An arabinogalactan from the seeds of Pseudium guava

Hemicelluloses of seeds of Pseudium guava containing d-galactose (59.6), d-arabinose (35.9), and a uronic acid (4.5%) were analyzed by methylation analysis and Smith-degradation analysis, and the following structural elements were deduced; chain residues of (1→4)-linked d-galactose, (1→5)-linked d-arabinose, and terminal d-arabinose residues. The following structure was assigned to the polysaccharide. →5)-d-Araf-(1→4)-d-Galf-(1→5)-d-Araf-(1→     

Specificity of sugar-phospholipid interactions

Previous studies by Lefevre et al. (6) have shown that phospholipids stimulate uptake of glucose and other sugars by lipid solvents and enhance transfer of glucose through solvent layers into water. In this paper the specificity of the process for different sugars is investigated by following uptake from thin films of sugars or from glass fiber strips coated with radioactive sugars. Hexoses were taken up slowly to molar ratios of sugar to lipid phosphorus of about 1:1. Pentoses and deoxy sugars were taken up 5–10 times more rapidly to molar ratios of between 1.5 and 2.5:1. Relative rates of formation of the complexes at 25 °C were (d-glucose = 1.0):l-fucose, 9.1; d-ribose, 6.1; d-arabinose, 5.5; l-rhamnose, 3.8; l-arabinose, 3.7; d-xylose, 3.6; d-lyxose, 3.1; 3-O-methyl-d-glucose, 1.52; d-mannose, 1.36; d-galactose, 1.13; sucrose, 0.03; and lactose, 0.015. Radioactive sugars bound to phospholipids exchanged readily with unlabeled sugar in the anhydrous state and the sugars passed slowly into the aqueous phase when the complexes were shaken with water. The relative rates of dissociation (d-glucose = 1.0): l-arabinose, 2.82; d-arabinose, 2.49; l-rhamnose, 2.26; l-fucose, 1.96; d-xylose, 1.65; 3-O-methyl-d-glucose, 0.37; d-galactose, 0.28 were in the same general order as formation, suggesting that a common intermediate may be involved in both processes. In general, sugars with high mutarotation rates reacted most rapidly indicating a possible relationship between the structural features which favor interaction with phospholipids and those which enhance mutarotation.     

Synthesis and preliminary biological assay of uridine glycoconjugate derivatives containing amide and/or 1,2,3-triazole linkers

A series of UDP-sugar analogues was synthesized and their preliminary biological activity was evaluated. Glycoconjugates of uridine 1 and 2 were synthesized by condensation of uridine-5′-carboxylic acid and 1-amino sugars derivatives of d-glucose and d-galactose, glycoconjugates 3 and 4 were synthesized by azide-alkyne 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition (CuAAC) of 1-azido sugars and propargylamide derivatives of uridine while glycoconjugates 5 and 6 were synthesized by CuAAC of propargyl β-O-glycosides and 5′-azido uridine. Evaluation of inhibitory activity of compounds 1–6 against commercially available β-1,4-galactosyltransferase I (β4GalT) show that compound 5 inhibited the enzyme in µmolar range. Additionally, the antitumor activity of the obtained glycoconjugates 1–6 were tested using MTT assay.     

Acetonation of d-ribose and d-arabinose with alkyl isopropenyl ethers

d-Ribose (1) in N,N-dimethylformamide containing a trace of p-toluenesulfonic acid is acetonated under kinetic control by ethyl (or methyl) isopropenyl ether (2) to give mainly 3,4-O-isopropylidene-β-d-ribopyranose (3), together with lesser proportions of 2,3-O-isopropylidene-d-ribofuranose (4), its 5-(2-alkoxy-2-propyl) ether (5 or 5a), and 1,5:2,3-di-O-isopropylidene-β-d-ribofuranose (6). Similar treatment of d-arabinose (10) gives mostly 3,4-O-isopropylidene-β-d-arabinopyranose (11) together with a minor proportion of 1,2:3,4-di-O-isopropylidene-β-d-arabinopyranose (12). The strucutres of the monoacetals 3 and 11 were confirmed by an acetylation-deacetonation-acetylation sequence.     

