Synthesis of the Enantiomers of (Z)-5-(1-Octenyl)oxacyclopentan-2-one,a Sex Pheromone of the Cupreous Chafer Beetle,Anomala cuprea Hope

Glutaminase (EC 3.5.1.2) was isolated from Pseudomonas nitroreducens IFO 12694 grown on 0.6% sodium glutamate as a nitrogen source (325-fold purification, 13% yield). The molecular weight of the enzyme was estimated to be 40,000 by gel filtration and SDS-gel electrophoresis. The enzyme hydro-lyzed glutamine optimally at pH 9, and its K_m was 6.5 mm. d-Glutamine, γ-glutamyl p-nitroanilide, γ-glutamylmethylamide, γ-glutamylethylamide (theanine), and glutathione showed respectively 107, 85, 78, 74, and 82% reactivity of glutamine. Zn²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cd²⁺, Co²⁺, Fe²⁺, and Cu²⁺ repressed the enzyme activity strongly.

Glutaminase formed γ-glutamylhydroxamate in the reaction mixture containing glutamine and hydroxylamine (transferring reaction). The optimum pH of the transferring reaction was 7–8, and the K_m for glutamine and hydroxylamine were 4 mm and 120 mm, respectively. γ-Glutamyl derivatives hydrolyzable by glutaminase showed reactivity for the transferring reaction. Methylamine or ethylamine was replaceable for hydroxylamine with 3 or 8% reactivity. The effect of divalent cations was not so striking as in the hydrolyzing reaction.     

Comparison of different methods for detecting methicillin resistance in MRSA isolates belonging to international lineages commonly isolated in the American continent

The aim of the present paper was to compare different methods for detecting methicillin resistance in Staphylococcus aureus . Among the isolates analyzed, 52 belonged to MRSA international lineages commonly detected in the American continent and 14 to sporadic MRSA clones. Both 30 μg-cefoxitin disk and PBP2a had 100% sensibility/specificity when the low-level heterogeneous isolates were tested and, thus, are highly recommended.     

The Role of MRSA (Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus) Adherence and Colonization in the Upper Respiratory Tract of Geriatric Patients in Nosocomial Pulmonary Infections

The mechanism of nosocomial respiratory infections caused by MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) in geriatric patients was investigated. Seriously ill patients (SIP) undergoing naso-gastric tube feeding or intravenous hyperalimentation and moderately ill patients (MIP) who were orally fed, were examined for their colonization and infection by Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) in the respiratory tract. Colonization of MRSA in the upper respiratory tract in SIP was from six to ten times higher than that in MIP and was associated with a high incidence of MRSA pulmonary infections. In vitro S. aureus adherence to nasal or oropharyngeal cells demonstrated that bacteria binding to nasal cells was higher, which probably can be interpreted as an elevated occurrence of S. aureus colonization in the nasal cavity than in the throat. The binding activity of MRSA was not superior to that of MSSA (methicillin-sensitive S. aureus). Though MRSA binding to the nasal cells from SIP was not higher than those from MIP, MRSA colonization in the upper respiratory tract was more frequently seen in SIP (P < 0.01). A higher incidence of total infectious episodes (P < 0.02-0.001) and more frequent use of antibiotics (P < 0.02-0.001), which were potent against MSSA might be the basis for selection of MRSA in these patients. In fact, the rate of MRSA colonization on the skin (pressure sores) was also higher in SIP (P < 0.01). A low nutritional state in SIP (P < 0.01-0.02) might also be associated with MRSA colonization. The present results indicate that the high frequency of infections, antibiotic administration, MRSA skin colonization and low nutritional condition, are enhancing factors of MRSA acquisition in the respiratory tract for SIP undergoing artificial feeding, in a geriatric hospital.     

Synthesis of Both the Enantiomers of (2Z, 6Z)-2,6-Nonadien-4-olide,the Possible Male-Secreted Sex Pheromone from a Pyralid Moth,Aphomia gularis Zeller

Both the enantiomers (~96% e.e.) of (2Z, 6Z)-2,6-nonadien-4-olide, a possible pheromone of Aphomia gularis, were synthesized by resolving an acetylenic intermediate.     

