Discovery of 4-aryl-4H-chromenes as a new series of apoptosis inducers using a cell- and caspase-based high-throughput screening assay. 2. Structure-activity relationships of the 7- and 5-, 6-, 8-positions

As a continuation of our efforts to discover and develop the apoptosis inducing 4-aryl-4H-chromenes as novel anticancer agents, we explored the SAR of 4-aryl-4H-chromenes with modifications at the 7- and 5-, 6-, 8-positions. It was found that a small hydrophobic group, such as NMe2, NH2, NHEt, and OMe, is preferred at the 7-position. Di-substitution at either the 5,7-positions or the 6,7-positions generally led to a large decrease in potency. Di-substitution at the 7,8-positions, in general, was found to result in potent compounds. 7-NMe2, 7-NHEt, 7-OMe, and 7,8-di-NH2 analogs were found to have similar SAR for the 4-aryl group, and several 7-substituted and 7,8-di-substituted analogs were found to have similar potencies as the lead compound MX58151 (2a) both as caspase activators and inhibitors of cell proliferation.     

Preferential hydrolysis of monohydroperoxides of linoleoyl and linolenoyl triacylglycerol by pancreatic lipase

Four triacylglycerols (TGs) containing palmitoyl and linoleoyl or linolenoyl groups in known positions were synthesized and pancreatic lipase hydrolysis of their monohydroperoxides was investigated. TG monohydroperoxides did not deactivate the lipase and were hydrolyzed at almost the same degrees as their original TGs. In the hydrolysis of unoxidized TGs, pancreatic lipase showed almost the same reactivity on palmitoyl, linoleoyl and linolenoyl groups at the 1(3)-positions. However, this enzyme had fatty acid specificity for TG monohydroperoxides and the molar concentration of hydroperoxy linoleic or linolenic acid liberated from 1(3)-positions of TG monohydroperoxides were 1.6-2.4-times higher than that of the unoxidized fatty acid from the corresponding 3(1)-positions. The susceptibility of hydroperoxy acyl components of TG monohydroperoxides to pancreatic lipase hydrolysis is explained by its molecular structure and hydrophilic property.     

cis-Nitromethylene neonicotinoids as new nicotinic family: synthesis, structural diversity, and insecticidal evaluation of hexahydroimidazo[1,2-alpha]pyridine

A series of neonicotinoids analogues of hexahydroimidazo[1,2-alpha]pyridine were modified at 5-, 6-, and 7-positions, and their insecticidal activities were evaluated. Introducing a methyl or ethyl at 7-position increased the insecticidal activities, while other substituents decreased activities. When alkyl substituents were introduced to 7-position, the insecticidal activities against Pea aphids decreased in the order methyl (7a)>ethyl (7b)>n-butyl (7e)>phenyl (7f)>n-propyl (7c)>iso-propyl (7d), p-NO(2)-phenyl (7g). Modifications at 5-, 6- or both at 6- and 7-positions with methyl or ethyl were unfavorable to activities. Interestingly, introducing methyl to 7-position not only increased insecticidal activities against pea aphids, but also show higher insecticidal activities than imidacloprid against imidacloprid-resistant brown planthopper.     

Synthesis and insecticidal activity of novel N-oxydihydropyrrole derivatives with a substituted spirocyclohexyl group

A series of 5-spirocyclohexyl-3-(2,6-dimethylphenyl)-1,5-dihydro-2H-pyrrol-2-one derivatives (3) with various substituents on the spirocyclohexyl ring was synthesized and evaluated for its insecticidal activity against the aphid, Myzus persicae. Substituents at the 1- and 4-positions of the dihydropyrrole ring were also varied to optimize the activity. An investigation of the structure-activity relationship revealed that methoxy, alkoxyalkoxy, ethylenedioxy and methoxyimino groups were favorable as substituents at the 4-position of the spirocyclohexyl ring. The activity was optimized by the respective substitution of a methoxy or methoxymethoxy moiety and cyclopropylcarbonyloxy group at the 1- and 4-positions of the dihydropyrrole ring.     

