Stereochemical Outcome at Four Stereogenic Centers during Conversion of Prephenate to Tetrahydrotyrosine by BacABGF in the Bacilysin Pathway

The first four enzymes of the bacilysin antibiotic pathway, BacABGF, convert prephenate to a tetrahydrotyrosine (H(4)Tyr) diastereomer on the way to the anticapsin warhead of the dipeptide antibiotic. BacB takes the BacA product endocyclic-Δ(4),Δ(8)-7R-dihydrohydroxyphenylpyruvate (en-H(2)HPP) and generates a mixture of 3E- and 3Z-olefins of the exocyclic-Δ(3),Δ(5)-dihydrohydroxyphenylpyruvate (ex-H(2)HPP). The NADH-utilizing BacG then catalyzes a conjugate reduction, adding a pro-S hydride equivalent to C(4) to yield tetrahydrohydroxyphenylpyruvate (H(4)HPP), a transamination away (via BacF) from 2S-H(4)Tyr. Incubations of the pathway enzymes in D(2)O yield deuterium incorporation at C(8) from BacA and then C(9) from BacB action. By (1)H NMR analysis of samples of H(4)Tyr, the stereochemistry at C(4), C(8), and C(9) can be assigned. BacG (followed by BacF) converts 3E-ex-H(2)HPP to 2S,4R,7R-H(4)Tyr. The 3Z isomer is instead reduced and transaminated to the opposite diastereomer at C(4), 2S,4S,7R-H(4)Tyr. Given that bacilysin has the 2S,4S stereochemistry in its anticapsin moiety, it is likely that the 2S,4S-H(4)Tyr is the diastereomer "on pathway". NMR determination of the stereochemistry of the CHD samples at C(8) and C(9) allows assignment of all stereogenic centers (except C(3)) in this unusual tetrahydro-aromatic amino acid building block, giving insights into and constraints on the BacA, BacB, and BacG mechanisms.     

The inactivation of glucosamine synthetase from bacteria by anticapsin, the C-terminal epoxyamino acid of the antibiotic tetaine

Incubation of anticapsin with the purified glucosamine synthetase (2-amino-2-deoxy-D-glucose-6-phosphate ketol-isomerase, amino transferring, EC 5.3.1.19) from Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Arthrobacter aurescens and Bacillus thuringiensis led to the formation of an inactive enzyme irreversibly modified. The inactivation reaction followed pseudo-first-order kinetics. The rate of the inactivation reaction at various concentrations of anticapsin exhibited saturation kinetics, implying that anticapsin binds reversibly to the enzyme prior to inactivation. The determined Kinact is in the range of 10(-5) M (B. thuringiensis) and 10(-6) M (E. coli, P. aeruginosa, A. aurescens ). The addition of glutamine protected the amidotransferase from inactivation by anticapsin . The anticapsin was demonstrated to be a mixed type or competitive inhibitor with respect to glutamine with a Ki value of 10(-6) to 10(-7) M. Reaction of anticapsin with the enzyme exhibits the characteristics of affinity labelling of the glutamine binding site. Chemical modification of the enzyme thiol group with various reagents, 5,5'-dithiobis-(2-nitrobenzoic) acid, 6,6'- dithiodinicotinic acid, 1,1'- dithiodiformamidine , N-ethylmaleimide and iodoacetamide, resulted in an inactive enzyme.     

Pleiotropic effect of anticapsin on HeLa S3 cells

Anticapsin, the terminal epoxyaminoacid moiety of tetaine, inhibits irreversibly growth of HeLa S3 cells. The antibiotic decreases to a similar extent incorporation of 3H-labelled precursors into nucleic acids and protein in intact cells: inhibition of protein synthesis prevails on prolonged incubation. Also incorporation of [3H]dTTP and [3H]UTP is inhibited in the presence of anticapsin into permeabilized cells. These effects, however, are not due to the interference with DNA or RNA polymerases since anticapsin only slightly suppresses RNA polymerase activity and has no effect on DNA polymerase in the cell-free systems. The results indicate that the mechanism of antiproliferative action of anticapsin in HeLa S3 cells differs from that of tetaine and imply that inhibition of protein synthesis might be the primary effect of anticapsin.     

