Sterol C-methyl transferase from Prototheca wickerhamii mechanism, sterol specificity and inhibition

The membrane-bound sterol methyl transferase (SMT) enzyme from Prototheca wickerhamii, a non-photosynthetic, yeast-like alga, was found to C-methylate appropriate delta24(25)-sterol acceptor molecules to delta25(27)-24beta-methyl products stereoselectively. Incubation with pairs of substrates--[2H3-methyl]AdoMet and cycloartenol, and AdoMet and [27-(13)C]lanosterol--followed by 1H and 13C NMR analysis of the isotopically labeled products demonstrated the si-face (beta-face attack) mechanism of C-methylation and the regiospecificity of delta25(27)-double bond formation from the pro-Z methyl group (C27) on lanosterol. The enzyme has a substrate preference for a sterol with a 3beta-hydroxyl group, a planar nucleus and a side chain oriented into a 'right-handed' structure (20R-chirality) characteristic of the native substrate, cycloartenol. The apparent native molecular weight of the SMT was determined to be approximately 154,000, as measured by Superose 6 FPLC. A series of sterol analogues which contain heteroatoms substituted for C24 and C25 or related structural modifications, including steroidal alkaloids, havs been used to probe further the active site and mechanism of action of the SMT enzyme. Sterol side chains containing isoelectronic modifications of a positively charged moiety in the form of an ammonium group substituted for carbon at C25, C24, C23 or C22 are particularly potent non-competitive inhibitors (Ki for the most potent inhibitor tested, 25-azacycloartanol, was ca. 2 nM, four orders of magnitude less than the Km for cycloartenol of 28 microM), supporting the intermediacy of the 24-methyl C24(25)-carbenium ion intermediate. Ergosterol, but neither cholesterol nor sitosterol, was found to inhibit SMT activity (Ki = 80 microM). The combination of results suggests that the interrelationships of substrate functional groups within the active center of a delta24(25) to delta25(27) 24beta-methyl-SMT could be approximated thereby allowing the rational design of C-methylation inhibitors to be formulated and tested.     

Synthesis and antimicrobial activity of meso-substituted polymethine cyanine dyes

The condensation reaction of equivalent amounts of 2-cyanomethyl benzooxazole or its derivatives with variously substituted aromatic aldehydes gave 2-cyano-styryl benzooxazole or its derivatives. The subsequent reaction of the 2-cyano-styryl benzooxazoles with 2(4)-methyl substituted heterocyclic quaternary salts afforded meso-substituted styryl-2(4)-polymethine cyanines. The condensation reaction of 2-cyanomethyl benzooxazole or its derivatives with alpha-nitroso-beta-naphthol followed by reaction with 2(4)-methyl substituted heterocyclic quaternary salts gave meso-substituted aza-2(4)-polymethine cyanines. The reaction of 2-cyanomethyl benzooxazole or its derivatives with N-methyl heterocyclic quaternary salts followed by the reaction with 2-methylquinolinium methiodide afforded the corresponding meso-substituted trimethine cyanine dyes. Elemental analyses, visible absorption, IR, (1)H NMR spectroscopy, and mass spectra established the structures of these compounds. The relationship between the structure and properties of these dyes has been studied and the solvatochromic behavior of some selected cyanine dyes in organic solvents is discussed. Finally, the antimicrobial activity of selected novel dyes was investigated in vitro using a wide spectrum of microbial strains.     

Pyrogalloloestrogens: enzymic methylation of pyrogalloloestrogens and interaction of pyrogalloloestrogens with the enzymic methylation of catecholamines in rat liver in vitro.

