Effective gene silencing activity of prodrug-type 2′-O-methyldithiomethyl siRNA compared with non-prodrug-type 2′-O-methyl siRNA

Small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) are an active agent to induce gene silencing and they have been studied for becoming a biological and therapeutic tool. Various 2′-O-modified RNAs have been extensively studied to improve the nuclease resistance. However, the 2′-O-modified siRNA activities were often decreased by modification, since the bulky 2′-O-modifications inhibit to form a RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC). We developed novel prodrug-type 2′-O-methyldithiomethyl (MDTM) siRNA, which is converted into natural siRNA in an intracellular reducing environment. Prodrug-type 2′-O-MDTM siRNAs modified at the 5′-end side including 5′-end nucleotide and the seed region of the antisense strand exhibited much stronger gene silencing effect than non-prodrug-type 2′-O-methyl (2′-O-Me) siRNAs. Furthermore, the resistances for nuclease digestion of siRNAs were actually enhanced by 2′-O-MDTM modifications. Our results indicate that 2′-O-MDTM modifications improve the stability of siRNA in serum and they are able to be introduced at any positions of siRNA.     

Synthesis of 2′-O-(N-methylcarbamoylethyl) 5-methyl-2-thiouridine and its application to splice-switching oligonucleotides

The effect of 2′-O-(N-methylcarbamoyl)ethyl (MCE) modification on splice-switching oligonucleotides (SSO) was systematically evaluated. The incorporation of five MCE nucleotides at the 5′-termini of SSOs effectively improved the splice switching effect. In addition, the incorporation of 2′-O-(N-methylcarbamoylethyl)-5-methyl-2-thiouridine (s²T_MCE), a duplex-stabilizing nucleotide with an MCE modification, into SSOs further improved splice switching. These SSOs may be useful for the treatment of genetic diseases associated with splicing errors.     

Synthesis of two purple-membrane glycolipids and the glycolipid sulfate O-(β-d-glucopyranosyl 3-sulfate)-(1→6)-O-α-d-mannopyranosyl-(1→2)-O-α-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→1)-2, 3-di-O-phytanyl-sn-glycerol

The two purple-membrane glycolipids O-β-d-glucopyranosyl- and O-β-d-galactopyranosyl-(1→6)-O-α-d-mannopyranosyl-(1→2)-O-α-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→1)-2, 3-di-O-phytanyl-sn-glycerol were prepared by coupling O-(2,3,4-tri-O-acetyl-α-d-mannopyranosyl)-(1→2)-O-(3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-α-d-glucopyranosyl)-(1→1)-2, 3-di-O-phytanyl-sn-glycerol (9) with 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-α-d-glucopyranosyl bromide or 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-α-d-mannopyranosyl bromide, respectively, followed by deacetylation. The glycolipid sulfate O-(β-d-glucopyranosyl 3-sulfate)-(1→6)-O-α-d-mannopyranosyl-(1→2)-O-α-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→1)-2,3-di-O-phytanyl-sn-glycerol was prepared by coupling of 9 with 2,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-3-O-trichloroethyloxycarbonyl-α-d-glucopyranosyl bromide in the presence of Hg(CN)₂/HgBr₂ followed by selective removal of the 3?-trichloroethyloxycarbonyl group, sulfation of HO-3?, and deacetylation. The suitably protected key-intermediate 9 could be prepared by two distinct approaches.     

Structure elucidation of eucommioside (2″-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl eucommiol) from Eucommia ulmoides

The isolation of eucommioside from Eucommia ulmoides is described. Chemical modifications and spectral evidence identify eucommioside as the 2″-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl derivative of eucommiol, a known cyclopentenoidtetrol previously isolated from the same plant.     