Syntheses of acetylated steroid glycosides and selective cleavage of O-acetyl groups in sugar moiety

Acetylated 3β-O-β-glycosyl steroid derivatives were synthesized by the reaction of a new polyhydroxysteroid 3β,5α,6β-trihydroxypregn-16-en-20-one (2) with the peracetylated 1-bromo derivatives of d-glucose and d-galactose, respectively. Subsequent protection by excess acetic anhydride in pyridine selectively gave the 6β-O-acetylated steroid glycosides. Deprotection of the acetylated steroid glycosides separately with moderate catalysis dibutyltin oxide in methanol selectively removed all acetyl groups of sugar moiety, whereas the acetyl group of the steroid part was retained. The structures of the steroid glycosides were confirmed by mass spectrometry, NMR and IR. The complete protocol was shown to be non-destructive at all stages to the sugar moieties and the steroid nucleus. These regioselective reactions open a route to the synthesis of a series of closely related isomers of 2 and other widespread polyhydroxysteroids and steroid glycosides in marine organisms and some terrestrial species.     

A synthetic approach to polysialogangliosides containing α-sialyl-(2 → 8)-sialic acid: total synthesis of ganglioside GD3

A stereocontrolled, facile total synthesis of ganglioside GD₃ is described as an example of a proposed systematic approach to the preparation of gangliosides containing an α-sialyl-(2 → 8)-sialic acid unit α-glycosidically linked to O-3 of a d-galactose reesidue in their oligosaccharide chains. Glycosylation of 2-(trimethylsilyl)ethyl 6-O-benzoyl-, 3-O-benzoyl-, or 3-O-benzyl-β-d-galactopyranosides, or 2-(trimethylsilyl)ethyl 2,3,6,2′,6′-penta-O-benzyl-β-lactoside (7), with methyl [phenyl 5-acetamido-8-O-(5-acetamido-4,7,8,9- tetra-O-acetyl-3,5-dideoxy-d-glycero-α-d-galacto-2-nonulopyranosyl-ono-1′,9-lactone)-4,7-di-O-acetyl-3,5-dideoxy-2-thio- d-glycero-d-galacto-2-nonulopyranosid]onate (3), using N-iodosuccinimide-trifluoromethanesulfonic acid as a promoter, gave the corresponding α glycosides 8 (32%), 13 (33%), 14 (48%), and 17 (31%), respectively. The glycyl donor 3 was prepared from O-(5-acetamido-3,5-dideoxy-d-glycero-α-d-galacto-2-nonulopyranosylonic acid)-(2 → 8)-5-acetamido-3,5-dideoxy-d-glycero- d-galacto-2-nonulopyranosonic acid by treatment with Amberlite IR-120 (H⁺) in methanol, O-acetylation, and subsequent replacement of the anomeric acetoxy group with phenylthio. Compound 8 was converted into the methyl β-thioglycoside via O-benzoylation, replacement of the 2-(trimethylsilyl)ethyl group by acetyl, and introduction of the methylthio group by reaction with methylthiotrimethylsilane. Compound 17 was converted, via O-acetylation, selective removal of the 2-(trimethylsilyl)ethyl group, and reaction with trichloroacetonitrile, into the α-trichloroacetimidate, which was coupled with (2S,3R,4E)-2-azido-3O-benzoyl-4-octadecene-1,3-diol to give the β-glycoside. This glycoside was easily transformed, via selective reduction of the azido group, condensation with octadecanoic acid, O-deacylation, and hydrolysis of the methyl ester and lactone functions, into ganglioside GD₃.     

Microbial metabolism of prenylated apigenin derivatives by Mucor hiemalis

6-Prenylapigenin (1) and 8-prenylapegenin (2) were semi-synthesized from apigenin by nuclear prenylation. Morusin (3) was isolated from the root bark of Morus alba L. The microbial transformation studies of these three bioactive prenylated apigenin derivatives were performed using eighteen cell cultures in order to select microorganisms capable of transforming them. It was identified that Mucor hiemalis (KCTC 26779) showed the ability to metabolize the parent compounds (1–3) into three new (4–6) and one known (7) glucosylated derivatives with high efficiency. Their structures were established as 6-prenylapigenin 7-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (4), 8-prenylapigenin 7-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (5), morusin 5-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (6), and morusin 4′-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (7) by the spectroscopic methods.     

