Studies on dehydro-l-ascorbic acid 3-oxime 2-phenylhydrazone: Conversion into substituted triazoles

l-threo-2,3-Hexodiulosono-1,4-lactone 3-oxime 2-(phenylhydrazone) (1) gave 2-(p-bromophenyl)-4-(l-threo-1,2,3-trihydroxypropyl)-1,2,3-triazole-5-carboxylic acid 5,1¹-lactone (2), and this gave a diacetyl and a dibenzoyl derivative. On treatment of 2 with liquid ammonia, methylamine, or dimethylamine, the corresponding triazole-5-carboxamides (5–7) were obtained. Periodate oxidation of 5 gave 2-(p-bromophenyl)-4-formyl-1,2,3-triazole-5-carboxamide (10), and, on reduction, 10 gave 2-(p-bromophenyl)-4-(hydroxymethyl)-1,2,3-triazole-5-carboxamide, characterized as its monoacetate. Condensation of 10 with phenylhydrazine gave the triazole hydrazone. Acetonation of 2 gave the isopropylidene derivative. Reaction of 2 with HBr-HOAc gave 4-(l-threo-2-O-acetyl-3-bromo-1,2-dihydroxypropyl)-2-(p-bromophenyl)-1,2,3-triazole-5-carboxylic acid 5,1¹-lactone. Similar treatment of 1 with HBr-HOAc gave 5-O-acetyl-5-bromo-6-deoxy-l-threo-2,3-hexodiulosono-1,4-lactone 3-oxime 2-(phenylhydrazone). This was converted into 4-(l-threo-2-O-acetyl-3-bromo-1,2-dihydroxypropyl)-2-phenyl-1,2,3-triazole-5-carboxylic acid 5,1¹-lactone on treatment with boiling acetic anhydride. On reaction of 1 with benzoyl chloride in pyridine, dehydrative cyclization occurred, with the formation of 4-(l-threo-2,3-dibenzoyloxy-1-hydroxypropyl)-2-phenyl-1,2,3-triazole-5-carboxylic acid 5,1¹-lactone, which was converted into the amide on treatment with ammonia.     

Some studies on dehydro-d-ascorbic acid 2-(phenylhydrazone)

Reaction of hydroxylamine with d-erythro-2,3-hexodiulosono-1, 4-lactone 2-(phenylhydrazone) (2) gave the 3-oxime 2-(phenylhydrazone) (3). On boiling with acetic anhydride, 3 gave 4-(d-erythro-2,3-diacetoxy-l-hydroxypropyl)-2-phenyl-1,2, 3-triazoIe-5-carboxylic acid 5,1′-lactone. Compound 3 was also converted into the related, unacetylated 2-(p-bromophenyl)triazole with bromine. Treatment of 2 with boiling acetic anhydride gave an optically inactive, olefinic compound, assigned the structure 4-(2-acetoxyethylidene)-4-hydroxy-2,3-dioxobutano-1,4-lactone 2-(phenylhydrazone). The 2-(phenylhydrazone) 2 gave the corresponding 2,3-bis(phenylhydrazone) on condensation with phenylhydrazine.     

Transport of l-ascorbic acid and dehydro-l-ascorbic acid across renal cortical basolateral membrane vesicles

The uptake of l-ascorbic acid and dehydro-l-ascorbic acid into renal cortical basolateral membrane vesicles has been characterized. The uptake systems for both solutes demonstrate saturation kinetics. The presence of structural analogs of l-ascorbic acid and dehydro-l-ascorbic acid results in cis-inhibition and trans-stimulation. Uptake of each substrate is Na⁺-independent, proceeding to an endpoint of substrate equilibrium across the vesicular membrane. The transport mechanism(s) for l-ascorbic acid and dehydro-l-ascorbic acid appears to be facilitated diffusion.     

