A ring contraction of 18,20-cyclo-steroids. Preparation of 18-acetyl-17,18-cyclo-4-androsten-3-one and 18-hydroxyacetyl-17,18-cyclo-4-androsten-3-one.

The ring contraction of 18α-mesyloxy-20α-hydroxy-18,20-cyclopregn-4-en-3-one (Ib) and 18α-mesyloxy-20α-hydroxy-21-acetyloxy-18,20-cyclo-pregn-4-en-3-one (Id) took place upon exposure to Florisil at 25 °C, producing 18α-acetyl-17,18-cycloandrost-4-en-3-one IIa) and 18α-acetox-yacety1-17, 18-cycloandrost-4-en-3-one (IIb) respectively. A similar ring contraction of 18α,20α-dihydroxy-18,20-cyclopregn-4-en-3-one (Ia) took place upon electron impact. Deuterium labeling demonstrated that the first steps of mass spectral fragmentation of Ia were the rearrangement to IIa and the oxidative cleavage to 3,18,20-trioxo-4-pregnene (IVa).     

The effect of 4beta and 19 ester functionalities on some electrophilic addition reactions of delta5-steroids

The reactions of 3beta-acyloxyandrost-5-enes with bromine/silver acetate (Petrow reaction) and mercury(II) trifluoroacetate (modified Treibs oxidation) have been used previously to effect allylic oxidation on these substrates en route to biologically active compounds. In both these reactions, which involve electrophilic addition to the delta5-bond, the 3-acyloxy substituent plays a significant role. In this report, the effect of introducing other substituents proximate to the delta5-bond has been studied by using derivatives of 3beta-acetoxyandrost-5-en-17-one (1), namely, 3beta,4beta-diacetoxyandrost-5-en-17-one (13), 3beta,19-diacetoxyandrost-5-en-17-one (14), 3beta-acetoxyandrost-5-ene-7,17-dione (15), and 3beta-acetoxy-4,4-dimethylandrost-5-en-17-one (17). Our results indicate that in both sets of reactions the effect of the introduced functional groups was pronounced. In the Petrow reaction, electrophilic addition rather than allylic oxidation on the diacetates was observed. With the Treibs reaction, allylic oxidation on the diacetates occurred. The 7-keto and 4,4-dimethyl steroids proved to be poor substrates in both reactions.     

Tetra- and hexahydro derivatives of aldosterone and 18-hydroxycorticosterone by chemical and microbial reductions

Preparative methods were developed for reduction with NaBH4 at 0 of 3 beta, 5 alpha- and 3 alpha, 5 beta-tetrahydroaldosterone (1) and (12) to their respective 20 alpha-ol derivatives 2a and 13a. Corroboration of structures was obtained by periodate oxidations to the lactols 3b and 14b and thence, by further oxidation, to the lactones 4 and 15 respectively; these lactones were also independently obtained from 1 and 12. Reduction with NaBH4 at 80 degrees C converted 1 and 12 into 18-hydroxy-3 beta, 5 alpha, 20- and 18-hydroxy-3 alpha, 5 beta, 20-hexahydrocorticosterone 6a and 17a respectively, which were mixtures of epimers at C-20. Compound 17a could also be prepared by reduction of the lactone 21 with sodium aluminum bis-(methoxyethoxy) hydride. Again, periodate oxidations of 6a and 17a gave the lactols 7b and 22b and thence, by Jones oxidation, the diketolactones 8 and 23, which were also prepared from 18-hydroxy-11-dehydrocorticosterone (10) and 18-hydroxycorticosterone (24) respectively. Improved conditions for reduction with Clostridium paraputrificum permitted convenient conversion of aldosterone (11), the corresponding 18 leads to 11 lactone 18a and 18-hydroxycorticosterone (24) into their 3 alpha, 5 beta-tetrahydro derivatives.     

Sterol metabolism. XLI. Cholesterol A-ring autoxidations

Chromatographic and spectral evidence is adduced for the presence of cholest-5-en-3-one, cholest-4-en-3-one, and cholest-4-ene-3,6-dione in samples of cholesterol aged naturally in air or subjected to irradiation in air by ⁶⁰Co gamma radiation. These findings establish an additional mode of air oxidation of cholesterol to A-ring 3-ketones. Moreover, the oxidation by air of cholest-5-en-3-one induced by ⁶⁰Co gamma radiation yielded cholest-4-en-3-one, cholest-4-ene-3,6-dione, and the epimeric 3-oxocholest-4-ene-6-hydroperoxides. Cholest-4-en-3-one was not altered by irradiation in air, nor was cholesterol isomerized to cholest-4-en-3β-ol upon irradiation. From these observations it is deduced that the radiation-induced A-ring dehydrogenation of cholesterol yields initially cholest-5-en-3-one which upon isomerization yields cholest-4-en-3-one not further oxidized and which by a second oxidation yields the epimeric 3-oxocholest-4-ene-6-hydroperoxides which decompose to cholest-4-ene-3,6-dione.     

