N6-Trimethyl-lysine metabolism. Structural identification of the metabolite 3-hydroxy-N6-trimethyl-lysine

¹H and ¹³C nuclear-magnetic-resonance spectroscopy and functional-group analysis were used to determine the molecular structure of an isolated metabolite (II_b) of trimethyl-lysine as 3-hydroxy-N⁶-trimethyl-lysine, an important intermediate in the conversion of trimethyl-lysine into trimethylammoniobutyrate and carnitine [Hoppel, Cox & Novak (1980) Biochem. J. 188, 509–519]. Functional-group analysis revealed the presence of a primary amine and reaction of metabolite (II_b) with periodate yielded 4-N-trimethylammoniobutyrate as a product, showing 2,3-substitution on the molecule and suggesting that the 3-substitution on the molecule may be an alcohol ([unk]CH–OH), amine ([unk]CH[unk]–NH₂) or carbonyl ([unk]C=O) functional group. ¹H integration ratios, ¹H and ¹³C chemical-shift data and ¹H and ¹³C signal multiplicities from the sample (II_b) were used to complete the identification of metabolite (II_b) as 3-hydroxy-N⁶-trimethyl-lysine. For example, the proton multiplet at δ 4.2p.p.m. and doublet at δ 4.1p.p.m., positions representative of amine or alcohol substitution on methylene carbon atoms, integration ratios of 1:1:2:9:4 and a positive ninhydrin test suggest 3-hydroxy-N⁶-trimethyl-lysine as the molecular structure for metabolite (II_b). ¹³C chemical-shift data obtained from the sample (II_b) and compared with several model compounds (trimethylammoniohexanoate, trimethyl-lysine and 3-hydroxylysine) resulted in generation of the spectrum of the metabolite and allowed independent identification of metabolite (II_b) as 3-hydroxy-N⁶-trimethyl-lysine. The ¹H spectrum of erythro- and threo-3-hydroxylysine are presented for comparison, and the ¹H and ¹³C n.m.r. spectra of the erythro-isomer support this analysis.     

Synthesis of carbon-11-labeled 5-HT6R antagonists as new candidate PET radioligands for imaging of Alzheimer’s disease

Carbon-11-labeled serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine) 6 receptor (5-HT₆R) antagonists, 1-[(2-bromophenyl)sulfonyl]-5-[¹¹C]methoxy-3-[(4-methyl-1-piperazinyl)methyl]-1H-indole (O-[¹¹C]2a) and 1-[(2-bromophenyl)sulfonyl]-5-methoxy-3-[(4-[¹¹C]methyl-1-piperazinyl)methyl]-1H-indole (N-[¹¹C]2a), 5-[¹¹C]methoxy-3-((4-methylpiperazin-1-yl)methyl)-1-(phenylsulfonyl)-1H-indole (O-[¹¹C]2b) and 5-methoxy-3-((4-[¹¹C]methylpiperazin-1-yl)methyl)-1-(phenylsulfonyl)-1H-indole (N-[¹¹C]2b), 1-((4-isopropylphenyl)sulfonyl)-5-[¹¹C]methoxy-3-((4-methylpiperazin-1-yl)methyl)-1H-indole (O-[¹¹C]2c) and 1-((4-isopropylphenyl)sulfonyl)-5-methoxy-3-((4-[¹¹C]methylpiperazin-1-yl)methyl)-1H-indole (N-[¹¹C]2c), 1-((4-fluorophenyl)sulfonyl)-5-[¹¹C]methoxy-3-((4-methylpiperazin-1-yl)methyl)-1H-indole (O-[¹¹C]2d) and 1-((4-fluorophenyl)sulfonyl)-5-methoxy-3-((4-[¹¹C]methylpiperazin-1-yl)methyl)-1H-indole (N-[¹¹C]2d), were prepared from their O- or N-desmethylated precursors with [¹¹C]CH₃OTf through O- or N-[¹¹C]methylation and isolated by HPLC combined with SPE in 40–50% radiochemical yield, based on [¹¹C]CO₂ and decay corrected to end of bombardment (EOB). The radiochemical purity was >99%, and the molar activity (MA) at EOB was 370–740?GBq/μmol with a total synthesis time of ～40-min from EOB.     

