Preparation and characterization of (24R and 24S)-5μ-cholestane-3α, 7α,24,25-tetrols and (24R and 24S)-5β-cholestane-3α, 24, 25-triols

(24R and 24S)-5β-cholestane-3α,7α,24,25-tetrols were prepared by osmium tetroxide oxidation of 5β-cholest-24-ene-3α,7α-diol. The resulting diastereomeric tetrols were separated by thin-layer chromatography, their purity ascertained by melting point, gas-liquid chromatography and mass spectra and their structural configurations were assigned by molecular rotation measurement and circular dichroism studies. In a similar fashion, the (24R and 24S)-5β-cholestane-3α,24, 25-triols were prepared and their structures identified.     

Chemical syntheses of 5α-cholesta-6,8(14)-dien-3β-ol-15-one and related 15-oxygenated sterols

Hydroboration of 5α-cholesta-8,14-dien-3β-ol (I) gave 5α-cholest-8-en-3β,15α-diol (IV) in 89% yield. 5α-Cholest-7-en-3β,15α-diol (V) was prepared in 91% yield by hydroboration of 5α-cholesta-7,14-dien-3β-ol (II). Hydroboration of 27:63 mixture of I and II gave IV and V in 18% and 70% yields, respectively. 5α-Cholest-8-en-15α-ol-3-one and 5α-cholest-7-en-15α-ol-3-one were prepared in high yields from IV and V, respectively, by either selective oxidation with silver carbonate-celite or by enzymatic oxidation using cholesterol oxidase. 7α,8α-Epoxy-5α-cholestan-3β,15α-diol (VIII) was prepared in 93% yield by treatment of V with m-chloroperbenzoic acid. 5α-Cholest-8(14)-en-7α-ol-3,15-dione (IX) was prepared in 56% yield by oxidation of VIII with pyridinium chlorochromate followed by treatment of the crude product with acid. Compound IX was also obtained in 72% yield by selective chemical oxidation of 5α-cholest-8(14)-en-3β,7α,15α-triol. 5α-Cholesta-6,8(14)-dien-3,15-dione (X) was prepared in 89% yield by treatment of IX with p-toluenesulfonic acid under controlled conditions. Reduction of X with lithium tri-tert-butoxyaluminum hydride under controlled conditions gave 5α-cholesta-6,8(14)-dien-3β-ol-15-one in 84% yield.     

Identification and quantitation of 16α-hydroxy c21 steroid sulphates in plasma from pregnant women

Plasma steroids from 11 women in the last trimester of pregnancy were separated into conjugate class by chromatography on Sephadex LH-20. Fractions corresponding to mono- and disulphate conjugates were solvolyzed and the free steroids were separated by lipophilic gel chromatography into groups containing mono-, di- and trihydroxy steroids, respectively. Trimethylsilyl ether derivatives were prepared and repetitive-scanning gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used to characterize and quantitate the following 16α-hydroxy steroids in the monosulphate fraction: 3α,16α:-dihydroxy-5α-pregnan-20-one (range 8–80 ng/ml), 3β,16α-dihydroxy-5α-pregnan-20-one (6–55 ng/ml), 5α-pregnane-3α,16α,20α-triol (9–31 ng/ml) and 5α-pregnane-3β,16α,20α-triol (11–77 ng/ml). These compounds were also present as disulphates although at 5–50 times lower concentrations.     

Synthesis of new symmetrical bis-steroidal pyrazine analogues from diosgenin

New symmetrical bis-steroidal pyrazine dimers that are cephalostatins/ritterazines analogues have been prepared easily from a cheap, readily available natural steroid (diosgenin). These dimers were obtained by classical, condensation of α-amino ketones in order to construct the pyrazine rings. The three dimers differ in the functionalized diosgenin: (25R)-5α,6β-dihydroxy-5α-spirosta-3-one, (25R)-4,5α-epoxy-5β-spirosta-3,6-dione and (25R)-5α-hydroxy-5α-spirosta-3,6-dione respectively.     