Molecular insights into the antifungal mechanism of bacilysin

Bacilysin is one of the simplest antimicrobial peptides and has drawn great attention for its excellent performance against Candida albicans. In this study, the antifungal mechanism of bacilysin was investigated. The target enzyme glucosamine-6-phosphate synthase (GFA) was expressed heterologously in Escherichia coli and its inhibition by bacilysin and derivatives was studied. It was concluded that bacilysin could be hydrolyzed by a proteinase of C. albicans, and that the released product, anticapsin, then inhibited the aminotransferase activity of GFA. This result was verified by molecular simulation, and the interaction mode of anticapsin with GFA was detailed, which provides data for the development of novel antifungal drugs. Transport of bacilysin into fungal cells was also simulated and it was shown that bacilysin is more readily transported into cells than anticapsin. Thus, our findings support a mechanism whereby bacilysin is transported into fungal pathogens, hydrolyzed to anticapsin, which then inhibits GFA.     

中国的紫堇属延胡索亚属的分类、分布、演化趋势及其用途

延胡索亚属（Capnites DC）是紫堇属中较进化的一群,不少种类有药用价值。约57种,中国有17种,3变种,10变型。     

Inhibition of glucosamine synthase by bacilysin and anticapsin

L-Glutamine:D-fructose-6-phosphate amidotransferase ('glucosamine synthase', EC 5.3.1.19) from Escherichia coli MRE 600 was purified at least 75-fold. It catalysed the formation of 21.1 mumol glucosamine 6-phosphate (mg protein)-1 in 30 min at 37 degrees C. Its molecular weight, estimated by gel filtration, was about 90000 and it was inhibited by thiol group reagents. Anticapsin, the C-terminal amino acid of the dipeptide antibiotic bacilysin, and to a lesser extent bacilysin itself, inhibited glucosamine synthase activity. Kinetic studies indicated that the inhibition was non-competitive with respect to fructose 6-phosphate as substrate but partly competitive with respect to L-glutamine. Incubation of the enzyme with anticapsin brought about a time-dependent and irreversible inhibition. It is suggested that anticapsin behaves as a glutamine analogue and that a reaction of its epoxide group with a thiol group of glucosamine synthase results in its linkage to the enzyme by a covalent bond.     

Structure of an O-specific polysaccharide of Proteus mirabilis 03, containing N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-D-alanine

O-Specific polysaccharide, obtained by mild acid degradation of the Proteus mirabilis 03 lipopolysaccharide, was dephosphorylated with 48% HF to give a linear polysaccharide and an amino acid, N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-D-alanine. The structure of the polysaccharide was determined by methylation, the Smith degradation and computer-assisted analysis of the 13C NMR spectra of original and dephosphorylated polymers and oligomers. The structure of the amino acid was elucidated by using 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry (applied to the acetylated methyl ester derivative), optical rotation and CD spectrum data and comparison with the synthetic sample. The repeating unit of P. mirabilis 03 O-specific polysaccharide is shown to have the following structure: (formula; see text)     

Secondary metabolites from a Streptomyces strain isolated from Livingston Island, Antarctica

The producing strain Streptomyces sp. 1010 was isolated from a shallow sea sediment from the region of Livingston Island, Antarctica. From the culture broth of this strain naturally active secondary metabolites were isolated identical to phthalic acid diethyl ester (C12H14O4, MW. 222); 1, 3-bis (3-phenoxyphenoxy)benzene (C30H22O4, MW.446); hexanedioic acid dioctyl ester (C22H42O4, MW.370) and the new substance 2-amino- 9, 13 -dimethyl heptadecanoic acid (C19H39NO2, MW.313). These compounds represent diverse classes of chemical structures and provide evidence for the untapped biosynthetic potential of marine bacteria from Antarctica.     

Synthesis and NMR characterization of new hyaluronan-based NO donors

Nitric oxide (NO) and hyaluronic acid (HA), two species widely different in terms of molecular complexity and biological competence, are both known to play an important role in the wound healing process. To combine the properties of HA and NO, we synthesized new NO-donors based on hyaluronic acid derivatives exhibiting a controlled NO-release under physiological conditions (in vitro tests). Since two molecules of NO can form a covalent bond with secondary amines to yield structures, named NONO-ates, able to release NO in solution, we used spermidine bound to HA as the NO-linker. The HA-spermidine derivative was obtained by controlled HA amidation in aqueous media, activating the biopolymer carboxylate groups with a water soluble carbodiimide. The resulting derivative, soluble in water, was fully characterized by high field 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy. The amount of grafting of spermidine on HA was determined by integration of suitable 1H NMR signals. In addition, cross-linked derivatives of HA were synthesized by the Ugi's four-component reaction using formaldehyde, cyclohexylisocyanide, and spermidine. The HA-spermidine networks were characterized by 13C CP-MAS NMR spectroscopy. The degree of cross-linking of the networks was also determined. Finally, the release of NO from the swollen hydrogels freshly saturated with NO, in contact with aqueous media, was monitored by means of UV spectrophotometric measurements.     