Neighboring group participation Part 17 Stereoselective synthesis of some steroidal 2-oxazolidones, as novel potential inhibitors of 17alpha-hydroxylase-C(17,20)-lyase

During the alkaline methanolysis of 3beta-acetoxy-21-chloropregn-5-ene-20beta-N-phenylurethane (4a), and its 4-monosubstituted (4b-e) and 3,5-disubstituted (4f) phenyl derivatives, cyclization occurs, in the course of which 17beta-[3-(N-phenyl)-2-oxazolidon-5-yl]androst-5-en-3beta-ol (5a) and its substituted phenyl derivatives (5b-f) are formed. The cyclization takes place with (N(-)-5) neighboring group participation. The reaction of 3beta-acetoxy-21-azidopregn-5-en-20beta-ol (3d) with triphenylphosphine gave 3beta-acetoxy-21-phosphiniminopregn-5-en-20beta-ol, which reacted in situ with carbon dioxide with the participation of the sterically favored 20beta-OH to give the unsubstituted steroidal cyclic carbamate (8). Oppenauer oxidation of the 3beta-hydroxy-exo-heterocyclic steroids (5a-f, 9) yielded the corresponding Delta(4)-3-ketosteroids (7a-f, 10). The inhibitory effects (IC(50)) of these compounds on rat testicular C(17,20)-lyase were investigated with an in vitro radioligand incubation technique. The N-unsubstituted 17beta-(2-oxazolidon-5-yl)-androst-4-en-3-one derivative (10) was found to be a potent inhibitor (IC(50)=3.0 microM).     

Studies on Baeyer–Villiger oxidation of steroids: DHEA and pregnenolone d-lactonization pathways in Penicillium camemberti AM83

Penicillium camemberti AM83 strain is able to carry out effective Baeyer–Villiger type oxidation of DHEA, pregnenolone, androstenedione and progesterone to testololactone. Pregnenolone and DHEA underwent oxidation to testololactone via two routes: through 4-en-3-ketones (progesterone and/or androstenedione respectively) or through 3β-hydroxy-17a-oxa-d-homo-androst-5-en-17-one.Analysis of transformation progress of studied substrates as function of time indicates that the 17β-side chain cleavage and oxidation of 17-ketones to d-lactones are catalyzed by two different, substrate-induced, BVMOs. In the presence of a C-21 substrate (pregnenolone or progesterone) induction of the enzyme catalyzing cleavage at 17β-acetyl chain was observed, whereas DHEA and androstenedione induced activity of the BVMO responsible for the ring-D oxidation; 5-en-3β-alcohol was a more effective inducer that the respective 4-en-3-ketone.     

Convenient synthesis of 18-hydroxylated cortisol and prednisolone.

18,20-Epoxy-11 beta,17 alpha,20 beta,21-tetrahydroxypregn-4-en-3-one was synthesized by the application of hypoiodite reaction to the cortisol acetonide. The intermediary 18-iodo derivative was converted to the 11-oxo steroid by chromic acid prior to silver ion-assisted solvolysis. Removal of the protective group with hydrochloric acid was finally carried out to give the desired 11 beta,17 alpha,18,21-tetrahydroxypregn-4-ene-3,20-dione as the hemiacetal form. 18,20-Epoxy-11 beta-17 alpha,20 beta,21- tetrahydroxypregna-1,4-dien-3-one was also prepared from prednisolone through a similar reaction sequence.     

Evidence for the presence of 7-hydroperoxycholest-5-en-3 beta-ol in oxidized human LDL.

Low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol is known to be oxidized both in vitro and in vivo giving rise to oxygenated sterols. Conflicting results, however, have been reported concerning both the nature and the relative concentrations of these compounds in oxidized human LDL. We examined the extracts obtained from Cu(2+)-oxidized LDL. Thin layer chromatography analysis showed that the sterol mixture became more complex with reaction time. Analysis of the components by thin layer chromatography and mass spectrometry allowed to establish that 7 alpha- and 7 beta-hydroperoxycholest-5-en-3 beta-ol (7 alpha OOH and beta OOH) are largely prevalent among the oxysterols at early times of oxidation. These hydroperoxy derivatives have not been previously identified in oxidized LDL. The concentration of 7-hydroperoxycholest-5-en-3 beta-ol decreased with oxidation time with a concomitant increase of cholest-5-en-3 beta, 7 alpha-diol (7 alpha OH), cholest-5-en-3 beta, 7 beta-diol (7 beta OH), cholesta-3,5-dien-7-one (CD) and cholest-5-en-3 beta-ol-7-one (7CO). After 24 h of oxidation a minor component of the LDL sterols was cholestan-3 beta-ol-5,6-oxide (EP).     

