Taxanes with C-5-amino-side chains from the needles of Taxus canadensis

Five taxanes with an amino-side chain on C-5 were identified for the first time in the needles of the Canadian yew, Taxus canadensis. Their structures were characterized as 2alpha,7beta,9alpha,10beta,13-pentaacetoxy-11beta-hydroxy-5alpha-(3'-N,N-dimethylamino-3'-phenyl)-propionyloxytaxa-4(20),12-diene (1), 2alpha,9alpha-dihydroxy-10beta,13alpha-diacetoxy-5alpha-(3'-methylamino-3'-phenyl)-propionyloxytaxa-4(20),11-diene (2), 2alpha17-dihydroxy-9alpha,10beta,13alpha-triacetoxy-5alpha-(3'-N,N-dimethylamino-3'-phenyl)-propionyloxytaxa-4(20),11-diene (3), 2alpha-hydroxy-7beta,9alpha,10beta,13alpha-tetraacetoxy-5alpha-(2'-hydroxy-3'-N,N-dimethylamino-3'-phenyl)-propionyloxytaxa-4(20),11-diene (4), and 9alpha-hydroxy-2alpha,10beta,13alpha-triacetoxy-5alpha-(3'-N,N-dimethylamino-3'-phenyl)-propionyloxytaxa-4(20),11-diene (5) on the basis of 1D-, 2D-NMR spectroscopic data and high-resolution fast atom bombardment MS analyses. Metabolite (1) was isolated from the needles of the Canadian yew for the first time but had previously been detected in the stems of the Japanese yew, whereas taxanes (2-5) are only now reported. Metabolite (3) is the first reported nitrogen-containing taxane with a 17-hydroxyl substitution.     

Hydroxylation of 5 alpha-androstane-3 beta,17 beta-diol by rat prostate microsomes: effects of antibodies and chemical inhibitors of cytochrome P450 enzymes.

The purpose of the present study was to test the hypothesis that rat prostate microsomes contain a single cytochrome P450 enzyme responsible for the conversion of 5 alpha-androstane-3 beta,17 beta-diol to a series of trihydroxylated products. The three major metabolites formed by in vitro incubation of 5 alpha-[3H]androstane-3 beta,17 beta-diol with rat prostate microsomes were apparently 5 alpha-androstane-3 beta,6 alpha,17 beta-triol, 5 alpha-androstane-3 beta,7 alpha,17 beta-triol, and 5 alpha-androstane-3 beta,7 beta,17 beta-triol, which were resolved and quantified by reverse-phase HPLC with a flow through radioactivity detector. The ratio of the three metabolites remained constant as a function of incubation time, microsomal protein concentration, ionic strength, and substrate concentration. The ratio of the three metabolites was dependent on pH, apparently because the hydroxylation of 5 alpha-androstane-3 beta,17 beta-diol shifted from the 6 alpha- to the 7 alpha-position with increasing pH (6.8-8.0). The V(max) values were 380, 160, and 60 pmol/mg microsomal protein/min for the rate of 6 alpha-, 7 alpha-, and 7 beta-hydroxylation, respectively. Similar Km values (0.5-0.7 microM) were measured for enzymatic formation of all three metabolites, which suggests that formation of all three metabolites was catalyzed by a single, high-affinity enzyme. Testosterone, 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone, and 5 alpha-androstane-3 alpha,17 beta-diol did not appreciably inhibit the hydroxylation of 5 alpha-androstane-3 beta,17 beta-diol, suggesting that this enzyme exhibits a high degree of substrate specificity. Formation of all three metabolites was inhibited by antibody against rat liver NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase (85%) and by a 9:1 mixture of carbon monoxide and oxygen (60%). Several chemical inhibitors of cytochrome P450 enzymes, especially the antimycotic drug clotrimazole, also inhibited the formation of all three metabolites. Polyclonal antibodies that recognize liver cytochrome P450 1A, 2A, 2B, 2C, and 3A enzymes did not inhibit 5 alpha-androstane-3 beta,17 beta-diol hydroxylase activity. Overall, these results are consistent with the hypothesis that the 6 alpha-, 7 alpha-, and 7 beta-hydroxylation of 5 alpha-androstane-3 beta,17 beta-diol by rat prostate microsomes is catalyzed by a single, high-affinity P450 enzyme. This cytochrome P450 enzyme appears to be structurally distinct from those in the 1A, 2A, 2B, 2C, and 3A gene families.     

