Synthesis and evaluation of (E)-2-(acrylamido)cyclohex-1-enecarboxylic acid derivatives as HCA1, HCA2, and HCA3 receptor agonists

2-(3-(Naphthalen-2-yl)propanamido)cyclohex-1-enecarboxylic acid and its 6-hydroxynaphthalen-2-yl analogue are well-known hydroxyl-carboxylic acid (HCA) receptor HCA2 agonists. A series of novel aryl derivatives of 2-amidocyclohex-1-ene carboxylic acid that contained rigidity elements, such as an E-double bond, triple bond, and trans or cis-substituted cyclopropane rings, instead of the saturated ethane linker in the amide part of the molecules were designed and synthesized, and the derivatives’ potency for the activation of HCA1, HCA2, and HCA3 receptors by 3′–5′-cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) assay were evaluated. The SAR studies revealed that the rigidifying of appropriate molecules enabled modulation of the potency and selectivity of the HCA2 receptor activation.     

N-terminal truncation of a maleate cis–trans isomerase from Rhodococcus jostii RHA1 results in a highly active enzyme for the biocatalytic production of fumaric acid

As part of the project to develop an efficient biocatalytic process for the production of fumaric acid, a full-length putative maleate cis–trans isomerase gene from Rhodococcus jostii RHA1 was synthesized and expressed in Escherichia coli Rosetta2 (DE3) pLysS, but the protein was not soluble and showed no catalytic activity. Bioinformatics analysis of the protein sequence indicated that there were two hydrophilic and two hydrophobic amino acid clusters in an alternate arrangement at the N-terminus, and 50 extra amino acid residues at the N-terminus were not present in the known maleate cis–trans isomerases. The alternate hydrophilic and hydrophobic clusters at the N-terminus were thus truncated one by one to evaluate their effect on the gene expression and enzyme activity. Three mutants (MaiR-D41/42-304AA, MaiR-D48/49-304AA and MaiR-D52/53-304AA) without the hydrophilic and hydrophobic clusters were expressed as soluble protein with maleate cis–trans isomerase activity. Among them, MaiR-D48 was purified and its properties were studied. The purified enzyme had a temperature optimum of 40 °C and a wide pH range (5.0–9.0) with the optimum pH being 8.0. The whole cells of E. coli expressing MaiR-D48 catalyzed the isomerization of maleic acid to fumaric acid at 1 M substrate concentration, showing its potential for industrial use.     

Long chain esters of Virola species

The esters of n-fatty acids and ω-hydroxy n-fatty acids of β-sitosterol, D-glucose and ferulic acid (trans and cis) as well as β-sitosterol, fatty acids and β-sitosteryl-β-D-glucoside were isolated from three Virola species and identified by optical data and chemical reactions. A novel series of acidic esters derived from C₂₂C₂₉ ω-hydroxy fatty acids and cis- and trans-ferulic acid is reported for the first time. These compounds also occurred as the corresponding diester 1-monoglycerides whereas the ω-hydroxy acids themselves were also present as the corresponding glucosyl esters.     

Metabolism of all-trans-retinyl acetate to retinoic acid in hamster tracheal organ culture

All-trans-[³H]retinyl acetate has been shown to be metabolized to all-trans-[³H]retinoic acid in a target tissue of vitamin A action, the hamster trachea in organ culture. That the compound produced is indeed all-trans-retinoic acid is demonstrated by chromatography of the biosynthetically produced retinoic acid with synthetic all-trans-retinoic acid in two different high-pressure liquid chromatographic systems, either as the free acids in a reverse-phase system or as the methyl esters in a normal-phase system. The all-trans-[³H]retinoic acid was also found in the tracheal epithelium and cartilage as well as in the medium. In addition the tracheal tissue also contained retinyl palmitate and other esters. Finally, further in vitro metabolism of [³H]retinyl acetate paralleled the metabolism of [³C]retinoic acid suggesting that these two compounds are being metabolized through similar pathways.     