Copper-catalyzed autoxidations of GSH and L-ascorbic acid: mutual inhibition of the respective oxidations by their coexistence

Glutathione (GSH) is known to inhibit copper-catalyzed autoxidation of L-ascorbic acid (AA); in this study, AA was found to conversely inhibit copper-catalyzed autoxidation of GSH. To elucidate the mechanism of the mutual inhibition of the autoxidations of these two reducing substances in their coexistence, we have kinetically investigated these phenomena. The study of the former phenomenon revealed that GSH forms a 1:1 chelate with Cu⁺ and thereby prevents the autoxidation of AA. By the analysis of the latter phenomenon, it was postulated that the inhibition of GSH oxidation by AA is due to rapid reduction of thiyl radical of GSH by AA rather than competition of AA with GSH in the reduction of Cu²⁺. The effect of GSH on the formation of hydroxyl radical by the copper-catalyzed autoxidation of AA was also studied and it was found that the hydroxyl radical formation was delayed dose-dependently by GSH with time lags comparable to those of the oxidation of AA. Because there are several lines of evidence that redox-active copper ions are released from tissues under pathological conditions, it is possible that such copper ions coexist with AA and GSH in vivo, and in such a situation, GSH may exert an inhibitory effect on the hydroxyl radical formation caused by the autoxidation of AA.     

Selenium derivatives of L-arabinose, D-ribose,and D-xylose

Attempted cyclization of 2,3,4-tri-O-methyl-5-seleno-L-arabinose dimethyl acetal in acidic solution gave the corresponding diselenide. Intramolecular attack by the selenobenzyl group at C-5 of 5-O-p-tolylsulfonyl-L-arabinose dibenzyl diseleno-acetal resulted in the formation of benzyl 1,5-diseleno-L-arabinopyranoside. Similarly, 2,3,5-tri-O-methyl-4-O-p-tolylsulfonyl-D-xylose dibenzyl diselenoacetal gave benzyl 2,3,5-tri-O-methyl-1,4-diseleno-L-arabinofuranoside, and 2,3,4-tri-O-acetyl-5-O-p-tolylsulfonyl-D-xylose (or ribose) dibenzyl diselenoacetal gave benzyl 2,3,4-tri-O-acetyl-1,5-diseleno-D-xylo- (or ribo-)pyranoside. The glycosylic benzylseleno group was removed from the pyranoside with mercuric acetate, but attempted deacetylation of the product led to decomposition and not to the expected 5-seleno-D-xylopyranose.     

Studies on dehydro-l-ascorbic acid 2-arylhydrazone 3-oximes: Conversion into substituted triazoles and isoxazolines

l-threo-2,3-Hexodiulosono-1,4-lactone 2-(arylhydrazones) (2) were prepared by condensation of dehydro-l-ascorbic acid with various arylhydrazines. Reaction of 2 with hydroxylamine gave the 2-(arylhydrazone) 3-oximes (3). On boiling with acetic anhydride, 3 gave 2-aryl-4-(2,3-di-O-acetyl-l-threo-glycerol-l-yl)-1,2,3-triazole-5-carboxylic acid 5,4¹-lactones (4). On treatment of 4 with liquid ammonia, 2-aryl-4-(l-threo-glycerol-l-yl)-1,2,3-triazole-5-carboxamides (5) were obtained. Acetylation of 5 with acetic anhydride-pyridine gave the triacetates, and vigorous acetylation with boiling acetic anhydride gave the tetraacetyl derivatives. Periodate oxidation of 5 gave the 2-aryl-4-formyl-1,2,3-triazole-5-carboxamides (8), and, on reduction, 8 gave the 2-aryl-4-(hydroxymethyl)-1,2,3-triazole-5-carboxamides, characterized as the monoacetates and diacetates. Controlled reaction of 2 with sodium hydroxide, followed by neutralization, gave 3-(l-threo-glycerol-l-yl)-4,5-isoxazolinedione 4-(arylhydrazones), characterized by their triacetates. Reaction of 2 with HBr-HOAc gave 5-O-acetyl-6-bromo-6-deoxy-l-threo-2,3-hexodiulosono-1,4-lactone 2-(arylhydrazones); these were converted into 4-(2-O-acetyl-3-bromo-3-deoxy-l-threo-glycerol-l-yl)-2-aryl-1,2,3-triazole-5-carboxylic acid 5,4¹-lactones on treatment with acetic anhydride-pyridine.     

