The functionally elusive RabI chromosome configuration directly regulates nuclear membrane remodeling at mitotic onset

Despite its ubiquity in interphase eukaryotic nuclei, the functional significance of the RabI configuration, in which interphase centromeres are clustered at the nuclear envelope (NE) near the centrosome and telomeres localize at the opposite end of the nucleus, has remained mysterious. In a broad variety of organisms, including Schizosaccharomyces pombe, the RabI configuration is maintained throughout mitotic interphase. The fission yeast linker of nucleoskeleton and cytoskeleton (LINC) complex mediates this centromere association. The functional significance of centromere positioning during interphase has been recently revealed using a conditionally inactivated LINC allele that maintains LINC stability but releases interphase centromere-LINC contacts. Remarkably, this interphase release abolishes mitotic spindle formation. Here, we confirm these observations using an alternative strategy to explore the role of centromere-NE association without modifying the LINC complex. We analyze spindle dynamics in cells lacking Csi1, a stabilizer of centromere-LINC associations, and Lem2, a NE protein harboring lamin interacting domains. We recapitulate these observations and their implications for the functional significance of centromere positioning for cell cycle progression in fission yeast and most likely, a wide range of eukaryotes.     

A quantitative assay to measure chromosome stability in Schizosaccharomyces pombe

Summary The fidelity of mitotic chromosome transmission in Schizosaccharomyces pombe was estimated quantitatively by using cycloheximide resistance as a means to select cells that had undergone chromosome loss or nondisjunction. We aimed to investigate the connection between recombination and mitotic chromosome stability. A number of mutants defective in mitotic recombination such as cdc17-L16, rec59-72, and rec50-25 were tested and in these an approximately ten fold elevation of mitotic haploidization rate was found compared with controls. Our data suggest that recombination is important in controlling the maintenance of chromosomes during mitosis.     

Feedback controls and G2 checkpoints: Fission yeast as a model system

Dependency relationships within the cell cycle allow cells to arrest the cycle reversibly in response to agents or conditions that interfere with specific aspects of its normal progression. In addition, overlapping pathways exist which also arrest the cell cycle in response to DNA damage. Collectively, these control mechanisms have become known as checkpoints. Analysis of checkpoints is facilitated by the fact that dependency relationships within the cell cycle, such as the dependency of mitosis on the completion of DNA synthesis, and the DNA damage checkpoint can be separated genetically. In fission yeast, Schizosaccharomyces pombe, the dependency of mitosis on prior completion of DNA synthesis is mediated through tyrosine-15 phosphorylation of the ubiquitous mitotic regulator p34^cdc2. In contrast, the arrest of mitosis caused by DNA damage acts through a separate mechanism that appears to be independent of tyrosine-15 phosphorylation. Despite these distinct interactions with the mitotic machinery, the majority of fission yeast mutants that are deficient in mitotic arrest after DNA damage are also unable to respond to inhibition of DNA synthesis. In this essay we survey the current knowledge concerning feedback controls and checkpoints within fission yeast and relate this to information derived from other systems.     

Synthesis of Some Novel Acyclolumazine N-1 Nucleosides

Abstract

Reactjon of (2-acetoxyethoxy)methyl bromide with the silylated lumazine bases (1-6) in the presence of n-Bu₄NI leads to the formation of the nucleosides 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 and 18 respectively. Deacetylation with methanolic ammonia afforded the free nucleosides 9, 11, 13, 15, 17 and 19, respectively, in good yields. Structural proofs of the newly synthesized compounds are based on elemental analyses, UV and ¹H-NMR spactra. None of the acyclic nucleosides exhibited antiviral activity against HSV-1 in vitro.     