Metabolic diversity in biohydrogenation of polyunsaturated fatty acids by lactic acid bacteria involving conjugated fatty acid production

Lactobacillus plantarum AKU 1009a effectively transforms linoleic acid to conjugated linoleic acids of cis-9,trans-11-octadecadienoic acid (18:2) and trans-9,trans-11–18:2. The transformation of various polyunsaturated fatty acids by washed cells of L. plantarum AKU 1009a was investigated. Besides linoleic acid, α-linolenic acid [cis-9,cis-12,cis-15-octadecatrienoic acid (18:3)], γ-linolenic acid (cis-6,cis-9,cis-12–18:3), columbinic acid (trans-5,cis-9,cis-12–18:3), and stearidonic acid [cis-6,cis-9,cis-12,cis-15-octadecatetraenoic acid (18:4)] were found to be transformed. The fatty acids transformed by the strain had the common structure of a C18 fatty acid with the cis-9,cis-12 diene system. Three major fatty acids were produced from α-linolenic acid, which were identified as cis-9,trans-11,cis-15–18:3, trans-9,trans-11,cis-15–18:3, and trans-10,cis-15–18:2. Four major fatty acids were produced from γ-linolenic acid, which were identified as cis-6,cis-9,trans-11–18:3, cis-6,trans-9,trans-11–18:3, cis-6,trans-10–18:2, and trans-10-octadecenoic acid. The strain transformed the cis-9,cis-12 diene system of C18 fatty acids into conjugated diene systems of cis-9,trans-11 and trans-9,trans-11. These conjugated dienes were further saturated into the trans-10 monoene system by the strain. The results provide valuable information for understanding the pathway of biohydrogenation by anaerobic bacteria and for establishing microbial processes for the practical production of conjugated fatty acids, especially those produced from α-linolenic acid and γ-linolenic acid. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Fatty acid ethyl esters in the liverwort Conocephalum conicum

A series of fatty acid ethyl esters ranging from C₁₄ to C₂₄ was isolated from a hexane extract of the liverwort Conocephalum conicum, these esters accounted for 77% of the extract. The ethyl esters consisting of even-numbered fatty acids were predominant and ethyl palmitate was the major constituent.     

Perennial peanut (Arachis glabrata Benth.) leaves contain hydroxycinnamoyl-CoA:tartaric acid hydroxycinnamoyl transferase activity and accumulate hydroxycinnamoyl-tartaric acid esters

Many plants accumulate hydroxycinnamoyl esters to protect against abiotic and biotic stresses. Caffeoyl esters in particular can be substrates for endogenous polyphenol oxidases (PPOs). Recently, we showed that perennial peanut (Arachis glabrata Benth.) leaves contain PPO and identified one PPO substrate, caftaric acid (trans-caffeoyl-tartaric acid). Additional compounds were believed to be cis- and trans-p-coumaroyl tartaric acid and cis- and trans-feruloyl-tartaric acid, but lack of standards prevented definitive identifications. Here we characterize enzymatic activities in peanut leaves to understand how caftaric acid and related hydroxycinnamoyl esters are made in this species. We show that peanut leaves contain a hydroxycinnamoyl-CoA:tartaric acid hydroxycinnamoyl transferase (HTT) activity capable of transferring p-coumaroyl, caffeoyl, and feruloyl moieties from CoA to tartaric acid (specific activities of 11 ± 2.8, 8 ± 1.8, 4 ± 0.8 pkat mg^?1 crude protein, respectively). The HTT activity was used to make cis- and trans-p-coumaroyl- and -feruloyl-tartaric acid in vitro. These products allowed definitive identification of the corresponding cis- and trans-hydroxycinnamoyl esters extracted from leaves. We tentatively identified sinapoyl-tartaric acid as another major phenolic compound in peanut leaves that likely participates in secondary reactions with PPO-generated quinones. These results suggest hydroxycinnamoyl-tartaric acid esters are made by an acyltransferase, possibly a BAHD family member, in perennial peanut. Identification of a gene encoding HTT and further characterization of the enzyme will aid in identifying determinants of donor and acceptor substrate specificity for this important class of biosynthetic enzymes. An HTT gene could also provide a means by genetic engineering for producing caffeoyl- and other hydroxycinnamoyl-tartaric acid esters in forage crops that lack them.     