Synthesis and evaluation of 4-(substituted styryl/alkenyl)-3,5-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-isoxazoles as ligands for the estrogen receptor

A series of 3,5-bis (4-hydroxyphenyl) isoxazoles bearing a styryl/alkyl vinyl group at the 4-position were prepared and evaluated as ligands for the estrogen receptor-alpha (ERα). The target compounds were prepared using the Suzuki reaction to couple an iodo-isoxazole intermediate with a series of styryl/alkenyl boronic acids, followed by O-demethylation. The products were evaluated for their estrogen receptor-α ligand binding domain (ERα-LBD) binding affinity using a competitive binding assay. The 4-(4-hydroxystyryl) derivative 4h displays binding properties similar to those of the previously described pyrazole class of ER ligands, indicating that the ERα-LBD tolerates the presence of the added vinyl group at the 4-position of the isoxazole ring.     

Galactan sulfate from the test of tunicates

Methyl and benzyl 3-O-β-d-xylopyranosyl-α-d-mannopyranoside were prepared by way of d-xylosylation (Koenigs-Knorr) of methyl and benzyl 4,6-O-benzylidene-α-d-mannopyranoside (1 and 17). Analogous 2-O-β-d-xylopyranosyl-α-d-mannopyranosides could not be prepared efficiently by this procedure. However, methyl and benzyl 3-O-acetyl-4,6-O-benzylidene-α-d-mannopyranoside, prepared by limited acetylation of 1 and 17, respectively, could be d-xylosylated by the same method, and afforded, after removal of protective groups, methyl and benzyl 2-O-β-d-xylopyranosyl-α-d-mannopyranoside. Hydrogenolysis of benzyl 2-O- and 3-O-β-d-xylopyranosyl-α-d-mannopyranoside yielded the corresponding, reducing disaccharides. In addition to these disaccharides, disaccharides containing an α-d-xylopyranosyl group, and trisaccharides having d-xylopyranosyl groups at both O-2 and O-3 were obtained as minor products.     

Studies on the site of origin of the androgen binding protein present in epididymal cytosol from mature intact rabbits

An examination of the site of origin of the 17β-hydroxy-5α-androstan-3-one (5αDHT) binding protein that exists in cytosol prepared from the caput epididymidis from sexually-mature intact rabbits was approached in the following way: Rabbits a) had the ductuli efferent es unilaterally ligated, b) were hemicastrated, c) were made unilaterally cryptorchid. These procedures were designed to decrease or eliminate the flow of testicular fluid into the epididymis. When this occurred, there was a marked decrease or total elimination of 5αDHT binding to cytosol prepared from the caput from the experimental epididymis, as compared to cytosol from the contralateral control side. These results suggest that the 5αDHT binding moiety in cytosol prepared from the caput epididymidis from intact sexually-mature rabbits is of testicular origin and is not the target tissue “receptor.”     

Role of p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase in Thrombus Formation

The present study was designed to elucidate the role of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38) in thrombus formation. We used p38α heterozygous (p38α+/?) mice and used ferric chloride (FeCl₃)-induced carotid artery injury as a model of thrombus formation. The time to thrombotic occlusion induced by FeCl₃ in p38α+/? mice was prolonged compared to that in wild-type (WT) mice. Platelets prepared from p38α+/? mice showed impairment of the aggregatory response to a low concentration of U46619, a thromboxane A₂ analogue. Furthermore, platelets prepared from p38α+/? mice and activated by U46619 were poorly bound to fibrinogen compared with those from WT mice. Both the expression and activity of tissue factor induced by FeCl₃ in WT mice were higher than those in p38α+/? mice. These results suggest that p38 plays an important role in thrombus formation by regulating platelet function and tissue factor activity.     

Synthesis of Some New α- and β-(l→2) Linked Disaccharides Containing L-Quinovose (6-Deoxy L-Glucose)

Hepta-O-acetyl-2-0-β-l-quinovopyranosyl-α-d-glucose (VI) and hepta-O-acetyl-2-O-α-l-quinovopyranosyl-β-d-gIucose (VIII) were prepared by the coupling of 2,3,4-tri-O-acetyl-α-l-quinovopyranosyl bromide (IV) with l,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-α-D-glucose (V) in the presence of mercuric cyanide and mercuric bromide in absolute acetonitrile.

