^?1 sec^?1, respectively. These data could be use in estimating the rate enhancement observed in modification of a protein by these affinity-labeling reagents. 5′-(S-(2-hydroxyethyl)cysteine) adenosine monophosphate, the derivative expected from exhaustive digestion of protein in which a cysteinyl residue is modified by 5′-(2-bromoethyl) adenosine monophosphate, and S-2-hydroxyethyl)cysteine, the derivative anticipated upon acid hydrolysis of such a modified protein, were synthesized, characterized, and their elution positions from an amino acid analyzer determined. These bromoethyl AMP derivatives are potential affinity labels for enzymes that bind 2′-, 3′-, or 5′-nucleotides such as TPN, coenzyme A, or ADP, respectively.     

Synthesis of double headed imidazoline acyclo C-nucleosides: 1,4-bis[1-amino-5-oxo-4-substituted(imidazolin-2-yl)]galacto-tetritols

Condensation of 2,3,4,5-tetra-O-acetyl-galactaroyl dichloride (1) with two equivalents of the alpha-amino esters 2a-c gave the corresponding 2,3,4,5-tetra-O-acetyl-galactaric acid diamides 3a-c. Heterocyclization of 3a-c by heating with hydrazine hydrate took place with concomitant de-O-acetylation of the polyacetoxyalkyl chain to give 1,4-bis[1-amino-5-oxo-4-substituted(imidazolin-2-yl)] galacto-tetritols (5a-c) and not the theoretically possible 1,2,4-triazinones 4 as indicated by spectral data. Compounds 5a-c readily reacted with p-nitrobenzaldehyde to give the corresponding p-nitrobenzylideneamino derivatives 6a-c. Acetylation of 5a-c afforded the 2,3,4,5-tetra-O-acetyl-1,4-bis[1-acetamido-5-oxo-4-substituted(imidazolin-2-yl)]galacto-tetritols (7a,b,d). De-O-acetylation of 7a,b,d gave 1,4-bis[1-acetamido-5-oxo-4-substituted (imidazolin-2-yl)]galacto-tetritols (8a-c).     

Chemical synthesis of (22E)-3 alpha,6 beta,7 beta-trihydroxy-5 beta-chol-22-en-24-oic acid and its taurine and glycine conjugates: a major bile acid in the rat

A method for the synthesis of Delta(22)-beta-muricholic acid (Delta(22)-beta-MCA), (22E)-3 alpha,6 beta,7 beta-trihydroxy-5 beta-chol-22-en-24-oic acid, and its taurine and glycine conjugates (Delta(22)-beta-muricholyltaurine and Delta(22)-beta-muricholylglycine) is described. The key intermediate, 3 alpha,6 beta,7 beta-triformyloxy-23,24-dinor-5 beta-cholan-22-al, was prepared from beta-muricholic acid (beta-MCA) via the 24-nor-22-ene and 24-nor-22,23-diol derivatives. Wittig reaction of the aldehyde with (carbomethoxymethylene) triphenylphosphorane and subsequent hydrolysis gave (unconjugated) Delta(22)-beta-MCA. Condensation reaction of the unconjugated acid with taurine or glycine methyl ester using diethylphosphorocyanide yielded the naturally occurring taurine or glycine conjugate (N-acylamidate) of Delta(22)-beta-MCA. These synthetic reference compounds are now available for investigation of the metabolism of beta-MCA by bacterial and hepatic enzymes in the rat and should also be useful as substrates for reductive deuteration or tritiation to give the 22,23-(2)H or (3)H-beta-MCA.     

Activation of 5-lipoxygenase by guanosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) and other nucleoside phosphorothioates: redox properties of thionucleotide analogs

The stable nucleotide analog guanosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) (GTP gamma S) was found to be a very potent activator of 5-lipoxygenase in cell-free preparations from rat polymorphonuclear (PMN) leukocytes, causing a 10-fold stimulation of arachidonic acid oxidation at concentrations as low as 0.5-1 microM. The enhancement of enzyme activity was not directly related to G protein activation since the effect of GTP gamma S could not be abolished by GDP nor replaced by GTP or guanylyl-imidodiphosphate (up to 100 microM). Furthermore, other phosphorothioate analogs, such as guanosine 5'-O-(2-thiodiphosphate), adenosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate), adenosine 5'-O-(2-thiodiphosphate), and adenosine 5'-O-thiomonophosphate all stimulated 5-lipoxygenase activity at concentrations of 10 microM or lower. This effect could not be detected with any of the corresponding nucleoside phosphate derivatives. The stimulation of 5-lipoxygenase activity by nucleoside phosphorothioates was observed under conditions where the reaction is highly dependent on exogenous hydroperoxides, such as in the presence of beta-mercaptoethanol or using enzyme preparations pretreated with sodium borohydride or glutathione peroxidase. GTP gamma S stimulated arachidonic acid oxidation by 5-lipoxygenase to the same extent as the activating hydroperoxides but had no effect on the reaction measured in the presence of optimal concentrations of 13-hydroperoxyoctadecadienoic acid (1-5 microM). Finally, sodium thiophosphate, but not sodium phosphate, markedly stimulated 5-lipoxygenase activity with properties similar to those of GTP gamma S. These results indicate that GTP gamma S and other phosphorothioate derivatives have redox properties that can contribute to increase 5-lipoxygenase activity by replacing the effect of hydroperoxides.     