Whole-body beta-oxidation of 18:2omega6 and 18:3omega3 in the pig varies markedly with weaning strategy and dietary 18:3omega3

Segregated early weaning (SEW) into a cleaner nursery increases food intake and growth in pigs, presumably because of reduced immune stimulation compared with conventionally reared, nonsegregated pigs (NSW). The aim of the present study was to evaluate the oxidation of linoleic acid (18:2omega6) and alpha-linolenic acid (18:3omega3) in SEW and NSW pigs. Pigs consumed a control or high 18:3omega3 diet (omega6 PUFA/omega3 PUFA; 21.3 vs. 2.5, respectively) and were weaned at either 14 days old into a SEW nursery or at 21 days old into a conventional NSW nursery. The major acute-phase protein of pigs but not haptoglobin increased in 35-day-old NSW pigs. NSW pigs had 15-25% lower carcass 18:2omega6 and 20-30% lower carcass 18:3omega3 (% composition) at 49 days old. Between 35- and 49-days-old, NSW pigs had a higher whole-body oxidation of 18:2omega6 (40-120%) and 18:3omega3 (30-80%). The high 18:3omega3 diet decreased the whole-body oxidation of 18:2omega6 by 73% and of 18:3omega3 by 63% in NSW pigs. We conclude that moderately cleaner housing SEW significantly decreases 18:2omega6 and 18:3omega3 oxidation in pigs.     

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.     

Synthesis of [19- 2H3]-analogs of dehydroepiandrosterone and pregnenolone and their sulfates

Deuterated analogs of pregnenolone and pregnenolone sulfate with three atoms of deuterium in position 19 were prepared. The synthetic approach was developed on derivatives of dehydroepiandrosterone, where initial intermediates were well characterized, and then applied to the pregnenolone series. Starting 19-hydroxy compounds were transformed into 3alpha,5-cycloderivatives to simplify the Jones oxidation into the corresponding 19-oic acids. After oxidation, rearrangement to 3-hydroxy-5-enes, and suitable protection, two deuterium atoms were introduced by lithium aluminum deuteride reduction. Mesylate exchange by iodide in the presence of zinc and deuterium oxide added third deuterium atom. Deprotection gave title analogs with about 93-95% content of d3-derivative, the rest was mainly not fully deuterated d2-analogue as followed from the mass spectra analysis. Thus, 3beta-hydroxy[19-2H3]androst-5-en-17-one was prepared in 14 steps from 19-hydroxy-17-oxoandrost-5-en-3beta-yl acetate in 8.9% yield, the analogous sequence in the pregnenolone series gave 3beta-hydroxy[19-2H3]pregn-5-en-20-one in 7.3% yield. Corresponding sulfates were prepared via pyridinium salts in 53 and 57% yields, respectively. Fully assigned NMR data of selected pregnenolone derivatives were given.     

Sterol metabolism. XLIII. The oxidation of cholest-4-en-3β-ol by singlet molecular oxygen

The photosensitized oxidation of cholest-4-en-3β-ol in which singlet molecular oxygen is implicated yielded cholest-4-en-3-one and the isomeric epoxides 4α,5-epoxy-5α-cholestan-3-one and 4β,5-epoxy-5β-cholestan-3-one, the epoxides being formed in the ratio 3 : 1. Oxidation of cholest-4-en-3-one by alkaline hydrogen peroxide likewise yielded the isomeric 4,5-epoxides but in the ratio 1 : 7.4. Attempted use of cholest-4-en-3β-ol to intercept singlet molecular oxygen putatively generated in the disproportionation of hydrogen peroxide gave a very complex product mixture of over 50 components from which only cholest-4-en-3-one could be identified. However, neither isomeric 4,5-epoxycholestan-3-one was detected among the products. These data establish that it is unwarranted to infer the action of single molecular oxygen in systems containing cholest-4-en-3β-ol merely by product analysis where the product 4α,5-epoxy-5α-cholestan-3-one is formed.     

