Studies on the Later Stage of the Biosynthesis of Pleuromutilin

Mutilin (4) and deoxy analogues 2 and 3 are biosynthetic precursors of pleuromutilin (1) in the later stage of biosynthesis. Precursors 2 and 3 are required for studies on the oxygenation steps in biosynthesis, and were synthesized from readily available 1 via 4 by deoxygenation of the hydroxy groups. Feeding experiments with the ²H-labeled precursors confirmed their microbial conversion into 1.     

NMR Study on The Tuning of North ⇆ South Equilibrium in Nucleos(t)ides by Metal Ion Interactions

Abstract

The NMR study on the interactions of dGpMe (1), MepdG (2) and dG (3) with Mg²⁺, Zn²⁺ and Hg²⁺ ions in D₂O solution has shown that binding of softer metal ions to N7 shifts N ? S pseudorotational equilibrium towards N-type conformations. At the same time the population of the anti conformers is slightly increased.     

Inhibition of the biosynthesis ofN-acetylneuraminic acid by metal ions and seleniumin vitro

In liver homogenate the biosynthesis ofN-acetylneuraminic acid usingN-acetylglucosamine as precursor can be followed stepwise by applying different chromatographic procedures. In this cell-free system 16 metal ions (Zn²⁺, Mn²⁺, La³⁺, Co²⁺, Cu²⁺, Hg²⁺, VO ₃ ^– , Pb²⁺, Ce³⁺, Cd²⁺, Fe²⁺, Fe³⁺, Al³⁺, Sn²⁺, Cs⁺ and Li⁺) and the selenium compounds, selenium(IV) oxide and sodium selenite, have been checked with respect to their ability to influence a single or possible several steps of the biosynthesis ofN-acetylneuraminic acid. It could be shown that the following enzymes are sensitive to these metal ions (usually applied at a concentration of 1 mmoll^–1):N-acetylglucosamine kinase (inhibited by Zn²⁺ and vandate), UDP-N-acetylglucosamine-2-epimerase (inhibited by zn²⁺, Co²⁺, Cu²⁺, Hg²⁺, VO ₃ ^– , Pb²⁺, Cd²⁺, Fe³⁺, Cs⁺, Li⁺, selenium(IV) oxide and selenite), andN-acetylmannosamine kinase (inhibited by Zn²⁺, Cu²⁺, Cd²⁺, and Co²⁺). Dose dependent measurements have shown that Zn²⁺, Cu²⁺ and selenite are more efficient inhibitors of UDP-N-acetylglucosamine-2-epimerase than vanadate. As for theN-acetylmannosamine kinase inhibition, a decreasing inhibitory effect exists in the following order Zn²⁺, Cd²⁺, Co²⁺ and Cu²⁺. In contrast, La³⁺, Al³⁺ and Mn²⁺ (1 mmoll^–1) did not interfere with the biosynthesis ofN-acetylneuraminic acid. Thus, the conclusion that the inhibitory effect of the metal ions investigated cannot be regarded as simply unspecific is justified.Dedicated to Professor Theodor Günther on the occasion of his 60th birthday     

马利亚霉菌(Mariannaeasp.) HJ合成金属硒化物及机理研究

[背景] 金属硒化物因其优异的光电和催化特性,近年来在半导体、电化学及抗癌等领域成为了研究热点。相较于传统的化学还原法,生物合成金属硒化物具有环境友好、耗能较低等优势。然而,目前有关生物合成金属硒化合物的微生物资源较少且相关合成机理尚不明晰。[目的] 利用马利亚霉菌（Mariannaea sp.） HJ合成了3种金属硒化物并对其合成机理进行了初步探索。[方法] 利用X射线衍射（X-Ray Diffraction,XRD）和傅里叶转换红外线光谱（Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy,FTIR）对菌株HJ合成的金属硒化物进行了初步的表征,考察了纳米材料合成过程中总巯基含量、总抗氧化性能及自由基含量变化,并且验证了转运蛋白DMT1在金属硒化物合成中所起的关键性作用。[结果] XRD结果表明菌株HJ能够在Bi³⁺、Pb²⁺、Co²⁺与SeO₃^2-作用下分别合成Bi₄Se₃、PbSe和CoSe₂纳米颗粒,其合成的最优pH条件分别为6.0、7.0、8.0。FTIR结果表明,合成的金属硒化物表面含有氨基、羧基、羟基等官能团。3种金属硒化物的合成反应体系与空白对照组相比,总巯基含量明显下降,而总抗氧化性能却有所提高,这表明巯基等酶促体系或氨基酸金属蛋白类的非酶促体系可能参与了SeO₃^2-的还原过程。苄基异硫脲盐酸盐屏蔽实验表明,转运蛋白DMT1在SeO₃^2-转运和金属硒化物分泌过程中起到关键作用。此外,Bi³⁺、Pb²⁺和Co²⁺的加入使得菌株HJ产生氧化应激反应,在胞外分泌了大量的过氧化氢、羟基自由基和超氧自由基,而上述自由基可通过诱导热激效应的方式增强金属离子或纳米颗粒的转运过程。[结论] 利用马利亚霉菌（Mariannaeasp.） HJ合成了Bi₄Se₃、PbSe和CoSe₂纳米颗粒,为研究金属硒化物的生物合成及机理提供了一定的理论参考。     