Structure-Function Relationships in Miscoding by Sulfolobus solfataricus DNA Polymerase Dpo4: GUANINE N2,N2-DIMETHYL SUBSTITUTION PRODUCES INACTIVE AND MISCODING POLYMERASE COMPLEXES*

Previous work has shown that Y-family DNA polymerases tolerate large DNA adducts, but a substantial decrease in catalytic efficiency and fidelity occurs during bypass of N²,N²-dimethyl (Me₂)-substituted guanine (N²,N²-Me₂G), in contrast to a single methyl substitution. Therefore, it is unclear why the addition of two methyl groups is so disruptive. The presence of N²,N²-Me₂G lowered the catalytic efficiency of the model enzyme Sulfolobus solfataricus Dpo4 16,000-fold. Dpo4 inserted dNTPs almost at random during bypass of N²,N²-Me₂G, and much of the enzyme was kinetically trapped by an inactive ternary complex when N²,N²-Me₂G was present, as judged by a reduced burst amplitude (5% of total enzyme) and kinetic modeling. One crystal structure of Dpo4 with a primer having a 3′-terminal dideoxycytosine (C_dd) opposite template N²,N²-Me₂G in a post-insertion position showed C_dd folded back into the minor groove, as a catalytically incompetent complex. A second crystal had two unique orientations for the primer terminal C_dd as follows: (i) flipped into the minor groove and (ii) a long pairing with N²,N²-Me₂G in which one hydrogen bond exists between the O-2 atom of C_dd and the N-1 atom of N²,N²-Me₂G, with a second water-mediated hydrogen bond between the N-3 atom of C_dd and the O-6 atom of N²,N²-Me₂G. A crystal structure of Dpo4 with dTTP opposite template N²,N²-Me₂G revealed a wobble orientation. Collectively, these results explain, in a detailed manner, the basis for the reduced efficiency and fidelity of Dpo4-catalyzed bypass of N²,N²-Me₂G compared with mono-substituted N²-alkyl G adducts.     

Identification,characterization and in vitro neuroprotection of N6-(4-hydroxybenzyl) adenine riboside and its metabolites

N⁶-(4-hydroxybenzyl) adenine riboside (NHBA), isolated from Gastrodia elata Blume, has been demonstrated to show great pharmacological effects. The present study aimed to synthesize and identify the metabolites of NHBA, and to determine their neuroprotective potentials in vitro. After incubation with rat liver microsomes in the presence of NADPH, two metabolites were detected, which were further semisynthesized and identified as N⁶-(4-hydroxylbenzyl) purine (NHBP) and N⁶-(3,4-dihydroxylbenzyl) adenine riboside (ONHBA) by UPLC-QTOF-MS, ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR. Furthermore, the neuroprotective activities of NHBA and two metabolites were evaluated in SH-SY5Y cells. Our results demonstrated that NHBA substantially protected against H₂O₂-induced neuronal death in SH-SY5Y cells. Moreover, both ONHBA and NHBP could significantly prevent Aβ oligomers- and H₂O₂-induced neuronal death in SH-SY5Y cells. These results suggested that NHBA and its metabolites, ONHBA and NHBP, might be suitable for the development of new drugs in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease in particular.     

N6-Alkylthiomethyl and N6-Arylthiomethyl Derivatives of Adenosine and Their Cytokinin Activity

Five new derivatives of adenosine, N⁶-[(1-methylethyl)thiomethyl]-(1), N⁶-methyithiomethyl-(2), N⁶-phenylthiomethyl-(3), N⁶-[(3-amino-3-carboxypropyl)thiomethyl]-(4), and N⁶-[(2-amino-2-carboxyethyl)thiomethyl]adenosine (5), were synthesized and their cytokinin activity was tested in the Amaranthus betacyanin assay and the soybean callus growth.

1, 2, and 3 were active in the former assay and all five compounds were active in the latter assay. The activities of the compounds were, however, weaker than those of the reference derivatives, in which Sulfides were replaced by methylenes, N⁶-isopentyl-, N⁶-n-propyl-, N⁶-benzyl-, and N⁶-(5-amino-5-carboxypentyl)adenosine. This fact indicates that the sulfide structure introduced into the N⁶-side chains had the effect of reducing cytokinin activity.     