During incubation of 2,4-dihydroxyoestrone with the 105000 X g supernatant of rat liver in the presence of S-adenosyl-[Me-14C]methionine, the formation of radioactive mono- as well as dimethyl ether derivatives was demonstrated. The products were identified as: 2,4-dihydroxyoestrone 2-methyl ether, 2,4-dihydroxyoestrone 3-methyl ether, 2,4-dihydroxyoestrone 4-methyl ether, 2,4-dihydroxyoestrone 2,3-dimethyl ether, 2,4-dihydroxyoestrone 2,4-dimethyl ether and 2,4-dihydroxyoestrone 3,4-dimethyl ether. The monomethyl ethers were the main products; within this group the 3-methyl ether of 2,4-dihydroxyoestrone was the main metabolite. Among the dimethyl ether derivatives, the 2,4-dihydroxyoestrone 2,3-dimethyl ether represented the quantitatively most important product. When 2,4-dihydroxyoestrone 2-methyl ether was incubated under the same conditions, 2,4-dihydroxyoestrone 2,3- as well as 2,4-dimethyl ether was formed. The 2,3-dimethyl ether was again the main metabolite. The incubation of 2,4-dihydroxyoestrone 4-methyl ether yielded the 2,4- and 3,4-dimethyl ethers, the first being the main product. In contrast, the 3-methyl ether of 2,4-dihydroxyoestrone was not further methylated by the catechol methyltransferase preparation. In further experiments, the effect of the pyrogalloloestrogen and its monomethyl ether derivatives on the enzymatic methylation of catecholamines was investigated. It was demonstrated that the methylation of adrenalin and dopamine was competitively inhibited by 2,4-dihydroxyoestrone and the 2,4-dihydroxyoestrone monomethyl ethers. Only a weak inhibitory effect was observed with the 3- and 4-monomenthyl ethers (Ki values 200 and 160muM). The unsubstituted pyrogalloloestrogen produced a marked inhibition (Ki value 50muM), but the strongest inhibition was found with the 2-monomethyl ether of 2,4-dihydroxyoestrone (Ki value 14muM). The extent of inhibition caused by the addition of the 2-monomethyl ether of 2,4-dihydroxyoestrone was thereby in the same range as the inhibition caused by pyrogallol and the catecholoestrogens.     

Synthesis and in vitro evaluation of 12-(substituted aminomethyl) berberrubine derivatives as anti-diabetics

By introducing various amino methyl groups into 12-position of berberrubine, a series of 12-(substituted aminomethyl) berberrubine derivatives were synthesized and evaluated for their anti-diabetic activity against type 2 diabetes mellitus. The results indicated that most of the prepared compounds exhibited moderate to good anti-diabetic activity, which were comparable to or even better than the berberine, the positive control rosiglitazone and insulin. Especially, compound 3b with an N-methyl piperazine-4-methyl group at C-12, exerted the most powerful anti-diabetic activity.     

Synthesis and activity of new inhibitors of aldosterone biosynthesis

A new family of aldosterone biosynthesis inhibitors, designed as 18-mono-oxygenase, cytochrome-P450-dependent, potential Kcat inhibitors, is described. These compounds are progesterone derivatives substituted at the 18-methyl group. Preliminary results on the in vitro biological evaluation of these modified progesterones are presented. Aldosterone biosynthesis is completely inhibited by 18-vinyl progesterone 5 at a concentration of 0.8 microM and by 18-ethynyl progesterone 6 at 8 microM. It appears that products designed as alkylating agents for the prosthetic heme group are the most potent inhibitors in that series.     

Enzymatic nitration of the oleic acid derivatives: Synthesis,isolation and characterization

Unsaturated fatty acids are nitrated endogenously to produce nitrated lipids. Recent studies have shown that these nitrated lipids have high chemical reactivity and profound biological implications. We report an efficient, enzymatic synthesis of nitrated derivatives of the oleic acid. The methyl oleate could react with NO and horseradish peroxidase (HRP)/H₂O₂/NO based nitrating systems to give various nitration products which could be isolated by silica gel column and TLC fractionation, respectively. As reacting directly with NO, the obtained products contain (E)-methyl 9-nitrooctadec-9-enoate (1), (E)-methyl 10-nitrooctadec-9-enoate (2), (E)-methyl 9-nitrooctadec-10-enoate (3) and (E)-methyl 10-nitrooctadec-8-enoate (4), characterized by extensive IR, NMR and GC–MS analysis. Whereas the products of the reaction between the methyl oleate and NO with the presence of HRP/H₂O₂ were mainly composed of (E)-methyl 9-nitrooctadec-9-enoate and (E)-methyl 10-nitrooctadec-9-enoate. The improving selectivity of the products is attributed to the HRP catalysis system.     