Resolution of (±)– Cytallene — A Highly Active Anti-HIV Agent with Axial Dissymmetry

Abstract

Anti-HIV agent (±)-cytallene (1b + 2b) was resolved by enantioselective acylation of (±)-N⁴-benzoylcytallene (1d + 2d) with vinyl butyrate in tetrahydrofuran catalyzed by lipase AK from Pseudomonas sp. and subsequent deacylation of 4d and 1d with ammonia in methanol. Optically pure enantiomers 1b and 2b were obtained.     

Synthesis, characterization, and evaluation of a novel 99mTc(CO)3 pyrazolyl conjugate of a peptide nucleic acid sequence

The 16-mer peptide nucleic acid sequence H-A GAT CAT GCC CGG CAT-Lys-NH₂ (1), which is complementary to the translation start region of the N-myc oncogene messenger RNA, was synthesized and conjugated to a pyrazolyl diamine bifunctional chelator (pz). The novel conjugate pz-A GAT CAT GCC CGG CAT-Lys-NH₂ (2) was labeled with technetium tricarbonyl, yielding quantitatively the complex fac-[^99mTc(CO)₃(κ³-pz-A GAT CAT GCC CGG CAT-Lys-NH₂)]²⁺ (4). Complex 4 was obtained with high radiochemical purity and high specific activity, revealing high stability in human serum and in cell culture medium. The identity of 4 was confirmed by comparing its reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography profile with that of the rhenium analog fac-[Re(CO)₃(κ³-pz-A GAT CAT GCC CGG CAT-Lys-NH₂)]²⁺ (3), prepared by conjugation of fac-[Re(CO)₃(3,5-Me₂pz(CH₂)₂N((CH₂)₃COOH)(CH₂)₂NH₂)]⁺ to 1, using solid-phase techniques. UV melting experiments of 1 and 3 with the complementary DNA sequence led to the formation of stable duplexes, indicating that the conjugation of 1 to the pyrazolyl chelator and to the metal fragment fac-[M(CO)₃]⁺ did not affect the recognition of the complementary sequence as well as the duplex stability. For a first screening, SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells, which express N-myc, were treated with 4. The results show that 4 internalizes (7% of the activity goes into the cells, after 4 h at 37 °C), presenting also a relatively high cellular retention (only 40% of internalized activity is released from the cells after 5 h). An erratum to this article can be found at     

1-Deaza-3′-O-methyladenosine: A Nucleoside with the Syn-conformation in the Solid State and in Solution

Abstract

The 2′-O-methyl (2) and the 3′-O-methyl (3) derivatives of 1-deazaadenosine (1) were prepared. Single crystal X-ray analysis as well as ¹H and ¹³C NMR studies were performed on the 3′-O-methyl-1-deazaadenosine 3. In the solid state, the glycosyl torsion angle (χ = 64.7°) is in the syn-range which is caused by an intramolecular (5′)CH2OH…N(3) hydrogen bond. The ribofuranose moiety adopts a ² E (C-3′-exo; S) conformation and the orientation of the exocyclic C(4′)-C(5′) bond is + sc (γ^(+)g). The conformation in solution was found to be very similar to that in solid state. Whereas the 2′-O-methyl derivative of 1 is a strong inhibitor of adenosine deaminase the 3′-O-methyl derivative is neither inhibitor nor substrate.     

