The identification of aminoalkylphosphonyl cerebrosides in the marine gastropod, Monodonta labio.

From Monodonta labio a mixture of aminoalkylphosphonyl cerebrosides was isolated in a yield of 1.0% of the total complex lipids. The aminoalkylphosphonyl cerebrosides were found to be composed of a major portion of 1-O-[6'-O-(N-methylaminoethylphosphonyl)galactopyranosyl]ceramide and a minor portion of 1-O-[6'-O-(aminoethylphosphonyl)galactopyranosyl]ceramide. Palmitic (49.7%) and 2-hydroxy palmitic (12.2%) acids were the main fatty acid constituents and a small amount of oleic acid was also detected. The long chain bases had a characteristic pattern with 16-22 carbon chain lengths, and were classified into four groups: normal dihydroxy monounsaturated bases (40.6%), branched dihydroxy monounsaturated bases (34.0%), dihydroxy diunsaturated bases (22.0%), and trihydroxy bases (2.2%). Among them dihydroxy 18 : 1 and 18 : 2 and branched 19 : 1 bases were predominant.     

Molecular Species of Ceramide and Mono-, Di-, Tri-, and Tetraglycosylceramide in Bran and Endosperm of Rice Grains

Ceramide and mono-, di-, tri-, and tetraglycosylceramide were isolated from the bran and endosperm of rice grains and chemically characterized. The detailed compositions of free ceramide were somewhat different between the bran and endosperm, but those of the ceramide moiety in glycosylceramides were substantially the same. There was a tendency in all the sphingolipid molecules in rice grains for hydroxy acids with C₂₀ to be combined largely with the dihydroxy bases while hydroxy acids with C_24< combined mainly with the trihydroxy bases. Representative molecular species of the sphingolipid classes were concluded to be as follows: for ceramide N-2′-hydroxylignoceroyl-4-hydroxysphinganine, for monoglycosylceramide l-O-β-glucosyl-N-2′-hydroxyarachidoyl-4,8-sphingadienine, for diglycosylceramide 1-O-[β-mannosyl(1→-4)-O-β-glucosyl]- and 1-O-[β-glucosyl(1→4)-O-β-glucosyl]-N-2′-hydroxylignoceroyl-4-hydroxy-8-sphingenine, for triglycosylceramide l-O-[β-mannosyl(1→4)-O-β-mannosyl(l→4)-O-β-glucosyl]- and l-O-[β-glucosyl(l→4)-O-β-mannosyl(1→4)-O-β-glucosyl]-N-2′-hydroxylignoceroyl-4-hydroxy-8-sphingenine, and for tetraglycosylceramide 1-0-[β-mannosyl(l→4)-O-β-mannosyl (1→4)-O-β-mannosyl(1→4)-O-β-glucosyl]- and l-O-[β-glucosyl(1→4)-O-β-mannosyl(l→4)-O-β-mannosyl(1β4)-O-β-glucosyl]-N-2′-hydroxylignoceroyl-4-hydroxy-8-sphingenine.     

C31,-secodammarane-type triterpenoid saponins from the male flowers of Alnus pendula

Six C₃₁-secodammarane-type triterpenoid saponins, in addition to alnustic acid, were isolated from the male flowers of Alnus pendula. Two of these saponins were new and were shown to be the 12-O-(2′-O-acetyl)-β-d-xylopyranoside and the 12-O-(2′-O-acetyl)-β-d-glucopyranoside of alnustic acid, respectively, on the basis of their physico-chemical data.     

