Enzymatic synthesis of β-lactam antibiotics: A thermodynamic background

The equilibrium constants and the respective standard Gibbs energy changes for hydrolysis of some β-lactam antibiotics have been determined. Native and immobilized penicillin amidase (EC 3.5.1.11) from Escherichia coli has been used as a catalyst. The values of standard Gibbs energy changes corresponding to the pH-independent product of equilibrium concentrations (ΔG⁰_c = ? RT ln K_c) have been calculated. The differences in the structure of the antibiotics nucleus hardly ever affect the value of the pH-independent component of the standard Gibbs energy change (ΔG⁰_c) and value of apparent standard Gibbs energy change at a fixed pH (ΔG^0′_c). At the same time, the value of ΔG⁰_c is more sensitive to the structure of the acyl moiety of the antibiotic; when ampicillin is used instead of benzylpenicillin, ΔG⁰_c increases by ～6.3 kJ mol^?1 (1.5 kcal mol^?1). pH-dependences of the apparent standard Gibbs energy changes for hydrolysis of β-lactam antibiotics have been calculated. The pH-dependences of ΔG^0′_c for hydrolysis of all β-lactam antibiotics have a similar pattern. The thermodynamic pH optimum of the synthesis of these compounds is in the acid pH range (pH < 5.0). The breakage of the β-lactam ring leads to a sharp decrease in the ΔG^0′_c value and a change in the pattern of the pH-dependence. For example, at pH 5.0 ΔG^0′_c decreases from 14.4 kJ mol^?1 for benzylpenicillin to ?1.45 kJ mol^?1 for benzylpenicilloic acid. The reason for these changes is mainly a considerable increase in the pK of the amino group of the nucleus of the antibiotic and, as a consequence, a decrease in the component of standard Gibbs energy change, corresponding to the ionization of the system. The thermodynamic potentials of the enzymatic synthesis of semisynthetic penicillins and cephalosporins on the basis of both free acids and their derivatives (N-acylated amino acids, esters) are discussed. It is shown that with esters of the acids, a high yield of the antibiotic can, in principle, be achieved at higher pH values.     

Benzofuranoid neolignans from Aniba simulans

Forteen neolignans, isolated from the benzene extract of Aniba simulans (Lauraceae) trunk wood, included the hitherto undescribed (2S, 3S, 5R)-5-allyl-5,7-dimethoxy-2-(3′,4′,5′-trimethoxyphenyl)-3-methyl-2,3,5,6-tetra-hydro-6-oxobenzofuran, (2R,3S,5R) -5-allyl-5-methoxy-2-(3′-methoxy-4′,5′-methylenedioxyphenyl)-3-methy1-2,3,5, 6-tetrahydro-6-oxobenzofuran, (2S,3S)-6-O-allyl -5-methoxy-2-(3′-methoxy-4′-5′-methylenedioxyphenyl)-3-methyl-2,3-dihydrobenzofuran, (2R,3S)-6-O-allyl-5-methoxy-2- (3′-methoxy-4′,5′-methylenedioxyphenyl)-3-methyl-2,3-dihydrobenzofuran and 7-allyl-6-hydroxy-5-methoxy-2-(3′-methoxy-4,5′ -methylenedioxyphenyl)-3-methylbenzofuran.     

Euclein: A new binaphthaquinone from Euclea pseudebenus

7-MethyljugIone, 8,8′-dihydroxy-4,4′-dimethoxy-6,6′-dimethyl-2,2′-binaphthyl-1,1′-quinone, 2-methylnaphthazarin, mamegakinone and euclein have been isolated from Euclea pseudebenus. Euclein is the 3,6′-dimer of 7-methyljuglone.     

Flavans from Zephyranthes flava

A new optically active flavan aglucone, 7-hydroxy-3′,4′-methylenedioxyflavan, and its 7-glucoside have been isolated from the bulbs of Zephyranthes flava, collected at flowering. Additionally, two known flavans, 7,4′-dihydroxy-3′-methoxyflavan and 7-methoxy-2′-hydroxy-4′,5′-methylenedioxyflavan, have been isolated for the first time from this species. The structures of these flavans have been established by comprehensive analyses (UV, IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, mass spectrometry, [α]_D) of the compounds and their acetates, and also by chemical correlation.     

Three highly oxygenated flavone glucuronides in leaves of Spinacia oleracea

Droplet counter-current chromatographic separation and subsequent TLC demonstrated the existence of at least 14 phenolics in the leaves of Spinacia oleracea. Three have now been isolated and identified, respectively, as the 4′-glucuronides of 5,7,4'-trihydroxy-3,6,3′-trimethoxyflavone (jaceidin), 5,3′,4′-trihydroxy-3-methoxy-6:7-methylene-dioxyflavone and 5,4′-dihydroxy-3,3′-dimethoxy-6:7-methylenedioxyflavone.     