Metal-stabilized rare tautomers of nucleobases

 A Pt^II complex containing N4 bound neutral 1-methylcytosine (1-MeC), trans–[Pt(NH₃)₂(1-MeC-N4)₂](ClO₄)₂ (5), has been prepared and characterized by X-ray analysis. The complex contains the rare iminooxo tautomer form of the cytosine nucleobase. Pt^II binding is through the exocyclic N4 position of the nucleobases, with Pt and the N3 positions in a syn orientation. As a consequence, the proton at N3 is pointing toward the heavy metal, thereby allowing an agostic Pt···HN interaction. Formation of 5 is achieved via oxidation of the linkage isomer trans–[Pt(NH₃)₂(1-MeC-N3)₂]²⁺ (1) to a Pt^IV species (2), followed by metal migration to N4, and subsequent reduction to Pt^II. This process is a text-book example for a redox-assisted metal migration at a heterocyclic ligand. The existence of various rotamers of 5 in aqueous solution is evident from ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The possible role of these rotamers of the metalated rare tautomer, and in particular of those having Pt and the N3 position in an anti arrangement, with regard to base mispairing is discussed. Received: 27 February 1996 / Accepted: 10 June 1996     

Roles of cobalt in biosynthesis stimulation of a cytotoxic compound from marine-derived Aspergillus glaucus

Effects of trace elements on aspergiolide A biosynthesis by marine-derived filamentous fungus Aspergillus glaucus HB 1–19 were investigated. Cobalt (Co²⁺) and nickel (Ni²⁺) stimulated aspergiolide A biosynthesis while zinc (Zn²⁺) inhibited it. Equal cobalt (Co²⁺) addition at 48, 72 and 96 h with total amount of 0.052 mM most effectively enhanced aspergiolide A production. The time courses indicated that mycelia growth, sugar utilization and aspergiolide A biosynthesis were enhanced by Co²⁺. Finally, feeding 0.052 mM Co²⁺ increased mycelia growth, sugar utilization and aspergiolide A production by 12.2%, 13.7% and 46.7%, respectively. The results of organic acids analysis indicated that extracellular pyruvate increased while fumarate decreased in Co²⁺ addition cultures. Moreover, feeding vitamin B₁₂, which combined cobalt to be a cofactor form, increased aspergiolide A production by 59.1%. This indicated Co²⁺ functioned by facilitating pyruvate accumulation and increasing vitamin B₁₂ formation that were beneficial to aspergiolide A biosynthesis that is via polyketide pathway.     

Ca<Superscript>2+ </Superscript>and Cu<Superscript>2+ </Superscript>supplementation increases mannitol production by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Candida magnoliae</Emphasis>

Supplementation with CaCl₂·2H₂O (50 mg l⁻¹) or CuSO₄·5H₂O (10 mg l⁻¹) improved mannitol production by Candida magnoliae by 14.5 and 18.6% (25 and 32 g/L), respectively. When used in combination, they acted synergistically: Ca²⁺ decreased the intracellular concentration of mannitol 30%, whereas Cu²⁺ increased the intracellular activity of mannitol dehydrogenase 1.6-times more than control. Ca²⁺ probably works by altering the permeability of cells to mannitol, whereas, Cu²⁺ increases the activity of an enzyme responsible for mannitol biosynthesis.     

Density functional theory molecular modelling,DNA interactions,antioxidant, antimicrobial,anticancer and biothermodynamic studies of bioactive water soluble mixed ligand complexes

A novel series of bioactive water soluble mixed ligand complexes (1–5) [M^II(L)(phen)AcO]. nH₂O {where M?=?Cu (1) n?=?2; Co (2), Mn (3), Ni (4), n?=?4 and Zn (5) n?=?2} were synthesized from 2-(2-Morpholinoethylimino) methyl)phenol Schiff base ligand (LH), 1, 10-phenanthroline and metal(II) acetate salt in a 1:1:1 stoichiometric ratio and characterized by several spectral techniques. The obtained analytical and spectral data suggest the octahedral geometry around the central metal ion. Density functional theory calculations have been further supportive to explore the optimized structure and chemical reactivity of these complexes from their frontier molecular orbitals. Gel electrophoresis result indicates that complex (1) manifested an excellent DNA cleavage property than others. The observed binding constants with free energy changes by electronic absorption technique and DNA binding affinity values by viscosity measurements for all compounds were found in the following order (1)?>?(2)?>?(4)?>?(5)?>?(3) > (LH). The binding results and thermodynamic parameters are described the intercalation mode. In vitro antioxidant properties disclose that complex (1) divulges high scavenging activity against DPPH^?, ^?OH, O₂^?? NO^?, and Fe³⁺. The antimicrobial reports illustrate that the complexes (1–5) were exhibited well defined inhibitory effect than ligand (LH) against the selected different pathogenic species. The observed percentage growth inhibition against A549, HepG2, MCF-7, and NHDF cell lines suggest that complex (1) has exhibited superior anticancer potency than others. Thus, the complex (1) may contribute as potential anticancer agent due to its unique interaction mode with DNA.GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma     

