Novel and facile synthesis of furanodictines A and B based on transformation of 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-d-glucose into 3,6-anhydro hexofuranoses

A novel synthesis of furanodictines A [2-acetamido-3,6-anhydro-2-deoxy-5-O-isovaleryl-d-glucofuranose (1)] and B [2-acetamido-3,6-anhydro-2-deoxy-5-O-isovaleryl-d-mannofuranose (2)] is described starting from 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-d-glucose (GlcNAc). The synthetic protocol is based on deriving the epimeric bicyclic 3,6-anhydro sugars [2-acetamido-3,6-anhydro-2-deoxy-d-glucofuranose (4) and 2-acetamido-3,6-anhydro-2-deoxy-d-mannofuranose (5)] from GlcNAc. Reaction with borate upon heating led to a facile transformation of GlcNAc into the desired epimeric 3,6-anhydro sugars. The C5 hydroxyl group of the 3,6-anhydro compounds 4 and 5 was regioselectively esterified with the isovaleryl chloride to complete the synthesis of furanodictines A and B, respectively. The targets 1 and 2 were synthesized in only two steps requiring no protection/deprotection.     

Perfluoroalkylated derivatives of 6-deoxy-6-ethylamino-d-galactose, 1-deoxy-1-methylamino-d-glucitol, and 1-amino-1-deoxy-d-glucitol: syntheses, hemocompatibility, and effect on perfluorocarbon emulsion

N-Polyfluoroalkyl derivatives of 6-deoxy-6-ethylamino-1,2;3,4-di-O-isopropylidene-α-d-galactopyranose (8-10), 1-deoxy-1-methylamino-d-glucitol (13-15), and 1-amino-1-deoxy-d-glucitol (16-18), all possessing perfluoroalkyl segment, were prepared using nucleophilic epoxide ring opening of 2-[(perfluoroalkyl)methyl]oxiranes 1-3. Co-emulsifying properties and hemolytic activity of the new perfluoroalkylated amphiphiles were tested. Both types of the polyol derivatives 8-10 and 13-18 generally displayed good to excellent co-emulsifying properties on testing on perfluorodecalin/Pluronic F-68 microemulsions. Mono-perfluoroalkylated compounds 8-10 and 13-15 displayed high hemolysis, whereas acyclic bis-perfluoroalkylated compounds 16-18 were non-hemolytic even for short perfluorobutyl segment (16). The properties were generally improving with increasing perfluoroalkyl chain length.     

Metabolism of 2-deoxy-d-glucose by baker's yeast. VI. A study on cell wall mannan

The incorporation of 2-deoxy-d-glucose into cell wall mannan of growing Saccharomyces cerevisiae proceeded continuously during culture growth and followed the cell multiplication. About 10% of mannan labelled with deoxyglucose was concurrently released into the medium. The distribution of deoxyglucose between the side-chains and the main chain of mannan has been established. Approximately 90% of deoxyglucose present in the polysaccharide was bound in the side-chains and only 10% was located in the (1 å 6)-linked main chain. This result suggested that deoxyglucose metabolites serving as glycosyl donors in mannan biosynthesis were much worse substrates for the enzyme(s) responsible for the formation of the main chain of the polysaccharide than for the mannosyl transferases involved in the formation of the mannan side-chains. Degradation of deoxyglucose-containing mannan by α-mannosidase of Arthrobacter GJM-1 stopped at the deoxyglucosyl residues.     

Catechuic acid and ethyl 2,4,5-trihydroxybenzoate from d-glucose

Synthesis of catechuic acid (1) and ethyl 2,4,5-trihydroxybenzoate (2) from d-glucose-derived β-ketoester is described. The polyhydroxylated β-ketoester obtained from the hydrolysis of sugar β-ketoester 3 was subjected to an aldol-type condensation to get 4 that on enolization, dehydration, and hydrogenation afforded ethyl 2,4,5-trihydroxybenzoate (2). On the other hand, hydrogenation of aldol product 4 afforded polyhydroxylated keto-carbasugar 6, which on mild acid treatment and ester hydrolysis in basic media led to catechuic acid 1. Intermediate 4 is co-related to 3-dehydroshikimic acid, a biochemical intermediate from d-glucose in the synthesis of pro-catechuic acid.     

