Synthesis of 2,6-disubstituted benzylamine derivatives as reversible selective inhibitors of copper amine oxidases

In order to obtain substrate-like inhibitors of copper amine oxidases (CAOs), a class of enzymes involved in important cellular processes as well as in crosslinking of elastin and collagen and removal of biogenic primary amines, we synthesized a set of benzylamine derivatives properly substituted at positions 2 and 6 and studied their biological activity towards some members of CAOs.With benzylamines 6, 7, 8 containing linear alkoxy groups we obtained reversible inhibitors of benzylamine oxidase (BAO), very active and selective toward diamine oxidase (DAO), lysyl oxidase (LO) and monoamine oxidase B (MAO B) characterized by a certain toxicity consequent to the crossing of the brain barrier. Poorly toxic, up to very active, reversible inhibitors of BAO, very selective toward DAO, LO and MAO B, were obtained with benzylamines 10, 11, 12 containing hydrophilic ω-hydroxyalkoxy groups. With benzylamines 13, 14, 15, containing linear alkyl groups endowed with steric, but not conjugative effects for the absence of properly positioned oxygen atoms, we synthesized moderately active inhibitors of BAO reversible and selective toward DAO, LO and MAO B.The cross examination of the entire biological data brought us to the conclusion that the bioactive synthesized compounds most likely exert their physiological role of reversible inhibitors in consequence of the formation of a plurality of hydrogen bonds or hydrophobic non-covalent interactions with proper sites in the protein. Accordingly, the reported inhibitors may be considered as a set of research tools for general biological studies and the formation of enzyme complexes useful for X-ray structure determinations aimed at the design of more sophisticated inhibitors to always better modulate the protein activity without important side effects.     

Baker’s yeast mediated preparation of (10-alkyl-10H-phenothiazin-3-yl)methanols

A series of 10-alkyl-10H-phenothiazine-3-carbaldehydes (2a–h) were obtained by Vilsmeier–Haack formylation from the corresponding 10-alkyl-10H-phenothiazines (1a–h) and reduced to (10-alkyl-10H-phenothiazine-3-yl)methanols (3a–h) by two alternative methods. The baker’s yeast catalyzed reaction proved to be superior over the NaBH₄ reduction and yielded the desired 3-hydroxymethylphenothiazines (3a–h) almost quantitatively.     

Synthetic analogs of daidzein, having more potent osteoblast stimulating effect

A series of didzein derivatives were synthesized and assessed for stimulation of osteoblast differentiation using primary cultures of rat calvarial osteoblasts. Data suggested that three synthetic analogs, 1c, 3a and 3c were several folds more potent than daidzein in stimulating differentiation and mineralization of osteoblasts. Further, these three compounds did not show any estrogen agonistic activity, however had mild estrogen antagonistic effect. Out of the three compounds, 3c was found to maximally increase the mineralization of bone marrow osteoprogenitor cells. Compound 3c also robustly increased the mRNA levels of osteogenic genes including bone morphogenetic protein-2 and osteocalcin in osteoblasts. Unlike daidzein, 3c did not inhibit osteoclastogenesis. Collectively, we demonstrate osteogenic activity of daidzein analogs at significantly lower concentrations than daidzein.     

A simple, convenient and chemoselective formylation of sterols by Vilsmeier reagent

Vilsmeier reagent (DMF-POCl(3)) was used as an efficient formylating agent. Several sterols having sec-hydroxyl group at 3/17-position have been modified into respective formate esters. The method is simple, mild, chemoselective and provides sec-alcoholic protection in good yields.     

Acid-labile formylation of amino terminal proline of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 p24(gag) was found by proteomics using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry

HIV-1(LAV-1) particles were collected by ultracentrifugation, treated with subtilisin, and then purified by Sepharose CL-4B column chromatography to remove microvesicles. The lysate of the purified human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) particles was subjected to two-dimensional (2D) gel electrophoresis and stained, and the stained spots were excised and digested with trypsin. The resulting peptide fragments were characterized by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). Twenty-five proteins were identified as the proteins inside the virion and the acid-labile formyl group of an amino terminal proline residue of HIV-1(LAV-1) p24(gag) was determined by MALDI-TOF MS before and after weak-acid treatments (0.6 N hydrochloric acid) and confirmed by post-source decay (PSD) of the N-formylated N-terminal tryptic peptide (N-formylated Pro(1)-Arg(18)). The role of formylation has been unclear so far, but it is surmised that the acid-labile formylation of HIV-1(LAV-1) p24(gag) may play a critical role in the formation of the HIV-1 core for conferring HIV-1 infectivity.     

Recognition of the initiator tRNA by the Pseudomonas aeruginosa methionyl-tRNA formyltransferase: importance of the base-base mismatch at the end of the acceptor stem

Formylation of the initiator methionyl-tRNA (Met-tRNAfMet) in eubacteria is catalyzed by methionyl-tRNA formyltransferase (MTF). Features of the Escherichia coli tRNAfMet that are important for formylation are the base-base mismatch between nucleotides 1 and 72, and the second and third base pairs of the acceptor stem. The base-base mismatch is the most crucial formylation determinant in the E. coli tRNAfMet. However, it is not known whether this feature is also important for formylation of other eubacterial tRNAfMet. We cloned the Pseudomonas aeruginosa MTF gene by complementation of an E. coli MTF mutant strain with a genomic library, and investigated the catalytic properties and substrate specificity of the enzyme. The results show that the P. aeruginosa and E. coli enzymes have comparable affinities for the tRNAfMet and N10-formyltetrahydrofolate (fTHF) substrates. Overproduction of the P. aeruginosa MTF rescued the initiator activity of an E. coli formylation-defective tRNAfMet with a base pair between nucleotides 1 and 72, indicating that the base-base mismatch is utilized by the P. aeruginosa MTF for recognition of the tRNAfMet. Therefore, this feature may be used by MTFs from other eubacteria to distinguish the initiator from elongator tRNAs.     

A mild conversion from 3-vinyl- to 3-formyl-chlorophyll derivatives

The C3-vinyl group of a chlorophyll derivative, methyl pyropheophorbide-a, was converted into the formyl group by a novel one-pot reaction with thiophenol at room temperature. The mild reaction can provide insight into development of ‘green’ catalysts displacing OsO₄ or O₃, and into elucidation of unknown biosynthetic processes of chlorophyll-d.     

Synthesis of <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-<Emphasis Type="Italic">Z</Emphasis>, <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>′-Formyl α-Amino Acid Derived Gem-Diamines

A variety of N-carbobenzoxy, N′-formyl gem-diaminoalkyl derivatives have been obtained through Goldsmith-Wick reaction of Z-α-amino acid/peptide acid derived isocyanates with 96% HCOOH in presence of 4-dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP) as catalyst. The reaction proceeds to completion within 2–4 h and results in good yields of the products isolated as stable solids.