Bass liver 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase: inhibition by nucleoside phosphates and by fructose 1,6 bisphosphate

Nucleoside 5'-triphosphates, 5'-diphosphates and 5'-monophosphates are inhibitors of the 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase enzyme from bass liver. The 2'- and 3'-monophosphates of adenosine and guanosine are also inhibitory, the 2'-isomers being especially potent inhibitors. The catalytic activity of 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase has been found to be markedly inhibited by fructose 1, 6 bisphosphate. As the Km for 6-phosphogluconate, the Ki for fructose 1,6 bisphosphate and the concentration of both compounds in bass liver are all comparable, it appears that the inhibition of 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase by fructose 1,6 bisphosphate may be of significance in the regulation of carbohydrate metabolism in bass liver.     

Synthesis of base substituted 2-hydroxy-3-(purin-9-yl)-propanoic acids and 4-(purin-9-yl)-3-butenoic acids

Alkylation of 6-chloropurine and 2-amino-6-chloropurine with bromoacetaldehyde diethyl acetal afforded 6-chloro-9-(2,2-diethoxyethyl)purine (3a) and its 2-amino congener (3b). Treatment of compounds 3 with primary and secondary amines gave the N6-substituted adenines (5a-5c) and 2,6-diaminopurines (5d-5f). Hydrolysis of 3 resulted in hypoxanthine (6a) and guanine (6b) derivatives, while their reaction with thiourea led to 6-sulfanylpurine (7a) and 2-amino-6-sulfanylpurine (7b) compounds. Treatment with diluted acid followed by potassium cyanide treatment and acid hydrolysis afforded 6-substituted 3-(purin-9-yl)- and 3-(2-aminopurin-9-yl)-2-hydroxypropanoic acids (8-10). Reaction of compounds 3 with malonic acid in aqueous solution gave exclusively the product of isomerisation, 6-substituted 4-(purin-9-yl)-3-butenoic acids (15).     

Microbiology of Saturated Salt Solutions and Other Harsh Environments. IV. New Observations of Ribonucleotide-Induced Recovery of KCl-Habituated Penicillium notatum

Salt-tolerant mutant Penicillium notatum sub-cultured in a glucose-peptone broth saturated with KCl shows continued attenuated growth when transferred to salt-free broth. Additional tests have shown E. coli S-RNA to be inferior to yeast RNA preparations, that base-free phosphate sources are inactive, but that nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide and flavine adenine dinucleotide are moderately active. All phosphate derivatives of adenine, cytosine and guanosine and inosine were active including 5'-polyphosphates, 3'(2')-monophosphates 5'-monophosphates, and adenine 3', 5'-cyclic monophosphate. Uracil derivatives were of low activity at best.Among base precursors, orotic acid was moderately active whereas imidazoles were not. The high activity of inosine 5'-phosphate a precursor of other purine nucleotides suggested that one mode of KCl action might involve a block in conversion of 4-amino-5-imidazole carboxamide ribonucleoside to the hypoxanthine nucleotide.     

