Characterization of RbmD (Glycosyltransferase in Ribostamycin Gene Cluster) through neomycin production reconstituted from the engineered <Emphasis Type="Italic">Streptomyces fradiae</Emphasis> BS1

Amino acid homology analysis predicted that rbmD, a putative glycosyltransferase from Streptomyces ribosidificus ATCC 21294, has the highest homology with neoD in neomycin biosynthesis. S. fradiae BS1, in which the production of neomycin was abolished, was generated by disruption of the neoD gene in the neomycin producer S. fradiae. The restoration of neomycin by self complementation suggested that there was no polar effect in the mutant. In addition, S. fradiae BS6 was created with complementation by rbmD in S. fradiae BS1, and secondary metabolite analysis by ESI/MS, LC/MS and MS/MS showed the restoration of neomycin production in S. fradiae BS6. These gene inactivation and complementation studies suggested that, like neoD, rbmD functions as a 2-N-acetlyglucosaminyltransferase and demonstrated the potential for the generation of novel aminoglycoside antibiotics using glycosyltransferases in vivo.     

Functional characterization of kanB by complementing in engineered Streptomycesfradiae ?neo6::tsr

A putative aminotransferase gene, kanB, lies in the biosynthetic gene cluster of Streptomyces kanamyceticus ATCC 12853 and has 66% identity with neo6 in neomycin biosynthesis. Streptomyces fradiae ∆neo6::tsr was generated by disrupting neo6 in the neomycin producer Streptomyces fradiae. Neomycin production was completely abolished in the disruptant mutant but was restored through self-complementation of neo6. S. fradiae HN4 was generated through complementation with kanB in Streptomyces fradiae ∆neo6::tsr. Based on metabolite analysis by ESI/MS and LC/MS, neomycin production was restored in Streptomyces fradiae HN4. Thus, like neo6, kanB also functions as a 2-deoxy-scyllo-inosose aminotransferase that has dual functions in the formation of 2-deoxy-scyllo-inosose (DOS). Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Biotransformation of zerumbone by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Caragana chamlagu</Emphasis>

Suspension cultured cells of Caragana chamlagu (Leguminosae) converted zerumbone (1) into zerumbone epoxide (2) as the intermediate, (2R,3R,7R)-2,3-epoxy-9-humulen-8-one (3) and (2R,3S,7R)-2,3-epoxy-9-humulen-8-one (4) as new sesquiterpenes in 11%, 36% and 21% yields, respectively.     

The Synthesis of Enantiomerically Pure Pyrazolo[4,3-c]pyridine Carbarzbo C-Nucleoside

Abstract

The synthesis of (-)-3-[(1S,2S,3R,4R)-2,3-dihydroxy-4-(hydroxmethyl) cyclopentan-1-yl]-1H-pyrazolo[4,3-c]pyridme-4,6(5H,7H)-dione 3 was accomplished via enantiomerically pure carbocyclic 5-(β-D-ribofuranosyl)tetrazole 4.     

Preparation of Optically Pure cis-2,4-Dimethyl-l-cyclohexanones,the Key Intermediates in Cycloheximide Synthesis,Using Microbial Resolution

Asymmetric hydrolysis of acetate (10) of (±)-t-2,t-4-dimethyl-r-l-cyclohexanol with Bacillus subtilis var. niger gave (?)-(lS,2S,4S)-2,4-dimethyl-l-cyclohexanol (6a) and (+)-(1R,2R,4R)-acetate (10b) with high optical purities. Optically pure (?) and (+)-alcohols (6a and 6b) were prepared via corresponding 3,5-dinitrobenzoates. Oxidation of alcohols (6a and 6b) with chromic acid gave optically pure (?)-(2S,4S) and (+)-(2R,4R)-2,4-dimethyl-l-cyclohexanones (2a and 2b), respectively.     