19F NMR of trifluoroacetyl-labeled cysteine mutants of myoglobin: structural probes of nitric oxide bound to the H93G cavity mutant.

Nitric oxide (NO) binds to the myoglobin (Mb) cavity mutant, H93G, forming either a 5- or 6-coordinate Fe--NO heme complex. The H93G mutation replaces the proximal histidine of Mb with glycine, allowing exogenous ligands to occupy the proximal binding site. In the absence of the covalently attached proximal ligand, NO could bind to H93G from the proximal side of the heme rather than the typical diatomic binding pocket on the distal side when the 5-coordinate complex forms. The question of whether NO binds on the distal or proximal side was addressed by (19)F NMR. Site-directed mutagenesis was used to introduce unique cysteine residues at the protein surface on either the distal (S58C) or proximal (L149C) side, approximately equidistant from and perpendicular to the heme plane of both wild-type and H93G Mb. The cysteine thiols were alkylated with 3-bromo-1,1,1-trifluoroacetone to attach a trifluoroacetyl group at the mutation site. (19)F NMR spectra of 5-coordinate, NO bound S58C/H93G and L149C/H93G double mutants depict peaks with line widths of 100 and 23 Hz, respectively. As fluorine peaks broaden with increasing proximity to paramagnetic centers, such as 5-coordinate Fe--NO, the (19)F NMR data are consistent with NO binding in the distal heme pocket of H93G, even in the absence of a sixth axial ligand. Additionally, (19)F NMR spectra are reported for deoxy, oxy, CO, met CN, and met H(2)O forms of the labeled cysteine mutants. These results demonstrate that the fluorine probes are sensitive to subtle conformational changes in the protein structure due to ligation and oxidation state changes of the heme iron in Mb.     

Crystal structure of N-(1-deoxy-beta-D-fructopyranos-1-yl)-L-proline-an Amadori compound

Here we report the crystal structure data on N-(1-deoxy-beta-D-fructopyranos-1-yl)-L-proline (Fru-Pro)-an Amadori compound. X-ray crystal and molecular structures of its two isomorphous crystalline forms, (Fru-Pro)xMeOH, C(11)H(19)NO(7)xCH(4)O (1a) and (Fru-Pro)x2H(2)O, C(11)H(19)NO(7)x2H(2)O (1b) were determined. In 1a and 1b the compound crystallizes as the beta-anomer with the overall geometry of Fru-Pro zwitterions being very similar. Fructose ring adopts the chair (2)C(5) conformation with the proline moiety bonded to equatorial C-1 atom and remaining in a trans-gauche (tg) orientation with respect to the sugar ring. The five-membered pyrrolidine ring adopts an envelope conformation, with the Cbeta atom puckered. Fructosyl and carboxylate groups are in bisectional and axial positions of pyrrolidine ring, respectively. The overall molecular geometry of Fru-Pro zwitterions, especially the relative orientation of sugar and amino acid moieties, is stabilized by intramolecular, three-centred N-H...O(Fru)/O(Pro) hydrogen bonds (with bifurcated acceptor) formed between aminium and hydroxyl/carboxylate groups. The packing diagrams are very similar in both 1a and 1b with the adjacent zwitterions linked to each other by the extensive network of O-H...O and C-H...O hydrogen bonds to form channels along the a-axis, filled up with solvent molecules.     