Crystal structure of purine nucleoside phosphorylase from Thermus thermophilus

The purine nucleoside phosphorylase from Thermus thermophilus crystallized in space group P4(3)2(1)2 with the unit cell dimensions a = 131.9 A and c = 169.9 A and one biologically active hexamer in the asymmetric unit. The structure was solved by the molecular replacement method and refined at a 1.9A resolution to an r(free) value of 20.8%. The crystals of the binary complex with sulfate ion and ternary complexes with sulfate and adenosine or guanosine were also prepared and their crystal structures were refined at 2.1A, 2.4A and 2.4A, respectively. The overall structure of the T.thermophilus enzyme is similar to the structures of hexameric enzymes from Escherichia coli and Sulfolobus solfataricus, but significant differences are observed in the purine base recognition site. A base recognizing aspartic acid, which is conserved among the hexameric purine nucleoside phosphorylases, is Asn204 in the T.thermophilus enzyme, which is reminiscent of the base recognizing asparagine in trimeric purine nucleoside phosphorylases. Isothermal titration calorimetry measurements indicate that both adenosine and guanosine bind the enzyme with nearly similar affinity. However, the functional assays show that as in trimeric PNPs, only the guanosine is a true substrate of the T.thermophilus enzyme. In the case of adenosine recognition, the Asn204 forms hydrogen bonds with N6 and N7 of the base. While in the case of guanosine recognition, the Asn204 is slightly shifted together with the beta(9)alpha(7) loop and predisposed to hydrogen bond formation with O6 of the base in the transition state. The obtained experimental data suggest that the catalytic properties of the T.thermophilus enzyme are reminiscent of the trimeric rather than hexameric purine nucleoside phosphorylases.     

Synthesis, SAR, and preliminary mechanistic evaluation of novel antiproliferative N⁶,5'-bis-ureido- and 5'-carbamoyl-N⁶-ureidoadenosine derivatives

We have developed efficient methods for the preparation of N(6),5'-bis-ureidoadenosine derivatives and their 5'-carbamoyl-N(6)-ureido congeners. Treatment of 5'-azido-5'-deoxy-N(6)-(N-alkyl or -arylurea)adenosine derivatives (6a-d) with H(2)/Pd-C or Ph(3)P/H(2)O, followed by N-methyl-p-nitrophenylcarbamate gave N(6),5'-bis-ureido products 7a-d in 49-78% yield. Analogous derivatives in the 5'-carbamoyl-N(6)-ureido series were prepared by treatment of 2',3'-bis-O-TBS-adenosine (11) with N-methyl-p-nitrophenylcarbamate followed by acylation with appropriate isocyanates which gave 13a-d in 45-69% yield. A more versatile route for obtaining potentially vast libraries of compounds from both series was achieved by treatment of 5'-N-methylureido- or 5'-N-methylcarbamoyladenosine derivatives with ethylchlorformate to give N(6)-ethoxycarbonyl derivatives (9 and 14) in 55-63% yields, respectively. Simple heating of 9 or 14 in the presence of primary alkyl- or arylamines gave the corresponding N(6),5'-bis-ureido- or 5'-carbamoyl-N(6)-ureidoadenosine derivatives in good yields (33-72% and 39-83%; 10a-e and 15a-e, respectively). Significant antiproliferative activities (IC(50)≈4-10 μg/mL) were observed for a majority of the N(6),5'-bis-ureido derivatives, whereas the 5'-carbamoyl-N(6)-ureido derivatives were generally less active (IC(50) >100 μg/mL). A 2',3'-O-desilylated derivative (5'-amino-5'-deoxy-5'-N-methylureido-N(6)-(N-phenylcarbamoyl)adenosine, 16) was shown to inhibit binding of 16 of 441 protein kinases to immobilized ATP-binding site ligands by 30-40% in a competitive binding assay at 10 μM. Compound 16 was also shown to bind to bone morphogenetic protein receptor 1b (BMPR1b) with a Kd=11.5 ± 0.7 μM.     

5''-Terminal and internal methylated nucleosides in herpes simplex virus type 1 mRNA.

RNA labeled with [methyl-3H]methionine and/or [32P]orthophosphate was isolated from the polyribosomes of herpes simplex virus (HSV) types 1-infected cells and separated into polyadenylylated [poly(A+)]and non-polyadenylylated [poly(A-)] fractions. Virus-specific RNA was obtained by hybridization in liquid to either excess HSV DNA or filters containing immobilized HSV DNA. Analysis in denaturing sucrose gradients indicated that HSV-specific poly(A+) RNA sedimented in a broad peak, with a modal S value of 20. The ratio of [3H]methyl to 32P decreased with increasing size of RNA, suggesting that each RNA chain contains a similar sumber of methyl groups. Further analysis indicated an average of one RNase-resistant structure of the type m7G(5')pppNmpNp or m7G(5')pppNmpNmpNp per 2,780 nucleotides. The following components were identified in the 5'-terminal oligonucleotides of polyribosome-associated HSV-specific poly(A+) and poly(A-) RNA: 7-methylguanosine, N6,2'-O-dimethyladenosine, and the 2'-O-methyl derivatives of guanosine, adenosine, uridine, and denosine, and the 2'-O-methyl derivatives of guanosine, adenosine, uridine, and cytidine. The most common 5'-terminal sequences were m7G(5')pppm6Am and m7G(5')pppGm. An additional modified nucleoside, N6-methyladenosine, was present in an internal position of HSV-specific RNA.     