New lanostane-type triterpenoids, inonotsutriols D, and E, from Inonotus obliquus

Two new lanostane-type triterpenoids, inonotsutriols D (1) and E (2), were isolated from the sclerotia of Inonotus obliquus (Pers.: Fr.) Pil. (Japanese name: kabanoanatake; Russian name: chaga). Their structures were determined to be lanost-8-ene-3β,22R,24R-triol (1) and lanost-8-ene-3β,22R,24S-triol (2) on the basis of spectral data, including 2D NMR analysis. In addition, major compounds, inotodiol (3), trametenolic acid (4), 3β-hydroxylanosta-8,24-dien-21-al (5), 21-hydroxylanosterol (6), inonotsuoxide A (7) and inonotsuoxide B (8) were identified, and all compounds, except 2, were evaluated for their cancer cell growth inhibitory activity against P388, HL-60, L1210 and KB cell lines.     

Synthesis and Antimicrobial Activity of Chiral cis-Cycloheximide Isomers

Such (+)- and (?)-cis-cycloheximide isomers as isocyclohcximide (1a, 1b), α-epiisocycloheximide (2a, 2b) and neocycloheximide (3a, 3b) were synthesized by aldol condensation of (?)-(2R, 4R)- and (+)-(2S, 4S)-cis-2,4-dimethyl-1-cyclohexanone (5a, 5b). obtained by microbial resolution, with 4-(2-oxoethyl)-2,6-piperidinedione (7). The absolute configuration of the (?)-cis-ketone 5a was confirmed by chemical correlation with natural (2S, 4S, 6S, αR)-cycloheximide (4). The newly synthesized isomer, (?)-α-epiisocycloheximide (2b), showed strong antimicrobial activity against S. cerevisiae andP. oryzae close to that of natural cycloheximide (4).     

Asymmetric Hydrolysis of Prochiral Diesters with Pig Liver Esterase. Preparation of Optically Active Intermediates for the Synthesis of (+)-Biotin and (+)-α-Methyl-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine

With pig liver esterase, 1,3-dibenzyl-4,5-cis-bis(alkyloxycarbonyl)-2-oxoimidazolidine (1) was asymmetrically hydrolyzed to (4S,5R)-1,3-dibenzyl-5-alkyloxycarbonyl-2-oxoimidazolidine-4-carboxylic acid (2). This acid 2 was reduced with lithium borohydride to (4S,5R)-1,3-dibenzyl-5-hydroxymethyl-2-oxoimidazolidine-4-carboxylic acid lactone (3), which is known to be converted to (+)-biotin (4). With the same esterase, diethyl 3,4-dimethoxyphenylmethyl-(methyl)malonate (5) was asymmetrically hydrolyzed to (R)-ethyl hydrogen 3,4-dimethoxy-phenylmethyl(methyl)malonate (6), which can be converted to (S)-α-methyl-3,4-dihydroxyphenyl-alanine(l-α-methyldopa) (9).     

Synthesis of Both the Enantiomers of 3-Octanol,the Pheromone of Various Species of Ants

(2S,3R,1′S,2′S)-Serricorole (1) and (2S,3R,1′R)-serricorone (2), sex pheromone components of the cigarette beetle (Lasioderma serricorne F.), were synthesized, starting from the enantiomers of methyl 3-hydroxypentanoate. The stereochemistry of the naturally occurring 1 was determined to be 2S,3R,1′S,2′S, and that of 2 to be 2S,3R,1′RS by comparing between the CD spectra of the natural and synthetic samples.     

Synthesis of Annonaceous Acetogenins from Muricatacin

Synthetic studies of annonaceous acetogenins starting from (?)-muricatacin (1a) or (+)-muricatacin are described, involving (?)-muricatacin (1a), mono-THF acetogenin, solamin (2), reticulatacin (3), (15R, 16R, 19S, 20S)-cis-solamin (4a) and (15S, 16S, 19R, 20R)-cis-solamin (4b), non-adjacent bis-THF acetogenin, 4-deoxygigantecin (5), and epoxide-bearing acetogenin, (15S, 16R, 19S, 20R)-diepomuricanin (6a).     