In vitro synthesis of mycolic acids by the fluffy layer fraction of Bacterionema matruchotii

Biosynthetic activity for mycolic acid occurred in the fluffy layer fraction but not in the 5000g supernatant of Bacterionema matruchotii. With [1-¹⁴C]palmitic acid as precursor for the in vitro system, the predominant product was identified as C_32:0 mycolic acid by radio-gas-liquid chromatographie (radio-GLC) and gas chromatographic/mass spectroscopic analyses; if [1-¹⁴C]stearic acid was used, two major radioactive peaks appeared on GLC: one corresponding to the peak of (C_34:0 + C_34:1) mycolic acids and the other to (C_36:0 + C_36:1) mycolic acids. By pyrolysis/radio-GLC analysis, C_32:0 mycolic acid synthesized by [1-¹⁴C]palmitic acid was pyrolyzed at 300 °C to form palmitaldehyde (the mero moiety) and methyl palmitate (the branch moiety). The pH optimum for the incorporation of [1-¹⁴C]palmitate into bacterionema mycolic acids was 6.4 and the reaction required a divalent cation. The in vitro system utilized myristic, palmitic, stearic and oleic acids (probably via their activated forms) well as precursors, among which myristic and palmitic acids were more effective than the rest. Avidin showed no effect on the biosynthesis of mycolic acid from ¹⁴C-palmitate whereas cerulenin, a specific inhibitor of β-ketoacyl synthetase in de novo fatty acid synthesis, inhibited the reaction at a relatively higher concentration. Thin-layer chromatographic analysis of lipids extracted from the reacting mixture without alkaline hydrolysis showed that both exogenous [1-¹⁴] fatty acid and synthesized mycolic acids were bound to an unknown compound by an alkali-labile linkage and this association seemed to occur prior to the condensation of two molecules of fatty acid.     

Aloeresin c,a bitter c,o-diglucoside from cape aloe

A new bitter C,O-diglucoside, aloeresin C, was isolated from commercial Cape aloe. Its structure, 2-acetonyl-7-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-8-C-β-D-[2′-O-(E)-p-coumaroyl]glucopyranosyl-5-methylchromone, was established by spectral and chemical methods.     

Lipase-catalyzed synthesis of two new antioxidants: 4-O- and 3-O-palmitoyl chlorogenic acids

Chlorogenic acid (5-caffeoyl quinic acid (CQA)) extracted from Hydrangea macrophylla (44%, w/w) with 98% purity, was acylated with palmitic acid by Novozym 435 to yield mono-acylated CQA. Acylation of CQA was achieved in 2-methyl-2-butanol at 60°C, and yielded two mono-acylated products: a major product acylated at the C-4 of the quinic moiety (4-O-palmitoyl chlorogenic acid) and a minor product acylated at the C-3 (3-O-palmitoyl chlorogenic acid). The bioconversions obtained in 7 days ranged from 14 to 60% and were influenced by the molar ratio of palmitic acid/CQA, which ranged from 10 to 80. The regioselectivity (4-O-palmitoyl/3-O-palmitoyl ratio) of the reaction was also affected by the molar ratio, and ranged from 90 to 70%. The scavenging activities against 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl radicals demonstrated that these palmitoyl CQA derivatives are associated with antioxidant activity (70% vs CQA).     

C-Arabinosylapigenin methyl ethers from Asterostigma riedelianum

The leaves of summer harvested Asterostigma riedelianum were found to contain the following flavonoids all of which are reported for the first time: 6,8-di-C-arabinosylapigenin 7,4′-dimethyl ether, 2″-O-glucosyl-6-C-arabinosylapigenin 7,4′-dimethyl ether and 2″-O-(caffeoyl)glucosyl-6-C-arabinosylapigenin 7,4′-dimethyl ether. Winter harvested A. riedelianum additionally contained the 7-monomethyl ethers of the mono-C-arabinosides.     

