Asymmetric synthesis ofα-aminophosphonic acids

Summary The enantiospecific synthesis of several-aminophosphonic esters starting from enantiomerically pure derivatives of phosphonic analogues of homoserine is reported.     

A novel synthesis of 2-deoxy-α-glycosides

The key step of the synthesis involves the reaction of glycals [3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-d-glucal (1), the new glycal derivative 4-O-acetyl-1,5-anhydro-2,6-dideoxy-3-C-methyl-3-O-methyl-l-ribo-hex-l-enitol (2), and 3-acetamido-4,6,-di-O-acetyl-1,5-anhydro-2,3-dideoxy-d-arabino-hex-l-enitol (3)] with 1.5 molar equivalents of several alcohols in the presence ofN-bromosuccinimide in acetonitrile to give mainly the corresponding 2-bromo-2-deoxy-α-glycopyranosides (4-21). The glycopyranosides (4-8 and16-21) from1 and3 have the α-d-manno configuration and those (10-15) from2 have the α-l-altro configuration. The yields are high from1, virtually quantitative from2, and moderate from3. Debromination of the 2-bromo-2-deoxy compounds with tributylstannane and a radical initiator gives the corresponding 2-deoxy-α-glycopyranosides (22-38) in quantitative yields. In particular, the branched-chain glycal2 reacts with alcohols to give exclusively the corresponding α-glycopyranosides (27-32) of cladinose in strikingly high overall yields. The stereoselectivity and regiospecificity of the bromination reaction are described. 1,3-Dibromo-5,5-dimethylhydantoin andN-bromoacetamide are also found to be useful for the reaction.     

A new synthesis of 4-O-α-d-galactopyranosyl-d-galactopyranose

The bromide-catalyzed condensation of 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-benzyl-d-galactopyranosyl bromide (11) with methyl 2,3,6-tri-O-benzoyl-α-d-galactopyranoside (3) gave methyl 2,3,6-tri-O-benzoyl-4-O-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-benzyl-α-d-galactopyranosyl)-α-d-galactopyranoside (12) in 83% yield. The yield of this glycosidation reaction was high, despite the axial orientation of the 4-hydroxyl group of 3. Stepwise deprotection of 12 afforded methyl 4-O-α-d-galactopyranosyl-α-d-galactopyranoside (15). Acetylation of 15, followed by acetolysis, gave the known α-octaacetate 17. This scheme constituted a total synthesis of 4-O-α-d-galactopyranosyl-d-galactopyranose (2) in 25% yield from 3. The disaccharide 2 is the terminal disaccharide of the ceramide trisaccharide related to Fabry's disease.     

α-D-galactosidase-catalysed synthesis of partially protected α-linked digalactopyranosides

Summary The facile synthesis of partially protected -linked digalactopyranosides was achieved employing -D-galactosidase as stereospecific catalyst and partially protected -galactopyranosides as acceptors. The influence of changing the structure and the number of protecting groups on yield and regioselectivity is described. The preparative synthesis of the structure Galp 1-3 (2-O–Bn) Galp -OMe, which is useful e.g. for the preparation of blood group determinant B and analogs, was achieved.     

α-Glucan synthesis in the cotyledons of germinating lupins

On germination, both in the dark and light, a glucan, that can be extracted with DMSO and precipitated as the I₂ complex, is synthesized in the cotyledons of lupins. In the dark, it can be labelled with radioactivity from U-¹³C-labelled d-glucose, d-fructose, d-galactose, l-arabinose and sucrose. Enzymic hydrolysis of this material was consistent with it being α (1 → 4) (1 → 6) glucan. The iodine absorption spectra and gel chromatographic behaviour on Sepharose CL-2B of extracts at 4 days and later after imbibition indicated that the polysaccharide was starch-like. The amylose percentage increased with time of germination. The material extracted at 2 days contained no significant amount of amylose and the gel chromatographic behaviour differed somewhat from that of amylopectin.     

Glycosidase-catalysed synthesis of glycosylated amino acids: synthesis of GalNAcα-Ser and GlcNAcβ-Ser derivatives

A glycosidase from Aspergillus oryzae catalysed the stereospecific formation of various derivatives of the Tn antigen, D-GalNAca1O-L-Ser, employing D-GalNAc-OPhNO - p as glycosyl donor and different N- and C-protected L-Ser derivatives as acceptors. The same glycosidase preparation was also useful for stereospecific preparation of D-GalNAca1O-L-Thr and D-GlcNAc1O-L-Ser derivatives. Yields were in the range 10-50% depending on the type of acceptor. Lipase from porcine pancreas was used for specific hydrolysis, generating a Tn antigen derivative with a free carboxyl group. This facilitates the use of the derivatives in e.g. solid phase synthesis of glycopeptides.     