1,4-anhydride formation of solvolysis of 1,6-disubstituted derivatives of 2,3,4,5-tetra-O-acetylallitol

The 6-O-mesyl, 6-O-tosyl, 6-bromo-6-deoxy, and 6-deoxy-6-iodo derivatives of 1,4-anhydro-DL-allitol were obtained by treatment of the corresponding 1,6-di-substituted derivatives (2, 3, 6, 4) of 2,3,4,5-tetra-O-acetylallitol with hot, methanolic hydrogen chloride. Compounds 2 and 3 were prepared by the acetolysis of the 1,6-di-O-mesyl and 1,6-di-O-tosyl derivatives (8 and 11) of di-O-benzylideneallitol. Iodide displacement on 2 gave 4, and detritylation-bromination of 2,3,4,5-tetra-O-acetyl-1,6-di-O-tritylallitol (5) gave 6. The acetal residues of di-O-benzylideneallitol have been shown to span the secondary carbon atoms.     

Synthesis of 2,6-di(acylamino)-2,6-dideoxy-3-O-(d-2-propanoyl-l-alanyl-d-isoglutamine)-d-glucopyranoses

Five 2,6-di(acylamino)-2,6-dideoxy-3-O-(d-2-propanoyl-l-alanyl-d-isoglutamine)-d-glucopyranoses (lipophilic, muramoyl dipeptide analogs) were synthesized from benzyl 2-(benzyloxycarbonylamino)-3-O-(d-1-carboxyethyl)-2-deoxy-5,6-O-isopropylidene-β-dglucopyranoside (1). Methanesulfonylation of 3, derived from the methyl ester of 1 by O-deisopropylidenation, gave the 6-methanesulfonate (4). (Tetrahydropyran-2-yl)ation of 4 gave benzyl 2-(benzyloxycarbonylamino)-2-deoxy-3-O-[d-1-(methoxycarbonyl)ethyl]-6-O-(methylsulfonyl)-5-O-(tetrahydropyran-2-yl)-β-d- glucofuranoside, which was treated with sodium azide to give the corresponding 6-azido derivative (6). Condensation of benzyl 6-amino-2-(benzyloxycarbonyl-amino)-2,6-dideoxy-3-O-[d-1-(methoxycarbonyl)ethyl]-5-O-(tetrahydropyran-2-yl)-β-d-glucofuranoside, derived from 6 by reduction, with the activated esters of octanoic, hexadecanoic, and eicosanoic acid gave the corresponding 6-N-fatty acyl derivatives (8–10). Coupling of the 2-amino derivatives, obtained from compounds 8, 9, and 10 by catalytic reduction, with the activated esters of the fatty acids, gave the 2,6-(diacylamino)-2,6-dideoxy derivatives (11–15). Condensation of the acids, formed from 11–15 by de-esterification, with the benzyl ester of l-alanyl-d-isoglutamine, and subsequent hydrolysis, afforded benzyl 2,6-di(acylamino)-2,6-dideoxy-3-O-(d-2-propanoyl-l-alanyl-d-isoglutamine benzyl ester)-β-d-glucofuranosides. Hydrogenation of the dipeptide derivatives thus obtained gave the five lipophilic analogs of 6-amino-6-deoxymuramoyl dipeptide, respectively, in good yields.     

Synthesis and antibacterial activities of a novel alkylide: 3-O-(3-aryl-2-propargyl) and 3-O-(3-aryl-2-propenyl)clarithromycin derivatives

A series of novel 3-O-(3-aryl-E-2-propenyl)clarithromycin derivatives 8 and 3-O-(3-aryl-2-propargyl)clarithromycin derivatives 11 were designed, synthesized, and evaluated for their in vitro antibacterial activities. Compared with 8c and 11c (Ar was 5-pyrimidyl), 3-O-(3-(5′-pyrimidyl)-Z-1-propenyl) counterpart 6c displayed 4- to 64-fold more potent activities against erythromycin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pneumoniae. Moreover, the activities of 6c, 8c, and 11c against erythromycin-resistant S. aureus and S. pneumoniae were in general 4-fold higher than those of the reference compound, clarithromycin and azithromycin.     

