Study on Disulfur-Backboned Nucleic Acids: Part 3. Efficient Synthesis of 3′,5′-Dithio-2′-Deoxyuridine and Deoxycytidine

A general method is described for synthesizing 3′,5′-dithio-2′-deoxypyrimidine nucleosides 6 and 13 from normal 2′-deoxynucleosides. 2,3′-Anhydronucleosides 2 and 9 are applied as intermediates in the process to reverse the conformation of 3′-position on sugar rings. The intramolecular rings of 2,3′-anhydrothymidine and uridine are opened by thioacetic acid directly to produce 3′-S-acetyl-3′-thio-2′-deoxynucleosides 3 or 5. To cytidine, OH^? ion exchange resin was used to open the ring and 2′-deoxycytidine 10 was abtained in which 3′-OH group is in threo-conformation. The 3′-OH is activated by MsCl, and then substituted by potassium thioacetate to form the S,S′-diacetyl-3′,5′-dithio-2′-deoxycytidine 12. The acetyl groups in 3′,5′ position are removed rapidly by EtSNa in EtSH solution to afford the target molecules 6 and 13. The differences of synthetic routes between uridine and cytidine are also discusssed.     

SYNTHETIC STUDY OF 3′-α-FLUORO-2′,3′-DIDEOXYGUANOSINE

A synthetic method was established for 3′-α-fluoro-2′,3′-dideoxyguanosine 1 from guanosine 2 in 27% overall yield and 6 steps. A byproduct 6a of fluorination was identified by NMR studies, its presence strongly supporting our supposition that the fluorination itself proceeded via a bromonium cation.     

Dihydrochalcones from lindera umbellata

Two dihydrochalcones, 2′,6′-dihydroxy-4′-methoxydihydrochalcone and 2,4′,6′-trihydroxydihydrochalcone have been isolated from leaves of Lindera umbellata.     

Synthesis of dihydrochalcones of Myrica gale

4,4,6-Trimethyl-2-(3-phenylpropionyl)cyclohexane-1,3,5-trione, 2′-hydroxy-4′,6′-dimethoxy-3′-methyldihydrochalcone, 2′,6′-dihydroxy-4′-methoxy-3′,5′-dimethyldihydrochalcone and 2,2,5-trimethyl-4(3-phenylpropionyl)cyclopent-4-ene-1,3-dione, constituents of Myrica gale, have been synthesized.     

Two new C-methylated flavonoids from Myrica gale

From the leaves of Myrica gale 2′,4′-dihydroxy-6′-methoxy-3′,5′-dimethylchalcone has been isolated. The fruits yielded 2′-hydroxy-4′,6′-dimethoxy-3′-methyldihydrochalcone. The constitutions were deduced from spectroscopic data and confirmed by synthesis.     

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 Evaluation of Novel 6′,6′-Difluoro 5′-Deoxycarbocyclic Phosphonic Acid Nucleosides as Antiviral Agents

The authors describe highly efficient synthetic routes for the preparation of novel 6′,6′-difluoro 5′-deoxycarbocyclic phosphonic acid nucleosides from 1,4-dihydroxy-2-butene. The discovery that the 6′-fluorinated carbocyclic nucleoside (2, EC₅₀ = 0.16 μM) is a potent anti-HSV-1 agent led to the syntheses and biological evaluations of 6′-modified 5′-deoxyversions of carbocyclic phosphonate nucleosides. The synthesized nucleoside analogues 15, 18, 22, and 25 were tested for anti-HIV activity and for cytotoxicity. However, none of them showed significant anti-HIV-1 activity or cytotoxicity at concentrations up to 100 μM.     

A New Odorless Procedure for the Synthesis of 2′-Deoxy-6-Thioguanosine and Its Incorporation into Oligodeoxynucleotides

6-S-[2-[(2-ethylhexyl)oxycarbonyl]ethyl)}-3′,5′-O-bis(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)-2′-deoxy-6-thiogua nosine (2) was synthesized in high yield from the corresponding 6-O-mesitylenesulfonyl derivative by the reaction with 2-ethylhexyl 3-mercapto-propionate. The phosphoramidite precursor derived from 2 was successfully applied to an automated DNA synthesizer to produce 2′-deoxy-6-thioguanosine containing ODN. The results showed that 2-ethylhexyl 3-mercaptopropionate is useful as an odor less reagent and also as an S-protecting group of 2′-deoxy-6-thioguanosine.     

