Cytokinin-like activity of N′-substituted N-phenylureas

We have synthesized 14 N-phenylurea derivatives, differing in theheterocyclic portion linked in N-position, and tested theircytokinin-like activity. Three different bioassays were used: the chlorophylllevel determination test, the bioassay for the expression of hormone-inducedchimeric Pg5-GUS gene and the tomato regeneration test, in which1,2-benzisoxazole-3-acetic acid (BOAA) was utilized as auxin. Thecytokinin-likeactivity showed by three of these compounds in the regeneration assay seems tobe related to their different heterocyclic nature. Results obtained indicatethat the N-phenyl-N-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-ylurea (compound 4), an isomer ofN-phenyl-N-1,2,3-thiadiazol-5-ylurea (thidiazuron, TDZ), in the absenceof auxin induces shoot regeneration in the 34,2% of the explantscultured; theN-phenyl-N-(3-chloro-1,2-benzisothiazol-7-yl) urea (compound 10),structurally different from TDZ, in the absence of auxin induces shootregeneration in the 25,9% of explants, significantly lower than that ofTDZ (68,8%). N-phenyl-N-benzothiazol-6-ylurea (compound 13),structurally different from TDZ, in the absence of auxin induces the99,5% of shoot regeneration, significantly different from that of theother substances. The addition of auxin in the cotyledon regeneration assayreduces the differences. The compound 13 could be considered a new phenylureaderivative with a highly specific cytokinin-like activity.     

Novel Types of N6,2′-Cyclonucleosides

Abstract

Upon oxidation followed by treatment with hydroxylamine, the 3′,5′-diblocked uridine 1 gave the expected oxime 2 together with the N⁶,2′.cyclonucleoside 3 formed by nucleophilic attack of hydroxylamine at both C-6 and C-2′ positions. Reduction of 2 took place predominantly from the α face and the major D-arabino compound obtained gave the cyclonucleosides, 7 via Michael type addition. The structures of the novel cyclonucleosides, particularly their configuration at C-6 were established by X-ray diffraction.     

Syntheses and antitumor activities of N′1,N′3-dialkyl-N′1,N′3-di-(alkylcarbonothioyl) malonohydrazide: The discovery of elesclomol

A series of N′¹,N′³-dialkyl-N′¹,N′³-di(alkylcarbonothioyl) malonohydrazides have been designed and synthesized as anticancer agents by targeting oxidative stress and Hsp70 induction. Structure–activity relationship (SAR) studies lead to the discovery of STA-4783 (elesclomol), a novel small molecule that has been evaluated in a number of clinical trials as an anticancer agent in combination with Taxol.     

Chemistry of the N′-Oxides of Nicotine and Myosmine

Nicotine-N′-oxide (II) was purified to give a crystalline form which has m.p. 170~171°C, and . The reaction of nicotine-N′-oxide with acetic anhydride afforded a good yield of 1′-(3-pyridyl)-4′-(N′-acetylmethylamino)-l′-propanone (V) which was hydrolyzed to give pseudoöxynicotine (III). Nicotine-N′-oxide (II) either with acetyl chloride or with benzoyl chloride, under similar conditions, furnished pseudoöxynicotine (III) without giving the corresponding acyl compound as an intermediate. 2′-Methyl-6′-(3-pyridyl)-tetrahydro-l′,2′-oxazine (XII) rearranged from nicotine-N′-oxide reacted neither with acetic anhydride nor acetyl chloride. Reduction of the oxime (IV) of pseudoöxynicotine dihydrochloride gave dl-l′-amino-l′-(3-pyridyl)-4′-methyl-aminobutane (VII) as a main product. The hydrazone (VIII) of pseudoöxynicotine dihydrochloride subjected to a modification of the Wolf-Kischner reaction, was reduced to yield dihydrometanicotine (IX). The pyrolysis of N′-methylmyosmine (IV) gave N′-methylnicotinamide (XI) and nicotyrine (X) in low yields. The presence of N′-methylmyosmine in the autoxidation mixture of nicotine was also established. Oxidation of nornicotine (XIV) with hydrogen peroxide furnished myosmine-N′-oxide (XV) whose identity was established by its chemical and physical properties. This oxide, on pyrolysis, gave nornicotyrine (XVII) and myosmine (XVI).     