Synthesis and Bioactive Studies of Complex 8-Hydroxyquinolinato-Bis-(Salicylato) Yttrium (III)

This paper reports the synthesis of a new bioactive complex, 8-hydroxyquinolinato-bis-(salicylato) yttrium (III) (HSAY), whose composition and structure were characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectra, thermogravimetric analysis, and X-ray diffraction. The power-time curves of the compounds HSAY, C(7)H(6)O(3), C(9)H(7)NO, and YCl(3)·6H(2)O on the growth metabolism of Schizosaccharomyces pombe (S. pombe) were determined at 32.00°C, respectively. The corresponding thermokinetics parameters, which include the microbial growth rate constant (κ), inhibition ratio (I), and half inhibition concentration (IC(50)), were also derived. The results showed that the generation time was 168.2 min, and all the compounds HSAY, C(7)H(6)O(3), C(9)H(7)NO, and YCl(3)·6H(2)O possessed good bioactivities on the growth metabolism of S. pombe, with the values of IC(50) being 0.055, 3.57, 0.057, and 1.35 mmol L(-1), respectively. The inhibition ability of these compounds above on the growth of the S. pombe has been observed to decrease in the order HSAY>C(9)H(7)NO>YCl(3)·6H(2)O>C(7)H(6)O(3).     

Buzonamine, a new alkaloid from the defensive secretion of the millipede, Buzonium crassipes

GC-MS analysis of the defensive secretion from the millipede Buzonium crassipes showed three volatile components, beta-pinene (35%), limonene (6%) and a new alkaloid, buzonamine (59%). Buzonamine had an HRMS molecular ion at m/z=221.1785 (calculated for C(14)H(23)NO, 221.1781), 14 carbons in the 13C-NMR and 23 hydrogens by SFORD, DEPT and APT experiments. All distinct 1H nuclei were assigned to 13C resonances with 2D 1H-13C COSY data, and the final structure was determined by 1H-1H COSY, 1H-13C HMBC and nOe experiments. Buzonamine contains four rings including an epoxy group and a tertiary nitrogen. beta-Pinene, limonene or buzonamine, kept the mound nesting ant, Formica obscuripes, from eating mealworms (Tenebrio molitor) treated with 1mg of the chemical. A 150mg millipede expels 4mg of secretion.     

Nitric oxide and hydrogen peroxide: two players in the defence response of tomato plants to root-knot nematodes

Nitric oxide (NO) has been postulated to be required, together with reactive oxygen species (ROS) for activation of disease resistance reaction of plants to pathogen infection. Here, we investigated NO, superoxide (O(*-)2), and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in tomato-root-knot nematode interactions to answer the question of whether they are produced during the early stages of nematode infection. NO detection was carried out using diaminofluorescein diacetate (DAF-2DA) by means of confocal laser microscopy and spectrophotometric analyses, and production of NO was estimated by monitoring the conversion of L-[U14C]arginine into L-[U14C]citrulline. O(*-)2 production was determined by using the tetrazolium salt, sodium,3'-{1-[phenylamino-carbonyl]-3,4-tetrazolium}-bis(4-methoxy-6-nitro) benzene-sulfonic acid hydrate (XTT) and H2O2 was measured by using the Amplex Red H2O2/peroxidase assay. Results showed i) the highest NO production in tissues challenged by avr pathotype, 12h after nematode inoculation, ii) NO production by nitric oxide synthase (NOS-like activity), iii) ROSbalance dependent control of NO. Our data evidenced, for the first time, that NO-generated signal, its spatiotemporal expression, and its cross-communication with other pro-oxidants or anti-oxidants critically influence compatible and incompatible tomato-Meloidogyne incognito interactions.     

Sugar complexes with neodymium nitrate. Spectroscopic and structural studies of two Nd(NO3)3-galactitol complexes

Two different Nd(NO3)3-galactitol complexes, 2Nd(NO3)3.C6H14O6.8 H2O and Nd(NO3)3.C6H14O6 have been obtained and were characterized by FT-IR and X-ray diffraction techniques. The spectral differences of the two complexes were consistent with the crystal-structure data.     

Interactions between metal ions and carbohydrates: the coordination behavior of neutral erythritol to zinc and europium nitrate

The single crystals of coordinated complexes of neutral erythritol (C4H10O4) with zinc nitrate and europium nitrate were synthesized and studied using FT-IR and single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. In the structure of Zn(NO3)2.C4H10O4, ZnEN (E denotes erythritol, N represents nitrate), Zn2+ is coordinated to four hydroxyl groups from two erythritol molecules and two oxygen atoms from two nitrates. Two Zn2+ are connected by one erythritol molecule to form Zn(C4H10O4)(NO3)2 chain, and layers formed by above chain pile to produce 3D structures. In the structure of Eu(NO3)3.C4H10O4.C2H5OH, EuEN, Eu3+ is 10-coordinated by six oxygen atoms from three nitrate ions, three hydroxyl groups from one erythritol molecule and one hydroxyl group from ethanol. In the above erythritol complexes, two hydroxyl groups of erythritol coordinate to one metal ion and the other two to another metal ion or erythritol acts as three-hydroxyl groups donor. The OH groups of erythritol act as ligand to coordinate to metal ions on one hand, one the other hand, OH groups form hydrogen bonds network to build three-dimensional structures.     