Synthesis of (3E, 5Z)-3,5-Dodecadienylacetate,the Sex Pheromone of Phtheochroa cranaodes (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)

(3E, 5Z)-3,5-Dodecadienyl acetate, the female sex pheromone of Phtheochroa cranaodes, was regio and stereo-selectively synthesized from 1-octyne and (E)-4-bromo-3-buten-1-ol by using Pd(PPh₃)₄, CuI and piperidine to afford the enyne (5). Further elaboration afforded the target pheromone. The synthetic pheromone was identified with the natural product by its MS and IR, data GLC retention time and biological activity.     

Facile syntheses for (5Z,9Z)-5,9-hexadecadienoic acid, (5Z,9Z)-5,9-nonadecadienoic acid, and (5Z,9Z)-5,9-eicosadienoic acid through a common synthetic route

The delta 5,9 fatty acids (5Z,9Z)-5,9-hexadecadienoic acid, (5Z,9Z)-5,9-nonadecadienoic acid, and (5Z,9Z)-5,9-eicosadienoic acid were synthesized for the first time in four steps (9-12% overall yield) starting from commercially available 2-(2-bromoethyl)-1,3-dioxolane. The synthetic approach provided enough material to corroborate the structure and stereochemistry of (5Z,9Z)-5,9-nonadecadienoic acid which was recently identified in the flowers of Malvaviscus arboreus (Malvaceae). The novel phospholipids 1-hexadecanoyl-2-[(5Z,9Z)-5,9-eicosadienoyl]-sn-glycer o-3-phosphocholine and 1-octadecanoyl-2-[(5Z,9Z)-5,9-eicosadienoyl]-sn- glycero-3-phosphocholine were also synthesized from commercially available L-alpha-phosphatidylcholine (egg yolk) and characterized by positive ion electrospray mass spectrometry. These are the first examples of unsymmetrical phospholipids with saturated fatty acids at the sn-1 position and delta 5,9 fatty acids at the sn-2 position.     

The antimicrobial activity of heyneanol A extracted from the root of Taiwanese wild grape

Aims:  To search for antimicrobial compounds against pathogenic bacteria from grape vines ( Vitis spp.). To investigate the antimicrobial efficacy of active compounds towards methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).
Methods and Results:  The root extracts of taiwanese wild grape ( Vitis thunbergii var. taiwaniana ) showed marked activities against Gram-positive bacteria using the disc diffusion method. After purification, the active compound 1 was confirmed as heyneanol A by mass spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance. Heyneanol A showed an minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value of 2  μ g ml⁻¹ towards MRSA and a value of 2 to 4  μ g ml⁻¹ for Enterococcus faecium , S. aureus , Streptococcus agalactiae and Streptococcus pyogenes . In addition, the contents of heyneanol A were determined as 36 mg g⁻¹ in roots of taiwanese wild grape.
Conclusions:  The root extracts of grapevines have good antimicrobial activities towards some strains of Gram-positive pathogens. Heyneanol A, the major antimicrobial compound, is especially active towards MRSA. In addition, the abundances of heyneanol A and other stilbenes in the roots of grapevines make it possible to produce natural antimicrobial compounds from this plant species.
Significance and Impact of the Study:  This study reports for the first time the antimicrobial compounds in the root extracts of grapevines. The results will have clinical significance owing to their activities against MRSA.     

Stereoselective Synthesis of erythro-Serricornin, (4R, 6R, 7S)-, and (4S, 6R, 7S)-4,6-Dimethyl-7-hydroxynonan-3-one,Stereoisomers of the Sex Pheromone of Cigarette Beetle

A stereoselective synthesis of erythro-serricornin [(4RS,6R,7S)-4,6-dimethyl-7-hydroxynonan-3-one] was completed starting from l-(+)-tartaric acid. The relative configuration of C(6)-methyl and C(7)-hydroxyl groups in naturally occurring serricornin was threo.     

