Regioselective acylation of several polyhydroxylated natural compounds by Candida antarctica lipase B

Regioselective acylation of four polyhydroxylated natural compounds, deacetyl asperulosidic acid (1), asperulosidic acid (2), puerarin (3) and resveratrol (4) by Candida antarctica Lipase B in the presence of various acyl donors (vinyl acetate, vinyl decanoate or vinyl cinnamoate) was studied. Compounds 1, 2 and 4 were regioselectively acetylated with vinyl acetate to afford products, 3′-O-acetyl-10-O-deacetylasperulosidic acid (1a), 3′,6′-O-diacetyl-10-O-deacetylasperulosidic acid (1b), 3′-O-acetylasperulosidic acid (2a), 3′,6′-O-diacetylasperulosidic acid (2b), 4′-O-acetylresveratrol (4a), respectively, with yields of 22 to 50%, while reactions with vinyl decanoate and vinyl cinnamoate were slow with lower yields. Compound 3 was readily acylated with all three acyl donors and quantitatively converted to products 6″-O-acetylpuerarin (3a), 6″-O-decanoylpuerarin (3b), 6″-O-cinnamoylpuerarin (3c), respectively. The structures of these acylated products were determined by spectroscopic methods (MS and NMR).     

Biotransformation of podophyllotoxin by Hordeum vulgare cell suspension cultures

Hordeum vulgare cell suspension cultures were used to modify podophyllotoxin (1) One major product (1a) and one minor product (1b) were detected in both the culture medium and cells. To optimize the yield of compound 1a, we showed that: (1) the optimal concentration of added podophyllotoxin (1) was 33 mg L^-1; higher concentrations caused cell toxicity; (2) the stage of the cell cycle (lag/log/stationary) at which podophyllotoxin was added only marginally affected the yield of compound 1a; the optimal addition time was after lag phase, in which the yield of compound 1a reached ca. 76%, and (3) biotransformation of podophyllotoxin (1) was relatively slow; podophyllotoxin fed at 4 days after subculture resulted in yields of compound 1a of ca. 56, 64 and 76% after an additional 3, 6 and 10 days of incubation, respectively. Product 1a was purified and identified as isopicropodophyllone (1a) based on MS and NMR data.     

In vitro antioxidative activity of (-)-epicatechin glucuronide metabolites present in human and rat plasma

Recently we identified four conjugated glucuronide metabolites of epicatechin, (-)-epicatechin-3'-O-glucuronide (E3'G), 4'-O-methyl-(-)-epicatechin-3'-O-glucuronide (4'ME3'G), (-)-epicatechin-7-O-glucuronide (E7G) and 3'-O-methyl-(-)-epicatechin-7-O-glucuronide (3'ME7G) from plasma and urine. E3'G and 4'ME3'G were isolated from human urine, while E7G and 3'ME7G were isolated from rats that had received oral administration of (-)-epicatechin (Natsume et al. (2003), Free Radic. Biol. Med. 34, 840-849). It has been suggested that these metabolites possess considerable in vivo activity, and therefore we carried out a study to compare the antioxidant activities of the metabolites with that of the parent compound. This was achieved by measuring superoxide scavenging activity, reduction of plasma TBARS production and reduced susceptibility of low-density-lipoprotein (LDL) to oxidation. (-)-Epicatechin was found to have more potent antioxidant activity than the conjugated glucuronide metabolites. Both (-)-epicatechin and E7G had marked antioxidative properties with respect to superoxide radical scavenging activity, plasma oxidation induced by 2,2'-azobis-(2-aminopropane) dihydrochloride (AAPH) and LDL oxidation induced by copper ions or 2,2'-azobis(4-methoxy-2,4-dimethylvaleronitrile) (MeO-AMVN). In contrast, the other metabolites had light antioxidative activities over the range of physiological concentrations found in plasma.     