Stereoselective entry into the d-GalNAc series starting from the d-Gal one: a new access to N-acetyl-d-galactosamine and derivatives thereof

A new stereoselective preparation of N-aceyl-d-galactosamine (1b) starting from the known p-methoxyphenyl 3,4-O-isopropylidene-6-O-(1-methoxy-1-methylethyl)-β-d-galactopyranoside (10) is described using a simple strategy based on (a) epimerization at C-2 of 10 via oxidation-reduction to give the talo derivative 11, (b) amination with configurational inversion at C-2 of 11 via a S_N2-type reaction on its 2-imidazylate, (c) anomeric deprotection of the p-methoxyphenyl β-d-galactosamine glycoside 14, (d) complete deprotection. Applying the same protocol to 2,3:5,6:3′,4′-tri-O-isopropylidene-6′-O-(1-methoxy-1-methylethyl)-lactose dimethyl acetal (4), directly obtained through acetonation of lactose, the disaccharide β-d-GalNAcp-(1→4)-d-Glcp (1a) was obtained with complete stereoselectivity in good (40%) overall yield from lactose.     

Synthesis and antitumor activity of new d-seco and d-homo androstane derivatives

Starting from 3β-hydroxy-17-oxo-16,17-secoandrost-5-ene-16-nitrile (1), the new 16,17-secoandrostane derivatives 4-9 were synthesized. On the other hand, 3β-hydroxy-17-oxa-d-homoandrost-5-ene-16-one (10) yielded the new d-homo derivatives 12, 13 and 15. In vitro antiproliferative activity of selected compounds against three tumor cell lines (human breast adenocarcinoma ER+, MCF-7, human breast adenocarcinoma ER−, MDA-MB-231, prostate cancer AR−, PC-3, and normal fetal lung fibroblasts, MRC-5) was evaluated. Compounds 3 and 12 showed strong antiproliferative activity against PC-3 cells, the IC₅₀ values being 2 μM and 0.55 μM, respectively. Compounds 6 (10 μM) and 14 (9 μM) showed moderate activity against MDA-MB-231 cells. The synthesized compounds 1-3, 5-8, 10 and 12-15 were not toxic to normal fetal lung fibroblasts cells, MRC-5.     

Berberine combined with 2-deoxy-d-glucose synergistically enhances cancer cell proliferation inhibition via energy depletion and unfolded protein response disruption

Background

Targeting multiple aspects of cellular metabolism, such as both aerobic glycolysis and mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS), has the potential to improve cancer therapeutics. Berberine (BBR), a widely used traditional Chinese medicine, exerts its antitumor effects by inhibiting OXPHOS. 2-Deoxy-d-glucose (2-DG) targets aerobic glycolysis and demonstrates potential anticancer effects in the clinic. We hypothesized that BBR in combination with 2-DG would be more efficient than either agent alone against cancer cell growth.

Methods

The effects of BBR and 2-DG on cancer cell growth were evaluated using the Sulforhodamine B (SRB) method. Cell death was detected with the PI uptake assay, and Western blot, Q-PCR and luciferase reporter assays were used for signaling pathway detection. An adenovirus system was used for gene overexpression.

Results

BBR combined with 2-DG synergistically enhanced the growth inhibition of cancer cells in vitro. Further mechanistic studies showed that the combination drastically enhanced ATP depletion and strongly disrupted the unfolded protein response (UPR). Overexpressing GRP78 partially prevented the cancer cell inhibition induced by both compounds.

Conclusions

Here, we report for the first time that BBR and 2-DG have a synergistic effect on cancer cell growth inhibition related to ATP energy depletion and disruption of UPR.