Similarly, hepta-O-acetyW-O-α-l-quinovopyranosyl-α-d-galactose (X) and hepta-O-acetyl-2-O-β-L-quinovopyranosyl-α-d-galactose (XI) were prepared by the reaction of IV with 1,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-α-d-galactose (IX).

Removal of the protecting groups of VI, VIII, X and XI afforded the corresponding disaccharides. On treatment with hydrogen bromide, VI, VIII, X and XI gave the corresponding acetobromo derivatives.     

Synthesis of C-(d-glycopyranosyl)ethylamines and C-(d-glycofuranosyl)methylamines as potential glycosidase inhibitors

The C-glucosyl aldehyde, 2-C-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-α-d-glucopyranosyl)ethanal was prepared from the C-glucopyranosyl propene precursor by ozonolysis. Reductive amination of the C-glucosyl aldehyde and subsequent deprotection gave 1-anilino-2-C-(α-d-glucopyranosyl)ethane. The E and Z isomers of the oxime derivative, 1-C-(α-d-arabinofuranosyl)methanal oxime were prepared by treating their aldehyde precursor with hydroxylamine. Acetylation of the oxime, followed by catalytic hydrogenation and deprotection, gave the corresponding 1-C-(α-d-arabinofuranosyl)methylamine. Reductive amination of ethyl 2,3-O-isopropylidene-α-d-lyxo-pentodialdo-1,4-furanoside using aniline gave ethyl 5-anilino-5-deoxy-d-lyxo-furanoside. Inhibition studies with these compounds on β-d-glucosidase from sweet almond, using o-nitrophenyl d-glucopyranoside as substrate, were carried out.     

Antisera for radioimmunoassay of 17alpha-ethynylestradiol and mestranol

Antisera for 17α-ethynylestradiol and mestranol have been prepared by immunizing rabbits with 6-(O-carboxymethyl) oxime-bovine serum albumin conjugates prepared from 6-oxo-17α-ethynylestradiol and 6-oxomestranol, respectively. These antisera showed little cross-reaction with known metabolites of these steroids. A comparison is made between our antisera and some prepared by others, where coupling to the steroid is effected through the C-7 position.     

Conversion of 15α-hydroxy-11-oxo-progesterone to 3β,11α,15β-trihydroxy-5-pregnen-20-one

3β,11α,15β-Trihydroxy-5-pregnen-20-one, an intermediate required for the synthesis of the oogoniols, has been prepared from 15α-hydroxy-11-oxo-progesterone in an overall yield of 16%. The three isomers (at C-11, C-15) of the pregnene were also prepared.     

Synthesis of two purple-membrane glycolipids and the glycolipid sulfate O-(β-d-glucopyranosyl 3-sulfate)-(1→6)-O-α-d-mannopyranosyl-(1→2)-O-α-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→1)-2, 3-di-O-phytanyl-sn-glycerol

The two purple-membrane glycolipids O-β-d-glucopyranosyl- and O-β-d-galactopyranosyl-(1→6)-O-α-d-mannopyranosyl-(1→2)-O-α-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→1)-2, 3-di-O-phytanyl-sn-glycerol were prepared by coupling O-(2,3,4-tri-O-acetyl-α-d-mannopyranosyl)-(1→2)-O-(3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-α-d-glucopyranosyl)-(1→1)-2, 3-di-O-phytanyl-sn-glycerol (9) with 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-α-d-glucopyranosyl bromide or 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-α-d-mannopyranosyl bromide, respectively, followed by deacetylation. The glycolipid sulfate O-(β-d-glucopyranosyl 3-sulfate)-(1→6)-O-α-d-mannopyranosyl-(1→2)-O-α-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→1)-2,3-di-O-phytanyl-sn-glycerol was prepared by coupling of 9 with 2,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-3-O-trichloroethyloxycarbonyl-α-d-glucopyranosyl bromide in the presence of Hg(CN)₂/HgBr₂ followed by selective removal of the 3?-trichloroethyloxycarbonyl group, sulfation of HO-3?, and deacetylation. The suitably protected key-intermediate 9 could be prepared by two distinct approaches.     