Mode of action of N,N′-diphenylurea: The isolation and identification of the cytokinins in the transfer RNA from tobacco callus grown in the presence of N,N′-diphenylurea

Summary The tRNA from cytokinin-dependent tobacco callus (Nicotiana tabacum) grown on mineral medium containing N,N-diphenylurea as the source of cytokinin was found to contain 3 cytokinin-active ribonucleosides. The 2 ribonucleosides present in the largest amounts were identified conclusively by their chromatographic properties, ultra-violet and low-resolution mass spectra as the naturally-occurring cytokinins 6-(4-hydroxy-3-methyl-cis-2-butenylamino)-9--D-ribofuranosylpurine and 6-(3-methyl-2-butenylamino)-9--ribofuranosylpurine. A third ribonucleoside, present in smaller amounts, was identified as another naturally-occurring cytokinin 6-(4-hydroxy-3-methyl-2-butenylamino)-2-methylthio-9--D-ribofuranosylpurine on the basis of its chromatographic behaviour. No evidence was found to associate the mode of action of the non-purine cytokinin, N,N-diphenylurea, with tRNA.Abbreviation DPU N,N-diphenylurea     

N,N′-carbonyldiimidazole-induced diketopiperazine formation in aqueous solution in the presence of adenosine-5′-monophosphate

Summary 3(2)-O-glycyl-adenosine-5-monophosphate is an intermediate in the conversion of N-[imidazolyl-(1)-carbonyl]-glycine to diketopiperazine in the presence of adenosine-5-monophosphate. The significance of these observations to prebiotic chemistry is discussed.Abbreviations AMP adenosine-5-monophosphate - A adenosine     

Stereoselective and driving-force-dependent photoinduced electron-transfer reactions of zinc myoglobin with optically active N,N′-dimethylcinchoninium and N,N′-dimethylcinchonidinium ions

In order to understand the detailed mechanism of the stereoselective photoinduced electron-transfer (ET) reactions of zinc-substituted myoglobin (ZnMb) with optically active molecules by flash photolysis, we designed and prepared new optically active agents, such as N,N′-dimethylcinchoninium diiodide ([MCN]I₂) and N,N′-dimethylcinchonidinium diiodide ([MCD]I₂). The photoexcited triplet state of ZnMb, ³(ZnMb)*, was successfully quenched by [MCN]²⁺ and [MCD]²⁺ ions to form the radical pair of ZnMb cation (ZnMb^·+) and reduced [MCN]^·+ and [MCD]^·+, followed by a thermal back ET reaction to the ground state. The rate constants (k _q) for the ET quenching at 25 °C were obtained as k _q(MCN)=(1.9±0.1)×10⁶ M⁻¹ s⁻¹ and k _q(MCD)=(3.0±0.2)×10⁶ M⁻¹ s⁻¹, respectively. The ratio of k _q(MCD)/k _q(MCN)=1.6 indicates that the [MCD]²⁺ preferentially quenches ³(ZnMb)*. The second-order rate constants (k _b) for the thermal back ET reaction from [MCN]^·+ and [MCD]^·+ to ZnMb^·+ at 25 °C were k _b(MCN)=(0.79±0.04)×10⁸ M⁻¹ s⁻¹ and k _b(MCD)=(1.0±0.1)×10⁸ M⁻¹ s⁻¹, respectively, and the selectivity was k _q(MCD)/k _q(MCN)=1.3. Both quenching and thermal back ET reactions are controlled by the ET step. In the quenching reaction, the energy differences of ΔΔH ^≠(MCD–MCN) and ΔΔS ^≠(MCD–MCN) at 25 °C were obtained as −1.1 and 0 kJ mol⁻¹, respectively. On the other hand, ΔΔH ^≠(MCD–MCN)=11±2 kJ mol⁻¹ and TΔΔS ^≠(MCD–MCN)=−10±2 kJ mol⁻¹ were given in the thermal back ET reaction. The highest stereoselectivity of 1.7 for [MCD]^·+ found at low temperature (10 °C) was due to the ΔΔS ^≠ value obtained in the thermal back ET reaction. Electronic Supplementary Material Supplementary material is available for this article at and is accessible for authorized users.     

Synthesis and spectroscopic studies of platinum(II) complexes of N,N′-dicyclohexylethylenediamine

The platinum(II) complexes of the formula [Pt(DCHEDA)X₂], where DCHEDA is N,N′-dicyclohexylethylenediamine and X⁻ is CL⁻, Br⁻, I⁻, 0.5C₂O₄²⁻ (oxalate), 0.5C₃H₂O₄²⁻ (malonate), 0.5C₉H₄O₆²⁻ (4-carboxyphthalate), 0.5S₂O₃²⁻ or 0.5SO₄²⁻, have been synthesized and characterized by UVVis, IR, and ¹H NMR spectral techniques. All the above complexes are non-electrolytes in DMF/H₂O, except the sulphate complex which becomes a 1:1 electrolyte after incubation for 24 h at 28 °C. The halide complexes were also studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and these data suggest that there is π-bonding from platinum to halide in these complexes. The oxalate, malonate and sulphate bind in their complexes as bidentate ligands to platinum through two oxygen atoms whereas the thiosulphate in its complex binds as a bidentate ligand to platinum through one oxygen atom and one sulphur atom.     