Clarithromycin macrolides modified by unsaturation at the C10-position

Methodologies for the synthesis of C10-C-unsaturated clarithromycin congeners have been developed from corresponding C10-methyl erythromycin A ketolides. Activation of the unreactive C10-methyl group and subsequent Pd-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions afford novel C-10-unsaturated clarithromycins for antibacterial screening programs. By related methodology azides can be prepared and used for the preparation of corresponding 1,2,3-triazoles by click chemistry. The work demonstrates the importance of transition metal catalysis in natural product semi-synthesis and potential SAR studies. The in vitro MIC values from screening the products against strains of respiratory pathogens of S. pneumoniae and S. aureus indicate that the new antibacterials are close to equipotent with the clarithromycin reference compound.     

Anti-MRSA cephems. Part 1: C-3 substituted thiopyridinium derivatives

Sixteen novel cephalosporin derivatives with activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) are described. The compounds were synthesized using substituted thiopyridones, generated either by cyclization of functionalized precursors, or by direct alkylation of the enolate of 2-methyl substituted pyrones. The most active compound in vitro against a strain of MRSA (A27223) displayed an MIC of 0.5 microg/mL. The most efficacious compound in vivo had a PD50 of 2.1 mg/kg.     

Biotransformation XXXIX. Metabolism of testosterone, androstenedione, progesterone and testosterone derivatives in Absidia coerulea culture

The strain of Absidia coerulea was used to investigate the transformations of testosterone, androstenedione, progesterone and testosterone derivatives with additional C1–C2 double bond and/or 17-methyl group. All the examined substrates were transformed, mainly hydroxylated. It was found that the position and stereochemistry of the introduced hydroxyl group, as well as the yield of products, depended on the structure of the substrate. The first three substrates (hormones) underwent hydroxylation at C-14, and additional hydroxylation at 7 was observed in progesterone. The presence of the double bond (C1–C2) in 1-dehydrotestosterone did not influence the position of hydroxylation, but the product with additional C14–C15 double bond (at the same site as hydroxylation) was formed. 17-Methyltestosterone was hydroxylated at the 7 position, and also the dehydrogenated product (at the same site, with C6–C7 double bond) was obtained. The testosterone derivative with both C1–C2 double bond and 17-methyl group underwent hydroxylation at the 7 or 11β position, and a little amount of 14, 15 epoxide was formed.     

Methylation of thymine and uracil with free methyl cations formed due to beta-decay of tritiated methane: possible implication in mutagenesis and carcinogenesis

Exposure of solid thymine and uracil at room temperature to free methyl cations, produced due to beta-decay of tritiated methane, resulted in formation of their 1-, O2-, 3-, O4-, and 6-methyl derivatives. In addition, uracil formed a 5-methyl derivative (thymine); tritium-containing thymine and uracil were also detected. Both thymine and uracil formed predominantly unidentified products which resulted presumably from their oligomerization. Incubation at -195 degrees C did not markedly change the pattern of reaction products. Aqueous-ammonia solutions of these pyrimidines formed methylated derivatives and considerable amounts of methanol and tritiated water. The possible implication of these reactions in mutagenic and carcinogenic effects of tritium-substituted hydrocarbons is discussed.     

取代短链脂肪酸对秀丽隐杆线虫的抗氧化作用

短链脂肪酸(short chain fatty acids, SCFAs)是碳原子数为1～6的有机脂肪酸,不但可以作为生物体内能源物质,而且还具有抗炎、影响肠道菌群代谢和预防早发1型糖尿病等重要作用。然而,目前多数是对传统短链脂肪酸的生物学作用进行研究,对取代短链脂肪酸(short branched-chain fatty acids, SBCFAs)的相关研究甚少。本研究以秀丽隐杆线虫为模式动物,系统探究SBCFAs的抗氧化生物活性作用。采用胡桃醌氧化应激模型,在体内评价SBCFAs对秀丽隐杆线虫生存能力的影响,并通过体外抗氧化及H_2DCFDA荧光染色实验,进一步评价SBCFAs清除活性氧自由基(reactive oxygen species,ROS)的能力。本研究证实,在氧化应激研究中,传统脂肪酸不能延长秀丽隐杆线虫的存活时间,而2′-甲基取代短链脂肪酸(n=4-6)具有显著的抗氧化作用。体外抗氧化实验表明,2′-甲基取代短链脂肪酸(n=4-6)不具有体外直接清除ROS的能力,但是H_2DCFDA荧光染色实验显示2′-甲基丁酸能够显著降低线虫体内的ROS水平,表明2′-甲基丁酸通过降低体内ROS水平,从而增强秀丽隐杆线虫的抗氧化应激能力。本研究提示,传统短链脂肪酸不具有抗氧化作用;2′-甲基取代短链脂肪酸(n=4-6)能显著增强秀丽隐杆线虫的抗氧化能力;甲基取代位置和取代烷基长度对短支链脂肪酸的抗氧化作用至关重要,其作用机制需进一步研究。     