Studies on Baeyer–Villiger oxidation of steroids: DHEA and pregnenolone d-lactonization pathways in Penicillium camemberti AM83

Penicillium camemberti AM83 strain is able to carry out effective Baeyer–Villiger type oxidation of DHEA, pregnenolone, androstenedione and progesterone to testololactone. Pregnenolone and DHEA underwent oxidation to testololactone via two routes: through 4-en-3-ketones (progesterone and/or androstenedione respectively) or through 3β-hydroxy-17a-oxa-d-homo-androst-5-en-17-one.Analysis of transformation progress of studied substrates as function of time indicates that the 17β-side chain cleavage and oxidation of 17-ketones to d-lactones are catalyzed by two different, substrate-induced, BVMOs. In the presence of a C-21 substrate (pregnenolone or progesterone) induction of the enzyme catalyzing cleavage at 17β-acetyl chain was observed, whereas DHEA and androstenedione induced activity of the BVMO responsible for the ring-D oxidation; 5-en-3β-alcohol was a more effective inducer that the respective 4-en-3-ketone.     

Synthesis of 3 alpha,6 beta,7 alpha,12 beta- and 3 alpha,6 beta,7 beta,12 beta-tetrahydroxy-5 beta-cholanoic acids.

Chemical synthesis of 3 alpha,6 beta,7 alpha,12 beta- and 3 alpha,6 beta,7 beta,12 beta-tetrahydroxy-5 beta-cholan-24-oic acids is described. 3 alpha,12 beta-Dihydroxy-5 beta-chol-6-en-24-oic acid used as the starting material in the synthesis was prepared via oxidation of 3 alpha,12 alpha-dihydroxy-5 beta-chol-6-en-24-oic acid 3-hemisuccinate at C-12 followed by reduction with potassium/tertiary amyl alcohol. alpha-Epoxidation of the ester diacetate of 3 alpha,12 beta-dihydroxy-5 beta-chol-6-en-24-oic acid with m-chloroperbenzoic acid followed by cleavage of the epoxide with acetic acid and alkaline hydrolysis yielded 3 alpha,6 beta,7 alpha,12 beta-tetrahydroxy-5 beta-cholan-24-oic acid (overall yield 25%). N-Methylmorpholine-N-oxide-catalyzed osmium tetroxide oxidation of the ester diacetate of 3 alpha,12 beta-dihydroxy-5 beta-chol-6-en-24-oic acid followed by alkaline hydrolysis yielded 3 alpha,6 beta,7 beta,12 beta-tetrahydroxy-5 beta-cholan-24-oic acid (overall yield 33%). The structures of the synthesized bile acids were confirmed from their proto nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectral fragmentation patterns.     

An efficient one-pot synthesis generating 4-ene-3,6-dione functionalised steroids from steroidal 5-en-3beta-ols using a modified Jones oxidation methodology

Steroids with 4-ene-3,6-dione functionality have application in natural product chemistry, as synthetic intermediates and as aromatase inhibitors. Here, we report a two-phase oxidation of a range of steroidal 5-en-3beta-ols into corresponding 4-ene-3,6-diones using a modified Jones oxidation. The new reaction affords high yields (77-89%) of product in relatively short reaction times (1-2h). The simplicity of this reaction gives significant advantages over previously reported methodologies.     

Conversion of cholic acid to methyl 3alpha-carbethoxy-12alpha-acetoxy-6-oxo-5beta-chol-7-en-24-oate

A new and efficient method for preparation of a 7-en-6-one derivative of cholic acid is described. Acetylation of the known methyl 3alpha-carbethoxy-12alpha-hydroxy-7-oxo-5beta-cholan-24-oate (3) at 12 position and reduction of its 7-oxo group yield the 12alpha-acetoxy-7alpha-hydroxy derivative 5. Dehydration of the 7alpha-hydroxy group in 5 followed by allylic oxidation provide methyl 3alpha-carbethoxy-12alpha-acetoxy-6-oxo-5beta-chol-7-en-24-oate (7) in good yield.     

Polyhydroxylated steroids from the soft coral Sinularia dissecta

A repeated silica gel column chromatography followed by HPLC purification on the methanol extract of marine soft coral Sinularia dissecta, resulted in the isolation of fifteen polyhydroxylated steroids (1-15), involving six new C-18 functionalized steroids, 3beta-acetoxy-1alpha,11alpha-dihydroxygorgost-5-en-18-oic acid (1), gorgost-5-en-1alpha,3beta,11alpha,18-tetrol (2), 18-acetoxy-1alpha,3beta,11alpha-trihydroxygorgost-5-ene (3), 24(S)-3beta-acetoxy-1alpha, 11alpha-dihydroxyergost-5-en-18-oic acid (4), 24(S)-ergost-5-en-1alpha,3beta,11alpha,18-tetrol (5), and dissectolide (6). The structures of the new compounds were determined on the basis of extensive spectroscopic data (IR, MS, (1)H and (13)C NMR, HMQC, HMBC, and NOESY) analysis. Compound 6 was found as an unusual sterol bearing a lactone functionality.     