A phosphorylation site mutant of Schizosaccharomyces pombe cdc2p fails to promote the metaphase to anaphase transition

The protein kinase cdc2p is a key regulator of the G1-S and G2-M cell cycle transitions in the yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe. Activation of cdc2p is regulated by its phosphorylation state and by interaction with other proteins. We have analyzed the consequences for cell cycle progression of altering the conserved threonine phosphorylation site, within the activation loop of cdc2p, to glutamic acid. This mutant, T167 E, promotes entry into mitosis, as judged by the accumulation of mitotic spindles and condensed chromosomes, despite the fact that it lacks demonstrable kinase activity both in vitro and in vivo. However, T167 E cannot promote the metaphase-anaphase transition. Since a component of the anaphase-promoting complex (APC) in S. pombe, cut9p, remains hypophosphorylated at the T167 E arrest point, the cell cycle block might be due to the inability of T167 E to activate the APC. T167 E is lethal when overexpressed, and overproduction also causes a mitotic arrest. Multicopy suppressors of the dominant negative phenotype were isolated, and identified as cdc13 ⁺ and suc1 ⁺ . Overexpression of suc1 ⁺ suppresses the effects of T167 E overproduction by restoring sufficient amounts of suc1p to the cell to allow passage through mitosis.     

Cyclin B (p56cdc13) localization in the yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe: An ultrastructural and immunocytochemical study

Summary— The eucaryote cell cycle is driven by a set of cyclin dependent kinases (CDKs) associated to cyclins, which confer not only the activity but also the substrate specificity and the proper localization of the kinase activity. In the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe, only one cyclin, the product of the cdc13 gene (p56^cdc13), is required to be associated with p34^cdc2, to control the complete cell cycle. Earlier studies have localized this complex mainly in the nucleus and its periphery. Using new improved electron microscopy (EM) technologies, based on high pressure freezing fixation, we refined previous studies, evidencing cytoplasmic localization of p56^cdc13, in addition to the nuclear localization previously observed. Further immunofluorescence studies, performed on aldehydically fixed cells, confirmed our EM results, emphasizing the major cytoplasmic localization of p56^cdc13 in interphase cells and the relocalization towards the nucleus in mitotic cells, suggesting that the S pombe cyclin B localization is cell cycle-regulated.     

Possible Anti-tumor Promoting Properties of Marine Algae and In Vivo Activity of Wakame Seaweed Extract

The cAMP pathway and the Ras pathway are the two major pathways to sexual development in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe. To understand the с AMP pathway or the related pathway, we analyzed mutants that display a phenotype similar to cyrl-, that is, hyper-sporulation. Nine mutants termed sam (sporulation abnormal mutant), which are highly inclined to sexual development despite the presence of nitrogen sources, were partially characterized. Cyclic AMP was detected in all nine sam mutant cells, and over-expression of the adenylyl cyclase gene (cyrl) failed to suppress the hyper-sporulation phenotype of these sam mutants, suggesting that none of the sam mutants were likely to be allelic to cyrl. Epistatic tests of sam mutants showed that they were divided into two dominant and seven recessive mutants. Dominants were able to make spores in sam/sam⁺ heterodiploid cells upon abundant nutrients. Both two dominant mutants bypassed the inability to make spores in rasl deficient diploid cells, suppressed the deficiency to execute sporulation in byr2 deficient diploid cells, but failed to suppress the byr1 deficiency. Two dominant mutations seem not to occur within the byr2 gene.     

Nucleosides. 131. The Synthesis of 5-(2-Chloro-2-Deoxy-β-D-arabino-Furanosyl)Uracil. Reinterpretation of Reaction of ψ-Uridine With α-Acetoxyisobutyryl Chloride. Studies Directed Toward the Synthesis of 2′-Deoxy-2′-Substituted Arabino-Nucleosides. 2

Abstract

Treatment of ψ-uridine (3) with α-acetoxyisobutyryl chloride in acetonitrile gave, after deprotection, a mixture of four products: 5-(2-chloro-2-deoxy-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)uracil (10a), its 3′-chloro xylo isomer (11a), 2′-chloro-2′-deoxy-ψ-uridine (9a) and 4,2′-anhydro-ψ-uridine (8a). Each component was isolated by column chromatography. Compound 9 was converted to the known 1,3-dimethyl derivative 2 by treatment with DMF-dimethylacetal. Treatment of 10 and 11 with NaOMe/MeOH afforded the same 4,2′-anhydro-C-nucleoside 8. The 1,3-dimethyl analogues of 10 and 11, however, were converted to 2′,3′-anhydro-1,3-dimethyl-ψ-uridine (13) upon base treatment. The epoxide 13 was also prepared in good yield by treatment of 10 and 11 with DMF-dimethylacetal.     