Methoxyspheroidene and methoxyspheroidenone,two carotenoids from Rhodopseudomonas spheroides

Two new carotenoids isolated from Rhodopseudomonas spheroides (Rhodospirillaceae) have been identified as methoxyspheroidene (1,1′-dimethoxy-3,4-didehydro-1,2,1′,2′,7$\text{,}\text{?}$8′-hexahydro-ψ,ψ-carotene) obtained from anaerobic cultures and methoxyspheroidenone (1,1′-dimethoxy-3,4-didehydro-1,2,1′,2′,7′,8′-hexahydro-ψ,ψ-caroten-2-one) recovered from aerobic cultures.     

A pungent principle from Alpinia oxyphylla

A pungent diarylheptanoid isolated from Alpinia oxyphylla has been characterized as trans-1-(4′-hydroxy-3′-methoxyphenyl)-7-phenylhept-1-en     

3-Hydroxyisoflavanones from the stem bark of Dalbergia melanoxylon: Isolation,antimycobacterial evaluation and molecular docking studies

Two new 3-hydroxyisoflavanones, (S)-3,4′,5-trihydroxy-2′,7-dimethoxy-3′-prenylisoflavanone (trivial name kenusanone F 7-methyl ether) and (S)-3,5-dihydroxy-2′,7-dimethoxy-2″,2″-dimethylpyrano[5″,6″:3′,4′]isoflavanone (trivial name sophoronol-7-methyl ether) along with two known compounds (dalbergin and formononetin) were isolated from the stem bark of Dalbergia melanoxylon. The structures were elucidated using spectroscopic techniques. Kenusanone F 7-methyl ether showed activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis, whereas both of the new compounds were inactive against the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum at 10 μg/ml. Docking studies showed that the new compounds kenusanone F 7-methyl ether and sophoronol-7-methyl ether have high affinity for the M. tuberculosis drug target INHA.     

A pungent diarylheptanoid from Alpinia oxyphylla

From the neutral fraction of the methanolic extract of the fruit of Alpinia oxyphylla, a new pungent compound has been isolated, and is shown to be 1-(4′-hydroxy-3′-methoxyphenyl)-7-phenyl-3-heptanone. This compound is 125 times more pungent than zingerone.     

Isoflavonoids from Myroxylon balsamum

Myroxylon balsamum (Leguminosae-Lotoideae) trunk wood contains a series of biogenetically related flavonoids, including the novel (±) -7-hydroxy-4′-methoxyisoflavanone, (±)-7,3′-dihydroxy-4′-methoxyisoflavanone and 2-(2′,4′-dihydroxyphenyl)-5,6-dimethoxybenzofuran.     

Neolignans from Nectandra miranda

Seven neolignans, isolated from a C₆H₆ extract of Nectandra miranda (Lauraceae) trunk wood, included the hitherto undescribed (2S, 3S, 3aS)- and (2S, 3S, 3aR)-5-allyl-3a-methoxy-2-(3′, 4′, 5′-trimethoxyphenyl)-3-methyl-2, 3, 3a, 6-tetrahydro-6-oxobenzofurans (respectively mirandin-A and mirandin -B), 7-allyl-6-hydroxy-5-methoxy-2-(3′, 4′, 5′-trimethoxyphenyl)-3-methylbenzofuran and (2R, 3R)-7-methoxy-2-(3′, 4′, 5′-trimethoxyphenyl)-3-methyl-5 -(E)-propenyl-2, 3-dihydrobenzofuran (licarin C).     

A flavanone glycoside from Prunus cerasoides

During a phytochemical investigation of the seeds of Prunus cerasoides, a new flavanone glycoside, naringenin 4′-methyl ether 7-xyloside, was cha     

7′,8′,11′,12′-Tetrahydro-γ-carotene: A novel carotene from Phycomyces blakesleeanus

The natural occurrence of 7′,8′,11′,12′-tetrahydro-γ-carotene (7′,8′,11′,12′-tetrahydro-γ-carotene, IV) is predicted and its isolation from diphenylamine-inhibited cultures of a mutant of Phycomyces blakesleeanus and characterization are described. The possible role of this novel monocyclic carotene in β-carotene biosynthesis is discussed.     

Chemical constituents from Chonemorpha griffithii

Chemical investigation of the aerial part of Chonemorpha griffithii has led to the isolation of 20 compounds, comprising six lignans (1–6), six triterpenoids (7–12), four phenolic acids (13–16), two flavonoids (17 and 18), one cyclitol (19) and one aliphatic acid (20). Among them, 5′-methoxy-7′-oxomatairesinol (1) was identified to be a new lignan. It is the first report of the presence of those compounds in this genus. Two 24-methyl-29-norcycloartane triterpenoids (10 and 11) were considered as the chemotaxonomic markers for the species C. griffithii.     