Phagocidal Activity of the Hydrolyzate of Acetal Derivatives of Oxidized Spermine and Its N,N′-Dimethyl Analog

The hydrolysis of acetal derivatives of oxidized spermine, N, N′-bis (3, 3-diethoxypropyl)-1, 4-diaminobutane, and its N, N′-dimethyl analog with acid was practically complete within 1 hr. During the hydrolysis of these compounds, no detectable amounts of acrolein were formed in the reaction mixture. While the hydrolyzate of the acetal derivative of oxidized spermine potently inactivated bacteriophage T¹, that of the N, N′-dimethyl analog had little phagocidal activity.     

Fates of N′-Methylnicotinamide and Nicotinamide N-Oxide in Mice

This experiment was performed to investigate the possibility that N′ -methylnicotinamide (N′-methyl-3-pyridinecarboxamide) and nicotinamide N-oxide have niacin activity or not in animals. When 20 mg N′-methylnicotinamide per mouse was administered, urinary excretion of nicotinamide, N¹-methylnicotinamide (MNA), N¹-methyl-2-pyridone-5-carboxamide (2-Py), and N¹-methyl-4-pyridone-3-carboxamide (4-Py) increased 24-, 3-, 3-, and 3-fold, respectively, compared with the control values. The increased ratios of MNA, 2-Py, and 4-Py were almost the same as those when 20 mg nicotinamide was administered. Therefore, the relative activity of N′-methylnicotinamide to nicotinamide as niacin was considered to be about 1. When 20 mg nicotinamide N-oxide per mouse was administered, urinary excretion of nicotinamide, MNA, 2-Py, and 4-Py increased 6.4-, 1.8-, 1.6-, and 1.7-fold, respectively, compared with the control values. The increased ratios of MNA, 2-Py, and 4-Py were about 1/2 of those when 20 mg nicotinamide was administered, so the relative activity of nicotinamide N-oxide to nicotinamide as niacin is considered to be about 1/2. In conclusion, it was found the possibility that the reactions N′-methylnicotinamide → nicotinamide and nicotinamide N-oxide → nicotinamide occur, at least in mice, and that therefore N′-methylnicotinamide and nicotinamide N-oxide have niacin activity.     

The oxidation of N,N′-bis(4-aminophenyl)-N,N′-dimethylethylenediamine (BED) by rat liver

We have examined the oxidation of N,N′-bis(4-aminophenyl)-N,N′-dimethylethylenediamine (BED) by tissue homogenates and fractions of liver homogenates. We find that this agent both gives osmiophilic deposits in tissue blocks and readily increases the uptake of oxygen by hepatic homogenates. The highest activity was in the mitochondrial and, next, in the microsomal fractions. Kinetic evidence indicates that the former represents two enzymatic activities while the latter is only a single site. The activity was greatest in the outer membrane of the mitochondria, in agreement with electron micrographic studies and in the rough microsomal fraction. Further, it was very sensitive to both formaldehyde and detergents. The activity was not well associated with either monamine oxidase (benzylamine substrate) or xanthine oxidase activities. Activity was observed in a large number of tissues.     

Interactions of Bovine Brain Tubulin with Pyridostigmine Bromide and N,N′-Diethyl-m-Toluamide

Pyridostigmine bromide (PB), an inhibitor of acetylcholinesterase, has been used as a prophylactic for nerve gas poisoning. N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide (DEET) is the active ingredient in most insect repellents and is thought to interact synergistically with PB. Since PB can inhibit the binding of organophosphates to tubulin and since organophosphates inhibit microtubule assembly, we decided to examine the effects of PB and DEET on microtubule assembly as well as their interactions with tubulin, the subunit protein of microtubules. We found that PB binds to tubulin with an apparent K _d of about 60 M. PB also inhibits microtubule assembly in vitro, although at higher concentrations PB induces formation of tubulin aggregates of high absorbance. Like PB, DEET is a weak inhibitor of microtubule assembly and also induces formation of tubulin aggregates. Many tubulin ligands stabilize the conformation of tubulin as measured by exposure of sulfhydryl groups and hydrophobic areas and stabilization of colchicine binding. PB appears to have very little effect on tubulin conformation, and DEET appears to have no effect. Neither compound interferes with colchicine binding to tubulin. Our results raise the possibility that PB and DEET may exert some of their effects in vivo by interfering with microtubule assembly or function, although high intracellular levels of these compounds would be required.     