Effects of ortho-substituent groups of sulochrin on inhibitory activity to eosinophil degranulation.

Sulochrin, a metabolite of fungi, has been shown to have an inhibitory activity to eosinophil degranulation. A series of sulochrin derivatives substituted at ortho-positions to the 10-carbonyl group was examined the activity. The importance of alkylester at C-6 position and several chemical properties of substituted groups at ortho-positions to exhibit activity are described.     

Preliminary evaluation of the cytotoxicity of a series of tris-2-aminoethylamine (Tren) based hexadentate heterocyclic donor agents

Tachpyridine is a cytotoxic metal chelator with potential anti-tumor activity. The synthesis and evaluation of a set of derivatives of the related hexadentate heterocyclic donor agents tris-2-aminoethylamine (tren) and tris[N-(2-pyridylmethylene)-2-aminoethyl]amine (trenpyr) was performed to compare their cytotoxic activity to tachpyridine in HeLa tumor cells. Methyl groups were added to the pyridyl ring of trenpyr, and the effects of alkyl group substitution on cell survival were assessed. Profound cytotoxicity was observed and IC50 data were obtained in ascending order from those compounds substituted with a methyl group at the 3-, 4-, or 5-position and lastly by the 6-methyl derivative. These results suggest that analogous derivatives with substitution at the 3-position of the pyridyl ring deserve further exploration.     

Bioactive naphthoquinones from Cordyceps unilateralis

Six bioactive naphthoquinone derivatives, erythrostominone, deoxyerythrostominone, 4-O-methyl erythrostominone, epierythrostominol, deoxyerythrostominol and 3,5,8-trihydroxy-6-methoxy-2-(5-oxohexa-1,3-dienyl)-1,4-naphthoquinone, were isolated from the insect pathogenic fungus Cordyceps unilateralis BCC1869. While the latter is synthetically known, both it and 4-O-methyl erythrostominone are products of fungus strain C. unilateralis BCC1869.     

New adducts of chloroethylene oxide and chloroacetaldehyde with pyrimidine nucleosides

Pyrimidine nucleosides were treated with chloroethylene oxide (CEO) and 2-chloroacetaldehyde (CAA) in methanol and, following trimethylsilylation, the products were analysed by combined gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Reaction of CEO with 2'-deoxycytidine gave 3,N4-etheno-2'-deoxycytidine and diadduct isomers in which a 1-hydroxy-2-chloroethyl group was substituted for hydrogen on either deoxyribose hydroxyl group. When the N-3-position of 2'-deoxycytidine was blocked by a methyl group, CEO or CAA added a 2-chlorovinyl group at the exocyclic N4 amino nitrogen, as evidenced by a pair of cis/trans isomers. Reaction of 3-methylcytidine and CEO also gave the cis/trans 2-chlorovinyl base adducts, as well as six isomers with a 1-hydroxy-2-chloroethyl group attached to ribose and nine isomeric diadducts, which are possibly positional and optical isomers. Although CEO and CAA were less reactive towards uracil in 3-methyluridine than to cytosine in 3-methyl(deoxy)-cytidine, both electrophiles were able to alkylate 3-methyluridine on ribose, yielding 1-hydroxy-2-chloroethyl derivatives. These data suggest that CEO and CAA may also yield non-cyclic adducts with cytosine in double-stranded DNA where the N-3 position is of low accessibility. Such adducts are of interest in view of their potential promutagenic properties. The data also imply a new mechanism of reaction of CEO with nucleophiles.     