Syntheses of 2-Deoxy-2-[(2R,3S)-2-fluoro-3-hydroxytetradecanamido]-3-O-[(3R)-3-hydroxytetradecanoyl]-4-O-phosphono-D-glucopyranose and Its (2S,3R)-Isomer

2-Deoxy-2-[(2R,3S)-2-fluoro-3-hydroxytetradecanamido]-3-O-[(3R)-3-hydroxytetradecanoyl]-4-O-phosphono-D-glucopyranose and its (2S,3R)-isomer were respectively synthesized from allyl 2-[(2R,3S)-3-(benzyloxycarbonyloxy)-2-fluorotetradecanamido]-2-deoxy-4,6-O-isopropylidene-β-D-glucopyranoside and its corresponding (2S,3R)-isomer. Both target compounds did not activate macrophage, but the (2S,3R)-analogue strongly inhibited the binding of LPS to macrophage.     

Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of 1,3-Oxathiolane 5-Azapyrimidine, 6-Azapyrimidine,and Fluorosubstituted 3-Deazapyrimidine Nucleosides

Abstract

(2R,5S)-5-Amino-2-[2-(hydroxymethyl)-1,3-oxathiolan-5-y1]-1,2,4-triazine-3(2H)-one (8) and (2R,5R)-5-amino-2-[2-(hydroxymethyl)-1,3-oxathiolan-5-y1]-1,2,4-triazine-3(2H)-one (9) have been synthesized via a multi-step procedure from 6-azauridine. (2R,5S)-4-Amino-1-[2-(hydroxymethyl)-1,3-oxathiolan-5-y1]-1,3,5-triazine-2(1H)-one (11) and (2R,5R)-4-amino-1-[2-(hydroxymethyl)-1,3-oxathiolan-5-y1]-1,3,5-triazine-2(1H)-one (12), and the fluorosubstituted 3-deazanucleosides (19–24) have been synthesized by the transglycosylation of (2R,5S)-1-{2-[[(tert-butyldiphenylsilyl) oxy]methyl]-1,3-oxathiolan-5-y1} cytosine (2) with silylated 5-azacytosine and the corresponding silylated fluorosubstituted 3-deazacytosines, respectively, in the presence of trimethylsilyl trifluoromethanesulfonate as the catalyst in anhydrous dichloroethane, followed by deprotection of the blocking groups. These compounds were tested in vitro for cytotoxicity against L1210, B₁₆F₁₀, and CCRF-CEM tumor cell lines and for antiviral activity against HIV-1 and HBV.     

Synthesis and Antimicrobial Activity of Optically Active trans-Cycloheximide Isomers

Optically active tiraras-cycloheximide isomers such as cycloheximide [(2S,4S,6R,αR)-form (1)], naramycin B[(25,4S,6RαR)-form(4)], and new stereoisomers (2S,4S,6S,αS)-form (8) and (2S,4S,6R,αS)-from (9) were synthesized by an aldol condensation of trans-2,4-dimethyl-l-cyclohexanone (5b), with 4-(2-oxoethyl)-2,6-piperidinedione(6). The antimicrobial activity of trans- cycloheximide isomers (1, 4, 8, and 9) was examined against S. cerevisiae and P. oryzae. The stereoisomers 1 and 4 exhibited marked antimicrobial activity against both microorganisms as compared with their C- α-epimers 8 and 9.     

Efficient Synthesis of (22R,23R,24S)-22,23-Isopropylidenedioxy-5α-ergost-2-en-6-one,a Key Intermediate in the Preparation of Brassinolide

(22R,23R,24S)-22,23-Isopropylidenedioxy-5α-ergost-2-en-6-one 2b is an important intermediate of brassinolide. We found that the enone 2b can be prepared by transformation of (22R,23R,24S)-3α,5-cyclo-22,23-isopropylidenedioxy-5α-ergostan-6-one 5b with catalytic amount of both p-TsOH and NaBr in DMF under reflux. 5b was prepared from (22R,23R,24S)-3α,5-cyclo-22,23-dihydroxy-6β-methoxy-5α-ergostane 9b or a 6β-benzyloxy compound 9c, which was obtained in a manner similar to Mori’s brassinolide synthesis. The enone 2b was eventually prepared via a benzyl ether 9c from stigmasterol 3a in a 15.5% yield in 11 steps.     

