Enzymatic alcoholysis of 3′,5′-di-O-acetyl-2′-deoxynucleosides

Candida antarctica-B (CAL-B) lipase-catalysed alcoholysis of a set of 3′,5′-di-O-acetyl-2′-deoxynucleosides (1a–e) gave the corresponding 3′-O-acetyl-2′-deoxy-nucleosides (2a–e) in yields ranging from 50 to 96%. The alcohol employed in the biotransformation affected the rate of the enzymatic reaction and the yield of the 3′-O-acetylated product, but in all cases only this regioisomer was formed. The obtained results are in agreement with the regioselectivity displayed by CAL-B lipase in previously reported biotransformations of nucleosides. CAL-B catalysed alcoholysis of 2′,3′,5′-tri-O-acetyl-cytidine and 4-N-acetyl-2′,3′,5′-tri-O-acetylcytidine was also studied, affording with the same regioselectivity the corresponding free 5′-hydroxyl nucleosides.     

Synthesis and serotonin receptor binding properties of 5-substituted 3-(1′,2′,5′,6′-tetrahydropyridin-3′-yl) indoles

A semi-rigid 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) analogue, RU28253 [5-methoxy-3-(1′,2′,5′,6′-tetrahydropyridin-3′-yl) indole], is a potent 5-HT₁ and 5-HT₂ agonist. It is isomeric to RU24969 [5-methoxy-3-(1′,2′,5′,6′-tetrahydropyridin-4′-yl) indole], a conformationally restricted 5-HT homologue, which has been extensively used in the study and classification of 5-HT receptors. A series of RU28253 derivatives with diverse substituents on indole 5-position were synthesized and their dissociation constants determined at the 5-HT₁ and 5-HT₂ receptors.     

The synthesis of 2,1′-anhydro-,2,1′:3,6-dianhydro-, and 2,1′:3,6: 3′,6′-trianhydro-sucrose

1′-O-Mesyl-6,6′-di-O-tritylsucrose and the corresponding 1′-O-tosyl derivative were prepared from 6,6′-di-O-tritylsucrose by selective sulphonylation. Both sulphonates underwent intramolecular cyclisation reactions, to give 2,1′-anhydrosucrose in high yields rather than the isomeric 1′,4′-anhydride. Sequential benzoylation, detritylation, and mesylation of the 2,1′-anhydride afforded 2,1′-anhydro-6,6′-di-O-mesylsucrose tetrabenzoate which, in the presence of base, gave 2,1′:3,6:3′,6′-trianhydrosucrose that was not identical with the product previously claimed to have this structure. Several derivatives of 2,1′-anhydrosucrose were prepared possessing different functional groups at either the 6,6′- or 4,6′-positions. Dimolar mesitylene-sulphonylation of 3,3′,4′6′-tetra-O-acetylsucrose gave the 6,1′-disulphonate, which, in the presence of alkali, gave 2,1′:3,6-dianhydrosucrose, which was transformed into the 2,1′:3,6:3′,6′-trianhydride by sequential bromination at C-6′ (carbon tetrabromide-triphenylphosphine) and base-catalysed cyclisation. Treatment of 3,3′,4′,6′-tetra-O-benzoylsucrose with sulphuryl chloride furnished the 4,6,1′-trichloro derivative, which, on alkaline hydrolysis, was converted into 2,1′:3,6-dianhydro-4-chloro-4-deoxy-galacto-sucrose.     

3′-Fluoro-3′-deoxyribonucleoside 5′-triphosphates: Synthesis and use as terminators of RNA biosynthesis

3′-Fluoro-3′-deoxy-uridine, -cytidine, -adenosine and -guanosine have been synthesized by glycosylation of the corresponding silylated bases with 1-O-acetyl-2,5-di-O-benzoyl-3-fluoro-3-deoxy-D-ribofuranose in the presence of Friedel-Crafts catalysts and were converted to the 5′- triphosphates, NTP(3′-F). It was shown that NTP(3′-F) are terminators of RNA synthesis catalyzed by DNA-dependent RNA polymerase from E. coli and may thus serve as tools for DNA sequencing.     

