Synthesis of a 2-acetamido-5-amino-2,5-dideoxy- -xylopyranosyl derivative

2-Acetamido-5-amino-2,5-dideoxy- -xylopyranosyl hydrogensulfite (11) has been synthesized from benzyl 2-(benzyloxycarbonylamino)-2-deoxy-5,6-O-isopro-pylidene-β- -glucofuranoside (1). O-Deisopropylidenation of 1 gave the triol 2, which was converted, via oxidative cleavage at C-5-C-6 and subsequent reduction, into the related benzyl β- -xylofuranoside derivative (3). Catalytic reduction of benzyl 2-(benzyloxycarbonylamino)-2-deoxy-5-O-tosyl-β- -xylofuranoside, derived from 3 by selective tosylation, and subsequent N-acetylation, afforded benzyl 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-5-O-tosyl-β- -xylofuranoside, which was treated with sodium azide to give the corresponding 5-azido derivative (6). (Tetrahydropyran-2-yl)ation of the product formed by hydrolysis of 6 gave 2-acetamido-5-azido-2,5-dideoxy-1,3- di-O-(tetrahydropyran-2-yl)- -xylofuranose (9). Treatment of 2-acetamido-5-amino-2,5-dideoxy-1,3-di-O-(tetrahydropyran-2-yl)- -xylofuranose, derived from 9 by reduction, with sulfur dioxide in water gave 11. Hydrogenation of 6 and subsequent acetylation yielded 3-acetamido-4,5-diacetoxy-1-acetyl-xylo-piperidine. Evidence in support of the structures assigned to the new derivatives is presented.     

Change in chemical composition of membrane of Bacillus caldotenax after shifting the growth temperature

Membranes from Bacillus caldotenax contain neutral lipids and phospholipids such as phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidyl glycerol and cardiolipin. Each of the lipids has almost the same fatty acid composition. When the growth temperature decreases, not only the fatty acid composition but also the lipid composition changes such that the membrane fluidity increases, and the composition of membrane-bound proteins also changes. On shifting the growth temperature from 65° to 45°C, the bacterium grows immediately with a doubling time at 45°C, but the compositions of proteins and lipids in membranes gradually change and reach the compositions typical of cells growing at 45°C one doubling time after the temperature shift, respectively. It is concluded that the change in chemical composition of membrane of the bacterium on the temperature shift from 65° to 45°C is not prerequisite for growth at 45°C.     

Synthetic studies on amino-α-glycosides of aminocyclitols. Synthesis of kanamycin analogues

A diastereoisomer of Kanamycin C has been synthesized by a modified Koenigs—Knorr reaction of 3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-2-(2,4-dinitroanilino)-2-deoxy-α-D-glucopyranosyl bromide with 4-O-(3-acetamido-2,4,6-tri-O-benzyl-3-deoxy-α-D-glucopyranosyl)-N,N′-di[(benzyloxy)carbonyl]-2-deoxystreptamine. Several Kanamycin analogues were synthesized by a similar condensation reaction. Each of the condensed products was isolated as its crystalline tetra-N-acetyl derivative and was proved by n.m.r. spectroscopy in D₂O to have the α-configuration.     

Isopropylidenation with 2,2-dimethoxypropane-N,N-dimethylformamide-p-toluenesulfonic acid selective substitution in certain aminocyclitols

The behavior of a variety of N-acetyl- and N-(benzyloxycarbonyl)-aminocyclitols with 2,2-dimethoxypropane-N,N-dimethylformamide-p-toluenesulfonic acid has been examined. Both cis- and trans-vicinal hydroxyl groups are readily bridged to give 1,3-dioxolanes. In one (sterically favorable) case, the reagent linked the nitrogen atom of an acetamido group with a vicinal hydroxyl group to give an N-acetyl-2,2- dimethyloxazolidine; this heterocyclic system is less labile to acid than are the 1,3-dioxolanes.     

17-dehydrolimonoate A-ring lactone: A possible metabolite of limonoate A-ring lactone in Citrus fruits

A new limonoid, 17-dehydrolimonoate A-ring lactone (III), was isolated from orange peel, juice and lemon seeds and seedlings. This compound which is non-bitter appears to be an initial product of limonoate A-ring lactone (II) metabolism. As such it may be the initial intermediate in at least one debittering pathway in citrus fruits.     

ET-1 induced bronchoconstriction in the early phase but not late phase of anesthetized dogs is inhibited by indomethacin and ICI 198615.

Intratracheally injected or aerosolized ET-1 induced quick and long-lasting bronchoconstriction of anesthetized mongrel dogs, thus increasing respiratory resistance(Rrs) with concomitantly decreasing dynamic compliance(Cdyn). As collateral resistance(Rcs) was measured postexposure to aerosolized ET-1 using wedged bronchoscope technique, ET-1 increased Rcs in a dose and time dependent manner. The increase attained maximal in 2 min and then, gradually declined. When the dogs were pretreated with the intravenous injection of 0.1 micrograms/kg ICI 198615, an inhibitor of lipoxygenase, the constrictive response was slowed down. Essentially similar results were also observed with the intravenous injection of 5 mg/kg indomethacin. Our observations suggest that the early phase of the ET-1 induced bronchoconstriction is mediated by eicosanoid metabolites.