Temperature-dependence of enantioselectivity and desymmetrization in the acetylation of 2-mono- and 2,2-di-substituted 1,3-propanediols by a novel lipase isolated from the yeast Cryptococcus spp. S-2

The effect of temperature on enantioselectivity and desymmetrization in the acetylation of 2-phenyl-1,3-propanediol (1a), 2-benzyl-1,3-propanediol (1b), 2-methyl-2-phenyl-1,3-propanediol (1c) and 2-benzyl-2-methyl-1,3-propanediol (1d) by a novel lipase (CSL) isolated from the yeast Cryptococcus spp. S-2 was studied. Desymmetrization of 1a, 1c and 1d by CSL-catalyzed acetylation was observed in the temperature range of -20°C to 40°C, while diacetylation of 1b occurred considerably even at 0°C. The kinetic parameters of the selectivity indicated that the acetylation of 1a is an entropy controlled process whereas the reaction of 1c and 1d is mainly controlled by the enthalpy term. In the monoacetylation of the diol 1d, the preferred configuration in the enantiomeric induction by CSL was opposite to that of immobilized porcine pancreatic lipase (PPL).     

An Efficient Chemoenzymatic Synthesis of S-(-)-Fenpropimorph

First enantioselective synthesis of S-(-)-1-[3-(4-tert-butylphenyl)-2-methyl]propyl-cis-3,5-dimethylmorpholine (6), biologically active enantiomer of the systematic fungicide fenpropimorph, is reported. It comprises reacting 4-tert-butylbenzylbromide with methyldiethylmalonate, decarbethoxylation of 2 into racemic 3-(4-tert-butylphenyl)-2-methylpropionic acid ethylester (3) in DMSO in the presence of alkali, then Pseudomonas sp. lipase catalyzed kinetic resolution of racemic 3 into S-(+)-acid (4), base-catalyzed racemization and recycling of the R-(-)-ester 3, acylation of cis-3,5-dimethylmorpholine, and final reduction of the intermediary amide 5 to provide enantiomerically pure S-(-)-6.     

Trichoderma reesei acetyl esterase catalyzes transesterification in water

Partially purified Trichoderma reesei RUT-C30 acetyl esterase preparation was found to catalyze acyl transfer reactions in organic solvents, mixtures of organic solvents with water and even in water. Using different acyl donors, the best results for acetyl transfer in water were obtained using vinyl acetate. As acetyl acceptors, a variety of hydroxyl bearing compounds in aqueous solutions were used. Degree of conversion and the number of newly formed acetates varied according to the acceptor used. Conversions over 50% were observed for the majority of several common monosaccharides, their methyl and deoxy derivatives and oligosaccharides. In several cases, the transesterification reaction exhibited strict regioselectivity, leading to only one acetyl derivative. Preparative potential of the transesterification in water was demonstrated by acetylation of methyl β- -glucopyranoside, 4-nitrophenyl β- -glucopyranoside and kojic acid, yielding 56.4% of methyl 3-O-acetyl β- -glucopyranoside, 70.2% of 4-nitrophenyl 3-O-acetyl β- -glucopyranoside and 30.9% of 7-O-acetyl-kojic acid as the only reaction products.

This enzymatically catalyzed transacetylation in water, which is applied to transformation of saccharides for the first time, opens a new area in chemoenzymatic synthesis. Its major advantages are simplicity, highly regioselective esterification of polar compounds, high yields, low enzyme consumption and elimination of the need to use toxic organic solvents.     

Stereochemistry of the Enzymatic Reduction of 2-(4-Methoxybenzyl)-1-Cyclohexanone by Solanum Aviculare Cells in vitro

During the investigation of chemical properties of the dicyclic system of insect juvenile hormone analogues, biotransformation of 2-(4-methoxybenzyl)-1-cyclohexanone (1) by plant cell cultures was studied. Among other components, the cis-(1S, 2S)- and cis-(1R, 2R)-2-(4-methoxybenzyl)-1-cyclohexanol enantiomers 2a and 2b were found in the reaction mixture. Higher stereoselectivity of the biotransformation was observed for trans-(1S, 2R)-enantiomer 3a formation, which occurred in at least 60% of calculated enantiomeric excess.     

Lactones 29 . Enzymatic resolution of racemic γ-lactones

Studies on the application of commercially available enzymes to resolution of the racemic unsaturated γ-lactones: 5-(3-methylbutylidene)-4-methyl-tetrahydrofuran-2-one (1a) and 5-(3,3-dimethylbutylidene)-4-methyl-tetrahydrofuran-2-one (2a) are presented. Lipase PS, Rhizopus niveus lipase, Rhizopus arrhizus lipase, porcine pancreas lipase and hog liver esterase transformed substrates into their respective γ-keto acids with good efficiency (50-75%). Three of them hydrolysed the studied lactones with moderate enantioselectivity. Enantiomeric excesses determined by GC for the unreacted lactones were in the range of 20-60%. Lipase PS preferentially hydrolysed the (+) enantiomers of lactones 1a and 2a whereas R. niveus lipase hydrolysed the (-) enantiomers, respectively.     