Bioproduction of fumaric acid: an insight into microbial strain improvement strategies

Fumaric acid (FA), a metabolic intermediate, has been identified as an important carbohydrate derived platform chemical. Currently, it is commercially sourced from petrochemicals by chemical conversion. The shift to biochemical synthesis has become essential for sustainable development and for the transition to a biobased economy from a petroleum-based economy. The main limitation is that the concentrations of FA achieved during bioproduction are lower than that from a chemical process. Moreover, the high cost associated with bioproduction necessitates a higher yield to improve the feasibility of the process. To this effect, genetic modification of microorganism can be considered as an important tool to improve FA yield. This review discusses various genetic modifications strategies that have been studied in order to improve FA production. These strategies include the development of recombinant strains of Rhizopus oryzae, Escherichia coli, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and Torulopsis glabrata as well as their mutants. The transformed strains were able to accumulate fumaric acid at a higher concentration than the corresponding wild strains but the fumaric acid titers obtained were lower than that reported with native fumaric acid producing R. oryzae strains. Moreover, one plausible adoption of gene editing tools, such as Agrobacterium-mediated transformation (AMT), CRISPR CAS-9 and RNA interference (RNAi) mediated knockout and silencing, have been proposed in order to improve fumaric acid yield. Additionally, the introduction of the glyoxylate pathway in R. oryzae to improve fumaric acid yield as well as the biosynthesis of fumarate esters have been proposed to improve the economic feasibility of the bioprocess. The adoption of some of these genetic engineering strategies may be essential to enable the development of a feasible bioproduction process.     

Lipase catalyzed reaction of L-ascorbic acid with cinnamic acid esters and substituted cinnamic acids

To perform the lipase-catalyzed synthesis of L-ascorbic acid derivatives from plant-based compounds such as cinnamic and ferulic acid under mild reaction conditions, the activities of immobilized Candida ntarctica lipase with different cinnamic acid esters and substituted cinnamic acids were compared. As a result, immobilized C. ntarctica lipase was found to prefer vinyl cinnamic acid to other esters such as allyl-, ethyl-, and isobutyl cinnamic acids as well as substituted cinnamic acids such as p-coumaric acid, caffeic acid, ferulic acid, and sinapic acid. Based on these results, large-scale synthesis of 6-O-cinnamyl-L-ascorbic acid ester was performed using immobilized C. ntarctica lipase in dry organic solvent, resulting in 68% yield (493 mg) as confirmed by ¹³C-NMR.     

Engineering of tomato type VI glandular trichomes for trans-chrysanthemic acid biosynthesis,the acid moiety of natural pyrethrin insecticides

Glandular trichomes, known as metabolic cell factories, have been proposed as highly suitable for metabolically engineering the production of plant high-value specialized metabolites. Natural pyrethrins, found only in Dalmatian pyrethrum (Tanacetum cinerariifolium), are insecticides with low mammalian toxicity and short environmental persistence. Type I pyrethrins are esters of the monoterpenoid trans-chrysanthemic acid with one of the three rethrolone-type alcohols. To test if glandular trichomes can be made to synthesize trans-chrysanthemic acid, we reconstructed its biosynthetic pathway in tomato type VI glandular trichomes, which produce large amounts of terpenoids that share the precursor dimethylallyl diphosphate (DMAPP) with this acid. This was achieved by coexpressing the trans-chrysanthemic acid pathway related genes including TcCDS encoding chrysanthemyl diphosphate synthase and the fusion gene of TcADH2 encoding the alcohol dehydrogenase 2 linked with TcALDH1 encoding the aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 under the control of a newly identified type VI glandular trichome-specific metallocarboxypeptidase inhibitor promoter. Whole tomato leaves harboring type VI glandular trichomes expressing all three aformentioned genes had a concentration of total trans-chrysanthemic acid that was about 1.5-fold higher (by mole number) than the levels of β-phellandrene, the dominant monoterpene present in non-transgenic leaves, while the levels of β-phellandrene and the representative sesquiterpene β-caryophyllene in transgenic leaves were reduced by 96% and 81%, respectively. These results suggest that the tomato type VI glandular trichome is an alternative platform for the biosynthesis of trans-chrysanthemic acid by metabolic engineering.     

