Anthocyanins in Caprifoliaceae

The qualitative and relative quantitative anthocyanin content of 19 species belonging to the genera Sambucus, Lonicera and Viburnum in the family Caprifoliaceae has been determined. Altogether 12 anthocyanins were identified; the 3-O-glucoside (2), 3-O-galactoside (5), 3-O-(6″-O-arabinosylglucoside) (7), 3-O-(6″-O-rhamnosylglucoside) (9), 3-O-(2″-O-xylosyl-6″-O-rhamnosylglucoside) (10), 3-O-(2″-O-xylosylgalactoside) (11), 3-O-(2″-O-xylosylglucoside) (12), 3-O-(2″-O-xylosylglucoside)-5-O-glucoside (14), 3-O-(2″-O-xylosyl-6″-O-Z-p-coumaroylglucoside)-5-O-glucoside (15) and 3-O-(2″-O-xylosyl-6″-O-E-p-coumaroylglucoside)-5-O-glucoside (16) of cyanidin, in addition to the 3-O-glucosides of pelargonidin and delphinidin (1 and 3). Pigment 7 is the first complete identification of the disaccharide vicianose, 6″-O-α-arabinopyranosyl-β-glucopyranose, linked to an anthocyanidin.     

A synthesis of psi-cytidine

2-O-Benzoyl-3,6-di-O-benzyl-4-O-(chloroacetyl)-, 4-O-acetyl-2-O-benzoyl-3,6-di-O-benzyl-, and 2-O-benzoyl-3,4,6-tri-O-benzyl-α-d-galactopyranosyl chloride were converted into the corresponding 2,2,2-trifluoroethanesulfonates, and these were treated with allyl 2-O-benzoyl-3,6-di-O-benzyl-α-d-galactopyranoside, to give allyl 2-O-benzoyl-4-O-[2-O-benzoyl-3,6-di-O-benzyl-4-O-(chloroacetyl)-β-d-galactopyranosyl]-3,6-di-O-benzyl- α-d-galactopyranoside (26; 41% yield), allyl 4-O-(4-O-acetyl-2-O-benzoyl-3,6-di-O-benzyl-β-d-galactopyranosyl)-2-O-benzoyl-3,6-di-O-benzyl- α-d-galactopyranoside (27; 62% yield), and allyl 2-O-benzoyl-4-O-(2-O-benzoyl-3,4,6-tri-O-benzyl-β-d-galactopyranosyl)-3,6-di-O-benzyl-α-d-galactopyranoside (28; 65% yield). All disaccharides were free from their α anomers. Disaccharides 26 and 27 were found to be base-sensitive, and were de-esterified by KCN in aqueous ethanol, and debenzylated with H₂-Pd. Attempts to produce (1→4)-β-d-galactopyranosides from the coupling of a number of fully esterified d-galactopyranosyl sulfonates to allyl 2,3,6-tri-O-benzoyl-α-d-galactopyranoside were unsuccessful.     

Synthesis of 3- and 2′-fucosyl-lactose and 3,2′-difucosyl-lactose from partially benzylated lactose derivatives