Synthesis of 17 beta-[(1S)-1-hydroxy-2-propynyl]- and 17 beta-[(1R)-1-hydroxy-2-propynyl]androst-4-en-3-one. Potential suicide substrates of 20 alpha- and 20 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases.

The title compounds have been synthesized for evaluation as potential suicide substrates of 20 alpha- and 20 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases. Synthesis was achieved by the following route. Acetylenedimagnesium bromide was reacted with 3 beta-hydroxyandrost-4-ene-17 beta-carboxaldehyde to give 17 beta-[(1R,S)-1-hydroxy-2-propynyl] androst-4-en-3 beta-ol. Separation of the R and S diols was achieved by HPLC (high pressure liquid chromatography). Selective oxidation of the 3 beta-hydroxyl group with Jones reagent at 0 degrees gave the title compounds. Further oxidation with Jones reagent converted each acetylenic alcohol to the conjugated acetylenic ketone, 17 beta-(1-oxo-2-propynyl)androst-4-en-3-one.     

Construction of a catalytically inactive cholesterol oxidase mutant: investigation of the interplay between active site-residues glutamate 361 and histidine 447

Cholesterol oxidase catalyzes the oxidation of cholesterol to cholest-5-en-3-one and its subsequent isomerization into cholest-4-en-3-one. Two active-site residues, His447 and Glu361, are important for catalyzing the oxidation and isomerization reactions, respectively. Double-mutants were constructed to test the interplay between these residues in catalysis. We observed that the k(cat) of oxidation for the H447Q/E361Q mutant was 3-fold less than that for H447Q and that the k(cat) of oxidation for the H447E/E361Q mutant was 10-fold slower than that for H447E. Because both doubles-mutants do not have a carboxylate at position 361, they do not catalyze isomerization of the reaction intermediate cholest-5-en-3-one to cholest-4-en-3-one. These results suggest that Glu361 can compensate for the loss of histidine at position 447 by acting as a general base catalyst for oxidation of cholesterol. Importantly, the construction of the double-mutant H447E/E361Q yields an enzyme that is 31,000-fold slower than wild type in k(cat) for oxidation. The H447E/E361Q mutant is folded like native enzyme and still associates with model membranes. Thus, this mutant may be used to study the effects of membrane binding in the absence of catalytic activity. It is demonstrated that in assays with caveolae membrane fractions, the wild-type enzyme uncouples platelet-derived growth factor receptor beta (PDGFRbeta) autophosphorylation from tyrosine phosphorylation of neighboring proteins, and the H447E/E361Q mutant does not. Thus maintenance of membrane structure by cholesterol is important for PDGFRbeta-mediated signaling. The cholesterol oxidase mutant probe described will be generally useful for investigating the role of membrane structure in signal transduction pathways in addition to the PDGFRbeta-dependent pathway tested.     

Oxidation of 17alpha,20beta- and 17alpha,20alpha-dihydroxysipregn-4-en-ones--side products of biotransformation of progesterone by recombinant microorganisms expressing cytochrome P45017alpha

Progesterone biotransformation with recombinant yeast Yarrowia lipolytica E129A15 and Saccharomyces cerevisiae GRF18/YEp5117 alpha expressing bovine adrenocortical cytochrome P45017 alpha yielded 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone and two diols, 17 alpha, 20 beta- and 17 alpha, 20 alpha-dihydroxypregn-4-en-3-one. The oxidation of mixtures of the three steroids with chromic acid resulted in the cleavage of 17-20 bonds in the diols with the formation of androst-4-ene-3,17-dione. The biotransformation of pregn-4-ene-20 beta-ol-3-one by means of Y. lipolytica E129A15 was accompanied by the following reactions: the primary oxidation of these compounds to progesterone and the subsequent successive reactions of 17 alpha-hydroxylation and 20 alpha- and 20 beta-reduction. The results widen the possibilities for enzymatic and chemical modifications of steroids. The English version of the paper: Russian Journal of Bioorganic Chemistry, 2003, vol. 29, no. 6; see also http://www.maik.ru.