Comparison of engineered <Emphasis Type="Italic">Saccharomyces cerevisiae</Emphasis> and engineered <Emphasis Type="Italic">Escherichia coli</Emphasis> for the production of an optically pure keto alcohol

In this study, the production of enantiomerically pure (1R,4S,6S)-6-hydroxy-bicyclo[2.2.2]octane-2-one ((−)-2) through stereoselective bioreduction was used as a model reaction for the comparison of engineered Saccharomyces cerevisiae and engineered Escherichia coli as biocatalysts. For both microorganisms, over-expression of the gene encoding the NADPH-dependent aldo-keto reductase YPR1 resulted in high purity of the keto alcohol (−)-2 (>99% ee, 97–98% de). E. coli had three times higher initial reduction rate but S. cerevisiae continued the reduction reaction for a longer time period, thus reaching a higher conversion of the substrate (95%). S. cerevisiae was also more robust than E. coli, as demonstrated by higher viability during bioreduction. It was also investigated whether the NADPH regeneration rate was sufficient to supply the over-expressed reductase with NADPH. Five strains of each microorganism with varied carbon flux through the NADPH regenerating pentose phosphate pathway were genetically constructed and compared. S. cerevisiae required an increased NADPH regeneration rate to supply YPR1 with co-enzyme while the native NADPH regeneration rate was sufficient for E. coli. Nádia Skorupa Parachin and Magnus Carlquist have contributed equally to the paper.     

Experimental and Calculated CPL Spectra and Related Spectroscopic Data of Camphor and Other Simple Chiral Bicyclic Ketones

UV, circular dichroism (CD), fluorescence and circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) spectra were recorded for a set of four related [2.2.1] bicyclic compounds ((1S,4S)‐and (1R,4R)‐1,7,7‐trimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptan‐2‐one, namely (1S)‐ and (1R)‐camphor ( 1 ), (1S,4R)‐4,7,7‐trimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]hept‐5‐en‐2‐one, (1S)‐dehydro‐epicamphor ( 2 ), (1S,4S)‐1,7,7‐trimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptane‐2,5‐dione, (1S)‐5‐oxocamphor ( 3 ), (1S,4R)‐ and (1R,4S)‐1,7,7‐trimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptane‐2,3‐dione, (1S)‐ and (1R)‐camphorquinone ( 4 )) and a set of three related [2.2.2] bicyclic compounds (1S,4S)‐bicyclo[2.2.2]octan‐2,5‐dione (saturated diketone ( 5 )), (1R,4R)‐bicyclo[2.2.2]oct‐7‐en‐2,5‐dione (unsaturated diketone ( 6 )), ((1S,4S)‐bicyclo[2.2.2]oct‐7‐en‐5(S)‐ol‐2‐one (which we refer to as unsaturated hydroxy‐ketone ( 7 )). For the latter three compounds also mid‐IR vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) spectra were recorded and are presented. Time‐Dependent Density Functional (TD‐DFT) calculations provide a satisfactory interpretation of both absorption and emission chiroptical spectra and permit insight into ground and excited state electronic properties. We discuss the applicability of the octant rule or of other approximated models to rationalize the observed sign of the CPL. Chirality 25:589–599, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Unique Carotenoids in the Terrestrial Cyanobacterium <Emphasis Type="Italic">Nostoc commune</Emphasis> NIES-24: 2-Hydroxymyxol 2′-Fucoside,Nostoxanthin and Canthaxanthin