Studies on dehydro-d-arabino-ascorbic acid 2-arylhydrazone 3-oximes: Conversion into substituted triazoles and isoxazolines

d-erythro-2,3-Hexodiulosono-1,4-lactone 2-arylhydrazones (2) were prepared by condensation of dehydro-d-arabino-ascorbic acid with the desired arylhydrazine. Reaction of 2 with hydroxylamine gave the 2-arylhydrazone 3-oximes (3). On boiling with acetic anhydride, 3 gave 2-aryl-4-(2,3-di-O-acetyl-d-erythro-glycerol-1-yl)-1,2,3-triazole-5-carboxylic acid 5,1¹-lactone (5), whereas the unacetylated triazole derivatives were obtained upon reaction of 3 with bromine in water. On treatment of 5 with hydrazine hydrate, 2-aryl-4-(d-erythro-glycerol-1-yl)-1,2,3-triazole-5-carboxylic acid 5-hydrazides (6) were obtained. Acetylation of 6 gave the hexaacetyl derivatives. Similarly, treatment of 5 with liquid ammonia gave the triazolecarboxamides (12). Vigorous acetylation of 12 with boiling acetic anhydride gave tetraacetates, whereas acetylation with acetic anhydride-pyridine gave triacetates. Periodate oxidation of 6 gave the 2-aryl-4-formyl-1,2,3-triazole-5-carboxylic acid 5-hydrazides (8), and, on reduction, 8 gave the 2-aryl-4-(hydroxymethyl)-1,2,3-triazole-5-carboxylic acid 5-hydrazides, characterized as acetates. Similarly, periodate oxidation of 12 gave the triazolealdehyde (15), and reduction of 15 gave the hydroxymethyl derivatives (16). Acetylation of 16 gave the mono- and di-acetates, and, on reaction with o-phenylenediamine, 15 afforded the triazoleimidazole. Controlled reaction of 3 with sodium hydroxide, followed by neutralization, gave 3-(d-erythro-glycerol-1-yl)-4,5-isoxazolinedione 4-arylhydrazones. Reaction of 3 with HBr-HOAc gave 5-O-acetyl-6-bromo-6-deoxy-d-erythro-2,3-hexodiulosono-1,4-lactone 2-arylhydrazone 3-oximes (21). Compounds 21 were converted into 4-(2-O-acetyl-3-bromo-3-deoxy-d-erythro-glycerol-1-yl)-2-aryl-1,2,3-triazole-5-carboxylic acid 5,1¹-lactone on treatment with acetic anhydride.     

The synthesis and cytotoxic activity of 1,3,4-tri-O-acetyl-2,6-dideoxy-L-arabino- and -L-lyxo-hexopyranose

Methyl 2,6-dideoxy-α-L-arabino-hexopyranoside (6) was prepared from L-rhamnose in five steps. Hydrolysis of6 with 50% aqueous acetic acid gave 2,6-dideoxy-L-arabino-hexopyranose. Treatment of 3,4-di-O-acetyl-L-rhamnal with acetic acid in the presence of acetic anhydride and 2% sulfuric acid afforded 1,2,3-tri-O-acetyl-2,6-dideoxy-L-arabino-hexopyranose in 65% yield. Selective benzoylation and subsequent mesylation of 6 afforded methyl 3-O-benzoyl-2,6-dideoxy-4-O-mesyl-α-L-arabino-hexopyranoside, which was treated with sodium benzoate and sodium azide in hexamethylphosphoric triamide to give the corresponding 3,4-dibenzoyl 9 and 4-azido 11 analogs. Hydrogenation and N-acetylation of 11 afforded the 4-acetamido derivative 12. Deprotection of 9 and 12 gave 2,6-dideoxy-L-lyxo-hexopyranose and 4-acetamido-2,4,6-trideoxy-L-lyxo-hexopyranose, which were characterized as their peracetates. The free and corresponding peracetylated derivatives were assayed for their ability to inhibit the growth of P388 leukemia cells in culture. Although the free sugars did not inhibit the replication of these tumor cells under the conditions employed, their peracetylated derivatives demonstrated significant activity.     