Synthesis and Anti-HIV Activity of β-D-3′-Azido-2′,3′-unsaturated Nucleosides and β-D-3′-Azido-3′-deoxyribofuranosylnucleosides

Since the discovery of 3′-azido-3′-deoxythymidine (AZT) and 2′,3′-didehydro-2′,3′-dideoxythymidine (d4T) as potent and selective inhibitors of the replication of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), there has been a growing interest for the synthesis of 2′,3′-didehydro-2′,3′-dideoxynucleosides with electron withdrawing groups on the sugar moiety. Here we described an efficient method for the synthesis of such nucleoside analogs bearing structural features of both AZT and d4T. The key intermediate, 3-azido-1,2-bis-O-acetyl-5-O-benzoyl-3-deoxy-D-ribofuranose, 5 was synthesized from commercially available D-xylose in five steps, from which a series of pyrimidine and purine nucleosides were synthesized in high yields. The resultant protected nucleosides were converted to target nucleosides using appropriate chemical modifications. The final nucleosides were evaluated as potential anti-HIV agents.     

Chalcone glycosides of Antirrhinum majus

Three chalcones have been found in yellow flowers of A. majus, two of which have been identified as chalcononaringenin 4′-glucoside and 3,4,2′,4′,6′-pentahydroxychalcone 4′-glucoside.     

Synthesis and NMR Assignment of the Two Diastereomers of 8,6′-Cyclo-2′,6′-Dideoxyadenosine

We herein present the first synthesis and characterization of the two C5′ diastereomers of 8,6′-cyclo-2′,6′-dideoxyadenosine. Starting from commercially available 2′-deoxyadenosine, the target cyclonucleosides were synthesized in 11 linear steps. Following a zinc-mediated cyclization reaction to form the seven-membered ring, the stereochemistry of the newly formed chiral center was established using two-dimensional NOESY NMR experiments.

[Supplemental materials are available for this article. Go to the publisher's online edition of Nucleosides, Nucleotides & Nucleic Acids for the free supplemental resource.]     

Two new isoprenoid spiro compounds from potato tubers infected with Phoma exigua

Two new isoprenoid compounds, 6, 10-dimethylspiro [4,5] dec-6-ene-2, 8-dione and 2-(1′, 2′-dihydroxy-1′-methylethyl)-6, 10- dimethyl-9-hydroxyspiro [4,5] dec-6-en-8-one, have been isolated from potato tubers infected with Phoma exigua var. foveata.     

A New Bipyrrole and Some Phenolic Constituents in Prunes (Prunus domestica L.) and Their Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC)

Isolation and structural elucidation of prune constituents were performed and total 10 compounds were determined by NMR and MS analyses. A novel compound was identified to be 2-(5-hydroxymethyl-2′,5′-dioxo-2′,3′,4′,5′-tetrahydro-1′H-1,3′-bipyrrole)carbaldehyde, and 7 phenolic compounds were isolated from prunes for the first time. In addition, antioxidant activity of them was evaluated on the basis of the oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC).     

Structure of 2′,5′-Linked Tetraribonucleotide Loops: A Novel RNA Motif

Abstract

We report on the three dimensional structure of an RNA hairpin containing a 2′,5′-linked tetraribonucleotide loop, namely, 5′-rGGAC(UUCG)GUCC-3′ (where UUCG = U_2′p5′U_2′p5′C_2′p5′G_2′p5′). We show that the 2′,5′-linked RNA loop adopts a conformation that is quite different from that previously observed for the native 3′,5′-linked RNA loop. The 2′,5′- RNA loop is stabilized by (a) U:G wobble base pairing, with both bases in the anti conformation, (b) extensive base stacking, and (c) sugar–base contacts, all of which contribute to the extra stability of this hairpin structure.     

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.     