Kinetics of β-phase formation in 1-O-alkylglycerols

The rate of β-phase formation in the ether lipids 1-O-alkylglycerols have been investigated at various temperatures. The concentrations of the phases vs. time in 1-O-hexadecylglycerol (C₁₆G) were measured using automatic X-ray powder diffraction peak area measurements. In 1-O-decylglycerol (C₁₆G) the rate was estimated using the heat evolved during the transition. At least two factors are important for the low transition rate. At higher temperatures the rate appears to be limited by a low probability of β crystallite formation (nucleation). As the temperature is decreased, crystallite formation probably increases. A second factor involves an activation of the metastable lattice. The activation process results in a lower rate at decreased temperatures. The two factors together give the highest transition rate at the α ? sub-α-phase transition temperature.     

β-Elimination of 2-O-(4-O-methyl-α-d-glucopyranosyluronic acid)-d-xylose with methylsulphinyl carbanion and hydrolysis of the hex-4-enopyranosiduronic linkage

On treatment with m sodium methylsulphinylmethanide at 25°, 2-O-(4-O-methyl-α-d-glucopyranosyluronic acid)-d-xylose (1) was rapidly degraded by β-elimination, to form 2-O-(4-deoxy-β-l-threo-hex-4-enopyranosyluronic acid)-d-xylose (2). The kinetics of hydrolysis of 1 and 2 in 0.5m sulphuric acid have been studied. Compound 2 was hydrolysed 70 times faster than 1. Compared with the rate coefficients of other related compounds, 2 was hydrolysed at approximately the same rate as 2-O-(4-O-methyl-α-d-glucopyranosyl)-d-xylose, 3.5 times more slowly than xylobiose, and twice as fast as the xylosidic bond in O-(4-O-methyl-α-d-glucopyranosyluronic acid)-(1→2)-O-β-d-xylopyranosyl-(1→4)-d-xylose.     

Synthesis,crystal structure,and conformation of 3-O-(6-O-acetyl-2,3-anhydro-4-deoxy-α-l-ribo-hexopyranosyl)-1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-α-d-glucofuranose

3-O-(6-O-Acetyl-2,3-anhydro-4-deoxy-α-l-ribo-hexopyranosyl)-1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-α-d-glucofuranose has been synthesised and its monocrystal investigated by X-ray diffraction methods. The compound crystallises in the orthorhombic system, space group P2₁2₁2₁, with cell constants a = 8.790(7), b = 11.678(4), and c = 21.457(10) Å. The intensity data were collected with a four-circle CAD-4 diffractometer. From a total of 1684 intensities, 1275 were of I > 2σ_I. The structure was solved by direct methods and refined by the full-matrix, least-squares procedure, resulting in R 0.057. The 4-deoxy-2,3-anhydropyranose ring is characterised by a sofa conformation (₅E), the 1,2-O-isopropylidene ring has a hybrid conformation (E + T), and the 5,6-O-isopropylidene and the α-d-glucofuranose rings have twist (T) conformations. The φ and ψ torsion angles for the glycosidic linkage are 54(4)° and 29(4)°, respectively.     

Synthesis of 5-O-α-and-β-d-glucopyranosyl-d-glucofuranose and 5-O-α-d-glucopyranosyl-d-fructopyranose (leucrose)

Reaction of 1,2-O-cyclopentylidene-α-d-glucofuranurono-6,3-lactone (2) with 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-α-d-glucopyranosyl bromide (1) gave 1,2-O-cyclopentylidene- 5-O-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-α-d-glucopyranosyl)-α-d-glucofuranurono-6,3-lactone (3, 45%) and 1,2-O-cyclopentylidene-5-O-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-β-d-glucopyranosyl)-α-d-glucofuranurono-6,3-lactone (4, 38%). Reduction of 3 and 4 with lithium aluminium hydride, followed by removal of the cyclopentylidene group, afforded 5-O-α-(9) and -β-d-glucopyranosyl-d-glucofuranose (12), respectively. Base-catalysed isomerization of 9 yielded crystalline 5-O-α-d-glucopyranosyl-d-fructopyranose (leucrose, 53%).     

