Microbial transformations of flavanone by Aspergillus niger and Penicillium chermesinum cultures

As a result of biotransformation of flavanone (1) by the strain Aspergillus niger MB (being the UV mutant) and by the wild strain Penicillium chermesinum 113 the products of hydroxylation at C-6 (2) and C-4′ (5) were obtained. Additionally, three dihydrochalcones with hydroxyl groups at C-2′ (4), C-2′ and C-5′ (3) and C-2′ and C-4 (6) were formed.     

The syntheses of 3-substituted perfluoroalkyl steroids

The syntheses of three classes of C-3 perfluoroalkyl substituted steroids are described. They are the 3β-hydroxy-3α-perfluoroalkylandrost-4-en-17-ones (5a-c), 3-perfluoroalkylandrosta-3,5-dien-3-ones (8a-c) and 3β-hydroxy-3α-perfluoroalkylandrost-5-en-17-ones (12a-c). Addition of a series of perfluroalkylorganometallic reagents (R_FLi; R_F = C₂F₅, C₃F₇, or C₄F₉) to the 3 position of silylated testosterone 2b afforded Δ⁴ perfluoroalkyl carbinols 3. In Scheme 1, deprotection with HF and oxidation at the C-17 carbon with PCC produced Δ⁴ ketones 5. In Scheme 2 dehydration of 3 with 1,2-phenylenephosphorochloridite and iodine afforded Δ^3,5 dienes 6 which were deprotected and oxidized as above to the C-17 ketones 8. In Scheme 3 isomerization of the double bond of 3 from the C-4 to the C-5 position using the allylic halogenation followed by treatment with lithium aluminum hydride led to the synthesis of the double bond isomer series 12. A new method for dehydration was developed. On average and within experimental error, 3β-hydroxy-3α-perfluoroalkylandrost-5-en-17 ones (12a-c) were better than the 3-perfluoroalkylandrosta-3,5-dien-17-ones (8a-c) and 3β-hydroxy-3α-perfluoroalkylandrost-4-en-17-ones (5a-c) at inhibiting glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase.     

Microbiological transformation of diosgenin by resting cells of filamentous fungus,Cunninghamella echinulata CGMCC 3.2716

Microbial transformation of the steroidal sapogenin diosgenin (1) by resting cells of the filamentous fungus, Cunninghamella echinulata CGMCC 3.2716 was studied. Four metabolites were isolated and unambiguously characterized as (25R)-spirost-5-ene-3β,7β-diol-11-one (2), (25R)-spirost-5-ene-3β,7β-diol (3), (25R)-spirost-5-ene-3β,7β,11α-triol (4), and (25R)-spirost-5-ene-3β,7β,12β-triol (5), by various spectroscopic methods (¹H, ¹³C NMR, DEPT, ¹H–¹H COSY, HMBC, HSQC and NOESY). Compound 2 is a new metabolite. The NMR data and full assignment for the known metabolites (25R)-spirost-5-ene-3β,7β-diol (3) and (25R)-spirost-5-ene-3β,7β,11α-triol (4) are described here for the first time. The biotransformation characteristics observed included were C-7β, C-11α and C-12β hydroxylations. Compounds 1–5 exhibited no significant cytotoxic activity to human glioma cell line U87.     

Synthesis of branched-chain,pyrrolidino-sugar derivatives related to apiose

3-C-(Acetamidomethyl)-1,2-O-isopropylidene-β-l-threofuranose (4) and the 3-acetate (5) have been prepared in high yields from mono-O-isopropylidene-d-apiose [3-C-(hydroxymethyl)-1,2-O-isopropylidene-β-l-threofuranose] (1). Acid-catalyzed methanolysis of 4 caused migration of the isopropylidene group and the formation of methyl 4-acetamido-4-deoxy-3-C-(hydroxymethyl)-2,3-O-isopropylidene-β-d-erythrofuranoside (8) in 25% yield. The major product (45%) from the acetolysis of 4 was also a pyrrolidine derivative, namely, 4-acetamido-3-C-(acetoxymethyl)-1-O-acetyl-4-deoxy-2,3-O-isopropylidene-β-d-erythrofuranose (10). Acetolysis of 5 removed the isopropylidene group and gave four acetylated pyrrolidines (isomeric at C-1 and C-2). Conditions which resulted in minimal epimerization at C-2 were established, and the major isomers 12 and 13 were isolated in reasonable yields. ¹H- and ¹³C-n.m.r. data for equilibrium solutions of the pyrrolidines, and for intermediates 1-5, are given.     

