Synthesis of l,7-Diphenyl-l,3-heptadien-5-one,One of the Components in the Fresh Catkin of Alnus pendula

Several microorganisms capable of utilizing 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACPC) were isolated from soil. A bacterium which belongs to Pseudomonas accumulated cellular α-aminobutyrate with consumption of ACPC and cells incubated with ACPC medium had the activity deaminating the substrate to form α-ketobutyrate. An enzyme, ACPC deaminase, was highly purified and its molecular weight, substrate specificity and absorption spectrum were investigated. These results suggested that this enzyme was a pyridoxal 5′-phosphate enzyme which has the molecular weight of 104000 and high specificity for ACPC, Km= 1.5 mM. A yeast, Hansenula saturnus, is also capable of forming ACPC deaminase, which has a lower molecular weight, 69000, and higher Km value, 2.6 mM.     

Structure and Synthesis of a Minor Component in the Oxidation Products of Crude Natural Variotin Oxidized with Manganese Dioxide,and Its Reduction with Lithium Aluminum Tri-t-butoxy Hydride

The structure of a minor component in the oxidation products of crude natural variotin oxidized with manganese dioxide is elucidated. The synthesis of the investigated compound, N-(6-oxo-2,4-trans, tralls-heptadienoyl) 2-pyrrolidonide, and the reduction of the substance are also described.     

Syntheses of dl-N-Demethylvariotinyl 2-Pyrrolidonide (dl-Demethylvariotin), 2-Piperidonide,and ε-Caprolactamide

The syntheses of three dl-demethylvariotins are described.     

Metabolism of Isoxathion,O, O-Diethyl O-(5-Phenyl-3-isoxazolyl) phosphorothioate in the Rats

Excretion, distribution and metabolism of the insecticide, Isoxathion, administered orally in male Wistar-strain rats, were investigated with a carbon-14 labeled chemical. During 96 hr, approximately 85% and 14% of the total radioactivity were excreted in the urine and feces. Distribution of isoxathion after oral administration in the rats was investigated by means of whole-body autoradiographic technique and measurement of radioactivity in the tissues. At least eleven radioactive metabolites were detected, four of which were structurally determined. They were 3-hydroxy-5-phenylisoxazole, 3-(β-d-glucopyranuronosyloxy)-5-phenylisoxazole, 5-phenyl-3-isoxazolyl sulfate and hippuric acid.     

An Acid- and Heat-stable β-Fructofuranosidase from Corticium rolfsii

We reported previously that an ndhB gene disruptant, ΔndhB, had the same phenotype as wild-type tobacco plants under normal growth conditions. Two other groups have reported conflicting phenotypes with each other for ndhCKJ operon disruptants. Here, we generated two transformants in which the ndhCKJ operon was disrupted, and found that new transformants had the same phenotype as ΔndhB. After illumination with visible light, all ndh disruptants had higher levels of steady-state fluorescence than wild-type controls when measured under weak light, suggesting that reduction of the plastoquinone pool in ndh disruptants was greater than that in wild-type controls. The weak light itself could not reduce the plastoquinone much, so the reduction in the plastoquinone in the mutant was due to electron donation from stromal reductants generated during illumination with the strong light. These results supported the hypothesis that NAD(P)H dehydrogenase prevents overreduction in chloroplasts and suggested that chlororespiratory oxidase did not function under low light or in the dark.     

Usefulness of Glucokinase from Bacillus stearothermophilus for the Enzymatic Measurement of Magnesium in Human Serum

(22R,23R,24S)-3α,5-Cyclo-22,23-diacetoxy-5a-ergostan-6-one (2b) is a new key intermediate of some naturally occurring brassinosteroids such as brassinolide (la), castasterone (lb), teasterone (lc) and typhasterol (Id). The cycloketone 2b was prepared in 10 steps via (22R,23R,24S)-6p- benzyloxy-3a,5-cyclo-22,23-dihydroxy-5a-ergostane (5) from stigmasterol. 2b was treated with a catalytic amount of /7-toluenesulfonic acid and sodium bromide to give an enone (7b), which was oxidized with osmium tetroxide and derived to give a 2a,3a-acetonide (8b). 8b was easily separated from its isomer by the use of silica gel column chromatography. 8b was oxidized with tri- fluoroperacetic acid and deacetylated to give la. 8b was deacetylated and deacetonized to give lb. 2b was treated with dilute sulfuric acid in acetic acid to give a 3/^-acetate (10). 10 was treated with sodium hydroxide to give lc. 2b was treated with hydrobromic acid to give a 3/i-bromide (12), which was treated with silver acetate to give a 3a-acetate (13). 13 was treated with sodium hydroxide to give Id.     

Metabolism of Hymexazol, 3-Hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole,in the Rats

Excretion, distribution and metabolism of the fungicide, hymexazol, (3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole), labeled with carbon-14 were examined after administration of a single oral dose to Wistar-strain rats. Hymexazol was rapidly absorbed and distributed in the tissues. During 96 hr, 97% of the total radioactivity was excreted in the urine and 0.89% in the feces, and 0.86% was found in the expired gasses for 24 hr. Two metabolites were detected in the urine, whose chemical structures were determined as 3-(β-d-glucopyranuronosyloxy)-5- methylisoxazole and 5-methyl-3-isoxazolyl sulfate.     

Photolysis of 3-Hydroxyisoxazoles

Photolysis of 3-hydroxy-5-phenylisoxazole in methanol with a low-pressure mercury lamp afforded 5-phenyl-4-oxazolin-2-one, together with small amounts of benzoic acid and benzoylacetamide. Similarly, 3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole in distilled water afforded 5-methyl-4-oxazolin-2-one as the major product. Both isoxazoles were stable in sunlight for up to 20 days.