Identification of 3-O-[2-O-(β-D-xylopyranosyl)-β-D-galactopyranosyl] flavonoids in horseradish leaves acting as feeding stimulants for a flea beetle

The concentration of flavonol glycosides in leaves of Armoracia rusticana harvested at various times during the growing season has been determined. Quantitatively dominating were 3 - O - [2 - O - (β - D - xylopyranosyl) - β - D - galactopyranosyl] - quercetin and 3 - O - [2 - O - (β - D - xylopyranosyl) - β - D -galactopyranosyl] - kaempferol. The latter was present in highest concentration in leaves throughout the growing season, the highest concentration being found in spring. This compound had the highest feeding stimulatory effect towards the flea beetle Phyllotreta armoraciae. The glycosides are new natural products which have been identified by use of enzymatic and spectroscopic methods, including ¹³C NMR.     

Synthesis and 13C-N.M.R. spectroscopy of 2-O- and 6-O-acetyl-3-O-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-d-galactose,constituents of bacterial cell-wall polysaccharides

Benzyl 2-O-acetyl-4,6-O-benzylidene-3-O-(2,3,4-tri-O-acetyl-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl)-β-d-galactopyranoside (11) has been synthesised by two routes. Partial deacetylation of 11 and then acid hydrolysis yielded benzyl 2-O-acetyl-3-O-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-β-d-galactopyranoside, catalytic hydrogenolysis of which gave the first title compound in excellent yield. Benzyl 4,6-O-benzylidene-3-O-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-β-d-galactopyranoside was benzylated, and hydrogenolysis (LiAlH₄-AlCl₃) of the product gave the disaccharide derivative 16 with only HO-6 unsubstituted. Acetylation of 16 followed by catalytic hydrogenolysis gave the crystalline, second title compound. As model compounds for comparative n.m.r. studies, 2-O-, 3-O-, and 6-O-acetyl-d-galactose were also synthesised.     

Synthesis of 1,2,4-tri-O-acetyl-5-deoxy-3-O-methyl-5-C-[(R)- and -(S)-phenylphosphinyl]-β-d-ribopyranose

5-Deoxy-1,2-O-isopropylidene-5-C-(methoxyphenylphosphinyl)-3-O-methyl-α-d-ribofuranose (4) was prepared from 1,2-O-isopropylidene-3-O-methyl-α-d-ribo-pentodialdo-1,4-furanose by an addition reaction with methyl phenylphosphinate, followed by deoxygenation of the terminal HOCHP group of the adduct by successive reaction with 1,1′-thiocarbonyldiimidazole and tributyltin hydride. Treatment of 4 with sodium dihydrobis(2-methoxyethoxy)aluminate, followed by deacetonation with mineral acid, and acetylation with acetic anhydride—pyridine, gave mainly the two title compounds, which were isolated by column chromatography on silica gel, and characterized by 90-MHz, ¹H-n.m.r.-spectral analysis.     

Synthesis of p-isothiocyanatophenyl 3-O-(3,5-dideoxy-α-d-ribo-hexopyranosyl)-α-d-mannopyranoside

The synthesis of the title disaccharide derivative (1C), corresponding to the Salmonella O-factor 2¹, is described. Treatment of 2-O-benzyl-4-O-p-nitrobenzoyl-α-paratosyl bromide (5) with p-nitrophenyl 2-O-benzyl-4,6-O-benzylidene-α-d-mannoside in dichloromethane, in the presence of mercuric cyanide, gave the α- and β-linked disaccharide derivatives (6a and 6b) in yields of 34 and 5%, respectively. The disaccharide derivative 10 can react with free amino groups in proteins to produce artificial antigens useful in studies on Salmonella immunology.     