Hydrogenation,isomerization and migration of unsaturated acyl moieties in natural triacylglycerols

Triacylglycerols of soybean were partially hydrogenated with a copper chromite catalyst, which reduced the octadecadienoyl and octadecatrienoyl moieties selectively to octadecenoyl moieties. Composition of the acyl moieties, including the distribution of positional isomers of cis- and trans-octadecenoyl moieties, both in 1,3- and 2-positions of triacylglycerols, was determined after hydrolysis with pancreatic lipase. The results show that the octadecadienoyl, but not the octadecatrienoyl moieties are reduced at a faster rate in the 1,3-positions than in the 2-position, whereas the accumulation of trans-octadecenoyl moieties is much higher in the 2-position than in the 1,3-positions. On the other hand, the distribution of positional isomers, both in cis- and trans-octadecenoyl moieties, is essentially the same in 1,3- and 2-positions. Practically no acyl migration occurs during hydrogenation under the conditions described.     

1,5-Biaryl pyrrole derivatives as EP1 receptor antagonists. Structure-activity relationships of 6-substituted and 5,6-disubstituted benzoic acid derivatives

Herein we describe the SAR of 1,5-biaryl pyrrole derivatives, with substituents in the 6-position of the benzoic acid moiety, as EP(1) receptor antagonists. Substitution at this position was well tolerated and led to the identification of several analogues with high affinity for the EP(1) receptor that displayed good efficacy in the established FCA model of inflammatory pain. Furthermore, several analogues were prepared which combined substitution at the 5- and 6-positions as well as derivatives with an aromatic ring fused to the 5- and 6-positions.     

Identification of novel metabolites in the degradation of phenanthrene by Sphingomonas sp. strain P2

Sphingomonas sp. strain P2, which is capable of utilizing phenanthrene as a sole carbon and energy source, was isolated from petroleum-contaminated soil in Thailand. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and (1)H and (13)C nuclear magnetic resonance analyses revealed two novel metabolites from the phenanthrene degradation pathway. One was identified as 5,6-benzocoumarin, which was derived by dioxygenation at the 1- and 2-positions of phenanthrene, and the other was determined to be 1,5-dihydroxy-2-naphthoic acid. Other metabolites from phenanthrene degradation were identified as 7, 8-benzocoumarin, 1-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid and coumarin. From these results, it is suggested that strain P2 can degrade phenanthrene via dioxygenation at both 1,2- and 3,4-positions followed by meta-cleavage.     

The metabolism of benz[a]anthracene and dibenz[a,h]anthracene and their 5,6-epoxy-5,6-dihydro derivatives by rat-liver homogenates

1. Benz[a]anthracene was hydroxylated by rat-liver homogenates on the 3,4-,5,6- or 8,9-bond to yield phenols and dihydrodihydroxy compounds. Metabolic action at the 7- and 12-positions was also detected. 5,6-Epoxy-5,6-dihydrobenzanthracene was converted into a phenol that is probably 5-hydroxybenzanthracene and 5,6-dihydro-5,6-dihydroxybenzanthracene. Both substrates yielded a product that is probably S-(5,6-dihydro-6-hydroxy-5-benzanthracenyl)glutathione. 2. Dibenz[a,h]anthracene was hydroxylated by rat-liver homogenates to yield products that are probably 3- and 4-hydroxydibenzanthracene, 1,2-dihydro-1,2-dihydroxydibenzanthracene, 3,4-dihydro-3,4-dihydroxydibenzanthracene and 5,6-dihydro-5,6-dihydroxydibenzanthracene. There was no evidence for metabolic action at the 7- and 14-positions. 5,6-Epoxy-5,6-dihydrodibenzanthracene was converted into a phenol that is probably 5-hydroxydibenzanthracene and 5,6-dihydro-5,6-dihydroxydibenzanthracene. Both substrates yielded a glutathione conjugate that is probably S-(5,6-dihydro-6-hydroxy-5-dibenzanthracenyl)glutathione. 3. The synthesis of 5,6-epoxy-5,6-dihydrodibenzanthracene is described and the reactions of this epoxide and 5,6-epoxy-5,6-dihydrobenzanthracene with water and thiols have been investigated. 4. The oxidation of dibenzanthracene in the ascorbic acid-Fe(2+) ion-oxygen model system is described.     