Oligosaccharides from “standardized intermediates”. Synthesis of a branched tetrasaccharide glycoside isomeric with the blood-group B,type 2 determinant

Building-block derivatives of the component monosaccharides were used to construct the tetrasaccharide glycoside 15, in which an α- d-Galp-(1→4)- d-Gal linkage replaces the α-(1→3) linkage of the human blood-group B, type 2, determinant structure. The initial coupling of 2-O-benzoyl-3,6-di-O-benzyl-4-O-(tetrahydropyran-2-yl)-α- d-galactopyranosyl chloride to allyl 2-acetamido-3,6-di-O-benzyl-2-deoxy-β- d-glucopyranoside was followed by selective deprotection of the disaccharide product, either at O-4′ (to give 8) or O-2′ (to give 3). The conversion of 8 into 15 involved successive coupling with tetra-O-benzyl-α- d-galactopyranosyl bromide ( 8 → 11), O-debenzoylation at O-2′ ( 11 → 12), coupling with tri-O-benzyl-α- l-fucopyranosyl bromide ( 12 → 14), and O-debenzylation by hydrogenolysis ( 14 → 15). Alternatively, 3 was α- l-fucosylated to give 6, and 6 was selectively deprotected at O-4′ to give 7. However, attempts to α- d-galactosylate 7 were unsuccessful. The unsubstituted forms of the intermediate disaccharide ( 8) and trisaccharide ( 12) glycosides were obtained by appropriate deblocking procedures.     

Hydrogenolysis of benzylidene acetals of 1,6-anhydro-β-d-galactopyranose derivatives with the LiAlH4—AlCl3 reagent

Benzylidenation of 1,6-anhydro-β-d-galactopyranose (1) and its 2-O-acetyl (2) and 2-O-allyl (3) derivatives under various conditions afforded mixtures of 1,6-anhydro-exo- and -endo-3,4-O-benzylidene-β-d-galactopyranose (4 and 5) and the2-O-acetyl (6 and 7) and 2-O-allyl (8 and 9) derivatives, respectively. Hydrogenolysis of the exo (4 and 8) or the endo (5 and 9) derivatives with the LiAlH₂—AlCl₃ reagent gave only the 3-O-benzyl derivatives (10 and 11).     

The preparation of 6-deoxy-3-O-methyl-6-nitro-D-altrose

The title compound(9) a new nitro sugar and potential starting-point for the synthesis of hitherto unknown stereoisomers in the deoxynitroinositol series, was prepared by a sequence of high-yielding reactions. Methyl 2.3-anhydro-4.6-O- benzylidene-α-D-mannopyranoside was converted into methyl 3-O-methyl-α-D-altropyranoside(3) by the action of sodium methoxide followed by debenzylidenation esssentially according to established procedures. Acetolysis of3 and subsequent Zemple´n transesterification gave syrupy 3-O-methyl-D-altrose, from which the furanoid 1,2:5.6-di-O-isopropylidene and 1,2-O-isopropylidene(7) derivatives were prepared by standard acetonation and partial Hydrolysis Periodate oxidation of 7, and addition of nitromethane to the product. furnished crystalline 6-deoxy-1.2-O-isopropylidene-3-O-methyl-6-nitro-β-D-altrofuranose(8) as the chief epimer. Deacetonation of8 by trifluoroacetic acid9 in crystalline form.     

Transformation of 8-prenylnaringenin by Absidia coerulea and Beauveria bassiana

Beauveria bassiana AM278 and Absidia coerulea AM93 converted 8-prenylnaringenin (1) into two glycoside derivatives (7-O-β-d-glucopyranoside) (2) and 7-O-β-d-4?-O-methylglucopyranoside) (3) in high yields in processes conducted in Saboraud medium. 8-Prenylnaringenin 7-O-β-d-4?-O-methylglucopyranoside (3) is a new compound. 8-Prenylnaringenin-7-sulfate (4) was obtained in transformation of 1 by Absidia coerulea AM93 in a buffer. Formation of conjugated products in this study proceeds in a manner analogous to mammalian systems which indicates the potential use of microbes to mimic mammalian metabolism.     