General significance

Our results propose the potential use of BBR and 2-DG in combination as an anticancer treatment, reinforcing the hypothesis that targeting both aerobic glycolysis and OXPHOS provides more effective cancer therapy and highlighting the important role of UPR in the process.     

Active intestinal transport of d-fructose

The uptake of d-fructose by the small intestine of the rat was studied in vitro.

1.

1. Under the experimental conditions outlined, the small intestine of the rat accumulates d-fructose against a concentration gradient by an energy- and Na⁺-dependent process with a K_m of 0.9 mM.     

Synthesis of new N-substituted 3,4,5-trihydroxypiperidin-2-ones from d-ribono-1,4-lactone

d-Ribono-1,4-lactone was treated with ethylamine in DMF to afford N-ethyl-d-ribonamide 8a in quantitative yield. Using this reaction procedure, N-butyl, N-hexyl, N-dodecyl, N-benzyl, N-(3-methyl-pyridinyl)-, N-(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-, and N-(2-cyano-ethyl)-d-ribonamides 8b-h were obtained in quantitative yield. Bromination of the amides 8a-e with acetyl bromide in dioxane followed by acetylation gave 2,3,4-tri-O-acetyl-5-bromo-5-deoxy-N-ethyl, N-butyl, N-hexyl, N-dodecyl, and N-benzyl-d-ribonamides 9a-e in 40-54% yields. To obtain 2,3,4-tri-O-acetyl-5-bromo-5-deoxy-N-(3-methyl-pyridinyl)-, N-(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-, and N-(2-cyano-ethyl)-9f-h, the bromination is necessary before the amidation reaction. Treatment of the bromoamides 9a-h with NaH in DMF followed by methanolysis affords N-alkyl-d-ribono-1,5-lactams 12a-h in quantitative yield.     

Stereosensitive formation and interconversion of sulfur-bridged cobalt(III)-mercury(II) polynuclear complexes with d- and/or l-penicillaminates

The reaction of trans(N)-[Co(d-pen)₂]⁻ (pen = penicillaminate) with HgCl₂ or HgBr₂ in the molar ratios of 1:1 gave the sulfur-bridged heterodinuclear complex, [HgX(OH₂){Co(d-pen)₂}] (X = Cl (1a) or Br (1b)). A similar reaction in the ratio of 2:1 produced the trinuclear complex, [Hg{Co(d-pen)₂}₂] (1c). The enantiomers of 1a and 1c, [HgCl(OH₂){Co(l-pen)₂}] (1a′) and [Hg{Co(l-pen)₂}₂] (1c′), were also obtained by using trans(N)-[Co(l-pen)₂]⁻ instead of trans(N)-[Co(d-pen)₂]⁻. Further, the reaction of cis · cis · cis-[Co(d-pen)(l-pen)]⁻ with HgCl₂ in the molar ratio of 1:1 resulted in the formation of [HgCl(OH₂){Co(d-pen)(l-pen)}] (2a). During the formations of the above six complexes, 1a, 1b, 1c, 1a′, 1c′, and 2a, the octahedral Co(III) units retain their configurations. On the other hand, the reaction of cis · cis · cis-[Co(d-pen)(l-pen)]⁻ with HgCl₂ in the molar ratio of 2:1 gave not [Hg{Co(d-pen)(l-pen}₂] but [Hg{Co(d-pen)₂}{Co(l-pen)₂}] (2c), accompanied by the ligand-exchange on the terminal Co(III) units. The X-ray crystal structural analyses show that the central Hg(II) atom in 1c takes a considerably distorted tetrahedral geometry, whereas that in 2c is of an ideal tetrahedron. The interconversion between the complexes is also examined. The electronic absorption, CD, and NMR spectral behavior of the complexes is discussed in relation to the crystal structures of 1c and 2c.     