Preparation of 3 beta, 5 alpha-, 3 alpha, 5 alpha- and 3 alpha, 5 beta-tetrahydro derivatives of 19-noraldosterone by chemical synthesis and microbial bioconversion

The 3 beta, 5 alpha-, 3 alpha, 5 alpha- and 3 alpha, 5 beta-tetrahydro derivatives 19, 20 and 27 of 19-noraldosterone (1) were prepared to facilitate the search for these compounds in urine. The diketal 4, consisting of a 2:1 mixture of the 5,6- and 5(10)-ene isomers, was hydrogenated with Pd-C and partially hydrolyzed to 5 alpha, 10 alpha- and 5 alpha, 10 beta-dihydroketals 8 and 10 in a 1:2.5 ratio. Assignment of protons was done with aid of COSY 45 experiments. Compound 10 was reduced with diisobutylaluminum hydride (DIBAH) to 4 products: the 3 alpha- and 3 beta-ol hemiacetals 16 and 15, and the corresponding tetraols 14 and 13. Alternatively, hydrogenation of the 4-en-3-one 2 gave 10, its 5 beta, 10 beta-isomer 21 and the tetrahydro compound 22, in a 4:2:1 ratio. A better way to prepare the 5 beta, 10 beta-series involved microbial conversion of 2 with Clostridium paraputrificum, and the resulting tetrahydrolactone 23 was reduced with DIBAH to the hemiacetal 24. Acid hydrolysis of 16, 15 and 24 afforded 20, 19 and 27, respectively. According to [1H]-NMR, in solution 20 and 24 exist as mixtures of isomers, while 19 appears in one form only. Periodate oxidation converted 19 and 27 into their gamma-etiolactones 18 and 28. EI MS base peaks are different and characteristic for 19, 20 and 27.     

Hydrolytic behavior of 5alpha-hydroxy-11beta- and 5beta-hydroxy-11alpha-substituted 19-norsteroids

Teutsch G. and Bélanger A. treated 5alpha,10alpha epoxides with Grignard-reagents catalyzed by copper(I) ions. The reaction with steroidal epoxides proceeded with complete regio- and stereospecificity, leading exclusively to the 11beta-substituted compounds. According to our synthetic strategy, the 5,10 epoxide isomers were not separated; instead, the pure 11beta, and in some cases, 11alpha-substituted molecules were isolated after the conjugate addition of the Grignard-reagents, followed by deketalization and dehydration. Surprisingly, appearance of a third compound was generally observed beside the expected deprotected products, and this compound turned out to have a 3-keto-5(10),9(11) structural unit. Starting from pure 3-ethylenedioxy-5alpha,10alpha-epoxy-estr-9(11)-ene-17-one and 3-ethylenedioxy-5beta,10beta-epoxy-estr-9(11)-ene-17-one, four model compounds were synthesized (11alpha- and 11beta-[4-[1,1-(ethylenedioxy)-ethyl]phenyl]-estra-, as well as 11alpha- and 11beta-cyclohexyl-estra-derivatives) to study the process of deprotection and dehydration. 3-keto-5(10),9(11)-derivatives were found to form after deketalization and dehydration only from 11alpha-substituted derivatives, while 11beta-derivatives resulted in only the expected 3-keto-5,9-diene structure. After observing this remarkable difference between the behavior of 11alpha-, 11beta-substituted isomers we decided to take a closer look at the processes of deketalization and dehydration. In order to carry out the hydrolysis under mild conditions, pyridinium paratoluenesulfonate, a weakly acidic salt, was applied. All the intermediate products observed by TLC were isolated. The outcome of the deprotection and elimination reactions can be rationalized by two factors: conjugation of olefins (with the 3-oxo-group or the 11-phenyl group) and orientation of groups to be eliminated.     