Reactions of chloride salts of 7-amino-9-ethylguanine and 1-amino-3-methylbenzimidazoles with lead(IV) acetate: formation of 8-aza-9-ethylguanine and 1-methyl-1H-benzotriazoles

Reaction of 7-amino-9-ethylguaninium chloride with lead(IV) acetate (LTA) in MeOH yielded 8-aza-9-ethylguanine. Similarly, the reaction of 1-amino-3-methylbenzimidazolium chloride or its substituted derivatives (6-methyl, 5,6-dimethyl and 5-nitro) with LTA gave the corresponding 1-methyl-1H-benzotriazole (or 1-methyl-2-azabenzimidazole) derivatives along with N-methylformananilide derivatives.     

Physical and chemical properties of a biosurfactant synthesized by Rhodococcus species H13-A

The chemical and physical properties of a biosurfactant synthesized by hexadecane-grown Rhodococcus species H13-A are described. The biosurfactant is an anionic glycolipid consisting of 1 major and 10 minor components. The hydrophilic portion of the molecule is trehalose, which is acylated with normal C(10) to C(22) saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, C(35) to C(40) mycolic acids, hexanedioic and dodecanedioic acids, and 10-methyl hexadecanoic and 10-methyl octadecanoic acids. The major glycolipid species was identified as 2,3,4,6,2',3',4',6'-octaacyltrehalose, plus minor glycolipid species of di-, tetra- and hexa-acyltrehalose derivatives. The glycolipid exhibited a critical micelle concentration of 1.5?mg/mL and minimum interfacial tension value of 2?×?10(-2)?mN/m against decane, with a further reduction in interfacial tension to 6?×?10(-5)?mN/m in the presence of the cosurfactant pentanol. The phase behavior of the glycolipid indicates the formation of a surfactant-rich, "middle-phase" microemulsion containing liquid crystals, both of which are associated with surfactant systems having ultralow interfacial tension values. Key words: trehalose lipids, glycolipids, biosurfactants.     

Separation and identification of O-acetyl-O-methyl-galactononitriles by gas-liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry

The gas-liquid-chromatographic retention-times and the mass-spectral features of partially methylated d-galactononitrile acetates are reported. Distinctive fragmentation of each of the mono-O-methyl derivatives allows their identification, and the results are applicable to the same substituted derivatives of the other aldohexoses. A new fragmentation-pathway, typical of the acetylated and the O-acetyl-O-methylaldononitriles, is proposed in order to justify previously unexplained fragments. This fragmentation competes with the known ones in derivatives that do not carry vicinal methoxyl groups.     

Antimicrobial activity of some substituted triazoloquinazolines

Fifteen substituted 1,2,4-triazolo[4,3-c]quinazolines were tested for antibacterial and antifungal effects. The most effective derivatives had the triazoloquinazoline skeleton substituted with the pharmacologically active chromophores--morpholine, chlorine and nitro group. The broadest antimicrobial activity was found with 5-morpholin-4-yl-3-(5-nitrothien-2-yl)[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-c]quinazoline in concentration of 10 mg/L for B. subtilis, 50 mg/L for S. aureus and 100 mg/L for C. tropicalis. The highest tested concentration of derivative caused 83% growth inhibition of R. nigricans.     

Transformations of steroids by Beauveria bassiana

The course of transformations of testosterone and its derivatives, including compounds with an additional C1,C2 double bond and/or a 17alpha-methyl group, a 17beta-acetyl group or without a 19-methyl group, by a Beauveria bassiana culture was investigated. The fungi promoted hydroxylation of these compounds at position 11alpha, oxidation of the 17beta-hydroxyl group, reduction of the C1,C2 or C4,C5 double bonds and degradation of the progesterone side-chain, leading to testosterone. The structure of 4-ene-3-oxo-steroids had no influence on regio- and stereochemistry of hydroxylation. In a similar manner, dehydroepiandrosterone was hydroxylated by Beauveria bassiana at position 11alpha, however, a small amount of 7alpha-hydroxylation product was also formed.