The Synthesis of 5′-O-Triphosphate-4N-(ω-aminoalkyl)deoxycytidine A Useful Precursor to the Generation of Differently Labeled Triphosphates

Abstract

A chemical synthesis is described for 5′-O-triphosphate-4N-[6-(-γ-aminopropylamidosuccinylamido)-hexyl]deoxycytidine (13), the substrate for synthesis of 5′-O-triphosphate deoxycytidine derivatives (17-19) labeled with biotin, fluorescein and photoreactive azide.     

Functional analysis of theDrosophila CDC2 Dm gene in fission yeast

Thecdc2 ⁺ gene product (p34^cdc2) is a protein kinase that regulates entry into mitosis in all eukaryotic cells. The role that p34^cdc2 plays in the cell cycle has been extensively investigated in a number of organisms, including the fission yeastSchizosaccharomyces pombe. To study the degree of functional conservation among evolutionarily distant p34^cdc2 proteins, we have constructed aS. pombe strain in which the yeastcdc2 ⁺ gene has been replaced by itsDrosophila homologue CDC2Dm (theCDC2Dm strain). ThisCDC2Dm S. pombe strain is viable, capable of mating and producing four viable meiotic products, indicating that the fly p34^CDC2Dm recognizes all the essentialS. pombe cdc2 ⁺ substrates, and that it is recognized by cyclin partners and other elements required for its activity. The p34^CDC2Dm protein yields a lethal phenotype in combination with the mutant B-type cyclin p56^cdc13-117, suggesting that thisS. pombe cyclin might interact less efficiently with theDrosophila protein than with its native p34^cdc2 counterpart. ThisCDC2Dm strain also responds to nutritional starvation and to incomplete DNA synthesis, indicating that proteins involved in these signal transduction pathways, interact properly with p34^CDC2Dm (and/or that p34^cdc2-independent pathways are used). TheCDC2Dm gene produces a ‘wee’ phenotype, and it is largely insensitive to the action of theS. pombe weel ⁺ mitotic inhibitor, suggesting thatDrosophila weel ⁺ homologue might not be functionally conserved. ThisCDC2Dm strain is hypersensitive to UV irradiation, to the same degree asweel-deficient mutants. A strain which co-expresses theDrosophila and yeastcdc2⁺ genes shows a dominantwee phenotype, but displays a wild-type sensitivity to UV irradiation, suggesting that p34^cdc2 triggers mitosis and influences the UV sensitivity by independent mechanisms. Communicated by B. J. Kilbey     

Acyclic Nucleosides. Synthesis and Antiherpetic Activity of 9-[[[2-Hydroxy-1-(Hydroxymethyl)Ethyl]Thio]Methyl]Guanine and 1-[[[2-Hydroxy-1-(Hydroxymethyl)Ethyl]Thio]Methyl]Cytosine

Abstract

The synthesis and antiherpetic activity of 9-[[[2-hydroxy-1-(hydroxymethyl)ethyl]thio]methy1]guanine (4) and 1-[[[2-hydroxy-1-(hydroxymethyl)ethyl]thio]methy]cytosine (6), the side-chain thio analogues of ganciclovir (3) and BW A1117U (5), are described. The sidechain synthon 1,3-bis(benzyloxy)-2-[(chloromethyl)thio]propane (11) was prepared in four steps from 1,3-bis(benzyloxy)-2-propanol (7). Alkylation of 2-amino-6-chloro-9H-purine with 11 provided the intermediate 9-substituted-2-amino-6-chloropurine 12, which was conveniently converted to 4 in two steps. Reaction of a fivefold excess of cytosine with 11 provided the desired 1-isomer 14, which was debenzylated to give 6. In contrast with ganciclovir (3) and BW A1117U (5), neither 4 nor 6 had significant in vitro activity against human cytomegalovirus.     