Addition reactions at the 16(17) double bond of 3-methoxy-13alpha-estra-1,3,5(10),16-tetraene

The epoxidation, the addition of hypobromous acid, and the hydroboration of 3-methoxy-13alpha-estra-1,3,5(10),16-tetraene 1 with diborane, catecholborane, and 9-BBN were investigated in order to determine the stereochemical outcome and to synthesize new 13alpha-estra-1,3,5(10)-trienes for biological and conformational investigations. It was shown that the sterically demanding reagent 9-BBN participated in a preferred beta attack (53% 16betaOH 10, 34% 17betaOH 8, 13% 16alphaOH 11). This stereochemical result is in agreement with that from another cis addition reaction, the recently described OsO4 dihydroxylation of 1 [Steroids 68 (2003) 113]. With smaller reagents such as B2H6, catecholborane, or magnesium monoperoxyphthalate, a diminished stereoselectivity was observed with only a slight excess of beta attack. The ionic trans addition of hypobromous acid gave two 17-bromo-16-alcohols with 16beta,17alpha (4, 76%) and 16alpha,17beta configuration (5, 24%) formed by trans cleavage of the 16,17alpha- and beta-bromonium ion at position 16. The same regioselective and stereoselective course was found for the cleavage of the 16alpha,17alpha- and 16beta,17beta-epoxides (3 and 2) with hydrazoic acid (3-->16betaN3,17alphaOH 7, 2-->16alphaN3,17betaOH 6). The stereochemistry of the addition reactions to 1 can be explained in terms of a twist-boat conformation involving the C ring of compound 1. From a synthetic viewpoint the synthesis of the beta-epoxide 2 from the bromohydrin 4, the cleavage of this epoxide to 16alpha-substituted-17beta-hydroxy compounds, such as 6, and hydroboration/oxidation with 9-BBN to the hitherto unknown 16beta-hydroxy compound 10 are useful procedures. The bromohydrin 5 is the first 13alpha-steroid with a 17beta-bromo substituent. X-ray analysis revealed twist-boat and 16beta-envelope conformations for rings C and D, respectively.     

The altered specificity of cortisone reductase with certain retroandrostan-3-one substrates.

The retro steroids 17beta-hydroxy-5beta,9beta,10alpha-androstan-3-one and 5beta,9beta,10alpha-androstane-3,17-dione were good substrates for cortisone reductase in the presence of NADH, and the products corresponded to the respective 3beta-hydroxy compounds, in which the 3beta-hydroxyl group is axial and the absolute configuration is 3S. The analogous natural steroids 17beta-hydroxy-5beta,9alpha,10beta-androstan-3-one and 5beta,9alpha,10beta-androstane-3,17-dione were very poor substrates, and gave the corresponding 3alpha(equatorial,3R)-hydroxy compounds, and, in the latter case, also an appreciable amount of 3beta(axial, 3S)-hydroxy-5beta,9alpha,10beta-androstan-17-one. The natural steroids 17beta-hydroxy-5alpha,9alpha,10beta-androstan-3-one and 5alpha,9alpha,10beta-androstane-3,17-dione were better substrates than the retro steroid 17beta-hydroxy-5alpha,9beta,10alpha-androstan-3-one, but were not such good substrates as the retro steroids 17beta-hydroxy-5beta,9beta,10alpha-androstan-3-one and 5beta,9beta,10alpha-androstane-3,17-dione. Unlike these retro steroid 5beta,9beta,10alpha-androstan-3-ones, the natural steroids 17beta-hydroxy-5alpha,9alpha,10beta-androstan-3-one and 5alpha,9alpha,10beta-androstane-3,17-dione gave the corresponding 3alpha(axial,3R)-hydroxy compounds. The retro steroid 17beta-hydroxy-5alpha,9beta,10alpha-androstan-3-one was not a good substrate, and the product of reaction corresponded to the 3alpha(axial,3R)-hydroxy compound. The nature of substrate recognition by this enzyme is discussed in the light of these structure-activity relationships.     

Two new alkaloidal taxoids from the needles of Taxus canadensis

Two new taxanes with a dimethylamino group on the C-5 side chain were identified for the first time in the needles of the Canadian yew, Taxus canadensis. Their structures were characterized as 7beta,10beta,13alpha-triacetoxy-5alpha-(3'-dimethylamino-3'-phenylpropanoyl)oxy-2alpha-hydroxy-2(3-->20)abeotaxa-4(20),11-dien-9-one (1) and 2alpha,10beta-diacetoxy-9alpha-hydroxy-5alpha-(3'-dimethylamino-3'-phenylpropanoyl)oxy-3,11-cyclotax-4(20)-en-13-one (2).     