Synthesis of Optically Pure (1S, 4S, 5S)-2-Pinen-4-ol (cis-Verbenol) and Its Antipode,the Pheromone of Ips Bark Beetles

The enantiomers of cis-verbenol (4a and 4a′) were first synthesized in optically pure state. (1S, 4S, 5S)-2-Pinen-4-ol (4a′) was dextrorotatory in acetone or in methanol but it was levorotatory in chloroform; cis-verbenols are indistinguishable by a prefix (+) or (?). The designation of the Ips pheromone as (+)-cis-verbenol is therefore ambiguous and it should be called as (1S, 4S, 5S)-2-pinen-4-ol (4a′) or (S)-cis-verbenol.     

A novel synthetic compound, (Z)-5-(3-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzylidene)-2-iminothiazolidin-4-one (MHY773) inhibits mushroom tyrosinase

As part of continued efforts for the development of new tyrosinase inhibitors, (Z)-5-(substituted benzylidene)-2-iminothiazolidin-4-one derivatives (1a – 1l) were rationally synthesized and evaluated for their inhibitory potential in vitro. These compounds were designed and synthesized based on the structural attributes of a β-phenyl-α,β-unsaturated carbonyl scaffold template. Among these compounds, (Z)-5-(3-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzylidene)-2-iminothiazolidin-4-one (1e, MHY773) exhibited the greatest tyrosinase inhibition (IC₅₀ = 2.87 μM and 8.06 μM for monophenolase and diphenolase), and outperformed the positive control, kojic acid (IC₅₀ = 15.59 and 31.61 μM). The kinetic and docking studies demonstrated that MHY773 interacted with active site of tyrosinase. Moreover, a melanin quantification assay demonstrated that MHY773 attenuates α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) and 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX)-induced melanin contents in B16F10 melanoma cells. Taken together, these data suggest that MHY773 suppressed the melanin production via the inhibition of tyrosinase activity. MHY773 is a promising for the development of effective pharmacological and cosmetic agents for skin-whitening.     

Molecular characterization of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in hospitals in Niigata, Japan: divergence and transmission

The major methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus(MRSA) distributed among hospitals in Japan is New York/Japan clone [multilocus sequence type 5 (ST5), agr type 2 and methicillin resistance locus type (SCC mec) II] which possesses both the toxic shock syndrome toxin 1 gene (tst) and staphylococcal enterotoxin C gene (sec). In this study, we collected 245 MRSA strains from four hospitals during 2001 to 2005 in Niigata, Japan, and analyzed tst and sec genes and SCC mec type among them. A total of 13 strains were further examined for their genotypes, virulence gene patterns and drug resistance. Among the 245 strains four tst sec genes patterns were observed; tst(+) sec(+) strains represented a majority of 86.5% and 9.4% were tst(-) sec(-). SCCmec typing revealed that 91.4% had type II, 4.1% type IV and 4.1% type I. Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) revealed that 10 of the 13 typed strains belonged to clonal complex 5 (7 had ST5 while 3 were single locus variants of ST5) with similar characteristics to the New York/Japan clone and possessed multi-drug resistance with high virulence gene content. The remaining 3 strains were ST8 (n=2) and ST91 (n=1). The ST91 strain had SCC mec IV and seemed to originate in the community, while ST8 strains exhibited SCC mec type I, which is distinct from community type IV. The data suggest that MRSA in hospitals in Niigata now mainly includes the New York/Japan clone (undergoing genomic divergence and clonal expansion) and other minor types (e.g. ST8) as well as the community type.     

Characterisation of a monoclonal antibody and its use in the immunoaffinity purification of penicillin-binding protein 2'' of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

The additional penicillin-binding protein (PBP) 2' that is important in determining intrinsic resistance in methicillin-resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has been purified by affinity chromatography using monoclonal antibodies. Monoclonal antibody 1/423.10.351 reacted in ELISA with detergent extracts of membranes from resistant organisms, but not in immunoblots with PBP 2' separated by SDS-PAGE. Immunoprecipitation experiments showed that antibody 1/423.10.351 reacted with PBP 2' in detergent extracts. The latter antibody, covalently coupled to protein A-Sepharose through the Fc region, served as an affinity matrix to purify PBP 2'. The PBP was detected in immunoblots using a second monoclonal antibody, 2/401.43. Conjugation of this antibody with alkaline phosphatase afforded more rapid detection of PBP 2' for the immunological detection of PBP 2' both in affinity-purified fractions and in resistant strains.     