O-β-d-Galactopyranosyl-(1→4)-O-[α-l-fucopyranosyl-(1→3)]-d-glucose has been synthesised by reaction of benzyl 2,6-di-O-benzyl-4-O-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-benzyl-β-d-galactopyranosyl)-β-d-glucopyranoside with 2,3,4-tri-O-benzyl-α-l-fucopyranosyl bromide in the presence of mercuric bromide, followed by hydrogenolysis. Benzylation of benzyl 3′,4′-O-isopropylidene-β-lactoside, via tributylstannylation, in the presence of tetrabutylammonium bromide or N-methylimidazole, gave benzyl 2,6-di-O-benzyl-4-O-(6-O-benzyl-3,4-O-isopropylidene-β-d-galactopyranosyl)-β-d-glucopyranoside (6). α-Fucosylation of 6 in the presence of tetraethylammonium bromide provided either benzyl 2,6-di-O-benzyl-4-O-[6-O-benzyl-3,4-O-isopropylidene-2-O-(2,3,4-tri-O-benzyl-α-l-fucopyransoyl)-β-d- galactopyranosyl]-β-d-glucopyranoside (13, 73%) or a mixture of 13 (42%) and benzyl 2,6-di-O-benzyl-4-O-[6-O-benzyl-3,4,-O-isopropylidene-2-O-(2,3,4-tri-O-benzyl-α-l-fucopyranosyl)-β-d- galactopyranosyl-3-O-(2,3,4-tri-O-benzyl-α-l-fucopyranosyl)-β-d-glucopyranoside (16, 34%). α-Fucosylation of 13 in the presence of mercuric bromide and 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylpyridine gave 16 (73%). Hydrogenolysis and acid hydrolysis of 13 and 16 afforded O-α-l-fucopyranosyl-(1→2)-O-β-d-galactopyranosyl-(1→4)-d-glucose and O-α-l-fucopyranosyl-(1→2)-O-β-d-galactopyranosyl-(1→4)-O-[α-l-fucopyranosyl-(1→3)]-d-glucose, respectively.     

Synthesis and characterization of propyl O-β-d-galactopyranosyl-(1→4)-O-β-d-galactopyranosyl-(1→4)-α-d-galactopyranoside

Allyl 4-O-(4-O-acetyl-2-O-benzoyl-3,6-di-O-benzyl-β-d-galactopyranosyl)-2-O-benzoyl-3,6-di-O-benzyl-α-d- galactopyranoside was O-deallylated to give the 1-hydroxy derivative, and this was converted into the corresponding 1-O-(N-phenylcarbamoyl) derivative, treatment of which with dry HCl produced the α-d-galactopyranosyl chloride. This was converted into the corresponding 2,2,2-trifluoroethanesulfonate, which was coupled to allyl 2-O-benzoyl-3,6-di-O-benzyl-α-d-galactopyranoside, to give crystalline allyl 4-O-[4-O-(4-O-acetyl-2-O-benzoyl-3,6-di-O-benzyl-β-d-galactopyranosyl)-2-O-benzoyl-3,6-di- O-benzyl-β-d-galactopyranosyl]-2-O-benzoyl-3,6-di-O-benzyl-α-d-galactopyranoside (15) in 85% yield, no trace of the α anomer being found. The trisaccharide derivative 15 was de-esterified with 2% KCN in 95% ethanol, and the product O-debenzylated with H₂-Pd, to give the unprotected trisaccharide. Alternative sequences are discussed.     

Sulphated polysaccharides of the grateloupiaceae family : Part VII. Investigation of the acetolysis products of a partially desulphated sample of the polysaccharide of pachymenia carnosa

Investigation of the acetolysis products of a partially desulphated sample of the polysaccharide isolated from Pachymenia carnosa led to the isolation and characterization of the following oligosaccharides: 3-O-α-D-galactopyranosyl-D-galactose (1), 4-O-β-D-galactopyranosyl-D-galactose (2), 3-O-(2-O-methyl-α-D-galactopyranosyl)-D-galactose (3), a 4-O-galactopyranosyl-2-O-methylgalactose (4), 3-O-α-D-galactopyranosyl-6-O-methyl-D-galactose (5), 4-O-β-D-galactopyranosyl-2-O-methyl-D-galactose (6), 2-O-methyl-4-O-(6-O-methyl-β-D-galactopyranosyl)-D-galactose (14), O-β-D-galactopyranosyl-(1→4)-O-α-D-galactopyranosyl-(1→3)-D-galactose (8), O-α-D-galactopyranosyl-(1→3)-O-β-D-galactopyranosyl-(1→4)-D-galactose (9), O-β-D-galactopyranosyl-(1→4)-O-α-(2-O-methyl-D-galactopyranosyl)-(1→3)-D-galactose (11), O-α-(2-O-methyl-D-galactopyranosyl)-(1→3)-O-β-D-galactopyranosyl-(1→4)-D-galactose (12), O-α-D-galactopyranosyl-(1→3)-O-β-D-galactopyranosyl-(1→4)-2-O-methyl-D-galactose (13), O-α-(2-O-methyl-D-galactopyranosyl)-(1→3)-O-β-D-galactopyranosyl-(1→4)-2-O-methyl-D-galactose (16), and O-β-D-galactopyranosyl-(1→4)-O-α-D-galactopyranosyl-(1→3)-O-β-D-galactopyranosyl-(1→4)-D-galactose (10). In addition, evidence was obtained for the presence of 4-O-(6-O-methyl-β-D-galactopyranosyl)-D-galactose (7) and O-β-D-galactopyranosyl-(1→4)-O-α-D-galactopyranosyl-(1→3)-6-O-methyl-D-galactose (15).     

