Importance of the Chiral Centers of Jasmonic Acid in the Responses of Plants (Activities and Antagonism between Natural and Synthetic Analogs)

The importance of the two chiral centers at C-3 and C-7 in the molecular structure of jasmonic acid in plant responses was investigated. We separated methyl jasmonate (MeJA) into (3R)- and (3S)-isomers with a fixed stereochemistry at C-3, but epimerization at C-7 is possible. The four isomers of the nonepimerizable analog 7-methyl MeJA were synthesized. These six esters and their corresponding acids were tested in three bioassays: (a) senescence in sunflower (Helianthus annuus) cotyledons; (b) proteinase inhibitor II gene expression in transgenic tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) with [beta]-glucuronidase as a biochemical reporter; and (c) seed germination in Brassica napus and wheat (Triticum aestivum). The esters and acids had similar activities in the three assays, with the ester being more effective than its acid. The (3R)-stereochemistry was critical for jasmonate activity. Although activity was reduced after substituting the C-7 proton with a methyl group, the analogs with (3R,7R)- or (3R,7S)-stereochemistry were active in some of the assays. Although the four isomers of 7-methyl MeJA were inactive or only weakly active in the senescence assay, they could overcome the senescence-promoting effect of (3R)-MeJA. The strongest antagonistic effect was observed with the (3R,7S)-isomer.     

Inhibition of cytokinin-induced plant growth by jasmonic acid and its methyl ester

Effects of jasmonic acid, methyl jasmonate and ABA on cytokinin-induced soybean ( Glycine max Merrill cv. Kingen No. 1) callus growth and radish ( Raphanus sativus L. cv. Comet) cotyledon growth were studied. Jasmonic acid and methyl jasmonate were powerful inhibitors of kinetin- or N-phenyl-N'-(2-chloro-4-pyridyl)urea-induced soybean callus growth, the former being more effective than the latter, especially at low concentrations (0.45 to 4.5 μ M ). These compounds could completely eliminate kinetin- or N-phenyl-N'-(2-chloro-4-pyridyl)urea-induced soybean callus growth at 45 μ M . At low concentrations ABA had no effect but at 450 μ M it completely eliminated callus growth induced by kinetin. Of the compounds tested ABA was the most powerful inhibitor of radish cotyledon growth in the presence or absence of kinetin. Jasmonic acid and methyl jasmonate were much less effective than ABA in this assay system.     

Substituted 2-(3′,4′,5′-trimethoxybenzoyl)-benzo[b]thiophene derivatives as potent tubulin polymerization inhibitors

The central role of microtubules in cell division and mitosis makes them a particularly important target for anticancer agents. On our early publication, we found that a series of 2-(3′,4′,5′-trimethoxybenzoyl)-3-aminobenzo[b]thiophenes exhibited strong antiproliferative activity in the submicromolar range and significantly arrested cells in the G2–M phase of the cell cycle and induced apoptosis.In order to investigate the importance of the amino group at the 3-position of the benzo[b]thiophene skeleton, the corresponding 3-unsubstituted and methyl derivatives were prepared. A novel series of inhibitors of tubulin polymerization, based on the 2-(3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoyl)-benzo[b]thiophene molecular skeleton with a methoxy substituent at the C-4, C-5, C-6 or C-7 position on the benzene ring, was evaluated for antiproliferative activity against a panel of five cancer cell lines, for inhibition of tubulin polymerization and for cell cycle effects. Replacing the methyl group at the C-3 position resulted in increased activity compared with the corresponding 3-unsubstituted counterpart. The structure–activity relationship established that the best activities were obtained with the methoxy group placed at the C-4, C-6 or C-7 position. Most of these compounds exhibited good growth inhibition activity and arrest K562 cells in the G2–M phase via microtubule depolymerization.     

Isolation and Identification of a Senescence-promoting Substance from Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium L.)

The senescence-promoting substance of wormwood (Artemisia absinthium L.) as detected by the oat (Avena sativa L. cv “Victory”) leaf assay has been identified as (−)-methyl jasmonate, methyl (1S, 2R)-3-oxo-2-(2′-cis-pentenyl)-cyclopentane-1-acetate, by gas-liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and optical rotatory dispersion. Its senescence-promoting effect was much stronger than that of abscisic acid, and even at such a low concentration as 1 to 2.5 micrograms per milliliter, it could completely eliminate the anti-senescence action of 2 micrograms per milliliter kinetin. Comparing the biological activity of the (−)- with the (±)-forms of methyl jasmonate, it seemed that only the (−)-form was biologically active.     