Synthesis of Non-Nucleoside Triphosphate Analogues,a New Type of Substrates for Terminal Deoxynucleotidyl Transferase

Abstract

A series of non-nucleoside triphosphate analogues were synthesized. In place of the nucleoside fragment, substituents bearing aromatic groups were introduced; the triphosphate component was replaced at α, β, or γ-positions by phosphonates. α-[2-N-(9-Fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl)aminoethylphosphonyl]-β,γ-difluoromethylenediphosphonate (IIc) revealed the best substrate properties toward terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase.     

Fluorescence studies of cytochrome b5 topography. Incorporation of cytochrome b5 into brominated phosphatidylcholine vesicles by deoxycholate

Cytochrome b5 was incorporated into large vesicles of 1-palmitoyl-2-dibromostearoylphosphatidylcholine by mixing lipid, protein, and deoxycholate followed by removal of the detergent by gel filtration. The tryptophan fluorescence emanating from the hydrophobic membrane-binding domain was quenched more effectively when the bromine atoms were in the 6,7-positions than when they were in the 15,16-positions of the acyl chain. To more precisely define the position of the quenchable tryptophan, the experiment was repeated with lipids with the bromine atoms at the 4,5-, 6,7- or 9,10-positions. Again the 6,7 species was the most efficient quencher. The cytochrome b5 bound to these vesicles would not transfer to small unilamellar sonicated vesicles and so was in the "tight" configuration. If the cytochrome were added to the vesicles after the detergent was removed, the same order of quenching was seen but the cytochrome would transfer to other vesicles. These data indicate that the quenching of the tryptophan fluorescence is greatest when the bromines are at the 6,7-positions whether the vesicles are large or small and whether the cytochrome is in the tight or "loose" configuration and so place the tryptophan 0.7 nm below the vesicle surface in all of these membranes.     

Isomerization and saturation of monounsaturated acyl moieties during catalytic hydrogenation influenced by their position in triacylglycerols

1, 2, 3-Tri-(Z)-9-octadecenoylglycerol (triolein) and 1, 2, 3-tri-(Z)-13-docosenoylglycerol (trierucin) were partially hydrogenated using a palladium catalyst. The unsaturated acyl moieties at the 2-position of 1, 2, 3-triacylglycerols were reduced at a slower rate than those at the 1, 3-positions. The extent of geometrical isomerization distinctly higher and the double bonds were somewhat more scattered in the acyl moieties at the 2-position than those at 1- and 3-positions.     

One- and two-electron reduction of hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinones and hydroxy-9,10-anthraquinones: The role of internal hydrogen bonding and its bearing on the redox chemistry of the anthracycline antitumour quinones

First and second half-wave reduction potentials of 11 1,4-naphthoquinones and 42 9,10-anthraquinones have been measured for solutions in dimethylformamide. The presence of hydroxy groups at the 5- and 8-positions of the 1,4-naphthoquinone nucleus, and at the 1-, 4-, 5- and 8-positions of the 9,10-anthraquinone (the α-positions) markedley raises both reduction potentials. Measurements on the corresponding methoxy- and acetoxyquinones indicate that internal hydrogen bonding in the α-hydroxyquinones makes a major contribution to stabilisation of the semiquinone, probably as a result of increased delocalisation due to exchange of the hydroxy hydrogen between the two neighbouring oxygen atoms. The bearing of this phenomenon on the mechanism of action off anthracycline antitumour quinones is discussed, and the stabilising effect on the semiquinone of hydroxy groups at the 1- adn 5-positions of the 9,10-anthraquinone nucleus is highlighted.     