Marked differences in the efficiency of expression of distinct alpha beta T cell receptor heterodimers

Ag recognition by most T lymphocytes is mediated by clonally distributed alpha beta heterodimeric receptors. A major fraction of TCR diversity is believed to be due to the random coexpression in individual T cells of the products of independently rearranging alpha- and beta-genes (combinatorial diversity). However, analysis of cell surface receptors on transfected T hybridoma cells synthesizing various sets of alpha- and beta-chains revealed marked differences in the efficiency of expression of certain alpha beta-pairs. Specifically, using the functionally rearranged gene products of the 2B4 cytochrome c specific T hybridoma (V beta 3, V alpha 11.2) and BW5147 parent lymphoma (V beta 1, V alpha BW), a hierarchy of expression efficiency relative to indirectly measured precursor chain levels in the cell was shown to be 2B4 alpha-BW beta greater than 2B4 alpha - 2B4 beta greater than BW alpha - BW beta greater than BW alpha - 2B4 beta. The estimated difference between the best expressed and worst expressed pairs is on the order of 50-fold. For the beta-chain, the primary determinant of expression efficiency with a given alpha-chain appears to be the V segment, as a second V beta 1-chain with distinct D and J regions from BW beta was expressed with the same pattern. These data imply that alpha- and beta-chains do not form well-expressed TCR in a random manner and that limitations on the useful combinatorial association of these chains may significantly affect the functional T cell repertoire.     

Comparative study of lysosomal and cytosolic catabolisms of oligomannosidic-type glycans

In order to study the substrate specificities of the enzymes implicated in the catabolism of oligomannosidic-type glycans, the oligosaccharides Man9GlcNAc and Man5GlcNAc were incubated with rat liver lysosomal and cytosolic alpha-D-mannosidases and the hydrolysis products were characterized by 400 MHz 1H-NMR spectroscopy. Although they both occur in an ordered way, the two catabolic pathways are quite different. The lysomal pathway is realized in two stages: the first leads from Man9GlcNAc to Man5GlcNAc by preferential cleavage of the four alpha-1,2-linked mannose residues, and the second, Zn(2+)-dependent, leads from Man5GlcNAc to Man (beta 1-4) GlcN Ac by hydrolysis of alpha-1, 3- and alpha-1,6-linked residues. On the contrary, the cytosolic pattern leads by a pathway quite different to a unique hexasaccharide Man5GlcNAc which has, curiously, the same structure as one of the polyprenolic intermediates occurring in the cytosol during the biosynthesis of N-glycosylprotein glycans: Man (alpha 1-2) Man (alpha 1-2) Man (alpha 1-3) [Man (alpha 1-6)] Man (beta 1-4) GlcN Ac (beta 1-4) GlcNAc alpha 1-P-P-Dol.     

24xi-Methyl 5 alpha-cholestane-3 alpha,6 beta,9 alpha,25-tetrol 24-monoacetate, a novel polyhydroxylated steroid from the soft coral Sarcophyton tortuosum

A novel polyhydroxylated steroid, named sartortuosterol A, with rare 3 alpha- and 6-hydroxyl groups, was isolated from the South China Sea soft coral Sarcophyton tortuosum Tixier-Durivault, and its structure was established as 24xi-methyl 5 alpha-cholestane-3 alpha, 6 beta, 9 alpha,25-tetrol 25-monoacetate from spectroscopic data and chemical conversions.     