Synthesis and antioxidant properties of diphenylmethane derivative bromophenols including a natural product

Bromination of bis(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)methanone (5) gave four products (6–9) with mono, di, tri, and tetra Br under different conditions. Reduction and demethylation reactions of product 9 with tetra Br were performed, consecutively and a natural product, 5,5′-methylene bis(3,4-dibrombenzene-1,2-diol) (1), was obtained with a 53% yield. Five derivatives, (13–17) (bromophenols), of 1 were also synthesised. The antioxidant and radical scavenging activities of bromophenols 1 and 13–17 were determined by employing various in vitro assays such as 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl free radical (DPPH^?), 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS^?+), N,N-dimethyl-p-phenylenediamine dihydrochloride radical cation (DMPD^?+), and superoxide anion radical (O₂^?-) scavenging, reducing ability determination by the Fe³⁺-Fe²⁺ and Cu²⁺-Cu⁺ cupric reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC) transformation methods, hydrogen peroxide scavenging, and ferrous ion (Fe²⁺) chelating activities. Moreover, these activities were compared to those of synthetic standard antioxidant compounds such as butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), α-tocopherol, and trolox. The results showed that the synthesised bromophenols had effective antioxidant power.     

Biochemical characterization of Helicobacter pylori α-1,4 fucosyltransferase: metal ion requirement, donor substrate specificity and organic solvent stability

The effect of metal ions on the activity, the donor substrate specificity, and the stability in organic solvents of Helicobacter pylori α-1,4 fucosyltransferase were studied. The recombinant enzyme was expressed as soluble form in E. coli strain AD494 and purified in a one step affinity chromatography. Its activity was highest in cacodylate buffer at pH 6.5 in the presence of 20 mM Mn²⁺ ions at 37°C. Mn²⁺ ions could be substituted by other metal ions. In all cases, Mn²⁺ ions proofed to be the most effective (Mn²⁺ > Co²⁺ > Ca²⁺ > Mg²⁺ > Cu²⁺ > Ni²⁺ > EDTA). The enzyme shows substrate specificity for Type I disaccharide (1) with a K _M of 114 μM. In addition, the H. pylori α-1,4 fucosyltransferase efficiently transfers GDP-activated l-fucose derivatives to Galβ1-3GlcNAc-OR (1). Interestingly, the presence of organic solvents such as DMSO and methanol up to 20% in the reaction medium does not affect significantly the enzyme activity. However, at the same concentration of dioxane, activity is totally abolished.     

甲烷菌对厌氧真菌不同碳源代谢的影响

【目的】探讨碳源和甲烷菌对厌氧真菌碳代谢的影响。【方法】利用体外批次厌氧发酵法,比较厌氧真菌纯培养(Orpinomyces sp.和Neocallimastix sp.)及其与甲烷菌共培养(F1:Orpinomyces sp.+Methanobrevibacter sp.和N3:Neocallimastix sp.+Methanobrevibacter sp.)发酵不同类型碳水化合物代谢产物的差异。【结果】对厌氧真菌和甲烷菌共培养F1和N3的研究显示,F1发酵木薯粉[(26.44±0.22)mmol/L]的乳酸产量是发酵玉米芯[(1.31±0.04)mmol/L]的20.18倍,是N3发酵木薯粉[(1.59±0.03)mmol/L]的16.63倍,玉米芯[(0.79±0.08)mmol/L]的33.47倍。当F1和N3中的厌氧真菌纯培养时,各组乳酸产量均1.90 mmol/L。对F1进一步研究,结果显示发酵体系中木薯粉添加量在0.8%–2.0%之间时,乳酸产量随木薯粉添加量增加而增加。当含量在1.0%–2.4%之间时,随木薯粉添加量增加,甲烷和乙酸产量逐渐降低。比较F1发酵大米粉、木薯粉、玉米粉、小麦粉和土豆粉的发酵结果,发现乳酸产量与底物中支链淀粉的含量成正相关(R2=0.9554)。当F1发酵葡萄糖和麦芽糖时,乳酸产量5.00 mmol/L。当以麦芽糊精为底物时,乳酸产量高达(28.00±0.95)mmol/L。【结论】本文首次报道碳源和甲烷菌能够增强厌氧真菌的乳酸代谢途径并且这种增强存在种属特异性。     

Enzymes for heme biosynthesis are found in both the mitochondrion and plastid of the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum

All eight enzymes required for de novo heme biosynthesis have been predicted from the nuclear genome of the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. We have studied the subcellular localization of three of these using a GFP reporter in live transfected parasites. The first enzyme in the pathway d-aminolevulinic acid synthase (ALAS) is targeted to the mitochondrion, but the next two enzymes porphobilinogen synthase (PBGS) and hydroxymethylbilane synthase (HMBS) are targeted to the plastid. An enzymatically active recombinant version of PBGS from P. falciparum was over-expressed and its activity found to be stimulated by Mg²⁺(and enhanced by Mn²⁺) but not by Zn²⁺. A hypothetical scheme for the exchange of intermediates in heme biosynthesis between the mitochondrion and plastid organelle, as well as organelle attachment is discussed.     