Nucleosides,I Ribosylation of 8-Substituted Theophylline Derivatives

Abstract

The attempted ribosylation reaction of 8-nitro-theophylline (2) with 1-o-acetyl-2, 3, 5-tri-o-benzoyl-D-ribo-furanose (5) failed to give any nucleoside product, whereas the reaction of 8-chlorotheophylline (3) with 5 afforded the 8-chloro-7-(2,3,5-tri-o-benzoyl) β-D-ribofuranosyltheophylline (6) in good yield. The product 6 reacted with benzylamine producing the 8-benzylamino-7-(2, 3, 5-tri-O-benzoyl) β-D-ribo-furanosyltheophylline (10), which could also be synthesised by ribosylation of 8-benzylaminotheophylline (8) with 5. Debenzoylation of 6 and 10 gave the corresponding 7-β-D-ribofuranosyltheophylline nucleosides (7) and (11), respectively. Compound 7 could be converted into 11 by reaction with benzylamine. The newly synthesised compounds have been characterised by elemental analysis, ¹H-NMR and UV spectra.     

Synthesis of Certain 4-Substituted-1-β-D-Ribofuranosyl-3-Hydroxypyrazoles Structurally Related to the Antibiotic Pyrazofurin

Abstract

Several 4-substituted-1-β-D-ribofuranosyl-3-hydroxypyrazoles were prepared as structural analogs of pyrazofurin. Glycosylation of the TMS derivative of ethyl 3(5)-hydroxypyrazole-4-carboxylate (3) with 1-0-acetyl-2,3,5-tri-0-benzoyl-D-ribofuranose in the presence of TMS-triflate gave predominantly ethyl 3-hydroxy-1-(2,3,5-tri-0-benzoyl-β-D-ribofuranosyl)pyrazole-4-carboxylate (4a), which on subsequent ammonolysis furnished 3-hydroxy-1-β-D-ribofuranosylpyrazole-4-carboxamide (5). Benzylation of 4a with benzyl bromide and further ammonolysis gave 3-benzyloxy-1-β-D-ribofuranosylpyrazole-4-carboxamide (8a). Catalytic (Pd/C) hydrogenation of 8a afforded yet another high yield route to 5. Saponification of the ester function of ethyl 3-benzyloxy-1-β-D-ribofuranosylpyrazole-4-carboxylate (7b) gave the corresponding 4-carboxylic acid (6a). Phosphorylation of 8a and subsequent debenzylation of the intermediate 11a gave 3-hydroxy-1-β-D-ribofuranosylpyrazole-4-carboxamide 5′-phosphate (11b). Dehydration of 3-benzyloxy-1-(2,3,5-tri-0-acetyl-β-D-ribofuranosyl)pyrazole-4-carboxamide (8b) with POCl₃ provided the corresponding 4-carbonitrile derivative (10a), which on debenzylation with Cl₃SiI gave 3-hydroxy-1-(2,3,5-tri-0-acetyl-β-D-ribofuranosyl)pyrazole-4-carbonitrile (13). Reaction of 13 with H₂S/pyridine and subsequent deacetylation gave 3-hydroxy-1-β-D-ribofuranosylpyrazole-4-thiocarboxamide (12b). Similarly, treatment of 13 with NH₂OH afforded 3-hydroxy-1-β-D-ribofuranosylpyrazole-4-carboxamidoxime (14a), which on catalytic (Pd/C) hydrogenation gave the corresponding 4-carboxamidine derivative (14b). The structural assignment of these pyrazole ribonucleosides was made by single-crystal X-ray analysis of 6a. None of these compounds exhibited any significant antitumor or antiviral activity in cell culture.     