Sorbitol,a precursor of L-guluronic acid in alginic acid biosynthesis

Radioactive D-[U-¹⁴C]sorbitol 6-phosphate injected into young growing Sargassum muticum tips is transformed within a few hours into radioactive L-guluronic acid. A C₅-epimerase intervenes reversibly to balance the ratio of mannuronic and guluronic acids in the newly synthesized alginic acid.     

Synthesis of L-fucose 2-, 3-, and 4-Sulphates

Treatment of L-fucose with an excess of pyridine-sulphur trioxide gave an equilibrium mixture of mono-, di-,and tri-sulphates. L-Fucose was sulphated under optimal conditions for monosulphate formation, and the monoester fraction was isolated by chromatography on DEAE-cellulose. The isomeric L-fucose 2-, 3-, and 4-sulphates (1-3) were separated on a DEAE-cellulose column by elution with borate buffer. The structures of 1-3 were established by electrophoresis, colour tests, periodate oxidation, and, for the 2-isomer, by comparison with a specimen of 1 that had been definitively synthesised via methyl 3,4-O-isopropylidene-α-L-fucopyranoside (6) and methyl α-L-fucopyranoside 2-(barium sulphate) (5). The latter was rapidly hydrolysed in hot, dilute acetic acid to 1 and methyl α-L-fucopyranoside (4).     

Studies on dehydro- -ascorbic acid 2-arylhydrazone 3-oximes: Conversion into substituted triazoles and isoxazolines

-threo-2,3-Hexodiulosono-1,4-lactone 2-(arylhydrazones) (2) were prepared by condensation of dehydro- -ascorbic acid with various arylhydrazines. Reaction of 2 with hydroxylamine gave the 2-(arylhydrazone) 3-oximes (3). On boiling with acetic anhydride, 3 gave 2-aryl-4-(2,3-di-O-acetyl- -threo-glycerol-l-yl)-1,2,3-triazole-5-carboxylic acid 5,4¹-lactones (4). On treatment of 4 with liquid ammonia, 2-aryl-4-( -threo-glycerol-l-yl)-1,2,3-triazole-5-carboxamides (5) were obtained. Acetylation of 5 with acetic anhydride-pyridine gave the triacetates, and vigorous acetylation with boiling acetic anhydride gave the tetraacetyl derivatives. Periodate oxidation of 5 gave the 2-aryl-4-formyl-1,2,3-triazole-5-carboxamides (8), and, on reduction, 8 gave the 2-aryl-4-(hydroxymethyl)-1,2,3-triazole-5-carboxamides, characterized as the monoacetates and diacetates. Controlled reaction of 2 with sodium hydroxide, followed by neutralization, gave 3-( -threo-glycerol-l-yl)-4,5-isoxazolinedione 4-(arylhydrazones), characterized by their triacetates. Reaction of 2 with HBr-HOAc gave 5-O-acetyl-6-bromo-6-deoxy- -threo-2,3-hexodiulosono-1,4-lactone 2-(arylhydrazones); these were converted into 4-(2-O-acetyl-3-bromo-3-deoxy- -threo-glycerol-l-yl)-2-aryl-1,2,3-triazole-5-carboxylic acid 5,4¹-lactones on treatment with acetic anhydride-pyridine.     

Isolation and identification of β-citryl-L-glutamic acid from newborn rat brain

Ab unknwon compound containing glutamic acid residue was found in newborn rat brain. The compound occurred predominantly in brain. Its concentration was approx. 1 μmol/g tissue at birth and decreased to one-tenth 24 days after birth.The compound was isolated from newborn rat brains, and subjected to elementary analysis and to infrared and mass spectrometric analysis. Glutamic acid and citric acid were formed from the compound on acid hydrolysis. The compound was presumed to be a citryglutamic acid.Two isomers, α- and β-citrylglutamic acid, were sunthesized. The unknown compound was identified as β-citryl-L-glutamic acid. The occurrence of this compound has not been reported in nature.     