Synthesis and galectin-binding activities of mercaptododecyl glycosides containing a terminal β-galactosyl group

Mercaptododecyl glycosides containing a terminal β-galactosyl group were prepared from d-galactose or from d-lactose via hexa-O-acetyl-lactal (10) as a key intermediate. Interactions of these glycolipids (5 kinds) and galectins (β-galactoside binding lectins, 6 species) were evaluated by surface plasmon resonance (SPR) method. High binding responses were observed for the lactoside, 2-deoxy-lactoside, and lactosaminide with some galectins (Gal-3, -4, -8), whereas the galactoside and 2,3-dideoxy-lactoside showed low binding activities.     

Synthesis of the lipoteichoic acid of the Streptococcus species DSM 8747

The lipoteichoic acid (LTA) of the Streptococcus species DSM 8747 consists of a β-d-galactofuranosyl diacylglycerol moiety (with different acyl groups) that is linked via 6-O to a poly(glycerophosphate) backbone; about 30% of the glycerophosphate moieties carry at 2-O hydrolytically labile d-alanyl residues. As typical LTA for this array of compounds LTA 1a was synthesized. To this end, from d-galactose the required galactofuranosyl building block 5 was obtained. The anomeric stereocontrol in the glycosylation step with 1,2-O-cyclohexylidene-sn-glycerol (4) was based on anchimeric assistance, thus finally leading to the unprotected core glycolipid 16. Regioselective protection and deprotection procedures permitted the defined attachment of the pentameric glycerophosphate 3 to the 6-hydroxy group of the galactose residue. Introduction of four d-alanyl residues led after global deprotection and purification to target molecule 1a possessing on average about two d-alanyl residues at 2-O of the pentameric glycerophosphate backbone, thus being in close accordance with the structure of the natural material.     

The synthesis of new deoxynitroinositols by cyclization of 6-deoxy-3-O-methyl-6-nitro-d-allose and -l-talose

6-Deoxy-3-O-methyl-6-nitro-d-allose (5) and -l-talose (6) were synthesized from 1,2-O-isopropylidene-3O-methyl-α-d-allofuranose (1) by the nitromethane method via their furanoid, 1,2-O-isopropylidene derivatives (2 and 3). The barium hydroxide-catalyzed cyclization of the free nitrohexoses (5 and 6) was investigated. Under conditions favoring kinetic control (pH ～8, 0°), 5 gave mainly 1d-5-deoxy-2-O-methyl-5-nitro-allo-inositol (7), with the 1l-epi-1 (8) and epi-6 (9) stereoisomers as minor products. Compound 6 afforded a high yield of the myo-5-isomer (11); the 1l-allo-5 (13) and 1d-epi-1 (14) isomers were formed in small proportions but not isolated. The thermodynamically controlled, mutual interconversion of the stereoisomeric products was studied, as was the formation of nitronate salts and the regeneration of free nitroinositols. Upon immediate acidification, the nitronate obtained from 11 gave 11 and the neo-2 epimer (12) in a ratio of 2:3. The nitronate produced by 7 underwent rapid β-epimerization. The five isolated deoxynitroinositol monomethyl ethers were further characterized as tetra-acetates (7a, 9a, 11a, and 12a) and isopropylidene derivatives (7b, 8b, and 9b).     

Synthesis of C-arabinofuranosyl compounds. Phosphonate and carboxylate isosteres of d-arabinose 1,5-bisphosphate