Synthesis of (+/−)–1′-Aza-carbocyclic-pyrimidine-2′,3′-dideoxynucleoside analogues as potential anti-HIV agents

1′-Aza-carbocyclic-2′, 3′-dideoxyuridine, 3′-deoxythymidine and 2′, 3′-dideoxycytidine were synthesized from 1-aminopyrrolidine intermediate 13 and evaluated as anti-HIV agents in MT-4 cells.     

Synthesis and anti-HIV activity of 3′-deoxy-3′-(N-hydroxyamino) analogues of nucleosides

3′-Deoxy analogues of thymidine and uridine bearing a 3′-N-alkyl-(or N-aralkyl) -N-hydroxyamino group either on the or the β face of the furanose ring have been prepared. One of these (13), exhibited a moderate anti-HIV activity.     

Synthesis of 3-methylpseudouridine and 2′-deoxy-3-methyl-pseudouridine

The first chemical synthesis of 3-methyl-ψ-uridine (5) and its 2′-deoxy analogue (9) has been achieved. ψ-Uridine was trimethylsilylated and the crude product was treated with acetyl chloride, to give the 1-acetyl derivative (3). Crude 3 was methylated with dimethoxymethyldimethylamine and then saponified, to give crystalline 5 in 82% overall yield. Treatment of 5 with 1,3-dichloro-1,1,3,3-tetraiso-propyldisiloxane afforded the 3′,5′-protected product, which was converted into the 2′-O-[(imidazol-1-yl)thiocarbonyl] derivative 7. Reduction of 7 with tributyltin hydride followed by deblocking of the product gave crystalline 2′-deoxy-3-methyl-ψ-uridine (9) in 35% yield from 5.     

Carbocyclic phosphonate analogs of 2′,3′-dideoxyadenosine-5′-monophosphate as substrates of 5-phosphoribosyl-1-pyrophosphate (PRPP) synthetate

Several carbocyclic phosphonate analogs of 2′,3′-dideoxyadenosine-5′-monophosphate (ddAMP) were pyrophosphorylated by E. coli 5-phosphoribosyl-1-pyrophosphate (PRPP) synthetase in the presence of PRPP. Structure-activity relationships are discussed.     

Dihydrochalcones, coumarins and alkaloids from Metrodorea nigra

Two novel dihydrochalcones, 2′,3,4′,6′-tetrahydroxy-4-methoxy-3′,5-di-(3,3-dimethylallyl)-dihydrochalcone and 2′,.3,6′-trihydroxy-4-methoxy-5-(3,3-dimethylallyl)-3′,4′-(2″,2″-dimethyldihydropyran)-dihydrochalcone, have been isolated from fresh fruits of Metrodorea nigra. Stems and leaves showed a similar composition and we have isolated common steroids, simple coumarins, several furocoumarins, furoquinoline alkaloids and a furofuran lignan. From stems, we have also isolated the pentacyclic 6-C-monoterpenyl-5,7-dioxycoumarin, deoxybruceol. Structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated on the basis of spectral data.     

Synthesis of 4′-methoxyadenosine and related compounds

Addition of iodine and methanol to N⁶,N⁶-dibenzoyl-9(2,3-O-carbonyl-5-deoxy-β-d-erythro-pent-4-enofuranosyl)adenine (4) selectively gives N⁶,N⁶-dibenzoyl-2′,3′-O-carbonyl-5′-deoxy-5′-iodo-4′-methoxyadenosine (5). Compound 5 can be converted into 4′-methoxyadenosine via hydrolysis of the carbonate followed by benzoylation, displacement of the 5′-iodo function by benzoate ion, and hydrolysis with ammonia. Configurational assignments are based upon comparisons of ¹H- and ¹³C-n.m.r. spectra with those of previously characterised analogues in the uracil series and by borate electrophoresis. Intermediates in the above scheme have also been converted into 5′-amino-5′-deoxy-4′-methoxyadenosine, 4′-methoxy-5′-O-sulfamoyladenosine, and ethyl 4′-methoxyadenosine-5′-carboxylate, each of which is a 4′-methoxy analogue of biologically active derivatives of adenosine.     