Metabolic engineering of Rhizopus oryzae: Effects of overexpressing fumR gene on cell growth and fumaric acid biosynthesis from glucose

Fumaric acid is a dicarboxylic acid used extensively in synthetic resins, food acidulants, and other applications, including oil field fluids and esters. The filamentous fungus Rhizopus oryzae is known for its ability to produce and accumulate high levels of fumaric acid under aerobic conditions. In this work, the overexpression of native fumarase encoded by fumR and its effect on fumaric acid production in R. oryzae were investigated. Three plasmids containing the endogenous fumR gene were constructed and used to transform R. oryzae, and all transformants showed significantly increased fumarase activity during both the seed culture (growth) and fermentation (fumaric acid production) stages. However, fumarase overexpression in R. oryzae yielded more malic acid, instead of fumaric acid, in the fermentation because the overexpressed fumarase also catalyzed the hydration of fumaric acid to malic acid. The results suggested that the overexpressed fumarase, encoded by fumR, by itself was not responsible for the over-production of fumaric acid in R. oryzae.     

Synthesis and biological effects of aromatic analogs of abscisic acid

Thirty six different 3-methyl-5-aryl-2,4-pentadienoic acids and esters were synthesized using the Reformatsky and Wittig reactions. The different geometrical isomers were conveniently separated by the dry column technique. Assignment of configuration of the pentadienoic side chain was based on NMR and UV properties. The biological activities of the aromatic analogs of ABA were determined in four bioassays. Most of the analogs were less active than the natural hormone. Only 3-methyl-5-p-chlorophenyl Δ²-trans, Δ⁴-trans-pentadienoic acid exhibited high ABA-like activity in all four bioassays.     

Cis-4-hydroxypipecolic acid and 2,4-cis-4,5-trans-4,5-dihydroxypipecolic acid from Calliandra

cis-4-Hydroxypipecolic acid and 2,4-cis-4,5-trans-4,5-dihydroxypipecolic acid were isolated from leaves of Calliandra pittieri. A system for resolving the eight imino acids isolated from Calliandra is described.     

Double dioxygenation of arachidonic acid by soybean lipoxygenase-1 kinetics and regio-stereo specificities of the reaction steps

The kinetic parameters of the first and second oxygenation of arachidonic acid by soybean lipoxygenase-1 were determined and found to be for the first step at pH 10.0, K_m (arachidonic acid) = 8.5 ± 0.5 μM; k_cat = 225 ± 7 s⁻¹ and for the second step at pH 8.7, K_m (15-HPETE) = 440 ± 20 μM; k_cat = 25 ± 1 s⁻¹.In the second oxygenation for which 15-L_s-hydroperoxy 5-cis, 8-cis, 11-cis, 13-trans-eicosatetraenoic acid is a substrate, two isomeric dihydroperoxy fatty acids are formed. After separation of the corresponding dihydroxy esters by high-performance liquid chromatography, they were identified by mass-spectrometry, ¹H- and ¹³C-NMR spectroscopy as 8-D_s, 15-L_s-dihydroperoxy 5-cis, 9-trans, 11-cis, 13-trans-eicosatetraenoic acid and 5-D_s, 15-L_s-dihydroperoxy 6-trans, 8-cis, 11-cis, 13-trans-eicosatetraenoic acid. Independent evidence for the absolute configurations was obtained by capillary gas-liquid chromatography of diastereomeric R-(−)-2-butyl esters of the acetylated 2-hydroxy carboxylic acids produced by oxidative ozonolysis of the acetylated dihydroxy fatty acids. It is concluded that soybean lipoxygenase-1 produces hydro peroxides with predominantly the S-configuration irrespective of the position in the fatty acid which is oxygenated.     