Ring-opening reactions of sucrose epoxides: Synthesis of 4′-derivatives of sucrose

The 2,1′-O-isopropylidene derivative (1) of 3-O-acetyl-4,6-O-isopropylidene-α-d-glucopyranosyl 6-O-acetyl-3,4-anhydro-β-d-lyxo-hexulofuranoside and 2,3,4-tri-O-acetyl-6-O-trityl-α-d-glucopyranosyl 3,4-anhydro-1,6-di-O-trityl-β-d-lyxo-hexulofuranoside have been synthesised and 1 has been converted into 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-α-d-glucopyranosyl 1,6-di-O-acetyl-3,4-anhydro-β-d-lyxo-hexulofuranoside (2). The S_N2 reactions of 2 with azide and chloride nucleophiles gave the corresponding 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-α-d-glucopyranosyl 1,3,6-tri-O-acetyl-4-azido-4-deoxy-β-d-fructofuranoside (6) and 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-α-d-glucopyranosyl 1,3,6-tri-O-acetyl-4-chloro-4-deoxy-β-d-fructofuranoside (8), respectively. The azide 6 was catalytically hydrogenated and the resulting amine was isolated as 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-α-d-glucopyranosyl 4-acetamido-1,3,6-tri-O-acetyl-4-deoxy-β-d-fructofuranoside. Treatment of 5 with hydrogen bromide in glacial acetic acid followed by conventional acetylation gave 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-α-d-glucopyranosyl 1,3,6-tri-O-acetyl-4-bromo-4-deoxy-β-d-fructofuranoside. Similar S_N2 reactions with 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-α-d-glucopyranosyl 1,6-di-O-acetyl-3,4-anhydro-β-d-ribo-hexulofuranoside (12) resulted in a number of 4′-derivatives of α-d-glucopyranosyl β-d-sorbofuranoside. The regiospecific nucleophilic substitution at position 4′ in 2 and 12 has been explained on the basis of steric and polar factors.     

Synthesis of two purple-membrane glycolipids and the glycolipid sulfate O-(β-d-glucopyranosyl 3-sulfate)-(1→6)-O-α-d-mannopyranosyl-(1→2)-O-α-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→1)-2, 3-di-O-phytanyl-sn-glycerol

The two purple-membrane glycolipids O-β-d-glucopyranosyl- and O-β-d-galactopyranosyl-(1→6)-O-α-d-mannopyranosyl-(1→2)-O-α-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→1)-2, 3-di-O-phytanyl-sn-glycerol were prepared by coupling O-(2,3,4-tri-O-acetyl-α-d-mannopyranosyl)-(1→2)-O-(3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-α-d-glucopyranosyl)-(1→1)-2, 3-di-O-phytanyl-sn-glycerol (9) with 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-α-d-glucopyranosyl bromide or 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-α-d-mannopyranosyl bromide, respectively, followed by deacetylation. The glycolipid sulfate O-(β-d-glucopyranosyl 3-sulfate)-(1→6)-O-α-d-mannopyranosyl-(1→2)-O-α-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→1)-2,3-di-O-phytanyl-sn-glycerol was prepared by coupling of 9 with 2,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-3-O-trichloroethyloxycarbonyl-α-d-glucopyranosyl bromide in the presence of Hg(CN)₂/HgBr₂ followed by selective removal of the 3?-trichloroethyloxycarbonyl group, sulfation of HO-3?, and deacetylation. The suitably protected key-intermediate 9 could be prepared by two distinct approaches.     