Spontaneous reactions of the irreversible β-D-galactosidase inhibitor 2,6-anhydro-1-deoxy-1-diazo-D-glycero-L-manno-heptitol

2,6-Anhydro-1-deoxy-1-diazo-D-glycero-L-manno-heptitol (2) decomposes in 0.01M methanolic sodium methoxide with a half-life of approx. 18 min. Decomposition in aqueous solution is too rapid for spectrophotometric measurement. Seven products could be identified in methanolic and aqueous reaction mixtures. 2,6-Anhydro-1-deoxy-D-galacto-hept-1-enitol (6), 2,7-anhydro-1-deoxy-β-D-galacto-heptulopyranose (10), and 4-O-vinyl-D-lyxose (12) are products of rapid intramolecular reactions. The major portion consists of the direct solvolysis products 2,6-anhydro-1-O-methyl-D-glycero-L-manno-heptitol (3) and 2,6-anhydro-D-glycero-L-manno-heptitol (5).     

Differential fixation of poly(L-arginine) and poly(L-lysine) by tannic acid and its application to the fixation of collagen in electron microscopy

A differential fixation of poly(L-arginine) and poly(L-lysine) has been demonstrated by means of cellulose acetate electrophoresis and colorimetric titration. Electrophoresis showed that at pH 3.0 and concentrations between 0.025% and 2% the reagent interacts with poly(L-arginine) but not with poly(L-lysine). at pH 7.5, however, poly(L-lysine) also reacts, although at a higher concentration of tannic acid than was required to fix poly(L-arginine) at this pH. Colorimetric titration revealed that for poly(L-arginine) the reaction with tannic acid commences at pH 3.0 and is complete at pH 4.1 whereas for poly(L-lysine) the reaction commences at pH 3.5 and is complete at pH 4.9. It is suggested that the reaction is predominantly electrostatic. The results are discussed in relation to the use of tannic acid as a protein fixative in electron microscopy.     

A β-citryl-L-glutamate-hydrolysing enzyme in rat testes

An enzyme responsible for the deacylation of β-citryl-L-glutamate to citrate and glutamate has been characterized in rat testis. The enzyme required manganese ion for full activity and was strongly inhibited by nucleotides such as ATP or GTP. The activity was localized in the particulate fractions. The enzyme favored $\text{N-}\text{formyl-}\text{L}\text{-glutamate}\text{> β-}\text{citryl-}\text{L}\text{-glutamate}\text{> β-}\text{citryl-}\text{L}\text{-glutamine}$ in a decreasing order. The amidohydrolyase activity was highest in the testis and lung, a moderate activity was detected in heart, kidney and intestine, and low in brain, thymus, stomach, skeletal muscle, spleen and liver. These findings suggest that the amidohydrolase is different from any of amidohydrolases reported so far, amidohydrolase I (EC 3.5.1.14), II (EC 3.5.1.15), III, N-acetyl-lysine deacylase (EC 3.5.1.17) and N-acetyl-β-alanine deacetylase (EC 3.5.1.21), and various peptidases.     

Phenylalanine ammonia-lyase: Mirror-image packing of d- and l-phenylalanine and d- and l-transition state analogs into the active site

The binding of substrate and product analogs to phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (EC 4.3.1.5) from maize has been studied by a protection method. The ligand dissociation constants, K_L, were estimated from the variation with [L] of the pseudo-first-order rate constants for enzyme inactivation by nitromethane. The phenylalanine analogs d- and l-2-aminooxy-3-phenylpropionic acid showed K_L, values over 20,000-fold lower than the K_m for l-phenylalanine. From these and other K_L values it is deduced that when the enzyme binds l-phenylalanine the structural free energy stored in the protein is higher than when it binds the superinhibitors. Models for binding d- and l-phenylalanine and the superinhibitors are described. The enantiomeric pairs are considered to have similar K_L values because they pack into the active site in a mirror-image relationship. If the elimination reaction approximates to the least-motion course deduced on stereoelectronic grounds, the mirror-image packing of the superinhibitors into the active site mimics the conformation inferred for a transition state in the elimination. It appears, therefore, that structural changes take place in the enzyme as the transition state conformation is approached causing stored free energy to be released. This lowers the activation free energy for the elimination reaction and accounts for the strong binding by the above analogs.