The first radiosynthesis of [11C]AZD8931 as a new potential PET agent for imaging of EGFR,HER2 and HER3 signaling

The reference standard AZD8931{2-(4-((4-((3-chloro-2-fluorophenyl)amino)-7-methoxyquinazolin-6-yl)oxy)piperidin-1-yl)-N-methylacetamide} (11a) was synthesized from methyl 4,5-dimethoxy-2-nitrobenzoate or ethyl 4,5-dimethoxy-2-nitrobenzoate and 2-chloro-N-methylacetamide in 11 steps with 2–5% overall chemical yield. The precursor N-desmethyl-AZD8931{2-(4-((4-((3-chloro-2-fluorophenyl)amino)-7-methoxyquinazolin-6-yl)oxy)piperidin-1-yl)acetamide} (11b) was synthesized from methyl 4,5-dimethoxy-2-nitrobenzoate or ethyl 4,5-dimethoxy-2-nitrobenzoate and 2-bromoacetamide in 11 steps with 2–4% overall chemical yield. The target tracer [¹¹C]AZD8931 {2-(4-((4-((3-chloro-2-fluorophenyl)amino)-7-methoxyquinazolin-6-yl)oxy)piperidin-1-yl)-N-[¹¹C]methylacetamide} ([¹¹C]11a) was prepared from N-desmethyl-AZD8931 (11b) with [¹¹C]CH₃OTf under basic condition (NaH) through N-[¹¹C]methylation and isolated by HPLC combined with solid-phase extraction (SPE) in 40–50% radiochemical yield based on [¹¹C]CO₂ and decay corrected to end of bombardment (EOB) with 370–1110 GBq/μmol specific activity at EOB.     

Addition of 1-nitroalkanes to methyl 2,3-O-isopropylidene-β-d-ribo-pentodialdo-1,4-furanoside and N6-benzoyl-2′,3′-O-isopropylideneadenosine-5′-aldehyde

Various 1-nitroalkanes reacted with methyl 2,3-O-isopropylidene-β-d-ribo-pentodialdo-1,4-furanoside to yield methyl 6-alkyl-6-deoxy-2,3-O-isopropylidene-6-nitro-β-d-ribofuranosides in 64–79% yield. Similarly, nitromethane and 1-nitropentane reacted with N⁶-benzoyl-2′,3′-O-isopropylideneadenosine-5′-aldehyde, to yield the corresponding 9-[6-alkyl-6-deoxy-2,3-O-isopropylidene-6-nitro-α-l-talo(β-d-allo)furanosyl]-N⁶-benzoyladenines in 74 and 44% yield, respectively. The potential utility of this nitroalkane addition for the synthesis of nucleosides having a C-5′C-6′ bond is discussed.     

Extended N6 substitution of rigid C2-arylethynyl nucleosides for exploring the role of extracellular loops in ligand recognition at the A3 adenosine receptor

2-Arylethynyl-(N)-methanocarba adenosine 5′-methyluronamides containing rigid N⁶-(trans-2-phenylcyclopropyl) and 2-phenylethynyl groups were synthesized as agonists for probing structural features of the A₃ adenosine receptor (AR). Radioligand binding confirmed A₃AR selectivity and N⁶-1S,2R stereoselectivity for one diastereomeric pair. The environment of receptor-bound, conformationally constrained N⁶ groups was explored by docking to an A₃AR homology model, indicating specific hydrophobic interactions with the second extracellular loop able to modulate the affinity profile. 2-Pyridylethynyl derivative 18 was administered orally in mice to reduce chronic neuropathic pain in the chronic constriction injury model.     

Synthesis,structures and urease inhibitory activity of cobalt(III) complexes with Schiff bases

A series of new cobalt(III) complexes were prepared. They are [CoL¹(py)₃]·NO₃ (1), [CoL²(bipy)(N₃)]·CH₃OH (2), [CoL³(HL³)(N₃)]·NO₃ (3), and [CoL⁴(MeOH)(N₃)] (4), where L¹, L², L³ and L⁴ are the deprotonated form of N′-(2-hydroxy-5-methoxybenzylidene)-3-methylbenzohydrazide, N′-(2-hydroxybenzylidene)-3-hydroxylbenzohydrazide, 2-[(2-dimethylaminoethylimino)methyl]-4-methylphenol, and N,N′-bis(5-methylsalicylidene)-o-phenylenediamine, respectively, py is pyridine, and bipy is 2,2′-bipyridine. The complexes were characterized by infrared and UV–Vis spectra, and single crystal X-ray diffraction. The Co atoms in the complexes are in octahedral coordination. Complexes 1 and 4 show effective urease inhibitory activities, with IC₅₀ values of 4.27 and 0.35 μmol L⁻¹, respectively. Complex 2 has medium activity against urease, with IC₅₀ value of 68.7 μmol L⁻¹. While complex 3 has no activity against urease. Molecular docking study of the complexes with Helicobacter pylori urease was performed.     