Optimization of lipase-catalyzed glucose fatty acid ester synthesis in a two-phase system containing ionic liquids and t-BuOH

Selective lipase-catalyzed synthesis of glucose fatty acid esters in two-phase systems consisting of an ionic liquid (1-butyl-3-methyl imidazolium tetrafluoroborate [BMIM][BF₄] or 1-butyl-3-methyl imidazolium hexafluorophosphate [BMIM][PF₆]) and t-butanol as organic solvent was investigated. The best enzyme was commercially available lipase B from Candida antarctica (CAL-B), but also lipase from Thermomyces lanuginosa (TLL) gave good conversion. After thorough optimization of several reaction conditions (chain-length and type of acyl donor, temperature, reaction time, percentage of co-solvent) conversions up to 60% could be achieved using fatty acid vinyl ester as acyl donors in [BMIM][PF₆] in the presence of 40% t-BuOH with CAL-B at 60 °C.     

Chemical structure of kenaf xylan

Methylation and partial acid hydrolysis of xylans from the bast and core of kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus) showed that the main chain of these xylans consists of (1 → 4)-linked β-d-xylopyranosyl (Xylp) residues, some of which carry a -1,2-linked 4-O-methyl-glucopyranosyluronic acid (Me-GlcAp) and glucopyranosyluronic acid (GlcAp) residues as side chains. Partial hydrolysis of kenaf xylans afforded two series of aldouronic acids from aldobio- to aldotetraouronic acids. The acids of the first series composed of 4-O-Me-d-GlcAp and d-Xylp residues: 4-O-Me-GlcA-Xyl₃, 4-O-Me-GlcA-Xyl₂ and 4-O-Me-GlcA-Xyl. The second series composed of d-GlcAp and d-Xylp: GlcA-Xyl₃, GlcA-Xyl₂ and GlcA-Xyl.

In addition to these acids, another aldobiouronic acid, 4-O-(-d-GalAp)-d-Xyl was found to be present in the partial hydrolysate.

The molar ratio of GalA, GlcA, 4-O-Me-GlcA, and Xyl residues was calculated to be 1.0:2.0:9.4:119 for the bast xylan and 1.0:1.3:7.9:99.4 for the core xylan.     

Enantioselective microbial reduction of 3,5-dioxo-6-(benzyloxy) hexanoic acid, ethyl ester

The key chiral intermediate 3,5-dihydroxy-6-(benzyloxy) hexanoic acid, ethyl ester 2a, was made by the stereoselective microbial reduction of 3,5-dioxo-6-(benzyloxy) hexanoic acid, ethyl ester 1. Among various microbial cultures evaluated, cell suspensions of Acinetobacter calcoaceticus SC 13876 reduced 1 to 2a. The reaction yield of 85% and optical purity of 97% was obtained using glycerol-grown cells. The substrate was used at 2 g l⁻¹ and cells were used at 20% (w/v, wet cells) concentrations. The optimum pH for the reduction of 1 to 2a was 5.5 and the optimum temperature was 32°C. Cell extracts of A. calcoaceticus SC 13876 in the presence of NAD⁺, glucose, and glucose dehydrogenase reduced 1 to the corresponding monohydroxy compounds 3 and 4 [3-hydroxy-5-oxo-6-(benzyloxy) hexanoic acid ethyl ester 3, and 5-hydroxy-3-oxo-6-(benzyloxy) hexanoic acid ethyl ester 4]. Both 3 and 4 were further reduced to 2a by cell extracts. Reaction yield of 92% and optical purity of 99% were obtained when the reaction was carried out in a 1-l batch using cell extracts. The substrate was used at 10 g l⁻¹. Product 2a was isolated from the reaction mixture in 72% overall yield. The GC and HPLC area % purity of the isolated product was 99% and the optical purity was 99.5%. The reductase which converted 1 to 2a was purified about 200-fold from cell extracts of A. calcoaceticus SC 13876. The purified enzyme gave a single protein band on SDS-PAGE corresponding to 35,000 daltons.     