Electrophile-mediated cyclization of 3,4,6-tri-O-benzyl-1,2-dideoxy-d-arabino-hex-1-enitol with N-bromosuccinimide yielded primarily 2,5-anhydro-3,4,6-tri-O-benzyl-1-bromo-1-deoxy-d-glucitol (10). This apparently kinetically controlled reaction was of key importance in the successful synthesis of a phosphonate analog of β-d-arabinose 1,5-bisphosphate (1), namely, 2,5-anhydro-1-deoxy-1-phosphono-d-glucitol 6-phosphate (4), whith high stereoselectivity. By contrast, condensation of the sodium salt of tetraethyl methylenediphosphonate and 2,3,5-tri-O-benzyl-d-arabinose (7) gave a phosphonate compound slightly enriched in the 2,5-anhydro-d-mannitol (α) isomer. In the Wittig—Michael reaction of stabilized phosphoranes with 7, the α isomer preponderated. Since equilibration of methyl 3,6-anhydro-4,5,7-tri-O-benzyl-2-deoxy-d-glycero-d-galacto- (33) and -d-gulo-heptonate (34) (5:1) resulted in a 1:1 α:β ratio, the preference for the 2,5-anhydro-d-mannitol (α) isomer probably reflects a kinetic bias. The carbomethoxy anomers were converted independently into the α and β carboxylate isosteres (5 and 6, respectively) of d-arabinose 1,5-diphosphate. Empirical force field calculations (MMP2) and n.m.r. experiments were conducted on the pairs of diastereomers 9 and 10, and 33 and 34. The calculations predict that the α and β anomers of each pair have similar energies, differing by only 2.1 kJ/mol. Compounds 4, 5, and 6 were evaluated for biological activity.     

Synthesis of methyl α- and β-maltotriosides and aryl β-maltotriosides

Reaction of β-maltotriose hendecaacetate with phosphorus pentachloride gave 2′,2″,3,3′,3″,4″,6,6′,6″,-nona-O-acetyl-(2)-O-trichloroacetyl-β-maltotriosyl chloride (2) which was isomerized into the corresponding α anomer (8). Selective ammonolysis of 2 and 8 afforded the 2-hydroxy derivatives 3 and 9, respectively; 3 was isomerized into the α anomer 9. Methanolysis of 2 and 3 in the presence of pyridine and silver nitrate and subsequent deacetylation gave methyl α-maltotrioside. Likewise, methanolysis and O-deacetylation of 9 gave methyl β-maltotrioside which was identical with the compound prepared by the Koenigs—Knorr reaction of 2,2′,2″,3,3′,3″,4″,6,6′,6″-deca-O-acetyl-α-maltotriosyl bromide (12) with methanol followed by O-deacetylation. Several substituted phenyl β-glycosides of maltotriose were also obtained by condensation of phenols with 12 in an alkaline medium. Alkaline degradation of the o-chlorophenyl β-glycoside decaacetate readily gave a high yield of 1,6-anhydro-β-maltotriose.     

Synthesis of some glycodipeptides containing hydroxyamino acids, and their stabilities to acids and bases

The following new compounds were prepared and characterized: N-benzyl-oxycarbonyl-O-(tetra-O-acetyl-β-D-glucopyranosyl)-N-glycyl-L-serine methyl ester (1) and L-threonine methyl ester (2), N-benzyloxycarbonyl-O-(β-D-glucopyranosyl)-N-glycyl-L-serine amide (3), N-benzyloxycarbonyl-O-(β-D-glucopyranosyl)-N-glycyl-L-threonine methyl ester (4) and L-threonine amide (5), N-benzyloxycarbonyl-O-(tri-O-acetyl-2-deoxy-2-trifluoroacetamido-β-D-glucopyranosyl)-N-glycyl-L-serine methyl ester (6), and N-benzyloxycarbonyl-O-(2-deoxy-2-trifluoroacetamido-β-D-glucopyranosyl)-N-glycyl-L-serine amide (7). Although various modifications of the Koenigs-Knorr synthesis were used, the best, over-all yields of the deacetylated dipeptide derivatives were only 5–10%. Although the products are alkali-labile, deacetylation was accomplished with methanolic ammonia. Of the deacetylated products, the threonine derivatives (4 and 5) were more rapidly hydrolyzed by acids than phenyl β-D-glucopyranoside, which in turn was more rapidly cleaved than the serine derivatives (3 and 7). The stabilities of 3, 4, 5, and 7 to sodium hydroxide and sodium borohydride were similar, and essentially complete β-elimination of the glycosyl residue occurred for the amide derivatives (3, 5, and 7). For the ester derivative 4, pH 9 was optimal; above this pH, ester hydrolysis was more rapid than β-elimination, and the resulting carboxyl derivatives did not undergo β-elimination. Under optimal conditions with sodium borohydride, the β-elimination reaction was complete, but the corresponding alanine and α-aminobutyric acid residues were not formed; presumably reductions to the amino alcohols occurred. A mechanism for the β-elimination is proposed.