Biotransformation of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) with Penicillium griseopurpureum Smith and Penicillium glabrum (Wehmer) Westling

Microbial transformation of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA, 1) using Penicillium griseopurpureum Smith and Penicillium glabrum (Wehmer) Westling has been investigated. Neither fungi had been examined previously for steroid biotransformation. One novel metabolic product of DHEA (1) transformed with P. griseopurpureum Smith, 15α-hydroxy-17a-oxa-d-homo-androst-4-ene-3,17-dione (5), was reported for the first time. The steroid products were assigned by interpretation of their spectral data such as ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, IR, and HR-MS spectroscopy. P. griseopurpureum Smith was proven to be remarkably efficient in oxidation of the DHEA (1) into androst-4-en-3,17-dione (2). The strain was also observed to yield different monooxygenases to introduce hydroxyl groups at C-7α, -14α, and -15α positions of steroids. Preference for Baeyer–Villiger oxidation to lactonize D ring and oxidation of the 3β-alcohol to the 3-ketone were observed in both incubations. The strain of P. glabrum (Wehmer) Westling catalyzed the steroid 1 to generate both testololactone 3, and d-lactone product with 3β-hydroxy-5-en moiety 8. In addition, the strain promoted hydrogenation of the C-5 and C-6 positions, leading to the formation of 3β-hydroxy-17a-oxa-d-homo-5α-androstan-3,17-dione (9).The biotransformation pathways of DHEA (1) with P. glabrum (Wehmer) Westling and P. griseopurpureum Smith have been investigated, respectively. Possible metabolic pathways of DHEA (1) were proposed.     

Synthesis of an intensely sweet chlorodeoxysucrose: Mechanism of 4′-chlorination of sucrose by sulphuryl chloride

Reaction of 6-O-acetylsucrose¹ with sulphuryl chloride in chloroform-pyridine affords, after dechlorosulphation and acetylation, a mixture of two isomeric 2,3,6-tri-O-acetyl-4-chloro-4-deoxy-α-d-galactopyranosyl 3-O-acetyl-1,4,6-trichloro-1,4,6-trideoxy-β-d-hexulofuranosides (6 and 7) and 2,3,6-tri-O-acetyl-4-chloro-4-deoxy-α-d-galactopyranosyl 3,4-di-O-acetyl-1,6-dichloro-1,6-dideoxy-β-d-fructofuranoside (4). Chlorination of C-4, C-1′, and C-6′ occurs by direct displacement of the initially formed chlorosulphonyloxy groups by chloride ions, but displacement of the 4′-chlorosulphate is sterically hindered. The introduction of a 4′-chloro substituent involves ring opening of intermediate 3′,4′-epoxides by chloride ions, the ribo-epoxide producing the sorbo-isomer 6 and the lyxo-epoxide giving the fructo-isomer 7. The proposed mechanism is supported by the formation of 4-chloro-4-deoxyfructofuranosides when 3′,4′-lyxo-hexulofuranosides are treated with sulphuryl chloride under the same conditions.     