Synthesis of some epoxy and/or N-oxy 17-picolyl and 17-picolinylidene-androst-5-ene derivatives and evaluation of their biological activity

Steroidal epoxy and/or N-oxy 17-picolyl and 17-picolinylidene-androst-5-ene derivatives have been prepared using 3beta,17beta-dihydroxy-17alpha-picolyl-androst-5-ene (1), 3beta-acetoxy-17-picolinylidene-androst-5-ene (2), and 3beta-hydroxy-17-picolinylidene-androst-5-ene (3) as synthetic precursors. The compounds 2 and/or 3 were reacted with m-chloroperoxybenzoic acid (MCPBA). The compounds synthesized from 2 were 17-picolinylidene-N-oxide 4, 5alpha,6alpha-epoxy and 5beta,6beta-epoxy-17-picolinylidene-N-oxide 5 and 6, and 5alpha,6alpha:17alpha,20alpha- and 5beta,6beta:17alpha,20alpha-diepoxy-N-oxide 7 and 8. Starting from compound 3, a mixture of 5alpha,6alpha-epoxy and 5beta,6beta-epoxy-17-picolinylidene 9 and 10, 5alpha,6alpha-epoxy and 5beta,6beta-epoxy-17-picolinylidene-N-oxide 11 and 12, and 5alpha,6alpha:17alpha,20alpha- and 5beta,6beta:17alpha,20alpha-diepoxy-N-oxide 13 and 14 were obtained. From compounds 15 and 18, obtained from 1 and 3 by the Oppenauer oxidation, the 4alpha,5alpha-epoxy and 4beta,5beta-epoxy derivatives 16, 17 and 20, 21 were prepared by oxidation with 30% H(2)O(2). Oxidation of 18 with MCPBA yielded only the N-oxide 19. The structures of compounds 15 and 18 were proved by the X-ray analysis. Compounds 1-6, 9, 15, 17, 18, and 21 were tested on activity against the enzyme aromatase. Antitumor activity against three tumor cell lines (human breast adenocarcinoma ER+, MCF-7, human breast adenocarcinoma ER-, MDA-MB-231, and prostate cancer PC3) was evaluated. Three tested compounds (1, 4, and 19) showed strong activity against PC3, the IC(50) values being in the range 0.55-10microM, whereas compound 17 showed strong activity against MDA-MB-231 (IC(50) 10.4microM).     

Substrate specificity of rat liver cytosolic alpha-D-mannosidase. Novel degradative pathway for oligomannosidic type glycans.

The substrate specificity of rat liver cytosolic neutral alpha-D-mannosidase was investigated by in vitro incubation with a crude cytosolic fraction of oligomannosyl oligosaccharides Man9GlcNAc, Man7GlcNAc, Man5GlcNAc I and II isomers and Man4GlcNAc having the following structures: Man9GlcNAc, Man(alpha 1-2)Man(alpha 1-3)[Man(alpha 1-2)Man(alpha 1-6)]Man(alpha 1-6) [Man(alpha 1-2)Man(alpha 1-3)]Man(beta 1-4)GlcNAc; Man5GlcNAc I, Man(alpha 1-3)[Man(alpha 1-6)]-Man(alpha 1-6)Man(alpha 1-3)] Man(beta 1-4)GlcNAc; Man5GlcNAc II, Man(alpha 1-2)Man(alpha 1-2)Man(alpha 1-3) [Man(alpha 1-6)]Man(beta 1-4)GlcNAc; Man4GlcNAc, Man(alpha 1-2)Man(alpha 1-2)Man(alpha 1-3)Man(beta 1-4)GlcNAc. The different oligosaccharide isomers resulting from alpha-D-mannosidase hydrolysis were analyzed by 1H-NMR spectroscopy after HPLC separation. The cytosolic alpha-D-mannosidase activity is able to hydrolyse all types of alpha-mannosidic linkages found in the glycans of the oligomannosidic type, i.e. alpha-1,2, alpha-1,3 and alpha-1,6. Nevertheless the enzyme is highly active on branched Man9GlcNAc or Man5GlcNAc I oligosaccharides and rather inactive towards the linear Man4GlcNAc oligosaccharide. Structural analysis of the reaction products of the soluble alpha-D-mannosidase acting on Man5-GlcNAc I and Man9GlcNAc gives Man3GlcNAc, Man(alpha 1-6)[Man(alpha 1-3)]Man(beta 1-4)GlcNAc, and Man5GlcNAc II oligosaccharides, respectively. This Man5GlcNAc II, Man(alpha 1-2)Man(alpha 1-3)[Man(alpha 1-6)]Man(beta 1-4)GlcNAc, represents the 'construction' Man5 oligosaccharide chain of the dolichol pathway formed in the cytosolic compartment during the biosynthesis of N-glycosylprotein glycans. The cytosolic alpha-D-mannosidase is activated by Co2+, insensitive to 1-deoxymannojirimycin but strongly inhibited by swainsonine in the presence of Co2+ ions. The enzyme shows a highly specific action different from that previously described for the lysosomal alpha-D-mannosidases [Michalski, J.C., Haeuw, J.F., Wieruszeski, J.M., Montreuil, J. and Strecker, G. (1990) Eur. J. Biochem. 189, 369-379]. A possible complementarity between cytosolic and lysosomal alpha-D-mannosidase activities in the catabolism of N-glycosylprotein is proposed.     