Synthesis and Antiviral Activity of Novel Fluorinated 2′,3′‐Dideoxynucleosides

A series of 5‐(trifluoroethoxymethyl)‐2′,3′‐dideoxyuridines and 5‐[bis(trifluoroethoxy)‐methyl]‐2′,3′‐dideoxyuridines have been prepared and screened for antiviral activity. The conformations of these compounds are discussed on the bases of NOE studies and the MO calculations. Modelling and NOE studies suggest both syn‐ and anti conformations for these 5‐(2,2,2‐trifluoroethoxymethyl)‐ and 5‐[bis(2,2,2‐trifluoroethoxy)‐methyl]‐ derivatives. The NOE parameters are also suggested to be more attributable to the nature of the fluorine atom than to structural or conformational changes. Compounds 17, 26 and 30 showed some activity in anti‐HIV‐1 and anti‐HIV‐2 assays, but the compounds were devoid of activity against HSV and human rhinovirus. The compounds tested exhibited low cytotoxicity and were inactive against a bank of cancer cells in vitro.     

Flavonoids from Artemisia ludoviciana var. ludoviciana

Nineteen flavonoids were isolated from Artemisia ludoviciana var. ludoviciana, including a new 2′- hydroxy- 6-methoxyflavone, 5,7,2′,4′-tetrahydroxy-6,5′-dimethoxyflavone. The known compounds include quercetagetin 3,6,3′,4′-tetramethyl ether, eupatilin, 5,7-dihydroxy-3,6,8,4′-tetramethoxyflavone, luteolin 3′,4′-dimethyl ether, jaceosidin, 5,7,4′-trihydroxy-3,6-dimethoxyflavone, tricin, hispidulin, chrysoeriol, kaempferol 3-methyl ether, apigenin, axillarin, eupafolin, selagin and luteolin together with three flavones which were previously isolated for the first time from Artemisia frigida: 5,7,4′-trihydroxy-6, 3′,5′-trimethoxyflavone, 5,7,3′-trihydroxy-6,4′,5′-trimethoxyflavone and 5,7,3′,4′-tetrahydroxy-6,5′- dimethoxyflavone.     

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.     

Induction of porphyrin synthesis in chick embryo liver cell culture by synthetic polychlorobiphenyl isomers

The effects of a series of synthetic di-tetra- and hexachlorobiphenyl isomers and commercial polychlorinated biphenyls on the porphyrin biosynthesis in chick embryo liver cells in culture were examined.It was found that 3,4,3′,4′-tetra- and 3,4,5,3′,4′,5′-hexachlorobiphenyl isomers were the most active inducers, which were approximately 20 times as active as 1,4-dihydro-3,5-dicarbethoxy-2,4,6-trimethylpyridine (DDC) in porphyrin production. 3,5,3′,5′-Tetra- and 2,3,4,2′,3′,4′-hexachlorobiphenyl isomers were moderate inducers, which were approximately 2.0 to 2.5 times as active as DDC. 2,4,6,2′,4′,6′-Hexachlorobiphenyl showed the same activity as DCC. Compounds such as 4,4′-di-, 2,3,2′,3′-, 2,4,2′,4′- and 2,6,2′,6′-tetrachlorobiphenyl were weak inducers and 2,5,2′,5′-tetrachloro- and decachlorobiphenyl isomers were found to be inactive. Kanechlor-400 was the strongest inducer among the commercial polychlorinated biphenyls investigated.The structural requirements for potent porphyrin-inducing activity of chlorobiphenyl isomers were found to be the para and meta substituted structure causing a more highly conjugated and nearly coplanar conformation. It was found that induction caused by some chlorobiphenyls was subject to feed-back repression by end-product heme. In addition, the metabolism of chlorobiphenyls in mice was influenced by the unsubstituted pairs of carbon atoms in the molecule. These results lead us to postulate the following hypothesis, namely, that strong inducers may displace heme directly and incorporate into a hydrophobic pocket of the apo-represor protein, thus causing an induction of δ-aminolevulinic acid synthetase.     

Reaction of the 2′-Silyl and 2′-Stannyl Derivatives of 6-(Bromomethyl)Dimethylsilyl-1′,2′-Unsaturated Uridine Under Radical Conditions

The mode of cyclization (5-exo versus 6-endo) of 2-sila-5-hexen-1-yl radicals generated from 2′-tributylstannyl- and 2′-trimethylsilyl-6-(bromomethyl)dimethylsilyl-1′,2′-unsaturated uridines (8 and 9) was investigated. Although the actual structure of the reaction products differ from each other, reflecting the ease of elimination of the 2′-substituent, it was found that both substrates prefer the 5-exo-cyclization pathway.