The reactions of OH radicals with D-ribose in deoxygenated and oxygenated aqueous solution

Aqueous solution ofD-ribose (10^?2M) saturated with N₂O and N₂O/O₂ (4/1) were γ-irradiated (dose rate: 3.85 x 10¹⁸ eV.g^?1.h^?1) at room temperature. The following products were identified:D-ribonic acid (1). D-erythro-pentos-2-ulose (2). D-erythro-pentos-4-ulose (3),D-erythro-pentos-3-ulose (4), D-ribo-pentodialdose (5), 2-deoxy-D-erythro-pentonic acid (6), 2-deoxypentos-3-ulose (7)(7), 4-deoxylpentos-3-ulose (8), 3-deoxypentos-4-ulose (9), 3-deoxypentos-2-ulose (10), 5-deoxypentos-4-ulose (11), erythrose (12), erythro-tetrodialdose (13), erythronic acid (14), threose/erythrulose (15). threonic acid (16), 2-deoxytetrose (17), and glyceraldehyde (18). In deoxygenated solutions, 13, 14, and 16 were absent. In the presence of oxygen, the formation of 6–11 and 17 was suppressed. From quantitative measurements, G-values were calculated for both deoxygenated and oxygenated conditions. Five different, primary, ribosyl radicals are formed which, in deoxygenated solution, undergo disproportionation reactions (to give 1-5), and transformations such as elimination of water and carbon monoxide followed by disproportionation reactions (to give6-12.17). Material-balance considerations indicate the formation of dimers (not measured). In oxygenated solutions, oxygen rapidly adds to the primary ribosyl radicals, thus preventing the transformation reactions, and the main products are 1–5 and 13. Possible mechanistic routes are discussed. The attack of HO radicals on D-ribose involves C-1, ～20%; C-2 and C-4, ～35%: C-3, ～ 20%; and C-5, ～25%     

Cytotoxic and non-cytotoxic cardiac glycosides isolated from the combined flowers,leaves, and twigs of Streblus asper

A new non-cytotoxic [(+)-17β-hydroxystrebloside (1)] and two known cytotoxic [(+)-3′-de-O-methylkamaloside (2) and (+)-strebloside (3)] cardiac glycosides were isolated and identified from the combined flowers, leaves, and twigs of Streblus asper collected in Vietnam, with the absolute configuration of 1 established from analysis of its ECD and NMR spectroscopic data and confirmed by computational ECD calculations. A new 14,21-epoxycardanolide (3a) was synthesized from 3 that was treated with base. A preliminary structure-activity relationship study indicated that the C-14 hydroxy group and the C-17 lactone unit and the established conformation are important for the mediation of the cytotoxicity of 3. Molecular docking profiles showed that the cytotoxic 3 and its non-cytotoxic analogue 1 bind differentially to Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase. Compound 3 docks deeply in the Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase pocket with a sole pose, and its C-10 formyl and C-5, C-14, and C-4′ hydroxy groups may form hydrogen bonds with the side-chains of Glu111, Glu117, Thr797, and Arg880 of Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase, respectively. However, 1 fits the cation binding sites with at least three different poses, which all depotentiate the binding between 1 and Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase. Thus, 3 was found to inhibit Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase, but 1 did not. In addition, the cytotoxic and Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase inhibitory 3 did not affect glucose uptake in human lung cancer cells, against which it showed potent activity, indicating that this cardiac glycoside mediates its cytotoxicity by targeting Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase but not by interacting with glucose transporters.     

Syntheses of 3-fluoro-, 3-epi-3-fluoro-, and 3,3-difluoro-3-de(methoxy)sporaricin A

3-Fluoro- (4), 3-epi-3-fluoro- (3), and 3,3-difluoro-3-de(methoxy)sporaricin A (5) have been prepared by reaction of diethylaminosulfur trifluoride with the corresponding precursors: 1,2′,6′-tris(N-benzyloxycarbonyl)-4-N, 5-O-carbonyl-3-de(O-methyl)sporaricin B (6), its 3-epi-3-hydroxy isomer (10), and the 3-oxo derivative (9). The structures of 3,4, and 5 were determined by ¹H-, ¹³C-, and ¹⁹F-n.m.r. spectroscopy.     