Novel semicarbazones based 2,5-disubstituted-1,3,4-oxadiazoles: One more step towards establishing four binding site pharmacophoric model hypothesis for anticonvulsant activity

A series of novel N¹-{5-[(naphthalene-2-yloxy)methyl]-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl}-N⁴-(4-substitutedbenzaldehyde)-semicarbazone, N¹-{5-[(naphthalene-2-yloxy)methyl]-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl}-N⁴-[1-(4-substitutedphenyl)ethanone]-semicarbazone and N¹-{5-[(naphthalene-2-yloxy)methyl]-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl}-N⁴-[1-(4-substitutedphenyl) (phenyl) methanone]-semicarbazone were designed and synthesized on the basis of semicarbazone based pharmacophoric model to meet the structural requirements necessary for anticonvulsant activity. The anticonvulsant activities of the compounds were investigated using maximal electroshock seizure (MES), subcutaneous pentylenetrtrazole (scPTZ) and subcutaneous strychnine (scSTY) models. Some of the selected active compounds were subjected to GABA assay to confirm their mode of action. The efforts were also made to establish structure activity relationships among synthesized compounds. The results of the present studying validated that the pharmacophoric model with four binding sites is essential for anticonvulsant activity.     

Iron(III) complexes using NNS reduced Schiff bases and NNOS coordinating tetradentate ligands: Synthesis, structure and catecholase activity

The orange-red colored complexes of the type [Fe(L_SB)Cl₃], 1, have been synthesized in excellent yields by reacting FeCl₃·6H₂O with L_SB in methanol. Here, L_SB is (2-(ethylthio)-N-(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)ethanamine), (L_SB¹) and (2-(benzylthio)-N-(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)ethanamine) (L_SB²). Similarly, FeCl₃·6H₂O reacted with 2-(((2-(ethylthio) ethyl) (pyridin-2-ylmethyl)amino)methyl)phenol (HL¹), 2-(((2-(ethylthio)ethyl)(pyridin-2 ylmethyl)amino)methyl)-4-nitrophenol (HL²), 4-chloro-2-(((2-(ethylthio)ethyl)(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)amino)methyl)phenol (HL³), 2-(((2-(benzylthio)ethyl)(pyridin-2-ylmethyl) amino)methyl)phenol (HL⁴), 2-(((2-(benzylthio)ethyl)(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)amino)methyl) -4-nitrophenol (HL⁵), and 4-chloro-2-(((2-(benzylthio)ethyl)(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)amino) methyl)phenol (HL⁶) to give dichloro complexes of the type [Fe(L)Cl₂], 2. The solid and solution structure of the complexes, as well as their properties, were probed using X-ray diffraction, spectroscopic and electrochemical methods. The Mössbauer spectral study at 80 K for complexes reveals the existence of (III) oxidation state and high-spin state of the metal center in the complex. Dioxygenase activity of the complexes has been studied and both 1 and 2 have been found to display the intradiol-cleaving pathway. However, no extradiol cleavage products have been isolated.     

Copper(II) complexes of new pentadentate bis(benzimidazolyl)-dithioether ligands: synthesis, structure, spectra and redox properties

Copper(II) complexes of a series of linear pentadentate ligands containing two benzimidazoles, two thioether sulfurs and a amine nitrogen, viz. N,N^′-bis{4^′-(2″-benzimidazolyl)(methyl)-3^′-thiabutyl}amine(L¹), N,N^′-bis{4^′-(2″-benzimidazolyl)(methyl)-3^′-thiabutyl}N-methylamine (L²), 2,6-bis{4^′-(2″-benzimidazolyl)(methyl)-3^′-thiabutyl}pyridine(L³), N,N^′-bis{4^′-(2″-benzimidazolyl)-2^′-thiabutyl}amine (L⁴), N,N^′-bis{4^′-(2″-benzimidazolyl)-2^′-thiabutyl}N-methylamine (L⁵) and 2,6-bis{4^′-(2″-benzimidazolyl)-2^′-thiabutyl}-3pyridine (L⁶) have been isolated and characterized by electronic absorption and EPR spectroscopy and cyclic and differential pulse voltammetry. Of these complexes, [Cu(L¹)](BF₄)₂ (1) and [Cu(L²)](BF₄)₂ (4) have been structurally characterized by X-ray crystallography. The coordination geometries around copper(II) in 1 and 4 are described as trigonal bipyramidal distorted square based pyramidal geometry (TBDSBP). The distorted CuN₃S basal plane in them is comprised of amine nitrogen, one thioether sulphur and two benzimidazole nitrogens and the other thioether sulfur is axially coordinated. The ligand field spectra of all the complexes are consistent with a mostly square-based geometry in solution. The EPR spectra of complexes [Cu(L¹)](BF₄)₂ (1), [Cu(L¹)](NO₃)₂ (2), [Cu(L²)](BF₄)₂ (4) and [Cu(L³)](ClO₄)₂ (6) are consistent with two species indicating the dissociation/disproportionation of the complex species in solution. All the complexes exhibit an intense CT band in the range 305-395 nm and show a quasireversible to irreversible Cu^II/Cu^I redox process with relatively positive E_1/2 values, which are consistent with the presence of two-coordinated thioether groups. The addition of N-methylimidazole (mim) replaces the coordinated thioether ligands in solution, as revealed from the negative shift (222-403 mV) in the Cu^II/Cu^I redox potential. The present study reveals that the effect of incorporating an amine nitrogen donor into CuN₂S₂ complexes is to generate an axial copper(II)-thioether coordination and also to enforce lesser trigonality on the copper(II) coordination geometry.     