A quantitative method to determine the points of O-(2-hydroxypropyl) substitution in O-(2-hydroxypropyl)-guar

A method is described for locating the O-(2-hydroxypropyl) groups in O-(2-hydroxypropyl)-substituted guar. Per-O-methylation of the O-(2-hydroxypropyl)guar yielded guar that was partially O-methylated and partially O-(2-methoxypropyl)ated. This polymer was hydrolyzed, to afford a mixture of partially O-methylated monosaccharides and partially O-(2-methoxypropylated), partially O-methylated monosaccharides. These monosaccharide derivatives were reduced, and the alditols acetylated, to give a mixture of partially O-acetylated, partially O-methylated alditols with partially O-acetylated, partially O-(2-methoxypropyl)ated, partially O-methylated alditols. These alditol derivatives were identified by gas-liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, and quantitated by gas-liquid chromatography.     

Influence of Organic Pesticides on Nematode Populations and Seed Production of Centipede Grass

Applications of ethyl 4-(methylthio)-m-tolyl isopropylphosphoramidate, O,O-diethyl O-((p-(methylsulfinyl)phenyl) phosphorothioate, and O,O-diethyl S-[2-(ethylthio)ethyll phosphorotbioate effectively controlled Trichodorus christiei on centipede grass. Populations of Pratylenchus spp. and Xiphinema americanum were significantly reduced with a mixture of methanesulfonic acid, 2,4-dichlorophenyl ester and 1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane. Ethyl 4-(methylthio)-m-tolyl isopropylphosphoramidate and O,O-diethyl O-((p-(methylsulfinyl)phenyl phosphorothioate significantly suppressed populations of Pratylenchus spp., and the latter reduced populations of X. arnericanum. Ethyl 4-(methylthio)-m-tolyl isopropylphosphoramidate and O,O-diethyl O-((p-methylsulfinyl) phenyl) phosphorothioate significantly reduced populations of Criconemoides ornatus. Increased seed production was correlated with nematode control.     

Anthocyanins and flavonols from the flowers of Amherstia nobilis endemic to Myanmar

Three anthocyanins (1–3) and eight flavonols (4–11) were isolated from the flowers of Amherstia nobilis endemic to Myanmar. Anthocyanins were identified as cyanidin 3-O-glucoside (1), 3-O-xyloside (2), and peonidin 3-O-glucoside (3). On the other hand, flavonols were identified as isorhamnetin 3-O-glucoside (4), 7-O-glucoside (5), 3,7-di-O-glucoside (6) and 3-O-rutinoside (7), quercetin 3-O-rutinoside (8) and 3-O-glucoside (9), and kaempferol 3-O-rutinoside (10) and 3-O-glucoside (11). Although an anthocyanin, pelargonidin 3-O-pentoside, has been reported from the flowers of A. nobilis, it was not found in this survey. The presence of flavonols in A. nobilis was reported in this survey for the first time. Flavonoid composition of Amherstia was chemotaxonomically compared with those of phylogenetically related genera Cynometra and Brownea.     

Evidence for a Functional O-Linked N-Acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc) System in the Thermophilic Bacterium Thermobaculum terrenum