Potato tuber-inducing activities of salicylic acid and related compounds

Salicylic acid (SA) induced potato tuberization in vitro at concentrations greater than 10^–5 M. A comparison of the tuber-inducing activities of various related compounds suggested that derivatives of benzoic acid with a free carboxyl group and a substituent at the C-2 position of the benzene ring have this activity. Although SA had the strongest activity among the compounds tested, the activity was about one thousandth of that of natural jasmonic acid (1R,2S-jasmonic acid) in terms of the threshold concentration for activity. Spraying SA to leaves of plants grown under tuber-noninducing conditions (long days) induced tuberization. However, the natural occurrence of SA was not detected in the leaves of potato plants that had been grown under tuber-inducing conditions (short days) and had begun to form tubers. The results seem to exclude the possibility of the involvement of SA in the natural tuberization of potato plants.     

Relation of 8-ketotrichothecene and zearalenone analog structure to inhibition of mitogen-induced human lymphocyte blastogenesis.

The 50% effective doses of fusarenon X, nivalenol, deoxynivalenol, and 15-acetyldeoxynivalenol required to reduce [3H]thymidine uptake in mitogen-stimulated human lymphocytes by 50% were 18, 72, 140, and 240 ng/ml, respectively. These results indicated that lymphotoxicity of 8-ketotrichothecenes decreased according to the C-4 substituent order acetyl greater than hydroxyl greater than hydrogen, whereas acetylation of position C-15 of deoxynivalenol caused a slight decrease in in vitro toxicity. The 50% effective doses for zearalenone, alpha-zearalenol, beta-zearalenol, alpha-zearalanol, and beta-zearalanol were 3,500, 6,300, 36,000, 3,750, and 33,000 ng/ml, respectively, suggesting that a keto group or alpha-hydroxyl at the position C-6' contributed to the lymphotoxicity of the parent molecule. The inhibitory effects of zearalenone analogs observed in the blastogenesis assay did not correlate with the estrogenic potencies of these compounds. All 8-ketotrichothecenes and zearalenone analogs tested were capable of inhibiting B- and T-cell subsets stimulated by a mitogen panel of leukoagglutinin, concanavalin A, and pokeweed mitogen.     

Metabolic fate of jasmonates in tobacco bright yellow-2 cells

Jasmonic acid and methyl jasmonate play an essential role in plant defense responses and pollen development. Their levels are temporarily and spatially controlled in plant tissue. However, whereas jasmonate biosynthesis is well studied, metabolic pathways downstream of jasmonic acid are less understood. We studied the uptake and metabolism of jasmonic acid and methyl jasmonate in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) Bright Yellow-2 suspension culture. We found that upon uptake, jasmonic acid was metabolized to its Glc and gentiobiose esters, and hydroxylation at C-11 or C-12 occurred. Free hydroxylated jasmonates were the preferential fraction of the culture medium. Upon hydrolysis of methyl jasmonate to jasmonic acid, a similar set of conversions occurs. In contrast to jasmonic acid, none of its derivatives interfere with the G2/M transition in synchronized tobacco Bright Yellow-2 cells.     

Studies of genotoxicity and mutagenicity of nitroimidazoles: demystifying this critical relationship with the nitro group

Nitroimidazoles exhibit high microbicidal activity, but mutagenic, genotoxic and cytotoxic properties have been attributed to the presence of the nitro group. However, we synthesised nitroimidazoles with activity against the trypomastigotes of Trypanosoma cruzi, but that were not genotoxic. Herein, nitroimidazoles (11-19) bearing different substituent groups were investigated for their potential induction of genotoxicity (comet assay) and mutagenicity (Salmonella/Microsome assay) and the correlations of these effects with their trypanocidal effect and with megazol were investigated. The compounds were designed to analyse the role played by the position of the nitro group in the imidazole nucleus (C-4 or C-5) and the presence of oxidisable groups at N-1 as an anion receptor group and the role of a methyl group at C-2. Nitroimidazoles bearing NO2 at C-4 and CH3 at C-2 were not genotoxic compared to those bearing NO₂ at C-5. However, when there was a CH3 at C-2, the position of the NO2 group had no influence on the genotoxic activity. Fluorinated compounds exhibited higher genotoxicity regardless of the presence of CH3 at C-2 or NO2 at C-4 or C-5. However, in compounds 11 (2-CH3; 4-NO2; N-CH2OHCH2Cl) and 12 (2-CH3; 4-NO2; N-CH2OHCH2F), the fluorine atom had no influence on genotoxicity. This study contributes to the future search for new and safer prototypes and provide.     