Effect of hydrophobic structure on the catalysis of nitric oxide release from zwitterionic diazeniumdiolates in surfactant and liposome media.

The effect of phospholipid liposomes and surfactant micelles on the rate of nitric oxide release from zwitterionic diazeniumdiolates, R1R2N[N(O)NO]-, with significant hydrophobic structure, has been explored. The acid-catalyzed dissociation of NO has been examined in phosphate-buffered solutions of sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS) micelles and 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DPPC) and 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-[phospho-(1-glycerol)] sodium salt (DPPG) phospholipid liposomes. The reaction behavior of dibenzylamine-, monobenzylamine-, and dibutylamine-derived substrates [1]: R1 = C6H5CH2, R2 = C6H5CH2 NH2+(CH2)2, 2: R1 = C6H5CH2, R2 = NH3+(CH2)2, and 3: R1 = n-butyl, R2 = n-butyl-NH2+(CH2)6] has been compared with that of SPER/NO, 4: R1 = H2N(CH2)3, R2 = H2N(CH2) 3NH2+(CH2)4]. Catalysis of NO release is observed in both micellar and liposome media. Hydrophobic interactions contribute to micellar binding for 1-3 and appear to be the main factor facilitating catalysis by charge neutral DPPC liposomes. Binding constants for the association of 1 and 3 with SDS micelles were 3-fold larger than those previously obtained with comparable zwitterionic substrates lacking their hydrophobic structure. Anionic DPPG liposomes were much more effective in catalyzing NO release than either DPPC liposomes or SDS micelles. DPPG liposomes (at 10 mM total lipid) induced a 30-fold increase in the NO dissociation rate of SPER/NO compared to 12- and 14-fold increases in that of 1 and 3.     

Synthetic approaches to peptides containing the L-Gln-L-Val-D(S)-Dmt motif

The pseudoprolines S-Dmo (5,5-dimethyl-4-oxaproline) and R-Dmt (5,5-dimethyl-4-thiaproline) have been used to study the effects of forcing a fully cis conformation in peptides. Synthesis of peptides containing these (which have the same configuration as L-Pro) is straightforward. However, synthesis of peptides containing S-Dmt is difficult, owing to the rapid cyclisation of L-Aaa-S-Dmt amides and esters to form the corresponding diketopiperazines (DKP); thus the intermediacy of L-Aaa-S-Dmt amides and esters must be avoided in the synthetic sequence. Peptides containing the L-Gln-L-Val-D(S)-Dmt motif are particularly difficult, owing to the insolubility of coupling partners containing Gln. Introduction of Gln as N-Boc-pyroglutamate overcame the latter difficulty and the dipeptide active ester BocPygValOC(6)F(5) coupled in good yield with S-DmtOH. BocPygVal-S- DmtNH(CH(2))(2)C(6)H(4)NO(2) was converted quantitatively to BocGlnVal-S-DmtNH(CH(2))(2)C(6)H(4)NO(2) with ammonia, demonstrating the utility of this approach. Two peptide derivatives (CbzSerLysLeuGlnVal-S-DmtNH(CH(2))(2)C(6)H(4)NO(2) and CbzSerSerLysLeuGlnVal-S- DmtNH(CH(2))(2)C(6)H(4)NO(2)) were assembled, using these new methods of coupling a dipeptide acid active ester with S-DmtOH and introduction of Gln as Pyg, followed by conventional peptide couplings. The presence of the Val caused these peptides to be cleaved very slowly by prostate-specific antigen (PSA) at Leu Gln, rather than the expected Gln Val.     

E-2(S)-amino-3-methyl-3-pentenoic acid from coniogramme intermedia

A new amino acid, E-2(S)-amino-3-methyl-3-pentenoic acid was isolated from Coniogramme intermedia. The structure was elucidated by elementary analysis, optical rotation, catalytic hydrogenation, ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectra.