细锥香茶菜二萜的研究

从四川省峨眉山产细锥香茶菜[Rabdosia coetsa(Buch-Ham,ex,D.Don)Hara]乙醚抽提物中分得了一个新二萜化合物,命名为细锥香茶菜丁素(rabdocoetsin D),其结构经各项波谱数据和化学证据确定为1α,7β-二羟基-11β-乙酰氧基-对映-7β,20-环氧-贝壳杉-16-烯-15-酮(1)。另外还分离到3个已知二萜,细锥香茶菜乙素(rabdocoetsin B)、细锥香茶菜丙素(rabdocoetsin C)、瘿花香茶菜甲素(rosthorin A)。     

细锥香茶菜的二萜成分

我们曾从四川产细锥香茶菜[Rabdosia coetsa(Buch-Ham. ex D. Don) Hara]中分离鉴定了4个二萜化合物。此次从云南泸水县产的细锥香茶菜干叶中分离鉴定了两个二萜化合物,一个为细锥香茶菜乙素(4),一个为4-epi-henryineA(1)。     

细锥香茶菜化学成分的研究

从细锥香茶菜（Ｒａｂｄｏｓｉａｃｏｅｔｓａ（Ｂｕｃｈ．Ｈａｍ．ｅｘＤ．Ｄｏｎ）Ｈａｒａ）的叶中分离到９个化合物,通过波谱分析阐明其结构,其中１个为新的二萜酸———７α,１２α,１４β三羟基１５酮对映贝壳杉１８羧酸,命名为细锥香茶菜酸（ｃｏｅｔｓａｎｏｉｃａｃｉｄ）。另外８个化合物分别为二氢昆明香茶菜丙素、昆明香茶菜丙素、白柔毛香茶菜甲素、大萼香茶菜丙素、４羟基Δ８,９（Ｚ）鞘氨醇２′羟基正二十（二十一二十六）碳酸酰胺、乌苏酸、２α,３β二羟基乌苏酸和胡萝卜甙。神经酰胺类化合物系首次从该属植物中分离得到。     

细锥香茶菜甲素的结构订正和丙素的化学结构

前已报道［１］从唇形科香茶菜属植物细锥香茶菜（Ｒａｂｄｏｓｉａｃｏｅｔｓａ（Ｂｕｃｈ．Ｈａｎ．ｅｘＤ．Ｄｏｎ）Ｈａｒａ）中分离到３个结晶单体,并测定了其中两个单体——细锥香茶菜甲素（１）和乙素的结构。本文通过１Ｈ－１ＨＣＯＳＹ、１３Ｃ－１ＨＣＯＳＹ和ＮＯＥＳＹ,修订细锥香茶菜甲素（１）的结构为（２）,并经理化常数测定和光谱分析,确定了另一结晶单体——微量新成分细锥香茶菜丙素（３）的结构。（２）Ｒ１＝Ｒ２＝Ｒ４＝Ｈ,Ｒ３＝ＯＡｃ,Ｒ５＝ＯＣＨ３（３）Ｒ１＝Ｒ３＝Ｒ４＝Ｈ,Ｒ２＝ＯＡｃ,Ｒ５＝ＯＣＨ…     

大萼香茶菜丁素的化学结构

从大萼香茶菜叶中又分得一个具有细胞毒活性的新的二萜类化合物,命名为大萼香茶菜丁素(macrocalyxin D)。根据光谱和化学数据鉴定其化学结构为[3]。     

细锥香茶菜的化学成分研究

从云南丽江产细锥香茶菜(Rabdosia coetsa)叶中分离得到11个单体成分,根据光谱方法分别鉴定为:gesneroidin c 1、胡萝卜甙(daucosterol 2)、熊果酸(ursolic acid 3)、乌发醇(uvaol 4)、齐墩果酸(oleanolic acid 5)、2α,3β-二羟基齐墩果酸(2α,3β-dihydroxy-oleano-lic acid 6)、白桦脂酸(Betulinic acid 7)、植物醇(phytol 8)、肉豆蔻酸植物醇酯(phytyl myris-tate 9)、9Z,12Z-二烯肉豆蔻酸乙酯(ethyl 9Z,12Z-dien-palmitate 10),12Z,15Z-二烯花生酸甘油酯(glyceryl 12Z,15Z-dien-arachidate 11)。     

国产香茶菜属十三个分类群的细胞学研究

对国产11种2变种共16个居群的香茶菜属植物的染色体数目进行了研究。除线纹香茶菜细花变种以外,其它种类的染色体数目均为首次报道。研究结果表明,有12个物种为二倍体,其染色体数目均为2n=24,推测该属植物的染色体基数为x=12。而细锥香茶菜既有染色体数目为2n=24的居群,也存在2n=48的居群,表明该种为二倍体或四倍体,同时2n=48的染色体数目也是香茶菜属内的首次报道。     

白叶香茶菜的化学成分

从白叶香茶菜(Rabdosia leucophylla(Dunn)Hara)地上部分的乙醇提取物中分离出5个化合物,根据其波谱分析并结合化学方法分别鉴定为:白叶香茶菜戊素(1)、白叶香茶菜己素(2)、信阳冬凌草甲素(3)、maslinic acid(4)和胡萝卜甙(5)。其中1和2为新化合物,2的结构还通过X-单晶衍射得到证实。     

叶穗香茶菜的二萜成分

从云南省中甸县产叶穗香茶菜[Rabdosia phyllostachys(Diels)Hara]叶中分得1个新二萜化合物,命名为叶穗香茶菜乙素(phyllostachysin B),经各项波谱数据确定,叶穗香茶菜乙素为6β,11β,14β—三羟基-15α-乙酰氧基-对映-贝壳杉-16-烯-20 醛-7-酮。另一个为已知化合物叶穗香茶菜甲素(phyllostachysin A)。     

毛叶香茶菜素的结构订正

我们从安徽省黄山产的大萼香茶菜（Ｒａｂｄｏｓｉａｍａｃｒｏｃａｌｙｘ（Ｄｕｎｎ）Ｈａｒａ）中分得一结晶,其元素分析和１３Ｃ－ＮＭＲ与毛叶香茶菜素［１］完全一致,故推定为毛叶香茶菜素,根据该结晶的元素分析,ＭＳ、ＮＭＲ、ＣＯＳＹ和ＮＯＥＳＹ等光谱数据,其结构应订正为（２）。表１表明：毛叶香茶菜素（２）的分子式由元素分析和高分辨质谱确定为Ｃ２４Ｈ３６Ｏ９,毛叶香茶菜素（１）的分子式由元素分析也应确定为Ｃ２４Ｈ３６Ｏ９。由于赵治清等误将质谱中Ｍ＋－Ｈ２Ｏ碎片离子峰ｍ／ｚ４５０当作分子离子峰（毛叶香茶菜…     

Photosynthetic pathway influences xylem structure and function in Flaveria (Asteraceae)

Higher water use efficiency (WUE) in C(4) plants may allow for greater xylem safety because transpiration rates are reduced. To evaluate this hypothesis, stem hydraulics and anatomy were compared in 16 C(3), C(3)-C(4) intermediate, C(4)-like and C(4) species in the genus Flaveria. The C(3) species had the highest leaf-specific conductivity (K(L)) compared with intermediate and C(4) species, with the perennial C(4) and C(4)-like species having the lowest K(L) values. Xylem-specific conductivity (K(S)) was generally highest in the C(3) species and lower in intermediate and C(4) species. Xylem vessels were shorter, narrower and more frequent in C(3)-C(4) intermediate, C(4)-like and C(4) species compared with C(3) species. WUE values were approximately double in the C(4)-like and C(4) species relative to the C(3)-C(4) and C(3) species. C(4)-like photosynthesis arose independently at least twice in Flaveria, and the trends in WUE and K(L) were consistent in both lineages. These correlated changes in WUE and K(L) indicate WUE increase promoted K(L) decline during C(4) evolution; however, any involvement of WUE comes late in the evolutionary sequence. C(3)-C(4) species exhibited reduced K(L) but little change in WUE compared to C(3) species, indicating that some reduction in hydraulic efficiency preceded increases in WUE.     

Reconstitution of vacuolar-type rotary H+-ATPase/synthase from Thermus thermophilus

Vacuolar-type rotary H(+)-ATPase/synthase (V(o)V(1)) from Thermus thermophilus, composed of nine subunits, A, B, D, F, C, E, G, I, and L, has been reconstituted from individually isolated V(1) (A(3)B(3)D(1)F(1)) and V(o) (C(1)E(2)G(2)I(1)L(12)) subcomplexes in vitro. A(3)B(3)D and A(3)B(3) also reconstituted with V(o), resulting in a holoenzyme-like complexes. However, A(3)B(3)D-V(o) and A(3)B(3)-V(o) did not show ATP synthesis and dicyclohexylcarbodiimide-sensitive ATPase activity. The reconstitution process was monitored in real time by fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) between an acceptor dye attached to subunit F or D in V(1) or A(3)B(3)D and a donor dye attached to subunit C in V(o). The estimated dissociation constants K(d) for V(o)V(1) and A(3)B(3)D-V(o) were ～0.3 and ～1 nm at 25 °C, respectively. These results suggest that the A(3)B(3) domain tightly associated with the two EG peripheral stalks of V(o), even in the absence of the central shaft subunits. In addition, F subunit is essential for coupling of ATP hydrolysis and proton translocation and has a key role in the stability of whole complex. However, the contribution of the F subunit to the association of A(3)B(3) with V(o) is much lower than that of the EG peripheral stalks.     

Sulfide oxidation at halo-alkaline conditions in a fed-batch bioreactor

A biotechnological process is described to remove hydrogen sulfide (H(2)S) from high-pressure natural gas and sour gases produced in the petrochemical industry. The process operates at halo-alkaline conditions and combines an aerobic sulfide-oxidizing reactor with an anaerobic sulfate (SO(4) (2-)) and thiosulfate (S(2)O(3) (2-)) reducing reactor. The feasibility of biological H(2)S oxidation at pH around 10 and total sodium concentration of 2 mol L(-1) was studied in gas-lift bioreactors, using halo-alkaliphilic sulfur-oxidizing bacteria (HA-SOB). Reactor operation at different oxygen to sulfide (O(2):H(2)S) supply ratios resulted in a stable low redox potential that was directly related with the polysulfide (S(x) (2-)) and total sulfide concentration in the bioreactor. Selectivity for SO(4) (2-) formation decreased with increasing S(x) (2-) and total sulfide concentrations. At total sulfide concentrations above 0.25 mmol L(-1), selectivity for SO(4) (2-) formation approached zero and the end products of H(2)S oxidation were elemental sulfur (S(0)) and S(2)O(3) (2-). Maximum selectivity for S(0) formation (83.3+/-0.7%) during stable reactor operation was obtained at a molar O(2):H(2)S supply ratio of 0.65. Under these conditions, intermediary S(x) (2-) plays a major role in the process. Instead of dissolved sulfide (HS(-)), S(x) (2-) seemed to be the most important electron donor for HA-SOB under S(0) producing conditions. In addition, abiotic oxidation of S(x) (2-) was the main cause of undesirable formation of S(2)O(3) (2-). The observed biomass growth yield under SO(4) (2-) producing conditions was 0.86 g N mol(-1) H(2)S. When selectivity for SO(4) (2-) formation was below 5%, almost no biomass growth was observed.     

Cyclopeptides from Sagina japonica (Caryophyllaceae)

Two new cyclic peptides, named sajaponicin C (1) and sajaponicin D (2), were isolated from the whole plants of Sagina japonica (Caryophyllaceae). Their structures were determined as cyclo(Pro(2)-Leu(2)-Tyr-Leu(1)-Phe(1)-Pro(3)-Phe(2)-Pro(1)) (1) and cyclo(Pro(1)-Pro(2)-Pro(3)-Pro(4)-Phe(1)-Gly-Thr-Ser-Phe(2)-Ile-Tyr) (2) on the basis of spectroscopic data, especially by two-dimensional (2D) NMR techniques.     

δ(13) C of leaf-respired CO(2) reflects intrinsic water-use efficiency in barley

Leaf intrinsic water-use efficiency (WUE), the ratio of photosynthetic rate to stomatal conductance (A/g(s) ), is a key plant trait linking terrestrial carbon and water cycles. A rapid, integrative proxy for A/g(s) is of benefit to crop breeding programmes aiming to improve WUE, but also for ecologists interested in plant carbon-water balance in natural systems. We hypothesize that the carbon isotope composition of leaf-respired CO(2) (δ(13) C(Rl) ), two hours after leaves are transferred to the dark, records photosynthetic carbon isotope discrimination and so provides a proxy for A/g(s) . To test this hypothesis, δ(13) C(Rl) was measured in four barley cultivars grown in the field at two levels of water availability and compared to leaf-level gas exchange (the ratio of leaf intercellular to ambient CO(2) partial pressure, C(i) /C(a) , and A/g(s) ). Leaf-respired CO(2) was more (13) C-depleted in plants grown at higher water availability, varied between days as environmental conditions changed, and was significantly different between cultivars. A strong relationship between δ(13) C(Rl) and δ(13) C of sucrose was observed. δ(13) C(Rl) was converted into apparent photosynthetic discrimination (Δ(13) C(Rl) ) revealing strong relationships between Δ(13) C(Rl) and C(i) /C(a) and A/g(s) during the vegetative stage of growth. We therefore conclude that δ(13) C(Rl) may provide a rapid, integrative proxy for A/g(s) in barley.     

3-Amidoquinuclidine derivatives: synthesis of compounds and inhibition of butyrylcholinesterase

The synthesis of racemic and enantiomerically pure 3-butanamidoquinuclidines ((+/-)-Bu, (R)-Bu and (S)-Bu), (1-3) and 3-benzamidoquinuclidines ((+/-)-Bz, (R)-Bz, and (S)-Bz), (4-6) is described. The N-quaternary derivatives, N-benzyl-3-butanamidoquinuclidinium bromides ((+/-)-BnlBu, (R)-BnlBu and (S)-BnlBu), (7-9) and N-benzyl-3-benzamidoquinuclidinium bromides ((+/-)-BnlBz, (R)-BnlBz and (S)-BnlBz), (10-12) were subsequently synthesized. The interaction of the four enantiomerically pure quaternary derivatives with horse serum butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) was tested. All tested compounds inhibited the enzyme. The best inhibitior of the enzyme was (S)-BnlBz with a K(i) = 3.7 microM. The inhibitor potency decreases in order (S)-BnlBz > (R)-BnlBz > (R)-BnlBu > (S)-BnlBu.     

Technical note: interpreting stable carbon isotopes in human tooth enamel: an examination of tissue spacings from South Africa

Stable isotope analysis of skeletal tissues is widely used in archeology and paleoanthropology to reconstruct diet. In material that is poorly preserved or very old, the tissue of choice is frequently tooth enamel, since this is less susceptible to diagenesis. The relationships between carbon isotope ratios in tooth enamel (δ(13) C(enamel) ), bone collagen (δ(13) C(collagen) ), and bone apatite (δ(13) C(bone apatite) ) are, however, not well understood. To elucidate these, we have measured all three indicators in archeological humans from the western and southern Cape coastal regions of South Africa. The correlation between δ(13) C(enamel) and δ(13) C(collagen) is good (R(2) = 0.71 if two outliers are excluded, n = 79). The correlation between δ(13) C(enamel) and δ(13) C(bone apatite) is weaker (R(2) = 0.37, n = 33) possibly due to bone diagenesis. No systematic offset between δ(13) C(bone apatite) and δ(13) C(enamel) was observed in this sample of archeological humans. Intertooth comparisons of δ(13) C(enamel) in three individuals showed little variation, despite the different ages of crown formation. Carbon isotope ratios in both enamel and bone collagen are good proxies for δ(13) C(diet) .     