Post-translational modification of proteins is a ubiquitous mechanism of signal transduction in all kingdoms of life. One such modification is addition of O-linked N-acetylglucosamine to serine or threonine residues, known as O-GlcNAcylation. This unusual type of glycosylation is thought to be restricted to nucleocytoplasmic proteins of eukaryotes and is mediated by a pair of O-GlcNAc-transferase and O-GlcNAc hydrolase enzymes operating on a large number of substrate proteins. Protein O-GlcNAcylation is responsive to glucose and flux through the hexosamine biosynthetic pathway. Thus, a close relationship is thought to exist between the level of O-GlcNAc proteins within and the general metabolic state of the cell. Although isolated apparent orthologues of these enzymes are present in bacterial genomes, their biological functions remain largely unexplored. It is possible that understanding the function of these proteins will allow development of reductionist models to uncover the principles of O-GlcNAc signaling. Here, we identify orthologues of both O-GlcNAc cycling enzymes in the genome of the thermophilic eubacterium Thermobaculum terrenum. The O-GlcNAcase and O-GlcNAc-transferase are co-expressed and, like their mammalian orthologues, localize to the cytoplasm. The O-GlcNAcase orthologue possesses activity against O-GlcNAc proteins and model substrates. We describe crystal structures of both enzymes, including an O-GlcNAcase·peptide complex, showing conservation of active sites with the human orthologues. Although in vitro activity of the O-GlcNAc-transferase could not be detected, treatment of T. terrenum with an O-GlcNAc-transferase inhibitor led to inhibition of growth. T. terrenum may be the first example of a bacterium possessing a functional O-GlcNAc system.     

Quantitative methods for determining the points of O-(carboxymethyl) substitution in O-(carboxymethyl)-guar

Two methods are described for locating the O-(carboxymethyl) groups in O-(carboxymethyl)guar. In Method I, O-(carboxymethyl)guar was depolymerized by methanolysis, the O-(carboxymethyl) groups were reduced, and the mixture of methyl glycosides and O-(2-hydroxyethyl)-substituted methyl glycosides was converted into a mixture of per-O-acetylated alditols and partially O-(2-acetoxyethyl)ated, partially O-acetylated alditols. Analysis of these alditols by gas-liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry allowed the positions of substitution of the O-(carboxymethyl) groups on the galactosyl groups and mannosyl residues to be determined. However, this method did not distinguish between O-(carboxymethyl) substitution on 4-linked and 4,6-linked mannosyl residues. This limitation was overcome by the more-detailed analysis provided by Method II, in which O-(carboxymethyl)guar was carboxyl-reduced, the product methylated, the glycosyl residues hydrolyzed, the sugars reduced, and the alditols acetylated to yield a mixture of partially O-acetylated, partially O-methylated alditols and partially O-acetylated, partially O-(2-methoxyethyl)ated, partially O-methylated alditols. These derivatives, when separated and quantitated by g.l.c., and identified by g.l.c.-m.s., gave a quantitative measure of every type of carboxymethyl substitution in guar.     

Acylated cyanidin 3-sambubioside-5-glucosides from the purple-violet flowers of Matthiola longipetala subsp. bicornis (Sm) P. W. Ball. (Brassicaceae)

A novel acylated cyanidin 3-sambubioside-5-glucoside was isolated from the purple-violet flowers of Matthiola longipetala subsp. bicornis (Sm) P. W. Ball. (family: Brassicaceae), and determined to be cyanidin 3-O-[2-O-(2-O-(trans-feruloyl)-β-xylopyranosyl)-6-O-(trans-feruloyl)-β-glucopyranoside]-5-O-[6-O-(malonyl)-β-glucopyranoside] by chemical and spectroscopic methods. In addition, two known acylated cyanidin 3-sambubioside-5-glucosides, cyanidin 3-O-[2-O-(2-O-(trans-sinapoyl)-β-xylopyranosyl)-6-O-(trans-feruloyl)-β-glucopyranoside]-5-O-[6-O-(malonyl)-β-glucopyranoside] and cyanidin 3-O-[2-O-(β-xylopyranosyl)-6-O-(trans-feruloyl)-β-glucopyranoside]-5-O-[6-O-(malonyl)-β-glucopyranoside] were identified in the flowers.     