A synthesis of 3-O-(α-d-mannopyranosyl)-d-mannose and its protein conjugate

Methods for the synthesis of 3-O-(α-d-mannopyranosyl)-d-mannose and 2-(4-aminophenyl)ethyl 3-O-(α-d-mannopyranosyl)-α-d-mannopyranoside have been investigated by a number of sequences. Glycosidations with 2,3-di-O-acetyl-4,6-di-O-benzyl-d-mannopyranosyl and 2-O-benzoyl-3,4,6-tri-O-benzyl-d-mannopyranosyl p-toluenesulfonates were found to give better yields than the Helferich modification, the use of a peracylated d-mannopyranosyl halide, or the use of triflyl leaving group. Only the α anomer was obtained. Factors influencing glycosidation reactions are discussed. A mercury(II) complex was used for selective 2-O-acylation of 4,6-di-O-benzyl-α-d-mannopyranosides. A disaccharide—protein conjugate was prepared by the isothiocyanate method.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of 4β-(thiazol-2-yl)amino-4′-O-demethyl-4-deoxypodophyllotoxins as topoisomerase-II inhibitors

A series of 4β-(thiazol-2-yl)amino-4′-O-demethyl-4-deoxypodophyllotoxins were synthesized, and their cytotoxicities were evaluated against four human cancer cell lines (A549, HepG2, HeLa, and LOVO cells) and normal human diploid fibroblast line WI-38. Some of the compounds exhibited promising antitumor activity and less toxicity than the anticancer drug etoposide. Among them, compounds 15 and 17 were found to be the most potent synthetic derivatives as topo-II inhibitors, and induced DNA double-strand breaks via the p73/ATM pathway as well as the H2AX phosphorylation in A549 cells. These compounds also arrested A549 cells cycle in G2/M phase by regulating cyclinB1/cdc2(p34). Taken together, these results show that a series of compounds are potential anticancer agents.     

New cyclodextrin derivative 6-O-(2-hydroxybutyl)-β-cyclodextrin: preparation and its application in molecular binding and recognition

A new soluble cyclodextrin derivative 6-O-(2-hydroxybutyl)-β-cyclodextrin (6-HB-β-CD) was prepared. Its molecular binding and recognition ability were investigated with the comparison of β-cyclodextrin (β-CD), 2-O-(2-hydroxypropyl)-β-cyclodextrin (2-HP-β-CD), 6-O-(2-hydroxypropyl)-β-cyclodextrin (6-HP-β-CD), and 2-O-(2-hydroxybutyl)-β-cyclodextrin (2-HB-β-CD). The relationship between the complex stability constants and the possible structures of inclusion compounds was discussed with the interaction of hosts and guests, including the weak hydrophobic interactions, the size/shape matching, the steric hindrance, and the hydrophilic property.     

Synthesis of 4-O-α-d-galactopyranosyl-l-rhamnose and 4-O-α-d-galactopyranosyl-2-O-β-glucopyranosyl-l-rhamnose using dioxolane-type benzylidene acetals as temporary protecting-groups

The Halide ion-catalysed reaction of benzyl exo-2,3-O-benzylidene-α-l-rhamnopyranoside with tetra-O-benzyl-α-d-galactopyranosyl bromide and hydrogenolysis of the exo-benzylidene group of the product 2 gave benzyl 3-O-benzyl-4-O-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-benzyl-α-d-galactopyranosyl)-α-l-rhamnopyranoside (6). Compound 2 was converted into 4-O-α-d-galactopyranosyl-l-rhamnose. The reaction of 6 with tetra-O-acetyl-α-d-glucopyranosyl bromide and removal of the protecting groups from the product gave 4-O-α-d-galactopyranosyl-2-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-l-rhamnose.     