Synthesis of (4-C)-labeled and non-labeled 3β,15α-dihydroxy-5-pregnen-20-one and 3β,15α-dihydroxy-5-androsten-17-one

The synthesis of labeled and non-labeled 3β,15α-dihydroxy-5-pregnen-20-one (V) and 3β, 15α-dihydroxy-5-androsten-17-one (XI) is described. Treatment of 15α-hydroxy-4-pregnene-3,20-dione (I) with acetic anhydride and acetyl chloride gave 3,15α-diacetoxy-3,5-pregnadien-20-one (II). The enol acetate (II) was ketalized by a modification of the general procedure to yield 3,15α-diacetoxy-3,5-pregnadien-20-one cyclic ethylene ketal (III) which was then reduced with NaBH₄ and LiAlH₄ to give 3β, 15α-dihydroxy-5-pregnen-20-one cyclic ethylene ketal (IV). Cleavage of the ketal group of IV gave V. Similarly, XI was prepared by starting with 15α-hydroxy-4-androstene-3,17-dione (VII). The (4-¹⁴C)-3β,15α-dihydroxy-5-pregnen-20-one was prepared by a modification of the above procedure in that the enol acetate (II)was directly reduced with NaBH₄ and LiAlH₄ to yield 5-pregnene-3β,15α,20β-triol (XIII) which was then oxidized enzymatically with 20β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase to V.     

Azido analogs of neuroactive steroids

Analogs of pregnanolone (3α-hydroxy-5β-pregnan-20-one), modified in position 17 were prepared. Compounds with 20-keto pregnane side chain replaced completely by azide (17α- and 17β-azido-5β-androstan-3α-ol), compounds with its part replaced (20-azido-21-nor-5β-pregnan-3α-ol), and compounds with keto group only replaced ((20R)- and (20S)-20-azido-5β-pregnan-3α-ol) were synthesized using tosylate displacements with sodium azide or Mitsunobu reaction with azoimide. All five azido steroids were converted into corresponding sulfates. Subsequent tests for inhibition of glutamate induced response on NMDA receptors revealed that modification of pregnanolone sulfate side chain with azide did not disturb the activity and some of sulfates tested were more active than parent compound.     

Synthesis and stereochemistry of C-3- and C-7-linked (O-carboxymethyl)-oximino- and hemisuccinamido derivatives of 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone.

The 3-(O-carboxymethyl)oximino derivative of 17β-hydroxy-5α-androstan-3-one (5α-dihydrotestosterone) was prepared. Thin-layer chromatography of the corresponding methyl ester showed the presence of two syn (60%) and anti (40%) geometrical isomers of the oxime chain to the C-4 position, which were characterized by ¹³C nmr. The 3β-hemisuccinami-do-5α-androstan-17β-ol was obtained after selective saponification with potassium carbonate of the 17β-hemisuccinate group of the 3,17-dihemi-succinoylated derivative of the previously described 3β-amino-5α-androstan-17β-ol. This 3β-hemisuccinamide was purified as the corresponding methyl ester-17β-acetate and was regenerated after saponification. The 3,3'-ethylenedioxy-7-oxo-5α-androstan-17β-yl acetate was obtained in quantitative yield by catalytic hydrogenation over 10% palladium-oncharcoal of the Δ⁵-7-oxo precursor in a dioxane-ethanol mixture containing traces of pyridine. The exclusive 5α-configuration of this hydrogenated product was established from nmr data and was confirmed by the synthesis of methyl 3,3'-ethylenedioxy-7-oxo-5β-cholan-24-oate as 5β-H-reference compound. The preceding 5α-H-7-ketone was converted into the 7-(O-carboxymethyl)oximino derivative (syn isomer to the C-6 position, exclusively) which was esterified into the corresponding methyl ester. The selective hydrolysis of the 3-ethyleneketal group was achieved by a short treatment with a formic acid-ether 1:1 (v/v) mixture at 20°C. Saponification of the latter reaction product with ethanolic potassium hydroxide gave the 7-(O-carboxymethyl)oximino-17β-hydroxy-5α-androstan-3-one derivative, which was characterized as the corresponding methyl ester. The reduction of the oxime of the 5α-H-7-ketone with sodium in ethanol or with lithium-aluminium hydride gave respectively the 7β-amine or the 7α-amine as the major product. The 7β- and 7α-configurations were established from nmr spectra of the corresponding 7-acetamido derivatives. The 7β- and 7α-hemisuccinamido derivatives were prepared from the mixture of 7β- and 7α-amines, as described above for 3-derivatives and were isolated after thin-layer chromatography of the methyl esters, followed by saponification of the corresponding 17β-acetates.     