Trichodiene biosynthesis and the stereochemistry of the enzymatic cyclization of farnesyl pyrophosphate

Cyclization of trans,trans-[1-³H₂,12,13-¹⁴C]farnesyl pyrophosphate (2a) by a preparation of trichodiene synthetase isolated from the fungus, Trichothecium roseum, gave trichodiene (5a), which was shown by chemical degradation to retain both tritium atoms of the precursor at C-11. Incubation of 1S-[1-³H,12,13-¹⁴C]farnesyl pyrophosphate (2b) and 1R-[1-³H,12,13-¹⁴C]farnesyl pyrophosphate (2c) with trichodiene synthetase and degradation of the resulting labeled trichodienes, 5b and 5c, established that the displacement of the pyrophosphate moiety from C-1 of the precursor and formation of the new C-C bond in the formation of trichodiene takes place with net retention of configuration. These results are accounted for by an isomerization-cyclization mechanism involving the intermediacy of nerolidyl pyrophosphate (4).     

Different rotamer populations around the C-5C-6 bond for α- and β-d-galactopyranosides through the combined interaction of the gauche and anomeric effects: A 300-MHz 1H-n.m.r. and mndo study

A 300-MHz ¹H-n.m.r. study of methyl 2,3,4-tri-O-methyl-ga- (1) and β-d-galactopyranoside-6-(dimethyl phosphate) (3), using various solvents, shows that the gauche (gg) rotamer populations about the C-5C-6 bond are are the same in all solvents, whereas those of the gauche(trans) (gt) and trans(gauche) (tg, O-5 and O-6 trans) rotamers are solvent dependent. The tg population increases with decreasing polarity of the solvent, which is attributed to an increased electrostatic repulsion between O-5 and O-6 in apolar solvents. The tg population of 3 is larger than that of 1 and the same difference is observed in the corresponding compounds (2 and 4) which have a trigonal-bipyramidal five-coördinated phosphorus (P^v) at position 6 and which have a higher electron density at O-6. These differences in rotamer populations are due to an effect additional to that of the coulombic effect between O-5 and O-6. That these differences are caused by a combination of the gauche and anomeric effects is supported by the finding that the tg population increases with increasing pK_a of the group at C-1. The results of the n.m.r. measurements (in CCl₄) are reproduced fairly accurately by MNDO calculations on model systems. The solvent dependence of the rotamer population around the C-5ẋC-6 bond is a good criterion for the assignment of the H-6S,6R resonances since, for galactopyranosides, J_5,6S increases and J_5,6R decreases as the polarity of the solvent decreases.     

Dérivés d'acides 3-(β-d-érythrofuranosyl)-pyrazolecarboxyliques

Treatment of 2,5-anhydro-1-bromo-1-deoxy-2,3-O-isopropylidene-1-p-nitrophenylhydrazono-d-ribose with methyl acetylenecarboxylate gave methyl 3-(2,3-O-isopropylidene-β-d-erythrofuranosyl)-1-p-nitrophenylpyrazole- (8) and 5-carboxylate (9). Amidification at C-5 of 8 was easier than at C-4 of 9. Similarly, dimethyl 3-(2,3-O-isopropylidene-β-d-erythrofuranosyl)- 1 - p-nitrophenylpyrazole-4,5-dicarboxylate gave specifically a 5-carbamoyl derivative, the structure of which was established by comparison of the ¹³C-n.m.r.spectrum with those of a series of glycosylpyrazoles. The correlation between the experimental values of the chemical shifts of the carbon atoms of the pyrazole ring and the values calculated by addition of the contributions of the various groups linked to the ring was better (R 0.98) than the correlations obtained by calculation by the CNDO/2 method of the total electron population (R 0.92) or of the π-electron population of each carbon atom (R 0.85).     