Synthesis, anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities evaluation of some mono, bi and tricyclic pyrimidine derivatives

3-Aminobenzonitrile and 2-amino-4-phenyl thiazole on condensation with 4-isothiocyanato-4-methyl pentane-2-one gave condensed monocyclic pyrimidine derivatives 1 and 2, 3, respectively. Condensation of 3-aminopropyl imidazole with 3-isothiocyantobutanal gave condensed monocyclic pyrimidine derivative 4. Bicyclic pyrimidine derivatives 5a and 5b have been synthesized by the condensation of diaminomaleonitrile with 4-isothiocyanto-4-methylpentane-2-one and 3-isothiocyanatobutanal, respectively. Condensation of 4-isothiocyanato-4-methyl pentane-2-one with 2,3-diaminopropionic acid hydrochloride yielded another bicyclic compound 7. 4-Isothiocyanato-4-methyl pentane-2-one, 3-isothiocyanatobutanal and 4-isothiocyanatobutan-2-one on condensation with 2-amino-4-nitro phenol gave tricyclic pyrimidine derivatives 8a, 8b and 8c, respectively. Structures of all the synthesized pyrimidine derivatives are supported by correct IR, 1H NMR and mass spectral data. The anti-inflammatory activity evaluation was carried out using carrageenin-induced paw oedema assay, and compounds 1, 3 and 5b exhibited good anti-inflammatory activity, that is, 27.9, 34.5 and 34.3% at 50 mg/kg po, respectively. Analgesic activity evaluation was carried out using phenylquinone writhing assay and compounds 5a, 5b and 8b showed good analgesic activity, that is, 50, 70 and 50% at 50 mg/kg po, respectively.     

CHEMICAL STRUCTURAL REQUIREMENTS FOR INDUCTION OF OOCYTE MATURATION AND SPAWNING IN STAREISHES

Effects of various adenine derivatives on oocyte maturation and spawning were studied in the starfishes, Marthasterias glacialis, Astropecten aurantiacus, Patiria miniata, Asterina pectinifera and Asterias forbesi . 1-Methyladenine and 1-ethyladenine were very effective in inducing oocyte maturation and spawning, whereas the following related compounds had no effect: adenine, 3-methyladenine, 7-methyl-adenine, 9-methyladenine, 1-methylguanine, 1-methylhypoxanthine, 6-methylpurine, N₆-methyladenine, N₆-
dimethyladenine, N₆-benzyladenine, N₆-furfuryladenine(kinetin), adenosine, 5' -adenylic acid, adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate, adenosine triphos-phate, inosine, 5'-inocinic acid, guanine, guanosine, 5'-guanylic acid, hypoxanthine, xanthine, xanthosine, 3-methylcytidine and 5-methylcytosine. 1-Methyladenosine induced oocyte maturation and spawning when isolated ovarian fragments were used as assay material; however, it had little effect in inducing maturation of isolated oocytes. Therefore, this compound seems to active only after its decomposition to 1-methyladenine and ribose. The chemical structure responsible for inducing oocyte maturation and spawning in starfishes is proposed: a short alkyl radical such as methyl or ethyl at N₁ site and an imino radical at C₆ site of the purine nucleus.     

Cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases from rat anterior pituitary. Characterization of multiple forms and regulation by protein activator and Ca+.

Phosphodiesterase activities for adenosine and guanosine 3':5'-monophosphates (cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP) were demonstrated in particulate and soluble fractions of rat anterior pituitary gland. Both fractions contained higher activity for cyclic GMP hydrolysis than that for cyclic AMP hydrolysis when these activities were assayed at subsaturating substrate concentrations. Addition of protein activator and CaCl2 to either whole homogenate, particulate or supernatant fraction stimulated both cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP phosphadiesterase activities. Almost 80% of cyclic AMP and 90% of cyclic GMP hydrolyzing activities were localized in soluble fraction. Particulate-bound cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase activity was completely solubilized with 1% Triton X-100. Detergent-dispersed particulate and soluble enzymes were compared with respect to Ca2+ and activator requirements and gel filtration profiles. Particulate, soluble and partially purified phosphodiesterase activities were also characterized in relation to divalent cation requirements, kinetic behavior and effects of Ca2+, activator and ethyleneglycol-bis-(2-aminoethyl)-N,N'-tetraacetic acid. Gel filtration of either sonicated whole homogenate or the 10500 X g supernatant fraction showed a single peak of activity, which hydrolyzed both cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP and was dependent upon Ca2+ and activator for maximum activity. Partially purified enzyme was inhibited by 1-methyl-3-isobutylxanthine and papaverine with the concentration of inhibitor giving 50% inhibition at 0.4 muM substrate being 20 muM and 24 muM for cyclic AMP and 7 muM and 10 muM for cyclic GMP, respectively. Theophylline, caffeine and theobromine were less effective. The rat anterior pituitary also contained a protein activator which stimulated both pituitary cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase(s) as well as activator-deficient brain cyclic GMP and cyclic AMP phosphodiesterases. Chromatography of the sonicated pituitary extract on DEAE-cellulose column chromatography resolved the phosphodiesterase into two fractions. Both enzyme fractions hydrolyzed cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP and had comparable apparent Km values for the two nucleotides. Hydrolysis of cyclic GMP and cyclic AMP by fraction II enzyme was stimulated 6--7-fold by both pituitary and brain activator in the presence of micromolar concentrations of Ca2+.     