Bile acids. 39. Metabolism of 5 -cholestane-3 ,26-diol and 5 -cholestane-3 ,7 ,26-triol in the rat with a bile fistula

25r-5alpha-[5alpha,6alpha-(3)H(2)]Cholestane-3beta,7alpha,26-triol was prepared from 3beta,26-diacetoxy-5alpha[5alpha,6alpha-(3)H(2)]cholestan-7-one that was obtained from kryptogenin. Huang-Minlon reduction of the ketone provided 25r-5alpha-[5alpha-(3)H]cholestane-3beta,26-diol. Results from mass spectrometry, molecular rotation, and several types of chromatography are consonant with the assigned structures. Bile was collected for 8 days from adult male rats, with cannulated bile ducts, that had received approximately 0.8 mg of the triol or diol intraperitoneally. Bile from the first 12 hr was hydrolyzed, and the bile acids were separated by partition chromatography. The chromatographic pattern of separated bile acids was much simpler for the triol than the diol. Approximately 50% of the bile acids derived from the triol were trihydroxy allo acids (allocholic acid, 44%, and its 3beta isomer, 5.3%); only 16.4% allocholic acid was obtained from the diol. Comparable amounts of allochenodeoxycholic acid were derived from the diol and triol (21.2% and 28.2%, respectively). Unidentified metabolites in the dihydroxy acid fraction derived from the diol constitute 15.8% of chromatographed material.     

Steroid catechol degradation: disecoandrostane intermediates accumulated by Pseudomonas transposon mutant strains

Eleven transposon mutant strains affected in bile acid catabolism were each found to form yellow, muconic-like intermediates from bile acids. To characterize these unstable intermediates, media from the growth of one of these mutants with deoxycholic acid was treated with ammonia, then the crude product was methylated with diazomethane. Four compounds were subsequently isolated; spectral evidence suggested that they were methyl 12 alpha-hydroxy-3-oxo-23,24-dinorchola-1,4-dien-22-oate, methyl 4-aza-12 beta-hydroxy-9(10)-secoandrosta-1,3,5-triene-9,17-dione-3-carboxyl ate, 4-aza-9 alpha, 12 beta-dihydroxy-9(10)-secoandrosta-1,3,5-trien-17-one-3- methyl carboxylate and 4 alpha-[3'-propionic acid]-5-amino-7 beta-hydroxy-7 alpha beta-methyl- 3a alpha, 4,7,7a-tetrahydro-1-indanone-delta-lactam. It is proposed that the mutants are blocked in the utilization of such muconic-like compounds as the 3,12 beta-dihydroxy-5,9,17-trioxo-4(5),9(10)- disecoandrostal (10),2-dien-4-oic acid formed from deoxycholic acid. A further mutant was examined, which converted deoxycholic acid to 12 alpha-hydroxyandrosta-1,4-dien-3,17-dione, but accumulated yellow products from steroids which lacked a 12 alpha-hydroxy function, such as chenodeoxycholic acid. The products from the latter acid were treated as above; spectral evidence suggested that the two compounds isolated were methyl 4-aza-7-hydroxy-9(10)-secoandrosta-1,3,5- triene-9,17-dione-3-carboxylate and 4 alpha-[1'alpha-hydroxy-3'-propionic acid]-5-amino-7a beta-methyl-3a alpha,4,7,7a-tetrahydro-1-indanone-delta-lactam.     