Imidazo[2′-3′-:6,5]dipyrido[3,2-b:2′,3′-e]-1,4-diazepines: non-nucleoside HIV-1 reverse transcriptase inhibitors with greater enzyme affinity than nevirapine

The chemistry and SAR of a new series of imidazo[2′,3′:6,5]dipyrido[3,2-b:2′,3′-e]-1,4-diazepines is described. These compounds show improved affinity for HIV-1 RTase and antiviral activity over nevirapine, which has undergone clinical trials.     

Regulation of DNA synthesis by guanosine-5′-diphosphate, cyclic guanosine-3′,5′-monophosphate, and cyclic adenosine-3′,5′-monophosphate in mouse lymphoid cells

The effect of various adenine and guanine nucleotides and nucleosides on DNA synthesis was studied in various types of mouse lymphoid cells. Two out of the ten compounds tested, namely guanosine-5′-diphosphate (GDP) and cyclic guanosine-3′,5′-monophosphate (cGMP) increased the thymidine incorporation into the DNA of the spleen cells and counteracted completely or partially the inhibitory action of cyclic adenosine-3′,5′-monophosphate (cAMP) on spleen cells stimulated by various B or T cell mitogens. GDP seems to act preferentially on thymus cells while cGMP acts better on bone marrow cells. The possible significance of the results for the mechanism of the mitogenic signal is discussed.     

Syntheses and molecular structures of ruthenium(II) complexes of the atropisomeric ligands 1,1′-biphenyl-2,2′-diamine and 3,3′-diamino-2,2′-bipyridine

The unique ligands of [Ru(bipy)₂(bpda)](PF₆)₂ (1, BPDA=1,1′-biphenyl-2,2′-diamine) and [Ru(bipy)₂(dabipy)](PF₆)₂ (2, DABIPY=3,3′-diamino-2,2′-bipyridine) are atropisomeric (exhibit hindered rotation about the sigma bonds that connect the two aromatic groups), so the complexes are diasteromeric with conformation isomers possible for the atropisomeric ligands and configurational isomers possible at the metal centers. Only one diastereomer is observed in the solid-state in both cases. The seven- (1) and five-membered (2) chelate ring of dabipy and bpda (the ligand is bound through its pyridyl groups) ligands are δ when the configuration at the metal is Δ. No evidence for atropisomerization is found in solution. For 1, we conclude bpda binds stereospecifically; however, the atropisomerization barrier of dabipy may be sufficiently low for 2 to preclude the observation of diastereomers by low-temperature NMR spectroscopy.     

Design, synthesis and preliminary evaluation of novel 3′-Substituted carboxycyclopropylglycines as antagonists at group 2 metabotropic glutamate receptors

Two novel 3′-substituted carboxycylopropylglycines, (2S,1′S,2′S,3′R)-2-(3′-xanthenylmethyl-2′-carboxycyclopropyl)glycine (8a) and (2S,1′S,2′S,3′R)-2-(3′-xanthenylethyl-2′-carboxycyclopropyl)glycine (8b), were synthesized and evaluated as mGluR ligands. Compound 8b showed to be a potent group II antagonist with submicromolar activity.     

Synthesis and incorporation of methyleneoxy(methylimino) linked thymidine dimer into antisense oligonucleosides

A convenient synthesis of a thymidine (T) nucleoside dimer (T-3′-CH₂-O-NCH₃-5′-T) 12 has been accomplished via a nucleoside coupling reaction. An alternative synthesis of 3′-deoxy-3′-C-hydroxymethylthymidine is described. The new dimer and methodology is useful for the development of backbone-modified antisense oligonucleosides.     