Design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of BODIPY-erythromycin probes for bacterial ribosomes

BODIPY-erythromycin probes of bacterial ribosomes were designed and synthesized by attaching a BODIPY fluorophore to the 4'- and 9-positions of the erythromycin structure. The probes exhibited excellent binding affinity to bacterial ribosomes and competed with erythromycin and other drugs whose binding sites are in the same vicinity of the 50S subunit. The synthetic fluorescent probe 5 was successfully adapted in our ultra high-throughput screening (uHTS) to identify novel ribosome inhibitors.     

Novel bicyclic sugar modified nucleosides: synthesis, conformational analysis and antiviral evaluation

Methodology previously described by us was applied to the formation of novel conformationally restrained bicyclic sugar modified nucleosides, with introduction of an oxazole and a thiocarbamate ring at the 2('),3(')-positions of the ribonucleosides. Two novel alkyl derivatives of 2('),3(')-dideoxy-2('),3(')-oxazole-beta-d-uridine and a novel uridine 2('),3(')-thiocarbamate were successfully synthesised. Conformational evaluation of all the synthesised compounds was conducted using the theoretical potential energy calculation via the macromodel v.6.0 molecular modelling programme. The conformationally restrained nucleosides described were evaluated against a wide range of DNA and RNA viruses. None of the compounds showed specific antiviral effects at subtoxic concentrations.     

Substrate specificity of galactokinase from Streptococcus pneumoniae TIGR4 towards galactose, glucose, and their derivatives

Galactokinases (GalKs) have attracted significant research attention for their potential applications in the enzymatic synthesis of unique sugar phosphates. The galactokinase (GalKSpe4) cloned from Streptococcus pneumoniae TIGR4 presents a remarkably broad substrate range including 14 diverse natural and unnatural sugars. TLC and MS studies revealed that GalKSpe4 had relaxed activity towards galactose derivatives with modifications on the C-6, 4- or 2-positions. Additionally, GalKSpe4 can also tolerate glucose while glucose derivatives with modifications on the C-6, 4- or 2-positions were unacceptable. More interestingly, GalKSpe4 can phosphorylate L-mannose in moderate yield (43%), while other L-sugars such as L-Gal cannot be recognized by this enzyme. These results are very significant because there is rarely enzyme reported that can phosphorylate such uncommon substrates as l-mannose.     

MM3 potential energy surfaces of alpha-3-linked L-fucobiose and fucotriose and their sulfated counterparts

The adiabatic potential energy surfaces (PES) of alpha-L-Fuc-(1-->3)-alpha-L-Fuc and their counterparts disulfated at 2,2' and 4,4', and tetrasulfated at 2,2',4,4', which are representative of fucoidan structures, were obtained using the mm3 force field, and plotted as contour maps and as 2D graphs representing the energy versus the psi angle. The surfaces of the corresponding trisaccharides were also obtained and represented by a single 3D contour map for which the energy is plotted against the two psi glycosidic angles. For the nonsulfated disaccharide, similar populations of two minima occur. A substantial sulfate effect is observed. Whereas sulfation on both of the 2-positions shift the global minimum to positive psiH angles, sulfation on both of the 4-positions deepen the well at negative psiH values. A similar effect occurred in their galactose counterparts. Sulfation on the 2- and 4-positions carry the additive effect of both groups. The same trend was observed for both linkages present in the trisaccharides, with minor differences. For instance, the 4,4',4" trisulfated compound exhibits a trend by which the glycosidic linkage closer to the nonreducing end appears to be highly flexible, with similar energies in both conformers. Raising the dielectric constant on nonsulfated oligosaccharides was found to give a better agreement with experimental determinations.     