C-4′-Branched-chain sugar nucleosides: synthesis of isomers of psicofuranine

Photoamidation of 3-O-acetyl-1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-α-d-erythro-hex-3-enofuranose (1) afforded 3-O-acetyl-4-C-carbamoyl-1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-α-d-gulofuranose (2) and 3-O-acetyl-3-C-carbamoyl-1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-d-α-allofuranose (3) in 65 and 26% yields, respectively (based on consumed1). Treatment of2 with 5% hydrochloric acid in methanol yielded the spiro lactone5, which was deacetylated to yield7. Reduction of5 with sodium borohydride afforded 4-C-(hydroxymethyl)-1,2-O-isopropylidene-α-d-gulofuranose (9) in 79% yield. Oxidation of9 with sodium metaperiodate afforded a dialdose that was reduced with sodium borohydride to give 4-C-(hydroxymethyl)-1,2-O-isopropylidene-α-d-erythro-pentofuranose (11) in 88% yield. Treatment of the acetate12, derived from11, with trifluoroacetic acid, followed by acetylation, afforded the branched-chain sugar acetate14. Condensation of the glycosyl halide derived from14 withN⁶-benzoyl-N⁶, 9-bis-(trimethylsilyl)adenine yielded an equimolar anomeric mixture of protected nucleosides15 and16 in 40% yield. Treatment of the latter compounds with sodium methoxide in methanol afforded 9-[4-C-(hydroxymethyl)-β-d-erythro-pentofuranosyl]-adenine (17) and the α-d anomer18. The structure of3 was determined by correlation with the known 5,3′-hemiacetal of 3-C-(hydroxymethyl)-1,2-O-isopropylidene-α,α′-d-ribo-pentodialdose (25).     

Effect of C2 ceramide on the inositol phospholipid metabolism (uptake of 32P, 3H-serine and 3H-palmitic acid) and apoptosis-related morphological changes in Tetrahymena

Sphingomyelin metabolites have significant role in the regulation of many life processes of mammalian cells. In the present experiments the influence of phospholipid turnover and apoptosis related morphologic signs by one of this metabolite, C₂ ceramide was studied, and compared to the control, untreated cells, in the unicellular Tetrahymena. The incorporation of phospholipid head group components (serine, phosphorus) show a clear time-dependence; while the incorporation of fatty acid component (palmitic acid) is very fast: no significant alterations were found between 5- and 60-min incubations. C₂ ceramide treatment didn't alter ³H-palmitic acid incorporation into phospholipids, however ³H-serine incorporation was mainly inhibited. The amount of total incorporated ³²P was also decreased, on the other hand the lover concentration C₂ ceramide (10 μM) elevated the synthesis of inositol phospholipids. The higher concentration of C₂ ceramide (50 μM) had inhibitory effect on the synthesis of each phospholipids examined. This means that in the presence of the C₂ ceramide the synthesis, recovery and turnover of phospholipids, participating in signal transduction, are altered. However these observations were based the uptake of labeled phospholipid precursors, which gives information on the dynamics of the process, without using lipid mass measurements. C₂ ceramide also caused the rounding off the cells, DNA degradation and nuclear condensation. These latter observations point to morphological signs of apoptosis. The results call attention to the role of sphingomyelin metabolites on signalization of unicellulars, to the cross-talk between the inositol phospholipids and sphingomyelin metabolites, and the role of these molecules in the apoptotic processes at a low evolutionary level.     

Flavonoid glycosides from needles of Pinus massoniana

Seven flavonoids have been isolated from Pinus massoniana needles and identified as taxifolin and its 3′-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, (+)-catechin, naringenin-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside and three new flavonoid glycosides, 6-C-methylaromadendrin 7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, taxifolin 3′-O-β-D-(6″-O-phenylacetyl)-glucopyranoside and eriodictyol 3′-O-β-D-glucopyranoside.     

2′,4′-BNA/LNA aptamers: CE-SELEX using a DNA-based library of full-length 2′-O,4′-C-methylene-bridged/linked bicyclic ribonucleotides

DNA-based aptamers that contain 2′-O,4′-C-methylene-bridged/linked bicyclic ribonucleotides (B/L nucleotides) over the entire length were successfully obtained using a capillary electrophoresis systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (CE-SELEX) method. A modified DNA library was prepared with an enzyme mix of KOD Dash and KOD mutant DNA polymerases. Forty 2′-O,4′-C-methylene bridged/locked nucleic acid (2′,4′-BNA/LNA) aptamers were isolated from an enriched pool and classified into six groups according to their sequence. 2′,4′-BNA/LNA aptamers of groups V and VI bound human thrombin with K_d values in the range of several 10 nanomolar levels.     