α-Chymotrypsin-catalyzed synthesis of poly-l-cysteine in a frozen aqueous solution

Poly-l-cysteine (PLCys) is drawing attention as a potential sorbent of thiol (SH)-reactive toxic heavy metal ions in the wastewater and polluted soils. However, preparation of PLCys relies on chemically synthesized polymers, in which SH groups must be protected and deprotected prior to use. On the other hand, α-chymotrypsin polymerized l-cysteine ethyl ester in a frozen aqueous solution, provides PLCys with degree of polymerization from 6 to 11 without blocking of SH groups. Kinetic analyses suggested that the acylation of α-chymotrypsin with the initial substrate was a rate-limiting step in the enzymatic polymerization. The peptide yields reached 85% and 65% of SH groups in PLCys were assumed to be free forms. Although detail information on correlation between the state of SH groups and heavy metal adsorption properties of PLCys should be explored in further studies, the present study for the first time proposed an easy method for synthesis of PLCys requiring neither SH-protection nor -deprotection.     

A diastereoselective synthesis of 7α-nitromethyl steroid derivative and its use for an efficient synthesis of eplerenone

A novel and efficient method of stereoselectively introducing α-nitromethyl group to C-7 position of 11α-hydroxyl canrenone 4 was described. In addition, this method was successfully applied in a total synthesis of Eplerenone 8. The route was characteristic of simple operation, moderate reaction conditions with 5 steps and 55% total yield, at the same time, without any expensive or toxic reagent in use.     

A chemoenzymatic synthesis of 5a-carba-α-D-mannose-6-phosphate

An efficient chemical synthesis of 5a-carba-α-D-mannose and its enzymatic elaboration to 5a-carba-α-D-mannose-6-phosphate, using yeast hexokinase, is described.     

The synthesis of 6-deoxy-6-fluoro-α,α-trehalose and related analogues

Selective acid-catalysed methanolysis of 2,3,2′,3′-tetra-O-benzyl-4,6:4′,6′-di-O-benzylidene-α,α-trehalose yielded the monobenzylidene derivative, which was converted into the 4,6-dimesylate. Selective nucleophilic displacement of the primary sulphonyloxy group then gave 2,3-di-O-benzyl-6-deoxy-6-fluoro-4-O-mesyl-α-d-glucopyranosyl 2,3-di-O-benzyl-4,6-O-benzylidene-α-d-glucopyranoside. Removal of the protecting groups then yielded 6-deoxy-6-fluoro-α,α-trehalose. In addition, 6-deoxy-6-fluoro-4-O-mesyl-α,α-trehalose and a derivative of 4-chloro-4,6-dideoxy-6-fluoro-α-d-galactopyranosyl α-d-glucopyranoside were also prepared from the same substrate. Iodide displacement of 2,3-di-O-benzyl-4,6-di-O-mesyl-α-d-glucopyranosyl 2,3-di-O-benzyl-4,6-di-O-mesyl-α-d-glucopyranoside afforded the 6-iodide and 6,6′-di-iodide in yields of 31 and 36%, respectively. Similarly, the 6-azide and 6,6′-diazide were isolated in yields of 17 and 21%, respectively.     

Suppression of Gαs synthesis by simvastatin treatment of vascular endothelial cells

These studies explore the effects of statins on cyclic AMP-modulated signaling pathways in vascular endothelial cells. We previously observed (Kou, R., Sartoretto, J., and Michel, T. (2009) J. Biol. Chem. 284, 14734-14743) that simvastatin treatment of endothelial cells leads to a marked decrease in PKA-modulated phosphorylation of the protein VASP. Here we show that long-term treatment of mice with simvastatin attenuates the vasorelaxation response to the β-adrenergic agonist isoproterenol, without affecting endothelin-induced vasoconstriction or carbachol-induced vasorelaxation. We found that statin treatment of endothelial cells dose-dependently inhibits PKA activation as assessed by analyses of serine 157 VASP phosphorylation as well as Epac-mediated Rap1 activation. These effects of simvastatin are completely reversed by mevalonate and by geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate, implicating geranylgeranylation as a critical determinant of the stain response. We used biochemical approaches as well as fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) methods with a cAMP biosensor to show that simvastatin treatment of endothelial cells markedly inhibits cAMP accumulation in response to epinephrine. Importantly, simvastatin treatment significantly decreases Gα(s) abundance, without affecting other Gα subunits. Simvastatin treatment does not influence Gα(s) protein stability, and paradoxically increases the abundance of Gα(s) mRNA. Finally, we found that simvastatin treatment inhibits Gα(s) translation mediated by Akt/mTOR/eIF4/4EBP. Taken together, these findings establish a novel mechanism by which simvastatin modulates β-adrenergic signaling in vascular wall, and may have implications for cardiovascular therapeutics.     

One step synthesis of 6-oxo-cholestan-3β,5α-diol

Cholesterol metabolism has been recently linked to cancer, highlighting the importance of the characterization of new metabolic pathways in the sterol series. One of these pathways is centered on cholesterol-5,6-epoxides (5,6-ECs). 5,6-ECs can either generate dendrogenin A, a tumor suppressor present in healthy mammalian tissues, or the carcinogenic cholestane-3β,5α,6β-triol (CT) and its putative metabolite 6-oxo-cholestan-3β,5α-diol (OCDO) in tumor cells. We are currently investigating the identification of the enzyme involved in OCDO biosynthesis, which would be highly facilitated by the use of commercially unavailable [¹⁴C]-cholestane-3β,5α,6β-triol and [¹⁴C]-6-oxo-cholestan-3β,5α-diol. In the present study we report the one-step synthesis of [¹⁴C]-cholestane-3β,5α,6β-triol and [¹⁴C]-6-oxo-cholestan-3β,5α-diol by oxidation of [¹⁴C]-cholesterol with iodide metaperiodate (HIO₄).     