Facile synthesis of carbon-11-labeled sEH/PDE4 dual inhibitors as new potential PET agents for imaging of sEH/PDE4 enzymes in neuroinflammation

To develop PET tracers for imaging of neuroinflammation, new carbon-11-labeled sEH/PDE4 dual inhibitors have been synthesized. The reference standard N-(4-methoxy-2-(trifluoromethyl)benzyl)benzamide (1) and its corresponding desmethylated precursor N-(4-hydroxy-2-(trifluoromethyl)benzyl)benzamide (2) were synthesized from (4-methoxy-2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)methanamine and benzoic acid in one and two steps with 84% and 49% overall chemical yield, respectively. The standard N-(4-methoxy-2-(trifluoromethyl)benzyl)-1-propionylpiperidine-4-carboxamide (MPPA, 4) and its precursor N-(4-hydroxy-2-(trifluoromethyl)benzyl)-1-propionylpiperidine-4-carboxamide (5) were synthesized from methyl 4-piperidinecarboxylate, propionyl chloride and (4-methoxy-2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)methanamine in two and three steps with 62% and 34% overall chemical yield, respectively. The target tracers N-(4-[¹¹C]methoxy-2-(trifluoromethyl)benzyl)benzamide ([¹¹C]1) and N-(4-[¹¹C]methoxy-2-(trifluoromethyl)benzyl)-1-propionylpiperidine-4-carboxamide ([¹¹C]MPPA, [¹¹C]4) were prepared from their corresponding precursors 2 and 5 with [¹¹C]CH₃OTf through O-[¹¹C]methylation and isolated by HPLC combined with SPE in 25–35% radiochemical yield, based on [¹¹C]CO₂ and decay corrected to end of bombardment (EOB). The radiochemical purity was >99%, and the molar activity (A_M) at EOB was 370–740 GBq/μmol with a total synthesis time of 35–40-minutes from EOB.     

Effect of methanogenic substrates on coenzyme F420-dependent N5,N10-methylene-H4MPT dehydrogenase,N5,N10-methenyl-H4MPT cyclohydrolase and F420-reducing hydrogenase activities in Methanosarcina barkeri

We measured F₄₂₀-dependent N⁵,N¹⁰-methylenetetrahydro-methanopterin dehydrogenase, N⁵, N¹⁰-methenyltetrahydro-methanopterin cyclohydrolase, and F₄₂₀-reducing hydrogenase levels in Methanosarcina barkeri grown on various substrates. Variation in dehydrogenase levels during growth on a specific substrate was usually <3-fold, and much less for cyclohydrolase. H₂–CO₂-, methanol-, and H₂–CO₂+ methanol-grown cells had roughly equivalent levels of dehydrogenase and cyclohydrolase. In acetate-grown cells cyclohydrolase level was lowered 2 to 3-fold and dehydrogenase 10 to 80-fold; this was not due to repression by acetate, since, if cultures growing on acetate were supplemented with methanol or H₂–CO₂, dehydrogenase levels increased 14 to 19-fold, and cyclohydrolase levels by 3 to 4-fold. Compared to H₂–CO₂- or methanol-grown cells, acetate-or H₂–CO₂ + methanol-grown cells had lower levels of and less growth phase-dependent variation in hydrogenase activity. Our data are consistent with the following hypotheses: 1. M. barkeri oxidizes methanol via a portion of the CO₂-reduction pathway operated in the reverse direction. 2. When steps from CO₂ to CH₃-S-CoM in the CO₂-reduction pathway (in either direction) are not used for methanogenesis, hydrogenase activity is lowered.Abbreviations MF methanofuran - H₄MPT 5,6,7,8-tetrahydromethanopterin - HS-HTP 7-mercaptoheptanoylthreonine phosphate - CoM-S-S-HTP heterodisulfide of HS-CoM and HS-HTP - F₄₂₀ coenzyme F₄₂₀ (a 7,8-didemethyl-8-hydroxy-5-deaza-riboflavin derivative) - H₂F₄₂₀ reduced coenzyme F₄₂₀ - HC⁺=H₄MPT N⁵,N¹⁰-methenyl-H₄MPT - H₂C=H₄MPT N⁵,N¹⁰-methylene-H₄MPT - H₃C=H₄MPT N⁵-methyl-H₄MPT - BES 2-bromoethanesulfonic acid     