Effects of Trialkyltin Chlorides on Escherichia coli Spheroplasts

Valsa ceratosperma, which is the pathogenic fungus of apple canker, was grown in a synthetic medium. The neutral extract from the culture filtrate was chromatographed on a silica gel column to give five isocoumarins. Their structures were determined by MS, UV, IR, ¹H and ¹³C NMR, and CD spectra. Three of them were known compounds; ( ? )-5-methylmellein (1), ( ? )-5-carboxylmellein (2) and ( ? )-5-hydroxylmethylmellein (3). Since the absolute configurations at C-3 in 2 and 3 were not known until now, both were determined to be R by chemical correlations. The two were new compounds; ( + )-(3R,4S)-trans-4-hydroxy-5-methylmellein (4) and ( ? )-(3R,4R)-cis-4-hydroxy-5-methylmellein (5). All the five compounds showed phytotoxicity in a bioassay using detached apple shoots and lettuce seedlings.     

1-(<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-Trifluoroacetylamino)alkylphosphonic acids: synthesis and properties

Summary. The 1-(N-trifluoroacetylamino)alkylphosphonic acids (TFA-AA^P) – sub-products in the synthesis of O,O-dialkyl 1-(N-trifluoroacetylamino)alkylphosphonates and O,O-diethyl 1-aminoalkylphosphonates, were synthesized in two-stage transformations of 1-aminoalkylphosphonic acids including: trifluoroacetylation of 1-aminoalkylphosphonic acids (AA^P) using a trifluoroacetic anhydride/trifluoroacetic acid reagent (AA^P + TFAA/TFA→2) and subsequent hydrolysis of the intermediary compounds 2 into desired TFA-AA^P (2→TFA-AA^P). These intermediates 2 presented mixtures of the type of mixed anhydrides of TFAA and 1-(N-trifluoroacetylamino)alkylphosphonic, pyrophosphonic and polyphosphonic acids, which underwent rapid and quantitative conversion to corresponding TFA-AA^P during treatment with an excess of water. The title acids were isolated by direct evaporation of the corresponding post-reaction mixtures, and their physicochemical proprieties, including deacylation abilities, were determined. TFA-AA^P compounds can be re-converted into the starting amino acids AA^P under respectively mild conditions (AA^P→TFA-AA^P→AA^P).     

2-<Superscript>14</Superscript>C-methylerythritol 2,4-cyclodiphosphate incorporation into bacterial and plant isoprenoids

To work out a test system for studying the inhibition of isoprenoid biosynthesis through non-mevalonate pathway, the conversion of 2-¹⁴C-methylerythritol 2,4-cyclodiphosphate ( ¹⁴ C-MEC) into isoprenoids of three bacteria species and into plastids of 11 higher plant species was studied. The highest efficiency (up to 63%) of the process was observed with chromoplasts from narcissus (Narcissus pseudonarcissus L.) and celandine (Chelidonium majus L.). Twenty five percent of added ¹⁴C-MEC was recovered in an isoprenoid fraction of red pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) chromoplasts. Thus, these three models can be used to test antibiotic inhibitors of isoprenoid biosynthesis.     

Electrochemical bromochlorination of peracetylated glycals

Peracetylated glycals—3,4,5-tri-O-acetyl-d-glucal (1a), 3,4,5-tri-O-acetyl-d-galactal (1b) and 3,4-di-O-acetyl-6-deoxy-l-glucal (1c)—have been bromochlorinated by a suitable halogenating agent, generated electrochemically from a mixture of bromides and chlorides in dichloromethane. The reaction was performed in two ways: (i) by a constant current electrolysis (2 F mol⁻¹) of bromides and substrates in a milieu containing an excess of chlorides (Br^?/1/Cl^? = 1:1:6.8) and (ii) by anodic generation of free chlorine from chlorides (2 F mol⁻¹) and subsequent addition of bromides and substrates in a ratio Br^?/1 = 1:1. The corresponding 2-bromo-2-deoxy-glycopyranosyl chlorides were obtained in high yields.