Design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of (E)-3-(4-methanesulfonylphenyl)-2-(aryl)acrylic acids as dual inhibitors of cyclooxygenases and lipoxygenases

A group of (E)-3-(4-methanesulfonylphenyl)acrylic acids possessing a substituted-phenyl ring (4-H, 4-Br, 3-Br, 4-F, 4-OH, 4-OMe, 4-OAc, and 4-NHAc) attached to the acrylic acid C-2 position were prepared using a stereospecific Perkin condensation reaction. A related group of compounds having 4- and 3-(4-isopropyloxyphenyl)phenyl, 4- and 3-(2,4-difluorophenyl)phenyl and 4- and 3-(4-methanesulfonylphenyl)phenyl substituents attached to the acrylic acid C-2 position were also synthesized, using a palladium-catalyzed Suzuki cross-coupling reaction, for evaluation as dual cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) inhibitors. (E)-2-(3-Bromophenyl)-3-(4-methanesulfonylphenyl)acrylic acid (9h), and compounds having 4-(4-isopropyloxyphenyl-, 2,4-difluorophenyl-, or 4-methylsulfonylphenyl)phenyl moieties at the acrylic acid C-2 position (11a,b,d), were particularly potent COX-2 inhibitors with a high COX-2 selectivity index (COX-2 IC50 approximately 0.32 microM, SI > 316) similar to the reference drug rofecoxib (COX-2 IC50 = 0.5 microM, SI > 200). Acrylic acid analogs with a C-2 4-hydoxyphenyl (9d, IC50 = 0.56 microM), or 4-acetamidophenyl (9g, IC50 = 0.11 microM), substituent were particularly potent 5-LOX inhibitors that may participate in an additional specific hydrogen-bonding interaction. A number of compounds possessing a C-2 substituted-phenyl moiety (4-Br, 4-F, and 4-OH), or a 4- or 3-(2,4-difluorophenyl)phenyl moiety, showed potent 15-LOX inhibitory activity (IC50 values in the 0.31-0.49 microM range) relative to the reference drug luteolin (IC50 = 3.2 microM). Compounds having a C-2 4-acetylaminophenyl, or 4-(2,4-difluorophenyl)phenyl, moiety exhibited anti-inflammatory activities that were equipotent to aspirin, but less than that of celecoxib. The structure-activity data acquired indicate the acrylic acid moiety constitutes a suitable scaffold (template) to design novel acyclic dual inhibitors of the COX and LOX isozymes.     

Design and synthesis of methyl 2-methyl-7,7-dihalo-5-phenyl-2-azabicyclo[4.1.0]hept-3-ene-4-carboxylates with calcium channel antagonist activity

A group of methyl 2-methyl-7,7-dihalo-5-(substituted-phenyl)-2-azabicyclo[4.1.0]hept-3-ene-4-carboxylates were prepared by reaction of dihalocarbenes (:CX2, X = Br, Cl) with methyl 1-methyl-4-(substituted-phenyl)-1,4-dihydropyridine-3-carboxylates. In vitro calcium channel antagonist activities were determined using a guinea pig ileum longitudinal smooth muscle assay. The title compounds exhibited weaker CC antagonist activity (10(-5)-10(-6)M range) than the reference drug nifedipine (1.4 x 10(-8)M). Structure-activity relationship studies showed that the position of a nitro substituent on the C-5 phenyl ring where the relative potency order was ortho > meta > para, and the size and/or electronegativity of the C-7 geminal-dihalo substituents (Br > Cl), were determinants of calcium channel antagonist activity. This class of compounds did not exhibit any inotropic effect on guinea pig left atria. A dihalocyclopropyl moiety is a potential bioisostere for the 2-methyl-3-methoxycarbonylvinyl moiety present in the calcium channel antagonist nifedipine.     

5-Deazaflavin derivatives as inhibitors of p53 ubiquitination by HDM2

Based on previous reports of certain 5-deazaflavin derivatives being capable of activating the tumour suppressor p53 in cancer cells through inhibition of the p53-specific ubiquitin E3 ligase HDM2, we have conducted an structure–activity relationship (SAR) analysis through systematic modification of the 5-deazaflavin template. This analysis shows that HDM2-inhibitory activity depends on a combination of factors. The most active compounds (e.g., 15) contain a trifluoromethyl or chloro substituent at the deazaflavin C9 position and this activity depends to a large extent on the presence of at least one additional halogen or methyl substituent of the phenyl group at N10. Our SAR results, in combination with the HDM2 RING domain receptor recognition model we present, form the basis for the design of drug-like and potent activators of p53 for potential cancer therapy.     