One- and two-electron reduction of hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinones and hydroxy-9,10-anthraquinones. The role of internal hydrogen bonding and its bearing on the redox chemistry of the anthracycline antitumour quinones

First and second half-wave reduction potentials of 11 1,4-naphthoquinones and 42 9,10-anthraquinones have been measured for solutions in dimethylformamide. The presence of hydroxy groups at the 5- and 8-positions of the 1,4-naphthoquinone nucleus, and at the 1-, 4-, 5- and 8-positions of the 9,10-anthraquinone (the alpha-positions) markedly raises both reduction potentials. Measurements on the corresponding methoxy- and acetoxyquinones indicate that internal hydrogen bonding in the alpha-hydroxyquinones makes a major contribution to stabilisation of the semiquinone, probably as a result of increased delocalisation due to exchange of the hydroxy hydrogen between the two neighbouring oxygen atoms. The bearing of this phenomenon on the mechanism of action of anthracycline antitumour quinones is discussed, and the stabilising effect on the semiquinone of hydroxy groups at the 1- and 5-positions of the 9,10-anthraquinone nucleus is highlighted.     

Substituted lactam and cyclic azahemiacetals modulate Pseudomonas aeruginosa quorum sensing

Quorum sensing (QS) is a population-dependent signaling process bacteria use to control multiple processes including virulence that is critical for establishing infection. The most common QS signaling molecule used by Gram-negative bacteria are acylhomoserine lactones. The development of non-native acylhomoserine lactone (AHL) ligands has emerged as a promising new strategy to inhibit QS in Gram-negative bacteria. In this work, we have synthesized a set of optically pure γ-lactams and their reduced cyclic azahemiacetal analogues, bearing the additional alkylthiomethyl substituent, and evaluated their effect on the AHL-dependent Pseudomonas aeruginosa las and rhl QS pathways. The concentration of these ligands and the simple structural modification such as the length of the alkylthio substituent has notable effect on activity. The γ-lactam derivatives with nonylthio or dodecylthio chains acted as inhibitors of las signaling with moderate potency. The cyclic azahemiacetal with shorter propylthio or hexylthio substituent was found to strongly inhibit both las and rhl signaling at higher concentrations while the propylthio analogue strongly stimulated the las QS system at lower concentrations.     

Photophysics of 3,5-diphenoxy substituted BODIPY dyes in solution.

We have prepared two fluorescent dyes derived from 8-(4-tolyl)-4,4-difluoro-4-bora-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacene with phenoxy and (o-bromo)phenoxy substituents at the 3,5-positions by a novel nucleophilic substitution reaction of the corresponding 3,5-dichloroBODIPY analogue. UV-vis absorption, steady-state and time-resolved fluorimetry have been used to investigate their solvent-dependent photophysical properties. The two BODIPY derivatives show narrow absorption and emission bands and display small Stokes shifts. The substituents at the 3,5-positions (phenoxy in 1 and o-bromophenoxy in 2) have a minor effect on the fluorescence quantum yields (0.16-0.40 for 1, 0.17-0.44 for 2) and lifetimes (1.09-2.51 ns for 1, 1.11-2.78 ns for 2). For both compounds, the fluorescence rate constant equals (1.5 +/- 0.1) x 10(8) s(-1).     

Synthesis, photophysical properties, and nucleic acid binding of phenanthridinium derivatives based on ethidium

A series of substituted phenanthridine derivatives has been synthesized by converting the amines at the 3- and 8-positions of ethidium bromide into guanidine, pyrrole, urea, and various substituted ureas. The resulting derivatives exhibit unique spectral properties that change upon binding nucleic acids. The compounds were analyzed for their ability to inhibit the HIV-1 Rev-Rev Response Element (RRE) interaction, as well as for their affinity to calf thymus DNA. One derivative (3,8-bis-urea-ethylenediamine-5-ethyl-6-phenylphenanthridinium trifuroracetate) has an enhanced affinity and specificity for HIV-1 RRE as compared to ethidium bromide. These results indicate that the nucleic acid affinity and specificity of an intercalating agent can be tuned by synthetic modification of its exocyclic amines.