New syntheses of 2′-C-methylnucleosides starting from d-glucose and d-ribose

Effective general methods have been developed for the synthesis of 2′-C-methylnucleosides starting from d-glucose and d-ribose. 3-O-benzyl-1,2-O-isopropylidene-3-C-methyl-α-d-allofuranose was prepared in 5 steps from d-glucose and converted into 1,2,3-tri-O-acetyl-2-C-methyl-5-O-p-methylbenzoyl-d-ribofuranose (5), the starting compound for nucleoside synthesis. Compound 5 was also synthesised from 2-C-hydroxymethyl-2,3-O-isopropylidene-5-O-trityl-d-ribofuranose, prepared in 3 steps from d-ribose. Condensation of 5 with the bis-trimethylsilyl derivatives of uracil, N⁴-benzoylcytosine, and N⁶-benzoyladenine in the presence of F₃CSO₃OSiMe₃ followed by removal of the protecting acyl groups yielded the corresponding 2′-C-methylnucleosides.     

A simple method of the preparation of 2′-O-Methyladenosine Methylation of adenosine with methyl iodide in anhydrous alkaline medium

A simple and effective method of the methylation on the 2′-O position of adenosine is described. Adenosine is treated with CH₃I in an anhydrous alkaline medium at 0°C for 4 h. The major products of this reaction are monomethylated adenosine at either the 2′-O or 3′-O position (total of 64%) and the side products are dimethylated adenosine (2′,3′-O-dimethyladenosi, 21%, and N⁶-2′-O-dimethyladenosine, 11%). The ratio of 2′-O- and 3′-O-methyladenosine has been found to be 8 to 1. Therefore, this reaction preferentially favors the synthesis of 2′-O-methyladenosine. The monomethylated adenosine is isolated from reaction mixture by a silica gel column chromatography. Then the pure 2′-O-methyladenosine can be separated by crystallization in ethanol from the mixture of 2′-O and 3′-O-methylated isomers. The overall yield of 2′-O-methyladenosine is 42%.     

Biosynthetic relations between protoberberine-, benzo(C)phenanthridine- and B-secoprotoberberine type alkaloids in Corydalis incisa

The biosynthetic relations between protoberberine-, benzo[C]phenanthridine- and B-secoprotoberberine type alkaloids were demonstrated by use of (±)-tetrahydrocoptisine-[8,14-³H HCl, (±)-tetrahydrocorysamine-[8,14-³H]HCl and corynoline-[6-³H]HCl in Corydalis incisa, and the following results were presented. (±)-Tetrahydrocoptisine was converted to corynoline, corydalic acid methyl ester and corydamine hydrochloride. (±)-Tetrahydrocorysamine was converted to corynoline and corydalic acid methyl ester. Evidence that N-methyl-3-[6′-(3′,4′-methylenedioxyphenethylalcohol)]-4-methyl-7,8-methylenedioxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-[α-³H] HCl was incorporated into corynoline-[11-³H] indicates the occurrence of the ring fission at C₆-N followed by linking ofthe C₆ and C₁₃ positions in (±)-tetrahydrocoptisine and (±)-tetrahydrocorysamine, and suggests the participation of one of two possible intermediates in the biosynthesis of these alkaloids.     

Esters of trehalose from Corynebacterium diphtheriae: A modified purification procedure and studies on the structure of their constituent hydroxylated fatty acids

The purification procedure of 6,6′-diesters of trehalose from Corynebacterium diphtheriae was modified and the isolated substance was analysed by mass spectrometry as its permethylated derivative. The fatty acid moiety released from the glycolipid after alkaline hydrolysis was studied by mass spectral analysis of the O-methylated and O-acetylated methyl ester derivatives. By argentation thin-layer chromatography, three species of O-acetylated methyl esters were recognized, corresponding to saturated, mono-unsaturated and di-unsaturated α-branched-β-hydroxylated fatty acids. The double bond was located by ozonolysis of the O-acetylated methyl ester derivatives, by gas chromatography of the reaction product and mass spectrometry of the effluent from the gas chromatograph. The main components of each species of α-branched-β-hydroxylated fatty acids found in the gly colipid fraction of C. diphtheriae were 2-tetradecyl-3-hydroxyoctadecanoic acid (C₃₂H₆₄O₃, corynomycolic acid), 2-tetradecyl-3-hydroxy-11-octadecenoic acid (C₃₂H₆₂O₃, corynomycolenic acid), 2-tetradec-7′-enyl-3-hydroxy octadecanoic acid (C₃₂H₆₂O₃) and 2-tetradec-7′-enyl-3-hydroxy-11-octadecenoic acid (C₃₂H₆₀O₃, corynomycoldienic acid). The glycolipid fraction from C. diphtheriae is obviously a complex mixture of 6,6′-diesters of trehalose.     