Studies on Phenolic Lactones

α-Exo-unsaturated-γ-butyrolactones were prepared. Reduction of α-benzylidene succinic acid esters with lithium aluminum hydride afford 2-benzylidene-1,4-butanediols. Manganese dioxide oxidation of glycols followed by silver oxide oxidation and lactonization afford α-benzylidene-γ-butyrolactones. Thus α-benzylidene-, α-anisylidene-, α-veratrylidene-, α-(3,4,5-trimethoxybenzylidene)-β-(3,4,5-trimethoxybenzyl)-γ-butyrolactone were synthesized.     

Human leukocyte interferon has no structural or biological relationship to corticotropin

In view of recent reports that certain preparations of human leukocyte interferons are structurally and biologically related to the pituitary hormones corticotropin (ACTH) and β-endorphin, we have investigated the properties of two human leukocyte interferons (IFN-α) prepared by recombinant DNA technology. The antiviral activities of purified IFN-αA and IFN-αD were not affected by a large molar excess of ACTH antiserum nor did ACTH interfere in interferon immunoassays. Neither IFN-αA, IFN-αD nor pepsin digests of these proteins were able to stimulate steroidogenesis in adrenocortical cells. There was no cross reaction between ACTH antiserum and the two leukocyte interferons or the pepsin digests of the interferons. These results cast doubt on recent proposals that some of interferon's biological effects are mediated by ACTH or β-endorphin-related fragments of the interferon molecule.     

Antitumour effect of glucooligosaccharides obtained via hydrolysis of α-(1 → 3)-glucan from Fomitopsis betulina

Molecular Biology Reports - Novel α-(1?→?3)-glucooligosaccharides (α-(1?→?3)-GOS) were prepared by acid hydrolysis of α-(1→?3)-glucan...     

Synthesis of methyl (or propyl) 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-α-D-glucopyranoside 6-(α-D-glucopyranosyl phosphate) and derivatives for the study of the phosphoric ester linkage in the Micrococcus lysodeikticus cell-wall

Methyl 2-acetamido-3-O-allyl-2-deoxy-4-O-methyl-α-D-glucopyranoside, methyl 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-4-O-methyl-α-D-glucopyranoside, and methyl 2-acetamido-3,4-di-O-allyl-2-deoxy-α-D-glucopyranoside, prepared from methyl 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-α-D-glucopyranoside, were coupled with 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-α-D-glucopyranosyl phosphate (13), to give the phosphoric esters methyl 2-acetamido-3-O-allyl-2-deoxy-4-O-methyl-α-D-glucopyranoside 6-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-α-D-glucopyranosyl phosphate) (16), methyl 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-4-O-methyl-α-D-glucopyranoside 6-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-α-D-glucopyranosyl phosphate) (23), and methyl 2-acetamido-3,4-di-O-allyl-2-deoxy-α-D-glucopyranoside 6-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-α-D-glucopyranosyl phosphate) (17). Compound 13 was prepared from penta-O-acetyl-β-D-glucopyranose by the phosphoric acid procedure, or by acetylation of α-D-glucopyranosyl phosphate. Removal of the allyl groups from 16 and 17 gave 23 and methyl 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-α-D-glucopyranoside 6-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-α-D-glucopyranosyl phosphate) (19), respectively. O-Deacetylation of 23 gave methyl 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-4-O-methyl-α-D-glucopyranoside 6-(α-D-glucopyranosyl phosphate) (26) and O-deacetylation of 19 gave methyl 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-α-D-glucopyranoside 6-(α-D-glucopyranosyl phosphate) (24). Propyl 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-α-D-glucopyranoside 6-(α-D-glucopyranosyl phosphate) (25) was prepared by coupling 13 with allyl 2-acetamido-3,4-di-O-benzyl-2-deoxy-α-D-glucopyranoside, followed by catalytic hydrogenation of the product to give the propyl glycoside, which was then O-deacetylated. Compounds 24, 25, and 26 are being employed in structural studies of the Micrococcus lysodeikticus cell-wall.