Enantiospecific synthesis of (R-(+)-α-lipoic acid from d-glucose

The first enantiospecific synthesis of natural (R)-(+)-α-lipoic acid in 13 steps starting from d-glucose is described.     

A synthesis of 7α-hydroxyandrost-4-ene-3, 17-dione

The first convenient chemical synthesis of 7α-hydroxyandrost-4-ene-3,17-dione is reported. Androsta-4,6-diene-3,17-dione was converted into its 6α,7α-epoxy-derivative; reduction of the epoxide with aluminium amalgam gave 7α-hydroxyandrost-4-ene-3,17-dione. This reducing agent is more efficient than chromous acetate for the purpose.     

An efficient synthesis of γ-hydroxy-α,β-unsaturated aldehydic esters of 2-lysophosphatidylcholine

The diverse biological activities of ??-hydroxyalkenal phospholipids and their involvement in disease are the subject of intense study. Phospholipid aldehydes, such as the 4-hydroxy-7-oxohept-5-enoic acid ester of 2-lyso-phosphatidylcholine (HOHA-PC), the 5-hydroxy-8-oxo-6-octenoic acid ester of 2-lyso-PC (HOOA-PC), and the 9-hydroxy-12-oxododec-10-enoic acid ester of 2-lyso-PC (HODA-PC), are generated by oxidative cleavage of polyunsaturated fatty acyl phospholipids. To facilitate investigations of their chemistry and biology, we now report efficient total synthesis of HOOA, HODA, and HOHA phospholipids. Because the target ??-hydroxyalkenals readily decompose through oxidation of the aldehyde group to a carboxylic acid or through cyclization to furans, these synthesis generate the sensitive functional array of the target phospholipids under mild conditions from acetal derivatives that are suitable for long-term storage.     

Carbon source regulation of th ephenazine-α-carboxylic acid synthesis in Pseudomonas aureofaciens

Summary 1. Formation of phenazine--carbolic acid in Pseudomonas aureofaciens is closely related to the carbon sources in the culture medium. 2. With the exception of quinic acid only carbon sources with glyceraldehyde phosphate as metabolic intermediate seem to give rise to phenazine--carboxylic acid production. 3. Monoiodoacetate inhibits this pigment formation.     

UDP-N-Acetyl-α-D-glucosamine as acceptor substrate of β-1,4-galactosyltransferase. Enzymatic synthesis of UDP-N-acetyllactosamine

The capacity of UDP-N-acetyl-alpha-D-glucosamine (UDP-GlcNAc) as an in vitro acceptor substrate for beta-1,4-galactosyltransferase (beta4GalT1, EC 2.4.1.38) from human and bovine milk and for recombinant human beta4GalT1, expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, was evaluated. It turned out that each of the enzymes is capable to transfer Gal from UDP-alpha-D-galactose (UDP-Gal) to UDP-GlcNAc, affording Gal(beta1-4)GlcNAc(alpha1-UDP (UDP-LacNAc). Using beta4GalT1 from human milk, a preparative enzymatic synthesis of UDP-LacNAc was carried out, and the product was characterized by fast-atom bombardment mass spectrometry and 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy. Studies with all three beta4GalTs in the presence of alpha-lactalbumin showed that the UDP-LacNAc synthesis is inhibited and that UDP-alpha-D-glucose is not an acceptor substrate. This is the first reported synthesis of a nucleotide-activated disaccharide, employing a Leloir glycosyltransferase with a nucleotide-activated monosaccharide as acceptor substrate. Interestingly, in these studies beta4GalT1 accepts an alpha-glycosidated GlcNAc derivative. The results imply that beta4GalT1 may be responsible for the biosynthesis of UDP-LacNAc, previously isolated from human milk.     

Improved synthesis of 3α,7α,12α,24ξ -tetrahydroxy-5 β -cholestan-26-oic acid

This paper describes three simple and short methods for the conversion of cholic acid into cholylaldehyde with protected hydroxyl groups. The first method involves lithium aluminum hydride reduction of the tetrahydropyranyl ether of methyl cholate and oxidation of the resulting primary alcohol with pyridinium chlorochromate. The second method employs diborane for the reduction of the -COOH group to the -CH₂OH group, while the third method involves the reduction of 3α, 7α, 12α -triformyloxy-5β -cholan-24-oic acid (as the acid chloride) directly into 3α, 7α, 12α -triformyloxy-5β -cholan-24-al with TMA-ferride (tetramethylammonium hydridoirontetracarbonyl). The aldehyde obtained by any of the above methods underwent smooth Reformatsky reaction with ethyl α -bromopropionate to yield 3α, 7α, 12α, 24ξ -tetrahydroxy-5β -cholestan-26-oic acid.