Synthesis of carbon-11-labeled CK1 inhibitors as new potential PET radiotracers for imaging of Alzheimer’s disease

The reference standards methyl 3-((2,2-difluoro-5H-[1,3]dioxolo[4′,5′:4,5]benzo[1,2-d]imidazol-6-yl)carbamoyl)benzoate (5a) and N-(2,2-difluoro-5H-[1,3]dioxolo[4′,5′:4,5]benzo[1,2-d]imidazol-6-yl)-3-methoxybenzamide (5c), and their corresponding desmethylated precursors 3-((2,2-difluoro-5H-[1,3]dioxolo[4′,5′:4,5]benzo[1,2-d]imidazol-6-yl)carbamoyl)benzoic acid (6a) and N-(2,2-difluoro-5H-[1,3]dioxolo[4′,5′:4,5]benzo[1,2-d]imidazol-6-yl)-3-hydroxybenzamide (6b), were synthesized from 5-amino-2,2-difluoro-1,3-benzodioxole and 3-substituted benzoic acids in 5 and 6 steps with 33% and 11%, 30% and 7% overall chemical yield, respectively. Carbon-11-labeled casein kinase 1 (CK1) inhibitors, [¹¹C]methyl 3-((2,2-difluoro-5H-[1,3]dioxolo[4′,5′:4,5]benzo[1,2-d]imidazol-6-yl)carbamoyl)benzoate ([¹¹C]5a) and N-(2,2-difluoro-5H-[1,3]dioxolo[4′,5′:4,5]benzo[1,2-d]imidazol-6-yl)-3-[¹¹C]methoxybenzamide ([¹¹C]5c), were prepared from their O-desmethylated precursor 6a or 6b with [¹¹C]CH₃OTf through O-[¹¹C]methylation and isolated by HPLC combined with SPE in 40–45% radiochemical yield, based on [¹¹C]CO₂ and decay corrected to end of bombardment (EOB). The radiochemical purity was >99%, and the molar activity (MA) at EOB was 370–740?GBq/μmol with a total synthesis time of ～40-min from EOB.     

N 5,N 10-Methenyltetrahydromethanopterin cyclohydrolase from the extremely thermophilic sulfate reducing Archaeoglobus fulgidus: comparison of its properties with those of the cyclohydrolase from the extremely thermophilic Methanopyrus kandleri

Archaeoglobus fulgidus and Methanopyrus kandleri are both extremely thermophilic Archaea with a growth temperature optimum at 83°C and 98°C, respectively. Both Archaea contain an active N ⁵,N ¹⁰-methenyltetrahydromethanopterin cyclohydrolase. The enzyme from M. kandleri has recently been characterized. We describe here the purification and properties of the enzyme from A. fulgidus.The cyclohydrolase from A. fulgidus was purified 180-fold to apparent homogeneity and its properties were compared with those recently published for the cyclohydrolase from M. kandleri. The two cytoplasmic enzymes were found to have very similar molecular and catalytic properties. They differed, however, significantly with respect of the effect of K₂HPO₄ and of other salts on the activity and the stability. The cyclohydrolase from A. fulgidus required relatively high concentrations of K₂HPO₄ (1 M) for optimal thermostability at 90°C but did not require salts for activity. Vice versa, the enzyme from M. kandleri was dependent on high K₂HPO₄ concentrations (1.5 M) for optimal activity but not for thermostability. Thus the activity and structural stability of the two thermophilic enzymes depend in a completely different way on the concentration of inorganic salts. The molecular basis for these differences are discussed.Abbreviations H₄MPT tetrahydromethanopterin - MFR methanofuran - CH₃–H₄MPT N ⁵-methyl-H₄MPT - CH₂=H₄MPT N ⁵,N ¹⁰-methylene-H₄MPT - CH₂H₄MPT N ⁵,N ¹⁰-methenyl-H₄MPT - CHO–H₄MPT N ⁵ formyl-H₄MPT - CHO-MFR formyl-MFR - cyclohydrolase N ⁵,N ¹⁰-methenyltetrahydromethanopterin cyclohydrolase - MOPS 3-(N-morpholino) propane sulfonic acid - TRICINE N-tris (hydroxymethyl) methyl glycine - 1 U=1 mol/min     