Novel antioxidant agents deriving from molecular combination of Vitamin C and NO-donor moieties

In this paper, we describe a new class of products in which NO-donor moieties are linked to either the 3-OH (4a–f) or 2-OH group (7a–c) of ascorbic acid (ASA). Log Ps and pK_as of these products were experimentally evaluated. All the compounds were tested for their antioxidant activity on lipidic peroxidation induced by Fe³⁺-ADP/NADPH in lipids of microsomal membranes of rat hepatocytes. Only 3-O series displays antioxidant activity and it seems to be principally dependent on the lipophilicity. Both series trigger in vitro NO-dependent vasodilator properties.     

Enzymic synthesis of fructose monooleate in a reduced pressure pilot scale reactor using various acyl donors

Enzymic synthesis of fructose esters was studied under reduced pressure. Different acyl donors were tested, and immobilized Candida antarctica lipase was used as biocatalyst. Influences of pressure, nature of the acyl donor, molar ratio sugar/acyl donor were investigated. Pressure had the greatest influence. At 200 mbar, more than 90% of fructose was acylated compared to 50% under atmospheric pressure. This is explained by the evaporation of reaction by-product (methanol or water) that shifted the equilibrium. C. antarctica lipase catalyzed sugar ester synthesis very efficiently using rapeseed oil as acyl donor. Moreover, synthesis performed with an equimolar mixture of both substrates gave promising results. Although the reaction rate was slower than synthesis performed with an excess of fatty acid, fructose monooleate concentration was still high (44 g l⁻¹ instead of 56 g l⁻¹) and the residual acyl donor concentration was very low. Downstream processes for the recovery of pure fructose monooleate were simplified in this case.     

Biotransformation of γ-terpinene using Stemphylium botryosum (Wallroth) yields p-mentha-1,4-dien-9-ol, a novel odorous monoterpenol

A wild strain of Stemphylium botryosum, when grown submerged in the presence of γ-terpinene (1), yielded the novel highly odour active terpene alcohol (2), whose structure was established by spectroscopic means as p-mentha-1,4-dien-9-ol. During cultivation (2) was further oxidized, predominantly to the corresponding aromatic alcohol p-cymene-9-ol (5). The enantioselective enzymatic introduction of the hydroxyl group at the non-activated C9 of (1) resulted in an enantiomeric excess (ee) of 74% for (2) and 70% for (5), respectively.     

Selective labeling of κ2 opioid receptors in rat brain by [I]IOXY: Interaction of opioid peptides and other drugs with multiple κ2a binding sites

Recent studies from our laboratory resolved two subtypes of the κ₂ binding site, termed κ_2a and κ_2b, using guinea pig, rat, and human brain membranes depleted of μ and δ receptors by pretreatment with the site-directed acylating agents BIT (μ-selective) and FIT (δ-selective). 6β-Iodo-3,14-dihydroxy-17-cyclopropylmethyl-4,5-epoxymorphinan (IOXY), an opioid antagonist that has high affinity for κ₂ sites, was radioiodinated to maximum specific activity (2200 Ci/mmol) and purified by high pressure liquid chromotography and used to characterize multiple κ₂ binding sites. The results indicated that [¹²⁵I]IOXY, like [³H]bremazocine, selectively labels κ₂ binding sites in rat brain membranes pretreated with BIT and FIT. Using 100 nM [ -Ala²-MePhe⁴,Gly-ol⁵]enkephalin to block [¹²⁵I]IOXY binding to the κ_2b site, two subtypes of the κ_2a binding site were resolved, both in the absence and presence of 50 μM 5′-guanylyimidodiphosphate. Viewed collectively, these results provide further evidence for heterogeneity of the κ opioid receptor, which may provide new targets for drug design, synthesis, and therapeutics.     

Structural aspects of acylated plant pigments: stabilization of flavonoid glucosides and interpretation of their functions

The enzymatic synthesis of acylated isoquercitrins was accomplished by the lipase-catalyzed transesterification with carboxylic acid vinyl esters as acyl donors in an organic solvent. The introduction of an acyl group into isoquercitrin improved its thermostability and light-resistivity. In particular, isoquercitrin p-coumarate was the most stable of all the acylated isoquercitrins tested.