Therapeutic effect of (Z)-3-(2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-methoxyphenyl) acrylonitrile (DMMA) against Staphylococcus aureus infection in a murine model

Sortase enzymes belong to a family of transpeptidases found in Gram-positive bacteria. Sortase is responsible for the reaction that anchors surface protein virulence factors to the peptidoglycan cell wall of the bacteria. The compound (Z)-3-(2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-methoxyphenyl) acrylonitrile (DMMA) has previously been reported as a novel sortase inhibitor in vitro, but the in vivo effects of DMMA have not been studied. Here, we evaluated the in vivo effects of DMMA against infection by wild-type and sortase A- and/or sortase B-deficient Staphylococcus aureus in Balb/c mice. With DMMA treatment, survival rates increased and kidney and joint infection rates decreased (p < 0.01) in a dose-dependent manner. The rate of kidney infection was significantly reduced in the mice treated with sortase A knock-out S. aureus (p < 0.01). These results indicate that by acting as a potent inhibitor of sortase A and moderate inhibitor of sortase B, DMMA can decrease kidney and joint infection rates and reduce mortality in mice infected with S. aureus. These findings suggest that DMMA is a promising therapeutic compound against Gram-positive bacteria.     

Synthesis of new 4-[2-(alkylamino)ethylthio]pyrrolo[1,2-a]quinoxaline and 5-[2-(alkylamino)ethylthio]pyrrolo[1,2-a]thieno[3,2-e]pyrazine derivatives,as potential bacterial multidrug resistance pump inhibitors

The synthesis of new 4-[2-(alkylamino)ethylthio]pyrrolo[1,2-a]quinoxaline derivatives 1a-l is described in five or six steps starting from various substituted nitroanilines 2a-e. The bioisostere 5-[2-(alkylamino)ethylthio]pyrrolo[1,2-a]thieno[3,2-e]pyrazine 1m was also prepared. The new derivatives were evaluated as efflux pump inhibitors (EPIs) in a model targeting the NorA system of Staphylococcus aureus. The antibiotic susceptibility of two strains overproducing NorA, SA-1199B and SA-1, was determined alone and in combination with the neo-synthesised compounds by the agar diffusion method and MIC determination, in comparison with reserpine and omeprazole taken as reference EPIs. A preliminary structure-activity relationship study firstly allowed to clarify the influence of the substituents at positions 7 and/or 8 of the pyrrolo[1,2-a]quinoxaline nucleus. Methoxy substituted compounds, 1b and 1g, were more potent EPIs than the unsubstituted compounds (1a and 1f), followed by chlorinated derivatives (1c-d and 1h). Moreover, the replacement of the N,N-diethylamino group (compounds 1a-e) by a bioisostere such as pyrrolidine (compounds 1f-h) enhanced the EPI activity, in contrast with the replacement by a piperidine moiety (compounds 1i-k). Finally, the pyrrolo[1,2-a]thieno[3,2-e]pyrazine compound 1m exhibited a higher EPI activity than its pyrrolo[1,2-a]quinoxaline analogue 1a, opening the way to further pharmacomodulation.     

百里香酚联合苯唑西林对耐甲氧西林金黄色葡萄球菌(MRSA)生物被膜的影响

【背景】耐甲氧西林金黄色葡萄球菌(methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus,MRSA)能以生物被膜的状态存在,从而产生多重耐药性和持续性感染。【目的】通过研究百里香酚和苯唑西林单用和联用对耐甲氧西林金黄色葡萄球菌生物被膜的形成抑制和清除作用,探究联合用药对MRSA生物被膜的影响,为临床联合应用抗MRSA药物提供理论依据。【方法】采用微量肉汤稀释法测定苯唑西林对MRSA标准菌株USA300的最低抑菌浓度;采用结晶紫染色法和菌落计数法评估百里香酚和苯唑西林单用和联用对USA300生物被膜形成抑制和清除作用。【结果】百里香酚和苯唑西林在亚抑菌浓度下对USA300生物被膜的形成具有一定的抑制作用。在较高浓度下,百里香酚对其24 h和72 h形成的生物被膜有良好的清除作用,而苯唑西林无清除作用。两药联用对生物被膜的抑制和清除作用进一步增强,在较低浓度下有较好的抑制和清除效果。【结论】百里香酚和苯唑西林联合用药与单独用药相比,对USA300的生物被膜的抑制和清除作用增强,两药联合有协同抗菌作用。     