Genome shuffling of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Streptomyces</Emphasis> sp. U121 for improved production of hydroxycitric acid

(2S, 3R)-Hydroxycitric acid (HCA) from Hibiscus subdariffa inhibits pancreatic α-amylase and intestine α-glucosidase, leading to reduction of carbohydrate metabolism. In our previous study, Streptomyces sp. U121 was identified as a producer of (2S, 3R)-HCA [Hida et al. (2005) Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry 69:1555–1561]. Here, we applied genome shuffling of Streptomyces sp. U121 to achieve rapid improvement of HCA production. The initial mutant population was generated by nitrosoguanidine treatment of the spores, and an improved population producing fivefold more HCA over wild type was obtained by three rounds of genome shuffling. For efficient screening of the mutant library, trans-epoxyaconitic acid (EAA), an antibiotic analog of HCA, was utilized. EAA inhibited the regeneration of nonfused protoplasts, resulting in selective screening of shuffled strains. Mutant strains with enhanced EAA resistance exhibited significantly higher HCA production in liquid media. Furthermore, the best mutant showed increased cell growth in flask culture, as well as increased HCA production.     

Influence of all-trans-retinoic acid on oxoglutarate carrier via retinoylation reaction

All-trans-retinoic acid (atRA), an activated metabolite of vitamin A, is incorporated covalently into proteins both invivo and invitro. AtRA reduced the transport activity of the oxoglutarate carrier (OGC) isolated from testes mitochondria to 58% of control via retinoylation reaction. Labeling of testes mitochondrial proteins with ³HatRA demonstrated the binding of atRA to a 31.5 KDa protein. This protein was identified as OGC due to the competition for the labeling reaction with 2-oxoglutarate, the specific OGC substrate. The role of retinoylated proteins is currently being explored and here we have the first evidence that retinoic acids bind directly to OGC and inhibit its activity in rat testes mitochondria via retinoylation reaction. This study indicates the evidence of a specific interaction between atRA and OGC and establishes a novel mechanism for atRA action, which could influence the physiological biosynthesis of testosterone in situations such as retinoic acid treatment.     

Determination of abscisic acid in Eucalyptus haemastoma leaves using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and deuterated internal standards

Abscisic acid and 2-trans-abscisic acid each with three deuterium atoms in the C-3 methyl group, have been synthesized chemically and used as internal standards in selected ion monitoring experiments to establish the endogeneous concentrations of these compounds and their conjugates in turgid and wilted Eucalyptus haemastoma leaves. The analytical procedure used GC/CIMS(methane) to detect the methyl esters of abscisic acid, 2-trans-abscisic acid and their deuterated internal standards. A three-fold increase in the concentration of abscisic acid occurred on wilting and the amounts of 2-trans-abscisic acid and conjugates of both compounds were determined.     

Relatively simple methodology for the determination of configuration of unsaturation of bacterial monounsaturated fatty acids: application to the unsaturates of Legionella spp.

Unsaturated fatty acids of known degree, position, and configuration of unsturation were esterified, and stereospecifically dihydroxylated at the double bond(s). cis-Hydroxylation was effected using Woodward's reagent (silver acetate/iodine/acetic acid), while trans-hydroxylation was effected using Fenton's reagent (hydrogen peroxide/ferrous sulfate/acetic acid). Diols derived from monounsaturated esters were recovered quantitatively, while tetraols derived from diunsaturates were lost, presumably during extensive washing. The stereospecifically dihydroxylated esters were analyzed by thin-layer chromatography on borate-impregnated silica gel plates, and by gas-liquid chromatography, on a nonpolar capillary column, as the trimethylsilyl, acetyl, n-butylboronyl, isopropylidene, and trifluoroacetyl derivatives. For each derivative, the erythro and threo diols were readily separable, and some resolution of positional isomers was observed. Thus, the cis/trans configuration, and in some instances, the position of unsaturation of the original monounsaturated fatty acid may be deduced. However, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry of appropriately derivatized diol esters is required for unambiguous determination of position of unsaturation in most cases. These reactions are simple, use readily available reagents, and require relatively little operator attention. Further, they do not require specialized apparatus, as do hydrogenation and ozonolysis, or potentially toxic chemicals, such as osmium tetroxide. This series of analyses was applied to the unsaturated non-hydroxylated fatty acids of Legionella species, which were shown to be monounsaturated and of the cis Δ9 family. Position of unsaturation was confirmed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.     