Antifeeding activity of limonoids from Khaya senegalensis (Meliaceae)

Abstract: Fifteen B,D-secolimonoids of mexicanolide, rearranged phragmalin, methyl angolensate and glycoside types have been isolated from ether and acetone extracts of the stem bark of Khaya senegalensis (Desr.). The antifeedant activity of the isolated compounds was assessed by conventional choice leaf disc method on the third-instar larvae of Spodoptera littoralis (Boisd.). Khayalactol, 1- O -acetylkhayanolide A, 2-hydroxyseneganolide, khayanolide A, khayanolide D and methyl angolensate displayed strong antifeedant activity at 1000  μ g/ml with antifeedant percentages of 83.8, 61.9, 60.1, 59.5, 57.1 and 55.7, respectively. 2-Hydroxyseneganolide and khayanolide D showed high activity at 500, 300 and 200  μ g/ml while 1- O -acetylkhayanolide A was the only compound that revealed antifeedant activity at a concentration as low as 100  μ g/ml. Antifeedant activity was dose-dependent in some of the isolated compounds. Correlation between antifeedant activity of the isolated compounds and chemical structure was discussed.     

Senescence-promoting effect of arabidopside A

Arabidopside A isolated from Arabidopsis thaliana is a rare oxylipin, containing 12-oxophytodienoic acid (OPDA) and dinor-oxophytodienoic acid (dn-OPDA) which are known as precursors of jasmonic acid (JA) and methyl jasmonate (MeJA). The senescence-promoting effect of arabidopside A was examined by an oat (Avena sativa) leaf assay under dark or continuous light condition. Arabidopside A promoted senescence of oat leaves, and the promoting activity was more effective than for JA and OPDA, and as strong as for MeJA, which was well known to be a senescence promoter. These results suggest that arabidopside A plays important roles in leaf senescence.     

Specificities of Calreticulin Transacetylase to acetoxy derivatives of 3-alkyl-4-methylcoumarins: Effect on the activation of nitric oxide synthase

Calreticulin Transacetylase (CRTAase) catalyzes the transfer of acetyl groups from polyphenolic acetates (PAs) to the receptor proteins and modulates their biological activities. CRTAase was conveniently assayed by the irreversible inhibition of cytosolic glutathione S-transferase (GST) by the model acetoxycoumarin, 7,8-diacetoxy-4-methylcoumarin (DAMC). We have studied earlier, the influence of acetoxy groups on the benzenoid ring, the effect of reduction of double bond at C-3 and C-4 position, the effect of methyl/phenyl group at C-4, and the influence of position of carbonyl group with respect to oxygen heteroatom in the benzopyran nucleus, for the catalytic activity of CRTAase. In this communication, we have extended our previous work; wherein we studied the influence of an alkyl group (ethyl, hexyl and decyl) at the C-3 position of the acetoxy coumarins on the CRTAase activity. The substitution at C-3 position of coumarin nucleus resulted in the reduction of CRTAase activity and related effects. Accordingly the formation of NO in platelets by C-3 alkyl substituted acetoxy coumarins was found to be much less compared to the unsubstituted analogs. In addition the alkyl substitution at C-3 position exhibited the tendency to form radicals other than NO.     

咖啡酸和氯化钴对茉莉酸甲酯诱导抗病相关酶活性的影响

烟草愈伤组织在含咖啡酸（5 mmol/L）和/或CoCl2(10 mmol/L,乙烯合成抑制剂)的MS培养基上暗培养,同时用茉莉酸甲酯（1 mg/ml,简称MJ）处理愈伤组织。处理后测定乙烯、水杨酸和病程相关蛋白（PR）含量及一些抗病相关酶活性。MJ明显促进乙烯产生、增加水杨酸和PR蛋白含量,提高苯丙氨酸解氨酶（PAL）、β1,3-葡聚糖苷酶和几丁酶的活性。咖啡酸降低MJ对乙烯和水杨酸诱导,CoCl2明显降低MJ对乙烯的诱导,但没有明显影响MJ对水杨酸的诱导,两者都促进MJ诱导PAL活性而抑制MJ诱导β1,3-葡聚糖苷酶活性。咖啡酸明显影响MJ诱导内切几丁酶,几乎完全抑制对外切几丁酶的诱导;CoCl2对MJ诱导内切几丁酶没有影响,促进对外切几丁酶的诱导。实验结果表明,不同的抗病相关酶活性诱导有不同的信号传递途径,在所测几种酶的诱导中,水杨酸起主要作用,乙烯作用较小,MJ的诱导作用主要是由水杨酸所转导。     