N,N′-Dinitrosopiperazine-Mediated AGR2 Is Involved in Metastasis of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) has a high metastatic character in the clinic, but its mechanism is not clear. As a carcinogen with organ specificity for the nasopharyngeal epithelium, N,N′-Dinitrosopiperazine (DNP) is involved in NPC metastasis. Herein, our data revealed that anterior gradient 2 (AGR2) was overexpressed in human NPC tissues, particularly in cervical lymph node metastatic NPC (LMNPC). High AGR2 expression was associated with NPC metastasis. Importantly, DNP induced AGR2 expression, and increased cell motility and invasion in the NPC cell line 6–10B. However, DNP-mediated cell motility and invasion was dramatically decreased when transfected with siRNA-AGR2. Further, AGR2 directly regulated cathepsin (CTS) B and D by binding them in vitro. These results indicate that DNP induces AGR2 expression, regulates CTSB and CTSD, increases cell motility and invasion, and promotes NPC tumor metastasis. Therefore, DNP-mediated AGR2 expression may be an important factor in prolific NPC metastasis.     

Direct modulatory effect of hexasodium N,N,N′,N′-ethylenediamine-tetramethylenephosphonate on bone cell function in vitro

The phosphonate hexasodium N,N,N′,N′-ethylenediamine-tetramethylenephosphonate (EDITEMP · Na₆) reduced alkaline phosphatase (Alp) activity and cAMP response to parathyroid hormone (PTH) in primary cultures of foetal rat calvaria cells in a dose-dependent manner, while not affecting culture DNA content. EDITEMP · Na₆ also inhibited the mineralization of three-dimensional bone nodules formed in vitro, but not the number of nodules formed. Bone cell culture DNA content was also reduced by EDITEMP · Na₆ but at concentrations in excess of those needed to modulate osteoblastic cell function. Withdrawal of EDITEMP · Na₆ led to slow but complete recovery of Alp activity. At EDITEMP · Na₆ concentrations of 25 μM and higher, recovery of Alp activity appeared to be independent of protein and/or DNA synthesis. Cell culture acid phosphatase (Acp) activity was not affected by EDITEMP · Na₆. The results indicate that EDITEMP · Na₆ has a direct inhibitory effect on (mature) osteoblastic cell function. In the presence of bone tissue this inhibition also occurred, although not at a relatively low dose level.     

Diastereo- and Enantioselective Synthesis of 1′-C-Branched N,O-Nucleosides

Abstract

A synthetic approach towards 1′-C-branched N, O-nucleosides is reported, based on 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of ethoxycarbonylnitrone. The asymmetric version of the process exploits the presence of a chiral auxiliary at the carbon atom of nitrone and leads to β-D and β-L nucleosides in good yields.     

Unsymmetrical non-adamantyl N,N′-diaryl urea and amide inhibitors of soluble expoxide hydrolase

Incorporation of an adamantyl group in prototypical soluble expoxide hydrolase (sEH) inhibitors afforded improved enzyme potency. We explored replacement of the adamantyl group in unsymmetrical ureas and amides with substituted aryl rings to identify equipotent and metabolically stable sEH inhibitors. We found that aryl rings, especially those substituted in the para position with a strongly electron withdrawing substituent, afforded enzyme IC₅₀ values comparable to the adamantyl compounds in an ether substituted, unsymmetrical N,N′-diaryl urea or amide scaffold.     

Bromine-Induced Selective N-Monodemethylation of N6, N6-Dimethyl-2′,3′-O-isopropylideneadenosine

Abstract

Bromination of the title compound 1 with bromine in phosphate buffer has led to 8-bromo-N⁶, N⁶-dimethyl-2′,3′-0-isopropylidene-adenosine (2) and 2′,3′-0-isopropylidene-N⁶-methyladenosine (3). Under similar conditions, compound 2 gave 8-bromo-2′,3′-0-isopropylidene-N⁶-methyladenosine (4). The transformations 1 → 3 and 2 → 4 represent biomimetic models of in vivo N⁶-demethylation of antibiotic puromycin.     

Antimicrobial efficiency of some N,N′-bis(alkymethyl)-1,2-ethanediamine dioxides and N,N′-bis(alkylmethyl)-1,2-propanediamine dioxides

Ten dioxide species derived from N,N′-bis(alkylmethyl)-1,2-ethanediamine and N,N′-bis(alkylmethyl)-1,2-propanediamine were tested for their activity withStaphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli andCandida albicans. A relation between the length of the alkylchain, and/or the molecule asymmetry, and the antimicrobial activity was found. Part V of the series Amine Oxides; part IV: Mlynarciket al.: Folia Microbiol. 24, 188 (1979).