Synthesis, characterization and biological activity of platinum(II) complexes with l- and d-ornithine ligands

Described herein is the synthesis of two platinum(II) complexes containing l-ornithine (1) or d-ornithine (2) as a ligand. The complexes were obtained by the direct reaction of aqueous solutions of potassium tetrachloroplatinate and l- or d-ornithine. The single crystal structures of 1 and 2 were determined and indicated that the Pt core is surrounded by an almost regular square planar coordination environment. The two complexes were thoroughly characterized by means of FT-IR, FT-Raman and NMR techniques. Furthermore, their ability to inhibit proliferation of human tumor cell lines was tested and the results indicate that 1 and 2 exert different cytotoxic effects. Particularly, the complex with the d-isomer of ornithine (2) showed a significantly greater cytotoxicity than that with the l-isomer (1). Finally, circular dichroism analysis indicated that 1 and 2 interact with DNA in a manner similar to that of cisplatin.     

1,4-Dioxane-2,5-dione-type monomers derived from l-ascorbic and d-isoascorbic acids. Synthesis and polymerisation

l-Ascorbic and d-isoascorbic acids have been used as the starting materials for the preparation of (3R,4′S)-3-(2′,2′-dimethyl-1′,3′-dioxolan-4′-yl)-1,4-dioxane-2,5-dione (IPTA), (3R and S, 4′S,6R)-3-methyl-6-(2′,2′-dimethyl-1′,3′-dioxolan-4′-yl)-1,4-dioxane-2,5-dione (IPTP) and (3R,4′R)-3-(2′,2′-dimethyl-1′,3′-dioxolan-4′-yl)-1,4-dioxane-2,5-dione (IPEA), three novel 1,4-dioxane-2,5-dione-type monomers. Ring-opening homopolymerisation and copolymerisation of the IPTA monomer, derived from l-ascorbic acid, with d,l-lactide have been performed. The polymers were characterised by elemental microanalysis, as well as IR and ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopies. GPC was used to estimate product molecular weights, and thermal studies (DSC and TGA) revealed that all the polymers were amorphous, being stable up to 250 °C under nitrogen.     

Investigations on the existence of a specific retention of d-glucose by the human erythrocyte membrane

1.

1. The retention of sugars by human erythrocyte membranes after incubation with different solutions containing a ³H- and a ¹⁴C-labelled sugar was compared by liquid scintillation counting, using a three-channel procedure with which it is possible to detect a change in the channel ratio of ³H and ¹⁴C of 0.2%.     

Controlled release of d-glucose from starch granules containing 29% free d-glucose and Eudragit L100-55 as a binding and coating agent

Waxy maize starch (100% amylopectin) granules were modified by reaction of the granules with glucoamylase in a minimum amount of water to give 29% (w/w) d-glucose inside the granules [Kim, Y.-K.; Robyt, J. F. Carbohydr. Res.1999, 318, 129−134]. These granules were made into beads by dropping an ethanol slurry of starch and different amounts of Eudragit L100-55 in a constant ratio of 100:1 from a pipette onto Whatman 3MM filter paper. The starch beads were air dried and then repeatedly sprayed 0-12 times with 2.0% (w/v) Eudragit L100-55 in ethanol, with drying between each spraying, to coat the surface of the starch beads, giving different amounts of Eudragit L100-55 coating. Seven different kinds of beads, with different amounts of Eudragit L100-55 binding and coating agent, were obtained. The rates of release of d-glucose into water from the seven kinds of beads were inversely proportional to the amount of binding and coating agent. Bead type I, which was without any binding and coating gave a fast 100% release of d-glucose in 30 min. Beads II and III also gave a fast 100% release in 60 min and 90 min, respectively. Bead IV gave a near linear release of 97% d-glucose in 150 min; Bead V gave a 50% release in 120 min followed by the remaining 50% in 60 min; and Beads VI and VII gave a slow release of 10% and 4%, respectively, from 0 to 120 min, followed by a rapid 100% release from 120 to 180 min.