Triterpenoid prosaponins from leaves of Maesa chisia var. angustifolia

Acid hydrolysis of the saponin fraction of the leaves ofMaesa chisia var.angustifolia yielded a monoglucoside fraction besides camelliagenin A as a minor constituent. The glucose moiety of the former could be removed by hydrolysis by Smith degradation to yield two new acylated triterpenoids characterised as 16α-O-acetyl-22α-O-angeloyl-camelliagen A and 16α-O-acetyl-22α-O-(2′-methylbutyroyl)-camelliagenin A as well as camelliagenin A and its 22α,28-glycolaldehyde acetal. The possibility of the later acetal derivative being an artefact could not, however, be ruled out.     

Anthraquinone,anthrone and phenylpyrone components of Aloe nyeriensis var. kedongensis leaf exudate

The leaf exudate of Aloe nyeriensis var. kedongensis yielded six compounds which were identified on the basis of spectral data and inter-conversions as two groups of three allied compounds. These were (a) 4-methoxy-6(2′,4′-dihydroxy-6′- methylphenyl)-pyran-2-one, its 2′-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (aloenin) and the 2″-O-p-coumaroyl ester of aloenin, (b) the anthracene derivatives l,2,8-trihydroxy- 6-methylanthraquinone (nataloe-emodin), its 2-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl ester and the corresponding 10-C -β-D-glucopyranoside nataloin.     

Enzymic hydrolysis of sphingolipids: Hydrolysis of ceramide glucoside by an enzyme from ox brain

Ceramide glucoside (1-O-glucosido-2-N-acyl-sphingosine) was hydrolysed to ceramide (N-acyl-sphingosine) and glucose by β-glucosidase from ox brain. The reaction was stimulated by the non-ionic detergent, Triton X-100, or by the anionic detergents, cholate or taurocholate. It was not reversible, had optimum pH5·0 (with acetate buffer) or 5·6 (with pyridine buffer), had K_m 1·8×10⁻⁴m and was inhibited by δ-gluconolactone and sphingosine, but not by ceramide or palmitic acid.     

Elucidation of structures for a unique class of 2,3,4,3′-tetra-O-acylated sucrose esters from the type B glandular trichomes of Solanum neocardenasii Hawkes & Hjerting (PI 498129)

A class of unique sucrose esters that comprise the greater portion of non-volatile constituents in the exudate from type B glandular trichomes of S. neocardenasii Hawkes & Hjerting (PI 498129) were resolved by reversed phase t.l.c. The major components were characterized by a combination of hydrolysis studies and spectroscopic techniques as 2-O-acetyl-3′-O-hexanoyl-3,4-di-O-isobutyryl-sucrose, 2-O-acetyl-3′,4-di-O-hexanoyl-3-O-isobutyrylsucrose, and 2-O-acetyl-3′-O-decanoyl-3,4-di-O-isobutyrylsucrose.     

Palmilycorine and lycoriside: acyloxy and acylglucosyloxy alkaloids from crinum asiaticum

Two new types of alkaloidal conjugates, a C₁₆-acyloxy derivative, named palmilycorine, and an acylglucosyloxy derivative, named lycoriside, were isolated from the fruits of Crinum asiaticum. The presence of these compounds was also detected in the fleshy scale leaves and in roots of this species. The structures of the two compounds were established as 1-O-palmitoyllycorine (1) and lycorine-1-O-(6′-O-palmitoyl-β-D-glucopyranoside)(2), respectively, on the basis of chemical transformation and comprehensive spectral evidence. The biological effects of the alkaloids were evaluated.