Post-transcriptional modification of the wobble nucleotide in anticodon-substituted yeast tRNAArgII after microinjection into Xenopus laevis oocytes

An enzymatic procedure for the replacement of the ICG anticodon of yeast tRNAArgII by NCG trinucleotide (N = A, C, G or U) is described. Partial digestion with S1-nuclease and T1-RNAase provides fragments which, when annealed together, form an "anticodon-deprived" yeast tRNAArgII. A novel anticodon, phosphorylated with (32P) label on its 5' terminal residue, is then inserted using T4-RNA ligase. Such "anticodon-substituted" yeast tRNAArgII are microinjected into the cytoplasm of Xenopus laevis oocytes and shown to be able to interact with the anticodon maturation enzymes under in vivo conditions. Our results indicate that when adenosine occurs in the wobble position (A34) in yeast tRNAArgII it is efficiently modified into inosine (I34) while uridine (U34) is transformed into two uridine derivatives, one of which is probably mcm5U. In contrast, when a cytosine (C34) or guanosine (G34) occurs, they are not modified. These results are at variance with those obtained previously under similar conditions with anticodon derivatives of yeast tRNAAsp harbouring A, C, G or U as the first anticodon nucleotide. In this case, guanosine and uridine were modified while adenosine and cytosine were not.     

The synthesis of 5-C-(6-deoxy-1,2:3,4-di-O-isopropylidene-alpha-D-galactopyranos-6-yl)-2 ,3-O-isopropylidene-D-allo-pentofuranose [deaminotri-O-isopropylidene tunicamine]

Three approaches to the synthesis of deaminotunicamine and derivatives were developed. Tin tetrachloride condensation of 6-deoxy-1,2:3,4-di-O-isopropylidene-alpha-D-galacto-heptodialdo-1, 5-pyranose with 2-(trimethylsilyloxy)furan gave a mixture of stereoisomeric precursors. Condensation of 1,2:3,4-di-O-isopropylidene-alpha-D-galacto-hexodialdo-1,5-pyranos e with the phosphate carbanion obtained from diethyl (2-furyl)methoxymethyl phosphonate led to 6-deoxy-7-C-(2-furyl)-1,2:3,4-di-O-isopropylidene-L-glycero-alpha-D- galactoheptopyranose (13). This was converted, via the "delta 2"-butenolide route, to a mixture of stereoisomeric 5-C-(6-deoxy-alpha-D-galactopyranos-6-yl)-pentono-1,4-lacton es of the D-allo and D-talo configuration. In the third approach, 13 was transformed by the "enulose" approach to deamino-tri-(O-isopropylidene)tunicamine.     

Antitumor and Antiviral Properties of Penicillic Acid

The effects of adenine and (or) guanosine concentration on the accumulation of inosine, xanthosine, adenosine and succino-adenosine were studied with various purine auxotrophs of Bacillus subtilis K strain. Genetical derepression of the common pathway enzymes resulted in increase in the accumulation of inosine, xanthosine and adenosine. Co-operative repression system of a common pathway enzyme, succino-AMP lyase with respect to adenine and guanosine, was confirmed under the condition of the accumulation test. From these and the relating other studies it was concluded that the synthesis of AMP was regulated mainly by the inhibition of PRPP amidotransferase by AMP and secondly by the repression of the common pathway enzymes by adenine and guanosine, that the synthesis of GMP was regulated mainly by the inhibition and repression of IMP dehydrogenase by guanine derivatives and that GMP was synthesized in preference to AMP at the branch point, IMP.