X-ray diffraction studies on the absolute configuration of alpha- and beta-anordrins

The molecular structures and absolute configurations of alpha- and beta-anordrins are reported. Pure alpha- and beta-epimers were obtained with recrystallization and column chromatography combined with high-pressure liquid chromatography methods; they were identified by high-resolution infrared and mass spectra and 1H and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance. By single crystal x-ray diffraction analysis, the crystals of alpha- and beta-epimers were found to belong to the orthorhombic space groups P2(1)2(1)2(1) and P2(1)2(1)2, respectively. The molecular structures of these two epimers were determined. The absolute configurations were deduced by conformation analysis, 1H nuclear magnetic resonance, and comparison with the absolute configuration of the starting material. The absolute configurations of asymmetric centers of alpha- and beta-epimers were observed to be 2R, 5S, 8R, 9S, 10S, 13S, 14S, 17R, and 2S, 5S, 8R, 9S, 10S, 13S, 14S, 17R, respectively. These results were confirmed by the x-ray diffraction determination of the absolute configuration of 2 alpha,17 alpha-diethynyl-A-nor-5 alpha- androstane-2 beta, 17 beta-diol dichloroacetate.     

B3LYP/6-311++G** study of alpha- and beta-D-glucopyranose and 1,5-anhydro-D-glucitol: 4C1 and 1C4 chairs, (3,O)B and B(3,O) boats, and skew-boat conformations

Geometry optimization, at the B3LYP/6-311++G** level of theory, was carried out on 4C1 and 1C4 chairs, (3,O)B and B(3,O) boats, and skew-boat conformations of alpha- and beta-D-glucopyranose. Similar calculations on 1,5-anhydro-D-glucitol allowed examination of the effect of removal of the 1-hydroxy group on the energy preference of the hydroxymethyl rotamers. Stable minimum energy boat conformers of glucose were found, as were stable skew boats, all having energies ranging from approximately 4-15 kcal/mol above the global energy 4C1 chair conformation. The 1C4 chair electronic energies were approximately 5-10 kcal/mol higher than the 4C1 chair, with the 1C4 alpha-anomers being lower in energy than the beta-anomers. Zero-point energy, enthalpy, entropy, and relative Gibbs free energies are reported at the harmonic level of theory. The alpha-anomer 4C1 chair conformations were found to be approximately 1 kcal/mol lower in electronic energy than the beta-anomers. The hydroxymethyl gt conformation was of lowest electronic energy for both the alpha- and beta-anomers. The glucose alpha/beta anomer ratio calculated from the relative free energies is 63/37%. From a numerical Hessian calculation, the tg conformations were found to be approximately 0.4-0.7 kcal/mol higher in relative free energy than the gg or gt conformers. Transition-state barriers to rotation about the C-5-C-6 bond were calculated for each glucose anomer with resulting barriers to rotation of approximately 3.7-5.8 kcal/mol. No energy barrier was found for the path between the alpha-gt and alpha-gg B(3,O) boat forms and the equivalent 4C1 chair conformations. The alpha-tg conformation has an energy minimum in the 1S3 twist form. Other boat and skew-boat forms are described. The beta-anomer boats retained their starting conformations, with the exception of the beta-tg-(3,O)B boat that moved to a skew form upon optimization.     

A new ecdysteroid with unique 9beta-OH and four other ecdysteroids from Silene italica ssp. nemoralis

A new natural ecdysteroid, 9beta,20-dihydroxyecdysone (1) and four related compounds 5alpha-20-hydroxyecdysone (2), 5alpha-2-deoxy-integristerone A (3), integristerone A (4) and 22-deoxy-integristerone A (5) were isolated from the herb of Silene italica ssp. nemoralis. Compound 1 is the C-9 epimer of the known 9alpha,20-dihydroxyecdysone (6) and represents a peculiar steroid skeleton. The structures of the compounds were elucidated by 1D and 2D NMR, IR and MS spectroscopy.     