Chemical Syntheses of 4-O-α and -β-D-galactopyranosyl-D-galactose and 3-O-α- and -β-D-galactopyranosyl-D-galactose

Reaction of 2,3-di-O-acetyl-1,6-anhydro-β-D-galactopyranose (2) with 2,3,4,6-tetra- O-acetyl-α-D-galactopyranosyl bromide in the presence of mercuric cyanide and subsequent acetolysis gave 1,2,3,6-tetra-O-acetyl-4-O-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-α-D-galactopyranosyl)-α-D-galactopyranose (4, 40%) and 1,2,3,6-tetra-O-acetyl-4-O-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-β-D-galactopyranosyl)-α-D-galactopyranose (5, 30%). Similarly, reaction of 2,4-di-O-acetyl-1,6-anhydro-β-D-galactopyranose (3) gave 1,2,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-3-O-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-α-D-galactopyranosyl)-α-D-galactopyranose (6, 46%) and 1,2,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-3-O-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-β-D-galactopyranosyl)-α-D-galactopyranose (7, 14%). The anomeric configurations of 4-7 were assigned by n.m.r. spectroscopy. Deacetylation of 4-7 afforded 4-O-α-D-galactopyranosyl-D-galactose (8), 4-O-β-D-galactopyranosyl-D-galactose (9), 3-O-α-D-galactopyranosyl-D-galactose (10), and 3-O-β-D-galactopyranosyl-D-galactose (11), respectively.     

Synthesis of 4-O-α-d-galactopyranosyl-l-rhamnose and 4-O-α-d-galactopyranosyl-2-O-β-glucopyranosyl-l-rhamnose using dioxolane-type benzylidene acetals as temporary protecting-groups

The Halide ion-catalysed reaction of benzyl exo-2,3-O-benzylidene-α-l-rhamnopyranoside with tetra-O-benzyl-α-d-galactopyranosyl bromide and hydrogenolysis of the exo-benzylidene group of the product 2 gave benzyl 3-O-benzyl-4-O-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-benzyl-α-d-galactopyranosyl)-α-l-rhamnopyranoside (6). Compound 2 was converted into 4-O-α-d-galactopyranosyl-l-rhamnose. The reaction of 6 with tetra-O-acetyl-α-d-glucopyranosyl bromide and removal of the protecting groups from the product gave 4-O-α-d-galactopyranosyl-2-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-l-rhamnose.     

The stepwise synthesis of a methyl β-xylotetraoside related to branched xylans

3,4-Di-O-acetyl-2-O-benzyl-α-d-xylopyranosyl bromide (1) reacts with methyl 2,3-anhydro-α-d-ribopyranoside (2) to afford, in high yield, methyl 2,3-anhydro-4-O- (3,4-di-O-acetyl-2-O-benzyl-β-d-xylopyranosyl)-β-d-ribopyranoside (3). Deacetylation of 3 gave 4, which reacted with 2,3,4-tri-O-acetyl-α-d-xylopyranosyl bromide to give the branched tetrasaccharide derivative 5, which, in turn, was converted by a series or conventional reactions into methyl 4-O-[3,4-di-O-(β-d-xylopyranosyl)-β-d- xylopyranosyl]-β-d-xylopyranoside. The reaction of 1 with its hydrolysis product gave 3,4-di-O-acetyl-2-O-benzyl-α-d-xylopyranosyl 3,4-di-O-acetyl-2-O-benzyl-β-d-xylopyranoside, which was also isolated after the reaction of 1 with 2.     

Synthèse des 2-acé-tamido-2-désoxy-6-O-α-et β-D-xylopyranosyl-α-D-glucopyranose

2-Acetamido-2- deoxy-6-O-, -xylopyranosyl-O-D-glucopyranose has been synthesized in crystalline form by condensation of 2,3,4-tri-O-acetyl-α-D-xylopyranosyl chloride (1) with benzyl 2-acetamido-3,4-di-O-acetyl-2-deoxy-β-D-glucopyranoside (2), followed by O-deacetylation and catalytic hydrogenation. Condensation of 2 with 2,3,4-tri-O-chlorosulfonyl-β-D-xylopyranosyl chloride, followed by dechlorosulfonylation and acetylation, gave benzyl 2-acetamido-3,4-di-O-acetyl-2-deoxy-6-O-(2,3,4-tri-O-acetyl-α-D-xylopyranosyl)β-D-glucopyranoside in crystalline form. O-Deacetylation, followed by catalytic hydrogenation, gave 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-6-O-α-D-xylopyranosyl-α-D-glucopyranose in crystalline form.     