Facile synthesis of carbon-11-labeled cholesterol-based cationic lipids as new potential PET probes for imaging of gene delivery in cancer

Gene therapy based on gene delivery is a promising strategy for the treatment of various human diseases such as cancer. Cationic lipids represent one of the important synthetic gene delivery systems. There is a great interest in imaging of gene therapy using the biomedical imaging technique positron emission tomography (PET). Carbon-11-labeled cholesterol-based cationic lipids were first designed and synthesized as new potential PET probes for imaging of gene delivery in cancer. The [¹¹C-methyl]quaternary amine target tracers, N-[¹¹C]methyl-N-[4-(cholest-5-en-3β-yloxycarbonyl)butyl]pyrrolidinium iodide ([¹¹C]4a), N-[¹¹C]methyl-N′-[4-(cholest-5-en-3β-yloxycarbonyl)butyl]imidazolium iodide ([¹¹C]4b), N-[¹¹C]methyl-N-[4-(cholest-5-en-3β-yloxycarbonyl)butyl]piperidinium iodide ([¹¹C]4c), N-[¹¹C]methyl-N-[4-(cholest-5-en-3β-yloxycarbonyl)butyl]-4-methylpiperidinium iodide ([¹¹C]4d), and N-[¹¹C]methyl-N-[4-(cholest-5-en-3β-yloxycarbonyl)butyl]morpholinium iodide ([¹¹C]4e), were prepared from their corresponding tertiary amine precursors with [¹¹C]methyl iodide ([¹¹C]CH₃I) through N-[¹¹C]methylation and isolated by a simplified solid-phase extraction (SPE) method using a Silica Sep-Pak cartridge in 50-60% radiochemical yields decay corrected to end-of-bombardment (EOB), based on [¹¹C]CO₂, and 111-185 GBq/μmol specific activity at the end of synthesis (EOS).     

Reactions of plant copper/topaquinone amine oxidases with N6-aminoalkyl derivatives of adenine

Plant copper/topaquinone-containing amine oxidases (CAOs, EC 1.4.3.6) are enzymes oxidising various amines. Here we report a study on the reactions of CAOs from grass pea (Lathyrus sativus), lentil (Lens esculenta) and Euphorbia characias, a Mediterranean shrub, with N⁶-aminoalkyl adenines representing combined analogues of cytokinins and polyamines. The following compounds were synthesised: N⁶-(3-aminopropyl)adenine, N⁶-(4-aminobutyl)adenine, N⁶-(4-amino-trans-but-2-enyl)adenine, N⁶-(4-amino-cis-but-2-enyl)adenine and N⁶-(4-aminobut-2-ynyl)adenine. From these, N⁶-(4-aminobutyl)adenine and N⁶-(4-amino-trans-but-2-enyl)adenine were found to be substrates for all three enzymes (K_m～10^?4?M). Absorption spectroscopy demonstrated such an interaction with the cofactor topaquinone, which is typical for common diamine substrates. However, only the former compound provided a regular reaction stoichiometry. Anaerobic absorption spectra of N⁶-(3-aminopropyl)adenine, N⁶-(4-amino-cis-but-2-enyl)adenine and N⁶-(4-aminobut-2-ynyl)adenine reactions revealed a similar kind of initial interaction, although the compounds finally inhibited the enzymes. Kinetic measurements allowed the determination of both inhibition type and strength; N⁶-(3-aminopropyl)adenine and N⁶-(4-amino-cis-but-2-enyl)adenine produced reversible inhibition (K_i～10^?5–10^?4?M) whereas, N⁶-(4-aminobut-2-ynyl)adenine could be considered a powerful inactivator.     

N4-Acyl derivatives as lipophilic prodrugs of cidofovir and its 5-azacytosine analogue, (S)-HPMP-5-azaC: Chemistry and antiviral activity