Comparative Studies on Microbial and Chemical Modifications of Trichothecene Mycotoxins

The microbial modification of several trichothecene mycotoxins by trichothecene-producing strains of Fusarium nivale and F. solani was studied. These results were compared with the corresponding chemical modifications. The growing mycelia of Fusarium spp. did not convert 4beta-acetoxy-3alpha,7alpha, 15-trihydroxy-12, 13-epoxytrichothec-9-en-8-one (fusarenon) into 3alpha,4beta, 7alpha,15-tetrahydroxy-12,13-epoxy-trichothec-9-en-8-one (nivalenol), whereas 3alpha,4beta,7alpha,15-tetracetoxy-12,13-epoxytrichothec-9-en-8-one (tetraacetylnivalenol) was deacetylated to yield 3alpha-hydroxy-4beta,7alpha,15-triacetoxy-12,13-epoxytrichothec-9-en-8-one (4,7,15-triae-tylnivalenol), which was resistant to further deacetylation. T-2 toxin was transformed intoHT-2 toxin, and 8alpha-(3-methylbutyryloxy)-3alpha,4beta,-15-triacetoxy-12,13-epoxytrichothec-9-en-8-one (T-2 acetate) was transformed into HT-2 toxin via T-2 toxin. Chemical modification with ammonium hydroxide converted tetraacetylnivalenol into fusarenon via 4,7,15-triacetylnivalenol. 3alpha-7alpha,15-Triacetoxy-12,13-epoxytrichothec-9-en-8-one (triacetyldeoxynivalenol) gave deacetylation products lacking the C-7 or c-15 acetyl group in addition to 7alpha,15- diacetoxy-3alpha-hydroxy-12, 13-epoxytrichothec-9-en-8-one (7,15-diacetyldeoxynivalenol). These results demonstrate the regio-selectivity in microbial modification of trichothecenes. Based on the results and available knowledge concerning the transformation of trichothecenes, mechanisms for biological modifications of these mycotoxins are postulated.     

3alpha-, 7alpha- and 12alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activities from Clostridium perfringens.

25 strains of Clostridium perfringens were screened for hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity; 19 contained NADP-dependent 3alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and eight contained NAD-dependent 12alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase active against conjugated and unconjugated bile salts. All strains containing 12alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase also contained 3alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase although 12alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase was invariably in lesser quantity than the 3alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase. In addition, 7alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity was evident only when 3alpha, 7alpha, 12alpha-trihydroxy-5beta-cholanoate was substrate but notably absent when 3alpha, 7alpha-dihydroxy-5beta-cholanoate was substrate. The oxidation product 12alpha-hydroxy-3, 7-diketo-5beta-cholanoate is rapidly further degraded to an unknown compound devoid of either 3alpha- or 7alpha-OH groups. Group specificity of these enzymes was confirmed by thin-layer chromatography studies of the oxidation products. These enzyme systems appear to be constitutive rather than inducible. In contrast to C. perfringens. Clostridium paraputrificum (five strains tested) contained no measurable hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity. pH studies of the C. perfringens enzymes revealed a sharp pH optimum at pH 11.3 and 10.5 for the 3alpha-OH- and 12alpha-OH-oriented activities, respectively. Kinetic studies gave Km estimates of approx. 5 X 10(-5) and 8 X 10(-4) M with 3alpha, 7a-dihydroxy-5beta-cholanoate and 3alpha, 12alpha-dihydroxy-5beta-cholanoate as substrates for two respective enzymes. 3alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase was active against 3alpha-OH-containing steroids such as androsterone regardless of the sterochemistry of the 5H (Both A/B cis and A/B trans steroides were substrates). There was no activity against 3beta-OH-containing steroids. The 3alpha- and 12alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activities, although differing in cofactor requirements cannot be distinguished by their appearance in the growth curve, their mobility on disc gel electrophoresis, elution volume on passage through Sephadex G-200 or heat inactivation studies.     

Synthesis of 5 beta,17 alpha-19-norpregn-20-yne-3 beta,17-diol and of 5 beta,17 alpha-19-norpregn-20-yne-3 alpha,17-diol, human metabolites of norethindrone

A convenient synthesis of both 5 beta,17 alpha-19-norpregn-20-yne-3 beta,17-diol (1) and 5 beta,17 alpha-19-norpregn-20-yne-3 alpha,17-diol (2) in multigram quantities from estr-4-ene-3,17-dione is reported. Full characterization of these often-cited human metabolites of norethindrone is presented for the first time.