Enhancement effect of O6-Fluorobenzylguanines on chloroethylnitrosourea cytotoxicity in tumor cells

O⁶-Alkylguanine derivatives sensitize tumor cells to chloroethylnitrosourea (CENU) chemotherapy by inactivation of O⁶-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT), which repairs CENU-induced O⁶-alkylguanines in DNA by accepting the alkyl group at a cysteine moiety. To test the biological significance of synthesized O⁶-fluorobenzylguanine derivatives, we measured their ability of inactivation of MGMT activity and their effects on the cytotoxicity of 1-(4-amino-2-methyl-5-pyrimidinyl)methyl-3-(2-chloroethyl)-3-nitrosourea hydrochloride (ACNU) in comparison with the effects of O⁶-benzylguanine and O⁶-phenylguanine. The O⁶-(4-and 3-fluorobenzyl)guanines considerably reduced the MGMT activity of HeLa S3 cell-free extract as did O⁶-benzylguanine. In contrast, O⁶-(2-fluorobenzyl)guanine and O⁶-phenylguanine had less of an effect on the activity. Two-hour pretreatment of O⁶-(4-and 3-fluorobenzyl)guanines potentiated ACNU cytotoxicity in HeLa S3 cells to a greater extent than did O⁶-(2-fluorobenzyl)guanine and O⁶-phenylguanine. The enhancement effects were consistent with the depletion of MGMT activity after the pretreatment of O⁶-fluorobenzylguanine derivatives. O⁶-Fluorobenzylguanines with a fluoro-substitution at the 4- or 3-position of the benzyl group were comparable to O⁶-benzylguanine and were powerful MGMT inactivators. The chemical features of the O⁶-benzyl group are a biologically important determinant in the reaction evolution with MGMT.     

Synthesis of a tetrasaccharide donor corresponding to the O-specific polysaccharide of Shigella dysenteriae type 1

O-(2,4-Di-O-chloroacetyl-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl)-(1 → 2)-O-(3,4,6-tri-O-benzoyl-α-d-galactopyranosyl)-(1 → 3)-O-(2-acetamido-4,6-di-O-acetyl-2-deoxy-α-d-glycopyranosyl)-(1 → 3)-2,4-di-O-benzoyl-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl trichloroacetimidate (1) was synthesized in a stepwise manner, using the following monosaccharide units: 2-(trimethylsilyl)ethyl 2,4-di-O-benzoyl-α-l-rhamnopyranoside, 2-azido-4,6-O-benzylidene-3-O-chloroacetyl-2-deoxy-β-d-glycopyranosyl chloride, methyl 3,4,6-tri-O-benzoyl-2-O-(4-methoxybenzyl)-1-thio-β-d-galactopyranoside, and 2,4-di-O-benzoyl-3-O-chloroacetyl-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl chloride. Compound 1 corresponds to a complete tetrasaccharide repeating unit of the O-specific polysaccharide of the lipopolysaccharide of Shigella dysenteriae type 1.     

Syntheses of model oligosaccharides of biological significance.Synthesis of methyl 3,6-DI-O-(α-d-mannopyranosyl)-α-d-mannopyranoside and the corresponding mannobiosides

Methyl 2-O-allyl-4,6-O-benzylidene-3-O-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-α-d-mannopyranosyl)-α-d-mannopyranoside(12) was prepared in 90 % yield by Helferich glycosylation of methyl 2-O-allyl-4,6-O-benzylidene-α-d-mannopyranoside (9) with tetra-O-acetyl-α-d-mannopyranosyl bromide (11). Removal of the benzylidene group and second Helferich glycosylation with 11 led to methyl 2-O-allyl-3,6-di-O-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-α-d-mannopyranosyl)-α-d-mannopyranoside (14) which, after deallylation and Zemplén deacetylation, gave the title compound 5. The disaccharides methyl 3-O-(α-d-mannopyranosyl)-α-d-mannopyranoside (7) and methyl 6-O-(α-d-mannopyranosyl)-α-d-mannopyranoside (6) have also been synthesized. Complete assignments of the ¹H-n.m.r. spectra of the compounds 5, 6, and 7 are given.