Determination of the Absolute Configuration of Quercivorol, (1S,4R)-p-Menth-2-en-1-ol,an Aggregation Pheromone of the Ambrosia Beetle Platypus quercivorus (Coleoptera: Platypodidae)

A pair of enantiomers of trans-p-menth-2-en-1-ol, an aggregation pheromone of Platypus quercivorus, was synthesized from (S)- and (R)-limonene. The retention time of the aggregation pheromone from the insect coincided with that of (1S,4R)-p-menth-2-en-1-ol synthesized from (S)-limonene from GC analyses with a chiral column, enabling the absolute configuration of the aggregation pheromone to be determined as (1S,4R).     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of 1-(benzenesulfonamido)-2-[5-(N-hydroxypyridin-2(1H)-one)]acetylene regioisomers: a novel class of 5-lipoxygenase inhibitors

A hitherto unknown class of linear acetylene regioisomers were designed such that a SO₂NH₂ group was located at the ortho-, meta-, or para-position of the acetylene C-1 phenyl ring, and a N-hydroxypyridin-2(1H)-one moiety was attached via its C-5 position to the C-2 position on an acetylene template (scaffold). All three regioisomers inhibited 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX), where the relative potency order was 2-SO₂NH₂ (IC₅₀ = 10 μM) >3-SO₂NH₂ (IC₅₀ = 15 μM) >4-SO₂NH₂ (IC₅₀ = 68 μM) relative to the reference drug nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA; IC₅₀ = 35 μM). The 2-SO₂NH₂ regioisomer (ED₅₀ = 86.0 mg/kg po) exhibited excellent oral anti-inflammatory (AI) activity that was more potent than aspirin (ED₅₀ = 128.9 mg/kg) and marginally less potent than ibuprofen (ED₅₀ = 67.4 mg/kg). The N-hydroxypyridin-2(1H)one moiety provides a novel pharmacophore for the design of cyclic hydroxamic mimetics capable of chelating 5-LOX iron for exploitation in the design of 5-LOX inhibitory AI drugs.     

Insecticidal and Acaricidal Activity of Certain O,O-Dialkyl O-3-Pyridazinyl Phosphorothioates

Forty-three 3-pyridazinyl phosphorothioates were evaluated for insecticidal and acaricidal activities against two-spotted spider mite, turnip aphid, smaller brown planthopper, mosquito larvae and American cockroach. Approximate acute oral toxicity of these compounds in mice was also examined. In general, the toxicity in mice was in parallel with the pesticidal activity, but a few compounds clearly showed a high degree of selectivity between pests and mice. Especially O,O-dimethyl O-(6-cyclohexyloxy-3-pyridazinyl)phosphorothioate showed substantially reduced mammalian toxicity but maintained high insecticidal and acaricidal activity.     

Inactivation of thymidylate synthetase by a novel mechanism-based enzyme inhibitor: 1-(beta-D-2'-deoxyribofuranosyl) 8-azapurin-2-one 5'-monophosphate

The possible relationship of the soluble, “cytosolic” estradiol receptor with complex membranous and cytoskeletal structures of the cell matrix has been studied using a model erythrocyte system. Extraction of erythrocyte ghosts with a nonionic detergent (Triton X-100) under conditions that yield a cytoskeletal matrix reveals the presence of a limited number (less than 100) of specific sites having high affinity (k_d 10^?9 M) for the estradiol-receptor complex. The interation between the estradiol receptor and the cytoskeleton is critically dependent on temperature and it is improved by 25 mM KCl or NaCl and by 2.5 mM MgCl₂. The data suggest that the estradiol receptor, which has been generally considered to be freely “soluble” in the cytoplasm, may actually be physiologically associated in an integral manner with a complex cytoskeletal network in the cell cytoplasm.