The X-ray crystal structure of 6-deoxy-α-l-sorbofuranose. Conformational analysis of ketohexofuranosides and their comparison with ribofuranosides and arabinofuranosides

The crystal and molecular structure of 6-deoxy-l-sorbose have been determined by the application of multisolution methods and refined to an R-index of 0.063 for 560 reflections, using three-dimensional intensity data collected on a Picker automatic diffractometer. The compound crystallizes in the space group P2₁2₁2₁ with unit-cell dimensions a = 18.470 (10), b = 7.636 (10), and c = 5.371 (8) Å; Z = 4. The molecule occurs as the α-furanose form, which is also the preponderant tautomer in solution. The puckering of the furanoid ring is C-3′-exo-C-4′-endo (₃T⁴) [equivalent to C-2′-exo-C-3′-endo (₂T³) in the numbering for d-ribose], with P and τ_m angles of -6.5 and 42.7° respectively. Conformational analysis of the known ketofuranosides shows that the ₃T⁴ (₂T³ in d-ribose numbering) puckering mode, which is typical of α-nucleosides, is favored, in contrast to the favored ³T₂ or ²T₃ puckering mode for the β-d-ribonucleosides and β-d-arabinonucleosides. The conformational differences among furanoid rings are mainly influenced by the configuration at the anomeric carbon atom. The favored orientation about the C-2′-C-1′ bond (O-5′-C-2′-C-1′-O-1′)of the ketofuranosidesis — gauche. All four hydroxyl groups are involved in donor-acceptor hydrogen bonding, and O-4′-8 appears to be involved in a bifurcated hydrogen bond to O-2′ and O-3′ of neighboring molecules.     

Isoswinholide B and swinholide K,potently cytotoxic dimeric macrolides from Theonella swinhoei

Chemical investigation of an Indonesian specimen of Theonella swinhoei afforded the new dimeric macrolides isoswinholide B (5) and swinholide K (6), along with the known swinholides A (1), B (2) and D (3) and isoswinholide A (4). Isoswinholide B showed an unprecedented 21/19′ lactonization pattern, while swinholide K included an sp² methylene attached at C-4 and an additional oxymethine group at C-5, whose configuration has been determined through application of J-based configuration analysis. The isolated swinholides (1–6), with the exception of isoswinholide B, showed a cytotoxic activity on HepG2 (hepatocarcinoma cell line) in the nanomolar range.     

Three new 5,10-epoxygermacranolides from Liatris chapmanii and Liatris gracilis

Examination of Liatris chapmanii (T + G) Kuntze led to the isolation of two new germacranolides, chapliatrin (1a) and isochapliatrin (1b). Liatris gracilis Pursh gave chapliatrin and acetylchapliatrin 1c). The stereochemistry assigned to C-3, C-4 and C-10 is tentative. All three compounds possess the hitherto-unreported 5,10-oxygen linkage. L. gracilis also gave the benzofuran euparin (2) and the flavones hispidulin (dinatin, 3a and 3′,6-dimethoxy-4′,5,7-trihydroxyflavone (3b). L. chapimanii also gave 5-hydroxy-3′,4′,6,7-tetramethoxyflavone (3c).     

Kristall- und molekülstruktur des mono-O-isopropylidenderivatives der dimeren 1,6-anhydro-β-D-arabino-hexopyranos-3-ulose

Acetonation of dimeric 1,6-anhydro-β-D-arabino-hexopyranos-3-ulose yields, besides a monomeric di-O-isopropylidene compound, the dimer 2, which crystallizes in space group P2₁2₁2₁ with a  1.3680 (9), b  1.0686 (7), and c  1.0319 (7) nm, Z  4. The crystal and molecular structure of 2 have been determined by X-ray analysis with direct methods and was refined to a final R_w of 5.55% for 2468 reflections. Compound 2 has not the same dimeric structure as the parent compound with a central 1,4-dioxane ring, but contains instead a central 1,3-dioxolane ring. The pyranose ring bearing the isopropylidene group adopts an almost ideal sofa conformation, with a nearly planar arrangement of C-1, C-2, C-3, C-4, and C-5. By analogy, it was concluded that the dimeric mono-O-isopropylidene derivative 7 of 1,6-anhydro-β-D-xylo-hexopyranos-3-ulose has the same asymmetric structure. The 360-MHz ¹H-n.m.r. spectra of both compounds are in full agreement with the proposed structures.     