Highly efficient synthesis of alternate alpha- and beta-(1-->3)-linked glucose hepta- and octasaccharides

Two heptasaccharides alpha-D-Glcp-(1-->3)-beta-D-Glcp-(1-->3)-alpha-D-Glcp-(1-->3)-beta-D-Glcp-(1-->3)-alpha-D-Glcp-(1-->3)-beta-D-Glcp-(1-->3)-beta-D-Glcp-1-OMP and beta-D-Glcp-(1-->3)-alpha-D-Glcp-(1-->3)-beta-D-Glcp-(1-->3)-alpha-D-Glcp-(1-->3)-beta-D-Glcp-(1-->3)-alpha-D-Glcp-(1-->3)-beta-D-Glcp1-OMP, and two octasaccharides alpha-D-Glcp-(1-->3)-beta-D-Glcp-(1-->3)-alpha-D-Glcp-(1-->3)-beta-D-Glcp-(1-->3)-alpha-D-Glcp-(1-->3)-beta-D-Glcp-(1-->3)-alpha-D-Glcp-(1-->3)-beta-D-Glcp-1-OMP and beta-D-Glcp-(1-->3)-alpha-D-Glcp-(1-->3)-beta-D-Glcp-(1-->3)-alpha-D-Glcp-(1-->3)-beta-D-Glcp-(1-->3)-alpha-D-Glcp-(1-->3)-beta-D-Glcp-(1-->3)-beta-D-Glcp1-OMP were synthesized in a stereospecific way by remote control.     

Covalent modification of GABAA receptor isoforms by a diazepam analogue provides evidence for a novel benzodiazepine binding site that prevents modulation by these drugs

Classical benzodiazepines, for example diazepam, interact with alpha(x)beta(2)gamma(2) GABA(A) receptors, x = 1, 2, 3, 5. Little is known about effects of alpha subunits on the structure of the binding pocket. We studied here the interaction of the covalently reacting diazepam analog 7-Isothiocyanato-5-phenyl-1,3-dihydro-2H-1,4-benzodiazepin-2-one (NCS compound) with alpha(1)H101Cbeta(2)gamma(2) and with receptors containing the homologous mutation, alpha(2)H101Cbeta(2)gamma(2), alpha(3)H126Cbeta(2)gamma(2) and alpha(5)H105Cbeta(2)gamma(2). This comparison was extended to alpha(6)R100Cbeta(2)gamma(2) receptors as this mutation conveys to these receptors high affinity towards classical benzodiazepines. The interaction was studied at the ligand binding level and at the functional level using electrophysiological techniques. Results indicate that the geometry of alpha(6)R100Cbeta(2)gamma(2) enables best interaction with NCS compound, followed by alpha(3)H126Cbeta(2)gamma(2), alpha(1)H101Cbeta(2)gamma(2) and alpha(2)H101Cbeta(2)gamma(2), while alpha(5)H105Cbeta(2)gamma(2) receptors show little interaction. Our results allow conclusions about the relative apposition of alpha(1)H101 and homologous positions in alpha(2), alpha(3), alpha(5) and alpha(6) with the position occupied by -Cl in diazepam. During this study we found evidence for the presence of a novel site for benzodiazepines that prevents modulation of GABA(A) receptors via the classical benzodiazepine site. The novel site potentially contributes to the high degree of safety to some of these drugs. Our results indicate that this site may be located at the alpha/beta subunit interface pseudo-symmetrically to the site for classical benzodiazepines located at the alpha/gamma interface.