Cyanobacteria produce some carotenoids. We identified the molecular structures, including the stereochemistry, of all the carotenoids in the terrestrial cyanobacterium, Nostoc commune NIES-24 (IAM M-13). The major carotenoid was β-carotene. Its hydroxyl derivatives were (3R)-β-cryptoxanthin, (3R,3′R)-zeaxanthin, (2R,3R,3′R)-caloxanthin, and (2R,3R,2′R,3′R)-nostoxanthin, and its keto derivatives were echinenone and canthaxanthin. The unique myxol glycosides were (3R,2′S)-myxol 2′-fucoside and (2R,3R,2′S)-2-hydroxymyxol 2′-fucoside. This is only the second species found to contain 2-hydroxymyxol. We propose possible carotenogenesis pathways based on our identification of the carotenoids: the hydroxyl pathway produced nostoxanthin via zeaxanthin from β-carotene, the keto pathway produced canthaxanthin from β-carotene, and the myxol pathway produced 2-hydroxymyxol 2′-fucoside via myxol 2′-fucoside. This cyanobacterium was found to contain many kinds of carotenoids and also displayed many carotenogenesis pathways, while other cyanobacteria lack some carotenoids and a part of carotenogenesis pathways compared with this cyanobacterium.     

α-Hydroxyphosphonate Oligonucleotides: A Promising DNA Type?

Abstract

The synthesis of monomers ( S )-1, ( R )-1 and 2 derived from (5′ S )-, (5′ R )-2′-deoxythymidine-5′-C-phosphonic acids and 2′,5′-dideoxythymidine-5′-C-phosphonic acids was elaborated. The protection of the 5′-hydroxyl by the methoxycarbonyl group was a key step of the synthesis. Prepared monomers were used for the solid-phase assembly of several types oligothymidylate 15-mers ( S )-3, ( S )-4, ( S )-5, ( R )-4 and ( R )-5 containing the chiral 3′-O-P-CH(OH)-5″ internucleotide linkage. Their hybridization properties with dA₁₅ and rA₁₅ were studied as well as their resistance against nuclease cleavage.     

Stereoselective reduction of 2-azido-1-phenylethanone derivatives by whole cells of marine-derived fungi applied to synthesis of enantioenriched β-hydroxy-1,2,3-triazoles

Several marine-derived fungi were evaluated by the bioreduction of 2-azido-1-phenylethanone 1, and the strains A. sydowii CBMAI 935 and M. racemosus CBMAI 847 were selected for the reduction of 2-azido-1-phenylethanone derivatives 2–4. Whole cells of A. sydowii CBMAI 935 promoted the reduction of 2-azido-1-phenylethanones 1–4 with high selectivities to yield the (S)-2-azido-1-phenylethanols 1a–4a. Bioreduction of compounds 1–4 by M. racemosus CBMAI 847 led to (R)-2-azido-1-phenylethanols for 1, 2 and 4 and (S)-2-azido-1-phenylethanol 3. Enantiomerically enriched 2-azido-1-phenylethanols 1a–4a and phenylacetylene 5 were applied in the synthesis of β-hydroxy-1,2,3-triazoles using CuSO₄ and sodium ascorbate leading to regioselective formation of enantioenriched 1,4-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazole compounds 1b–4b.     

Synthesis of orthogonally protected (<Emphasis Type="Italic">3R</Emphasis>,<Emphasis Type="Italic">4S</Emphasis>)- and (<Emphasis Type="Italic">3S</Emphasis>,<Emphasis Type="Italic">4S</Emphasis>)-4,5-diamino-3-hydroxypentanoic acids

Summary.  The paper describes two methods of the synthesis of ethyl (3R,4S)- and (3S,4S)-4-[(benzyloxycarbonyl)amino]-5-[(tert-butyloxycarbonyl)amino]-3-hydroxypentanoates, useful for the syntheses of edeine analogs. Differently N-protected (S)-2,3-diaminopropanoic acid was used as a substrate in both procedures. The absolute configuration of newly generated asymmetric carbon atoms C-3 in β-hydroxy-γ,δ-diamino products was assigned by means of ¹H NMR spectroscopy after their transformation into corresponding piperidin-2-ones. Received May 24, 2002 Accepted October 10, 2002 Published online December 18, 2002 Acknowledgment The authors are indebted to the Faculty of Chemistry, Technical University of Gdańsk for financial support. Authors' address: Zbigniew Czajgucki, M. Sc., Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Technical University of Gdańsk, 11/12 Narutowicza St., 80-952 Gdańsk, Poland, Fax +48 58 347 11 44, E-mail: zmczaj@wp.pl