Even number fatty acid residues—docosanoyl (behenoyl) and stearoyl were selected for introduction to the N⁴-position of (S)-1-[3-hydroxy-2-(phosphonomethoxy)propyl]cytosine) (HPMPC, cidofovir), and its 5-azacytosine counterpart, (S)-1-[3-hydroxy-2-(phosphonomethoxy)propyl]cytosine) (HPMP-5-azaC) with the aim to prepare a new type of lipophilic prodrugs. The study on the influence of these modifications to the stability and biological activity of both antivirals was performed. Different reactivity of both systems towards acylation reactions was also found: the 4-NH₂ group of cidofovir was more reactive compared to that of HPMP-5-azaC. In 5-azacytosine derivatives, we found mostly a destabilizing effect of the N⁴-acylation but this could be compensated by a positive influence of the esterification of the phosphonate group. Chemical stability of the 5-azacytosine moiety in the HPMP series is increasing in the following order: HPMP-5-azaC < cyclic HPMP-5-azaC < HPMP-5-azaC esters. From the view of prodrug development, the best chemical stability was observed in case of the double prodrug 7: the N⁴-behenoyl derivative of the hexadecyloxyethyl ester of cyclic HPMP-5-azaC. The free phosphonic acid (N⁴-behenoyl-HPMPC) appeared to be a more potent and selective inhibitor of herpesvirus replication than the parent HPMPC derivative.     

The Methyl Group of the N6-Methyl-N6-Threonylcarbamoyladenosine in tRNA of Escherichia coli Modestly Improves the Efficiency of the tRNA

tRNA species that read codons starting with adenosine (A) contain N⁶-threonylcarbamoyladenosine (t⁶A) derivatives adjacent to and 3′ of the anticodons from all organisms. In Escherichia coli there are 12 such tRNA species of which two (tRNA_GGU^Thr1 and tRNA_GGU^Thr3) have the t⁶A derivative N⁶-methyl-N⁶-threonylcarbamoyladenosine (m⁶t⁶A37). We have isolated a mutant of E. coli that lacks the m⁶t⁶A37 in these two tRNA_GGU^Thr species. These tRNA species in the mutant are likely to have t⁶A37 instead of m⁶t⁶A37. We show that the methyl group of m⁶t⁶A37 originates from S-adenosyl-l-methionine and that the gene (tsaA) which most likely encodes tRNA(m⁶t⁶A37)methyltransferase is located at min 4.6 on the E. coli chromosomal map. The growth rate of the cell, the polypeptide chain elongation rate, and the selection of Thr-tRNA_GGU^Thr to the ribosomal A site programmed with either of the cognate codons ACC and ACU were the same for the tsaA1 mutant as for the congenic wild-type strain. The expression of the threonine operon is regulated by an attenuator which contains in its leader mRNA seven ACC codons that are read by these two m⁶t⁶A37-containing tRNA_GGU^Thr species. We show that the tsaA1 mutation resulted in a twofold derepression of this operon, suggesting that the lack of the methyl group of m⁶t⁶A37 in tRNA_GGU^Thr slightly reduces the efficiency of this tRNA to read cognate codon ACC.All tRNA species from the three domains, Archaea, Bacteria, and Eucarya, contain modified nucleosides, which are derivatives of the four nucleosides, adenosine, guanosine, cytidine, and uridine. At present, more than 79 different modified nucleosides from the tRNA of various organisms have been characterized (23). Some of these are present in tRNA from only one domain, but a few are present in the same subset of and at the same position in the tRNAs from all three domains (3). One such conserved group of modified nucleosides is the threonylated adenosine (t⁶A) derivatives. These modified adenosines are present adjacent to and 3′ of the anticodon (position 37) in the subset of tRNAs that reads codons starting with A. The universal presence of t⁶A derivatives suggests that these kinds of modifications may have been present in the tRNA of the progenitor, unless a convergent evolution has occurred. This conservation also suggests that the functions of these modified nucleosides may be principally the same in all organisms.In Escherichia coli, the t⁶A37 derivative N⁶-methyl-N⁶- threonylcarbamoyladenosine (m⁶t⁶A37) is present in only two tRNA species, the tRNA_GGU^Thr species, with the same anticodon (20). Threonine is the precursor in the synthesis of t⁶A (10, 32), and in vitro threonylation requires carbonate and ATP (15, 21). Here we show that the methyl group of m⁶t⁶A37 originates from methionine. So far, no mutant deficient in any t⁶A37 derivative has been characterized. As a first step to elucidate the syntheses of these groups of modified nucleosides and their roles in vivo, we have isolated and characterized a mutant deficient in the synthesis of m⁶t⁶A37. We show that the tsaA gene most likely encodes the tRNA(m⁶t⁶A37)methyltransferase that transfers a methyl group from S-adenosylmethionine (AdoMet) to the two tRNA_GGU^Thr species containing the t⁶A moiety. The tsaA gene was localized to the 4.6 min site on the E. coli chromosome. We also show that the methyl group of m⁶t⁶A37 slightly improves the translational efficiency of the two tRNA_GGU^Thr species.