A novel compound T7 (N-{4′-[(1E)-N-hydroxyethanimidoyl]-3′,5,6-trimethoxybiphenyl-3-yl}-N′-[4-(3-morpholin-4-ylpropoxy)phenyl]urea) screened by tissue angiogenesis model and its activity evaluation on anti-angiogenesis

A tissue model for angiogenesis that imitated new blood vessels formation in vivo had been established in the previous study. Here, it was used to screen and evaluate a series of synthesized compounds and the results indicated that compound T7 (N-{4′-[(1E)-N-hydroxyethanimidoyl]-3′,5,6-trimethoxybiphenyl-3-yl}-N′-[4-(3-morpholin-4-ylpropoxy)phenyl]urea) could effectively inhibit the blood vessels formation. Then the anti-angiogenic potential of T7 and its related molecular mechanisms against lung carcinoma in vitro and in vivo were investigated. Treatment with T7 significantly inhibited human umbilical vein endothelial cells and A549 cells proliferation and migration. T7 reduced human umbilical vein endothelial cells tube formation as well. Western blotting analysis of cell signaling molecules indicated that T7 reduced phosphorylation of KDR and its downstream signaling players AKT and ERK1/2 activation in endothelial cells and A549 cells. Moreover, T7 inhibited tumor growth in A549 xenografted model of athymic mice and reduced CD34 expression levels in tumor-bearing mice by immunohistochemistry. In sum, our findings showed that T7 was a candidate of tumor angiogenesis inhibitors, and it functioned by interrupting the autophosphorylation of KDR, AKT and ERK1/2.     

7 S RNA: A single site substrate for the RNA processing enzyme ribonuclease E of Escherichia coli

7 S RNA accumulates at non-permissive temperatures in an RNAase E strain containing the recombinant plasmid pJR3Δ which carries a single 5 S rRNA gene and expression sequences. 7 S RNA is a processing intermediate that contains the complete sequence of 5 S rRNA as well as a stem-and-loop structure encoded by the terminator of rrnD. 7 S RNA can be processed in vitro by RNAase E. Structural analysis of the products (5 S rRNA and the stem) of in vitro processing of 7 S RNA revealed that the cleavage site of RNAase E in 7 S RNA is 3 nucleotides downstream from the 3′ end of the mature 5 S rRNA. The cleavage generates 3′-hydroxyl and 5′-phosphate termini.     

Xanthones from Tovomita pyrifolium

The wood of Tovomita pyrifolium (Guttiferae) contains the novel tovopyrifolins A [1,6-dihydroxy-7-methoxy-5-prenyl-6′,6′-dimethylpyrano (2′,3′:3,2)xanthone], B (1,5-dihydroxy-3,4-dimethoxyxanthone) and C (1,3,5-trihydroxy-2-methoxyxanthone) and also the known tovophyllins A and B [structure revised to 1,6-dihydroxy-5-prenyl-6′, 6′-dimethylpyrano(2′,3′:3,2)-6″,6″-dimethylpyrano(2″,3″:7,8)xanthone].     

Synthesis and anticancer activity of some 5-fluoro-2′-deoxyuridine phosphoramidates

Two series of novel 4-chlorophenyl N-alkyl phosphoramidates of 3′-O-(t-butoxycarbonyl)-5-fluoro-2′-deoxyuridine (3′-BOC-FdU) (9a–9j) and 5-fluoro-2′-deoxyuridine (FdU) (10a–10j) were synthesized by means of phosphorylation of 3′-BOC-FdU (4) with 4-chlorophenyl phosphoroditriazolide (7), followed by a reaction with the appropriate amine. Phosphoramidates 9a–9j were converted to the corresponding 10a–10j by removal of the 3′-t-butoxycarbonyl protecting group (BOC) under acidic conditions. The synthesized phosphoramidates 9a–9j and 10a–10j were evaluated for their cytotoxic activity in five human cancer cell lines: cervical (HeLa), nasopharyngeal (KB), breast (MCF-7), liver (HepG2), osteosarcoma (143B) and normal human dermal fibroblast cell line (HDF) using the sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay. Two phosphoramidates 9b and 9j with the N-ethyl and N-(methoxy-(S)-alaninyl) substituents, respectively, displayed remarkable activity in all the investigated cancer cells, and the activity was considerably higher than that of the parent nucleoside 4 and FdU. Among phosphoramidates 10a–10j compound 10c with the N-(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl) substituent showed the highest activity. Phosphoramidate 10c was more active than the FdU in all the cancer cell lines tested.     

Diterpenes from Ballota species

Hispanolone was isolated from Ballota andreuzziana; B. pseudodictamnus contains ballonigrin, 18-hydroxyballonigrin, marrubenol, and the flavone 7, 4′-di-O-methylapigenin.     

Phenolics from the seeds of Argemone mexicana

Two new phenolic compounds, 5, 7, 2′, 6′-tetrahydroxyflavone and 5, 7-dihydroxychromone 7- neohesperidoside have been characterized from the seeds of Argemone mexicana.