A Facile Synthesis of the Phosphoramidites of 2-N-Methyl-2′-deoxy (or 2′-O-allyl)-ψ-isocytidine, 1, 3-Dimethyl-2′-deoxy-ψ-uridine and N1-Methyl-2′-O-allyl-ψ-uridine as Synthons Suitable for Oligonucleotide Synthesis

Abstract

An efficient and facile syntheses of 5′-O-(4, 4′-dimethoxytrityl)-3′-[2-cyanoethyl bis(1-methylethyl)]phosphoramidites of 2-N-methyl-2′-deoxy-ψ-isocytidine (6), 2-N-methyl-2′-deoxy-α-ψ-isocytidine (13), 2-N-methyl-2′-O-allyl-ψ-isocytidine (11), 1, 3-dimethyl-2′-deoxy-ψ-uridine (4) and N1-methyl-2′-O-allyl-ψ-uridine (19) have been accomplished in good overall yields. The pyrimidine-pyrimidine transformation reaction was found to be useful for the preparation of 2-N-methyl-2′-O-allyl-ψ-isocytidine (10). The utility of these novel phosphoramidites is demonstrated by their incorporation into oligonucleotides via solid-support, oligonucleotide methodology.     

Synthesis of Certain 5′-Substituted Derivatives of Ribavirin and Tiazofurin

Abstract

The synthesis of several 5′-substituted derivatives of ribavirin (1) and tiazofurin (3) are described. Direct acylation of 1 with the appropriate acyl chloride in pyridine-DMF gave the corresponding 5′-O-acyl derivatives (4a-h). Tosylation of the 2′, 3′-O-isopropylidene-ribavirin (6) and tiazofurin (11) with p-toluenesulfonyl chloride gave the respective 5′-O-p-tolylsulfonyl derivatives (7a and 12a), which were converted to 5′-azido-5′-deoxy derivatives (7b and 12b) by reacting with sodium/lithium azide. Deisopropylidenation of 7b and 12b, followed by catalytic hydrogenation afforded 1-(5-amino-5-deoxy-β-D)-ribofuranosyl)-1, 2, 4-triazole-3-carboxamide (10b) and 2 - (5 -amino- 5-deoxy- β-D-ribofuranosyl) thiazole-4-carboxamide (16), respectively. Treatment of 6 with phthalimide in the presence of triphenylphosphine and diethyl azodicarboxylate furnished the corresponding 5′-deoxy-5′-phthaloylamino derivative (9). Reaction of 9 with n-butylamine and subsequent deisopropylidenation provided yet another route to 10b. Selective 5′-thioacetylation of 6 and 11 with thiolacetic acid, followed by saponification and deisopropylidenation afforded 5′-deoxy-5′-thio derivatives of 1-β-D-ribofuranosyl-1, 2, 4-triazole-3-carboxamide (8a) and 2-β-D-ribofuranosylthiazole-4-carboxamide (15), respectively.     

The Discovery of Intramolecular Stereoelectronic Forces That Drive The Sugar Conformation in Nucleosides and Nucleotides

Abstract

This report summarizes our results⁸ on how the determination of the thermodynamics of the two-state North (N, C2′-exo-C3′-endo) ? South (S,C2′-endo-C3′-exo) pseudorotational equilibrium in aqueous solution (pD 0.6 - 12.0) basing on vicinal ³J_HH extracted from ¹H-NMR spectra measured at 500 MHz from 278K to 358K yields an experimental energy inventory of the unique stereoelectronic forces that dictate the conformation of the sugar moiety in β-D-ribonucleosides (rNs), β-D-nucleotides, in the mirror-image β-D- versus β-L-2′-deoxynucleosides (dNs) as well as in α-D- or L- versus β-D- or L-2′-dNs. Our work shows for the first time that the free-energies of the inherent internal flexibilities of β-D- versus β-L-2′-dNs and α-D- versus α-L-2′-dNs are identical, whereas the aglycone promoted tunability of the constituent sugar conformation is grossly affected in the α-nucleosides compared to the β-counterparts.