Branched-chain amino sugars. stereospecific synthesis of 3-C-(2-acetamidoethyl)-3-deoxy-1,2-O-isopropylidene-β-l-lyxofuranose

Condensation of 1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-α-d-xylo-hexofuranos-3-ulose (1) with diethyl cyanomethylphosphonate afforded a mixture of the cis- and trans-3-cyanomethylene-3-deoxy-1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-α-d-xylo-hexofuranoses (2) in 80% yield. Catalytic reduction of 2 yielded 3-C-cyanomethyl-3-deoxy-1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-α-d-gulofuranose (4) exclusively. Palladium and hydrogen was found to rearrange the exocyclic double bond of 2 to give the 3,4-ene (3). Catalytic reduction of 3 also proceeded stereospecifically to yield 4. Selective hydrolysis of 4 yielded the diol 5, which was cleaved with periodate and the product reduced with sodium borohydride to afford crystalline 3-C-cyanomethyl-3-deoxy-1,2-O-isopropylidene-β-l-lyxofuranose (6) in 87% yield. Catalytic reduction of the latter with hydrogen and platinum in the presence of acetic anhydride and ethanol gave the crystalline l-amino sugar, 3-C-(2-acetamidoethyl)-3-deoxy-1,2-O-isopropylidene-β-l-lyxofuranose (7) in 92% yield.     

Synthesis of potassium (2R)-2-O-α-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→6)-α-d-glucopyranosyl-2,3-dihydroxypropanoate a natural compatible solute

Ethyl 6-O-acetyl-2,3,4-tribenzyl-1-thio-d-glucopyranoside, as a mixture of anomers, was employed for the stereoselective synthesis of the potassium salt of (2R)-2-O-α-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→6)-α-d-glucopyranosyl-2,3-dihydroxypropanoic acid (α-d-glucosyl-(1→6)-α-d-glucosyl-(1→2)-d-glyceric acid, GGG), a recently isolated compatible solute. The α-anomer was by far the major product of both glycosylation reactions using NIS/TfOH as activator.     

The synthesis of 5-O-(2-acetamido-2-deoxy-α-D-glucopyranosyl)-β-D-glucofuranose

Condensation of dimeric 3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-2-deoxy-2-nitroso-α-D-glucopyranosyl chloride (1) with 1,2-O-isopropylidene-α-D-glucofuranurono-6,3-lactone (2) gave 1,2-O-isopropylidene-5-O-(3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-2-deoxy-2-hydroxyimino-α-D-arabino-hexopyranosyl)-α-D-glucofuranurono-6,3-lactone (3). Benzoylation of the hydroxyimino group with benzoyl cyanide in acetonitrile gave 1,2-O-isopropylidene-5-O-(3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-2-benzoyloxyimino-2-deoxy-α-D-arabino-hexopyranosyl)-α-D-glucofuranurono-6,3-lactone (4). Compound 4 was reduced with borane in tetrahydrofuran, yielding 5-O-(2-amino-2-deoxy-α-D-glucopyranosyl)-1,2-O-isopropylidene-α-D-glucofuranose (5), which was isolated as the crystalline N-acetyl derivative (6). After removal of the isopropylidene acetal, the pure, crystalline title compound (10) was obtained.     

X-ray crystal structure of maltitol (4-O-α-d-glucopyranosyl-d-glucitol

Maltitol, crystallised from aqueous solution, has m.p. 146.5–147°, [α]_d + 106.5° (water), and is orthorhombic with the space group P2₁2₁2₁ and Z = 4, and with cell dimensions a = 8.166(5), b = 12.721(9), and c = 13.629(6) Å. The molecule shows a fully extended conformation with no intramolecular hydrogen-bonds. All nine hydroxyl groups are involved in intermolecular hydrogen-bond networks and in bifurcated, finite chains. The d-glucopyranosyl moiety has the ⁴C₁ conformation, and the conformation about the C-5–C-6 bond is gauche-gauche. The d-glucitol residue has the bent [ap, Psc, Psc (APP)] conformation. The empirical formula for the solubility in water is C = 119.1 + 1.204 T + 4.137 × 10^?2 T² ? 7.137 × 10^?4 T³ + 7.978 × 10^?6 T⁴. The thermal properties are as follows: ΔH_f = 13.5 kcal.mol^?1, and Q = ?5.57 kcal.mol^?1.