3,5,3′,5′-Tetrachlorobiphenyl is a weak oestrogen agonist in vitro and in vivo

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are widespread, persistent environmental contaminants of which some congeners can act as endocrine disrupters. Previous work has shown that 3,4,3′,4′-tetrachlorobiphenyl (PCB77) can act as an oestrogen with actions mediated through the oestrogen receptor. Here, oestrogenic actions have been assessed for two further tetrachlorobiphenyl isomers. Assays of oestrogenic action have involved (1) ligand regulation of oestrogen-sensitive gene expression; (2) ligand regulation of cell growth in oestrogen-dependent human breast cancer cell lines MCF7 McGrath and ZR-75-1; and (3) ligand activity in the immature mouse uterine weight bioassay in vivo. These results demonstrate that 3,5,3′,5′-tetrachlorobiphenyl (PCB 80) can be considered to be a weak oestrogen agonist, but the 2,5,2′,5′-congener (PCB 52) revealed no oestrogenic properties in any of these assays. Implications of these results are discussed in relation to structure-activity predictions for environmental oestogens.     

A new method for the 3′-deoxygenation of butirosins A and B

An aziridine ring-formation involving the reaction of adjacent amino and alcohol groups with triphenylphosphine, carbon tetrachloride, and triethylamine was applied at the 2′ and 3′ positions of butirosin A (1a) and B (1b). The amino groups at the 2′ position of 1a and 1b were p-methoxybenzylated to increase the nucleophilicity of the nitrogen atom and to avoid the formation of a P-N linkage, and the N-p-methoxybenzyl derivatives were converted into the aziridine derivatives, which were then subjected to hydrogenolysis and removal of the protecting groups to give 3′-deoxybutirosin A (7a) and B (7b), respectively. This new method is compared with the conventional N, O-protecting method that involves several complex steps.     

Inhibition of replicative DNA synthesis in nuclei of Strongylocentrotus intermedium urchin embryo by 2′,3′-dideoxy-3′-aminonucleoside 5′-triphosphates

2′,3′-Dideoxy-3′-aminonucleoside 5′-triphosphates have been shown to be inhibitors of replicative DNA synthesis in isolated nuclei of sea urchin embryo. These compounds inhibit the Okazaki fragment synthesis. The effect of 2′,3′-dideoxy-3′-aminothymidine 5′-triphosphate and arabinothymidine 5′-triphosphate is reversible when adding the corresponding substrate for DNA synthesis, 2′-deoxythymidine 5′-triphosphate.     

Iridoid glucosides from Thunbergia laurifolia

Two iridoid glucosides, 8-epi-grandifloric acid and 3′-O-β-glucopyranosyl-stilbericoside, were isolated from the aerial part of Thunbergia laurifolia along with seven known compounds, benzyl β-glucopyranoside, benzyl β-(2′-O-β-glucopyranosyl) glucopyranoside, grandifloric acid, (E)-2-hexenyl β-glucopyranoside, hexanol β-glucopyranoside, 6-C-glucopyranosylapigenin and 6,8-di-C-glucopyranosylapigenin. Strucural elucidation was based on the analyses of spectroscopic data.     

Specific localization of 2′,3′-cyclic nucleotide 3′-phosphohydrolase, (Ca/Mg)-ATPase, and acetylcholinesterase in human erythyrocyte membrane

A procedure was developed for the detection of 2′,3′-cyclic nucleotide 3′-phosphohydrolase in myelin. This assay was sufficiently sensitive to detect the low levels of 2′,3′-cyclic nucleotide 3′-phosphohydrolase in human erythrocytes. The 2′,3′-cyclic nucleotide 3′-phosphohydrolase of human erythrocytes was determined to be exclusively associated with the inner (cytosolic) side of the membrane. Leaky ghostsand resealed ghosts were assayed for 2′,3′-cyclic nucleotide 3′-phosphohydrolase, (Ca²⁺/Mg²⁺-ATPase, and acetylcholinesterase activity, and the 2′,3′-cyclic nucleotide 3′-phosphohydrolase profile is the same as that of the (Ca²⁺/Mg²⁺)-ATPase, an established inner membrane maker.