Effect of Animal and Industrial Trans Fatty Acids on HDL and LDL Cholesterol Levels in Humans – A Quantitative Review

Background

Trans fatty acids are produced either by industrial hydrogenation or by biohydrogenation in the rumens of cows and sheep. Industrial trans fatty acids lower HDL cholesterol, raise LDL cholesterol, and increase the risk of coronary heart disease. The effects of conjugated linoleic acid and trans fatty acids from ruminant animals are less clear. We reviewed the literature, estimated the effects trans fatty acids from ruminant sources and of conjugated trans linoleic acid (CLA) on blood lipoproteins, and compared these with industrial trans fatty acids.

Methodology/Principal Findings

We searched Medline and scanned reference lists for intervention trials that reported effects of industrial trans fatty acids, ruminant trans fatty acids or conjugated linoleic acid on LDL and HDL cholesterol in humans. The 39 studies that met our criteria provided results of 29 treatments with industrial trans fatty acids, 6 with ruminant trans fatty acids and 17 with CLA. Control treatments differed between studies; to enable comparison between studies we recalculated for each study what the effect of trans fatty acids on lipoprotein would be if they isocalorically replaced cis mono unsaturated fatty acids. In linear regression analysis the plasma LDL to HDL cholesterol ratio increased by 0.055 (95%CI 0.044–0.066) for each % of dietary energy from industrial trans fatty acids replacing cis monounsaturated fatty acids The increase in the LDL to HDL ratio for each % of energy was 0.038 (95%CI 0.012–0.065) for ruminant trans fatty acids, and 0.043 (95% CI 0.012–0.074) for conjugated linoleic acid (p = 0.99 for difference between CLA and industrial trans fatty acids; p = 0.37 for ruminant versus industrial trans fatty acids).

Conclusions/Significance

Published data suggest that all fatty acids with a double bond in the trans configuration raise the ratio of plasma LDL to HDL cholesterol.     

Synthesis and biological activity of hydroxylated derivatives of linoleic acid and conjugated linoleic acids

Allylic hydroxylated derivatives of the C18 unsaturated fatty acids were prepared from linoleic acid (LA) and conjugated linoleic acids (CLAs). The reaction of LA methyl ester with selenium dioxide (SeO₂) gave mono-hydroxylated derivatives, 13-hydroxy-9Z,11E-octadecadienoic acid, 13-hydroxy-9E,11E-octadecadienoic acid, 9-hydroxy-10E,12Z-octadecadienoic acid and 9-hydroxy-10E,12E-octadecadienoic acid methyl esters. In contrast, the reaction of CLA methyl ester with SeO₂ gave di-hydroxylated derivatives as novel products including, erythro-12,13-dihydroxy-10E-octadecenoic acid, erythro-11,12-dihydroxy-9E-octadecenoic acid, erythro-10,11-dihydroxy-12E-octadecenoic acid and erythro-9,10-dihydroxy-11E-octadecenoic acid methyl esters. These products were purified by normal-phase short column vacuum chromatography followed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Their chemical structures were characterized by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR). The allylic hydroxylated derivatives of LA and CLA exhibited moderate in vitro cytotoxicity against a panel of human cancer cell lines including chronic myelogenous leukemia K562, myeloma RPMI8226, hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 and breast adenocarcinoma MCF-7 cells (IC₅₀ 10-75 μM). The allylic hydroxylated derivatives of LA and CLA also showed toxicity to brine shrimp with LD₅₀ values in the range of 2.30-13.8 μM. However these compounds showed insignificant toxicity to honeybee at doses up to 100 μg/bee.