Design,synthesis, functional and structural characterization of an inhibitor of N-acetylneuraminate-9-phosphate phosphatase: Observation of extensive dynamics in an enzyme/inhibitor complex

The design, synthesis and characterization of a phosphonate inhibitor of N-acetylneuraminate-9-phosphate phosphatase (HDHD4) is described. Compound 3, where the substrate C-9 oxygen was replaced with a nonlabile CH₂ group, inhibits HDHD4 with a binding affinity (IC₅₀ 11 μM) in the range of the native substrate Neu5Ac-9-P (compound 1, K_m 47 μM). Combined SAR, modeling and NMR studies are consistent with the phosphonate group in inhibitor 3 forming a stable complex with native Mg²⁺. In addition to this key interaction, the C-1 carboxylate of the sugar interacts with a cluster of basic residues, K141, R104 and R72. Comparative NMR studies of compounds 3 and 1 with Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ are indicative of a highly dynamic process in the active site for the HDHD4/Mg²⁺/3 complex. Possible explanations for this observation are discussed.     

Vieloplains A-G,seven new guaiane-type sesquiterpenoid dimers from Xylopia vielana

Seven new guaiane-type sesquiterpene dimers vieloplains A-G, connecting patterns through three different direct CC bonds compounds 1–5 (C-3 to C-3′, C-4 to C-1′), compound 6 (C-2 to C-3′, C-4 to C-2′) and compound 7 (C-2 to C-1′, C-4 to C-2′) were isolated from the roots of Xylopia vielana. Their absolute configurations were established by NOESY analysis, the Cu Kα X-ray crystallographic the experiment circular dichroism (ECD) and the calculated ECD. Among them, only compound 6 showed a considerable cytotoxicity against DU145 cells with IC₅₀ values of 9.5 μM. Flow cytometry analysis confirmed that 6 caused death of DU145 cells via apoptosis induction.     

Biotransformation of the diterpene 15β-hydroxy-18(4→3)-abeo-ent-kaur-4(19),16-diene by the fungus Fusarium fujikuroi

15β-Hydroxy-18(4→3)-abeo-ent-kaur-4(19),16-diene (4) was biotransformed by the fungus Fusarium fujikuroi into 3α,11β,15β-trihydroxy-18(4→3)-abeo-ent-kaur-4(19),16-diene (5). The hydroxylation at C-3(α) in this diterpene reminds a similar reaction that occurs at C-13 in the biosynthesis of gibberellic acid in this fungus. The presence of the 15β-alcohol in the substrate directs the second hydroxylation at C-11(β), which had been observed in the incubation of ent-kaur-16-ene derivatives with this fungus when the C-19 hydroxylation was inhibited by the existence in the molecule of a 3α-OH or 3-oxo group. We also show that the angelate of the substrate is an undescribed natural product now identified as a component of the plant Distichoselinum tenuifolium.     

Conformations of the d-glucarolactones and d-glucaric acid in solution

The conformations of d-glucaric acid (1), d-glucaro-1,4-lactone (2), d-glucaro-6,3-lactone (3), and d-glucaro-1,4:6,3-dilactone (4) in solution were investigated by ¹H-n.m.r. and ¹³C-p.F.t., n.m.r. spectroscopy. The solvents used were deuterium oxide, methanol-d₄, and dimethyl sulfoxide-d₆, and praseodymium chloride was employed as a lanthanide shift-reagent. For 2, it was found that the conformational equilibrium ³E(d)

E₃(d) exists in solution, and that the OH-5 group tends to occupy the position over the lactone ring in the favored E₃(d),gg conformation. The n.m.r. data for 3 indicated that the conformational equilibrium is shifted in favor of the ⁴E(d)

E₄(d),gt conformation in solution. The dienvelope conformation ³E:E₄(d) was found to be the favored conformation of 4. For 1, a conformational equilibrium between one planar, zigzag form and two sickle forms was indicated by the n.m.r. data observed. ¹³C-N.m.r. spectroscopy proved to be a convenient method for monitoring the lactonization of 1, and the hydrolysis of its lactones. Lactones other than 2–4 were not found in solutions prepared from 1–4, either during their mutarotation or after equilibration at 30°.