Design, efficient synthesis, and anti-HIV activity of 4'-C-cyano- and 4'-C-ethynyl-2'-deoxy purine nucleosides

Some 4'-C-ethynyl-2'-deoxy purine nucleosides showed the most potent anti-HIV activity among the series of 4'-C-substituted 2'-deoxynucleosides whose 4'-C-substituents were methyl, ethyl, ethynyl and so on. Our hypothesis is that the smaller the substituent at the C-4' position they have, the more acceptable biological activity they show. Thus, 4'-C-cyano-2'-deoxy purine nucleosides, whose substituent is smaller than the ethynyl group, will have more potent antiviral activity. To prove our hypothesis, we planned to develop an efficient synthesis of 4'-C-cyano-2'-deoxy purine nucleosides (4'-CNdNs) and 4'-C-ethynyl-2'-deoxy purine nucleosides (4'-EdNs). Consequently, we succeeded in developing an efficient synthesis of six 2'-deoxy purine nucleosides bearing either a cyano or an ethynyl group at the C-4' position of the sugar moiety from 2'-deoxyadenosine and 2,6-diaminopurine 2'-deoxyriboside. Unfortunately, 4'-C-cyano derivatives showed lower activity against HIV-1, and two 4'-C-ethynyl derivatives suggested high toxicity in vivo.     

Reactions of superoxide ion with tocopherol and its model compounds: correlation between the physiological activities of tocopherols and the concentration of chromanoxyl-type radicals

Reactions of tocopherol model compounds with superoxide ion (02-) were investigated. 6-Hydroxy-2,2,5,7,8-pentamethylchroman (alpha-model), 6-hydroxy-2,2,5,7-tetramethylchroman and 6-hydroxy-2,2,5,8-tetramethylchroman (beta-model) were oxidized by O2- to yield chromanoxyl radicals which gave ESR spectra, but the radical species were not obtained from 6-hydroxy-2,2,7,8-tetramethylchroman (gamma-model) and 6-hydroxy-2,2-dimethylchroman, both of which do not have a methyl substituent at the C-5 position. ESR studies of the reactions of O2- with tocopherols or their model compounds indicate that the radical concentrations from tocopherol models correlate with the physiological activities of the tocopherols.     

Water-soluble platinum(II) complexes of diamine chelating ligands bearing amino-acid type substituents: the effect of the linked amino acid and the diamine chelate ring size on antitumor activity, and interactions with 5'-GMP and DNA

Six new Pt(II) complexes are described having the general formula PtCl(2)(LL), in which LL is a chelating diamine ligand bearing an amino acid as substituent. The amino acids chosen are l-alanine and its methyl ester, and l-phenylalanine. The compounds have been characterized using analytical and spectroscopic methods. The influence on the biological properties of the size of the chelate ring and the structure of the amino acid substituent has been studied. The effect of the presence of a carboxylic or carboxylate group on the amino acid C-terminus has also been determined. It is demonstrated by circular dichroism (CD) that the effect on the secondary structure of DNA induced by the six complexes differ from each other. In all cases, the interaction takes place at the N7 position of the purine bases, as shown by NMR monitoring. The general behavior of these platinum complexes, with one exception, is to uncoil the DNA from the B form to the C form. The interactions with 5'-GMP and DNA have been compared with their expected antitumour activity. The complexes with l-alanine and l-phenylalanine exhibit cytotoxic activity in HeLa and HL-60 cell lines, in a dose- and time-dependent manner. No cytotoxic activity of the methyl ester derivatives have been determined because of their low solubility in aqueous solution.     

Enzymic Studies of the Distribution Pattern of 4-O-Methylglucuronic Acid Residues in Glucuronoxylans from Sunflower Hulls

Two epimers of methyl jasmonate were optically resolved by capillary gas chromatography, using heptakis (2,3,6-tri-O-methyl)-β-cyclodextrin as the chiral stationary phase. In the tea volatile concentrates, both of these epimers were present as only one enantiomer, their absolute configurations being ascertained as (–)-(1R,2R)-methyl jasmonate and (+)-(1R,2S)-methyl epijasmonate.

The thermal isomerization of methyl epijamonate to methyl jasmonate was also clarified by optically resolved gas chromatography to have occurred at the asymmetric carbon of the C-2 position that is connected to the carbonyl group.