Spongipyran synthetic studies. Evolution of a scalable total synthesis of (+)-spongistatin 1

Three syntheses of the architecturally complex, cytotoxic marine macrolide (+)-spongistatin 1 (1) are reported. Highlights of the first-generation synthesis include: use of a dithiane multicomponent linchpin coupling tactic for construction of the AB and CD spiroketals, and their union via a highly selective Evans boron-mediated aldol reaction en route to an ABCD aldehyde; introduction of the C(44)-C(51) side chain via a Lewis acid-mediated ring opening of a glucal epoxide with an allylstannane to assemble the EF subunit; and final fragment union via Wittig coupling of the ABCD and EF subunits to form the C(28)-C(29) olefin, followed by regioselective Yamaguchi macrolactonization and global deprotection. The second- and third-generation syntheses, designed with the goal of accessing 1 g of (+)-spongistatin 1 (1), maintain both the first-generation strategy for the ABCD aldehyde and final fragment union, while incorporating two more efficient approaches for construction of the EF Wittig salt. The latter combine the original chelation-controlled dithiane union of the E- and F-ring progenitors with application of a highly efficient cyanohydrin alkylation to append the F-ring side chain, in conjunction with two independent tactics to access the F-ring pyran. The first F-ring synthesis showcases a Petasis-Ferrier union/rearrangement protocol to access tetrahydropyrans, permitting the preparation of 750 mg of the EF Wittig salt, which in turn was converted to 80 mg of (+)-spongistatin 1, while the second F-ring strategy, incorporates an organocatalytic aldol reaction as the key construct, permitting completion of 1.009 g of totally synthetic (+)-spongistatin 1 (1). A brief analysis of the three syntheses alongside our earlier synthesis of (+)-spongistatin 2 is also presented.     

Total synthesis of (+)-spongistatin 1. An effective second-generation construction of an advanced EF Wittig salt,fragment union,and final elaboration

A stereocontrolled, total synthesis of (+)-spongistatin 1 (1) has been achieved. Union of a second-generation EF Wittig salt (+)-3 with the advanced ABCD aldehyde (-)-4, followed by regioselective macrolactonization and global deprotection afforded (+)-spongistatin 1 (1). The longest linear sequence, 29 steps, proceeded in 0.5% overall yield.     

Gram-scale synthesis of (+)-spongistatin 1: development of an improved, scalable synthesis of the F-ring subunit, fragment union, and final elaboration

In a quest to develop an effective, scalable synthesis of (+)-spongistatin 1 ( 1), we devised a concise, third-generation scalable synthesis of (+)- 7, the requisite F-ring tetrahydropyran aldehyde, employing a proline-catalyzed cross-aldol reaction. Subsequent elaboration to (+)-EF Wittig salt (+)- 3, followed by union with advanced ABCD aldehyde (-)- 4, macrolactonization and global deprotection permitted access to >1.0 g of totally synthetic (+)-spongistatin 1 ( 1).     

Spongistatin synthetic studies. evolution of a scalable synthesis for the EF fragment of (+)-Spongistatin 1 exploiting a Petasis-Ferrier union/rearrangement tactic

[structure: see text] An efficient, stereocontrolled, and scalable second-generation synthesis of (+)-3, an advanced EF subtarget for the total synthesis of (+)-spongistatin 1, has been achieved. Highlights of the strategy include preparation of the F-ring pyran via a Petasis-Ferrier union/rearrangement sequence and installation of the chlorodiene side chain employing a cyanohydrin alkylation. The longest linear sequence, 26 steps, proceeds in 8.3% overall yield.     

Biological response as a function of conformation,chirality, and electronic characteristics: A catecholamine study

The hypothesis is introduced, that nonrigid drug molecules interact with biological receptors in a well-defined but unknown conformation that need not belong to an energy minimum. A verification of this assumption has to include a match of conformation and chirality. Even the different action of pairs of nonrigid enantiomers allow one to recognize uniquely the important role of conformations because flexible molecules are partially able to avoid wrong attachment to the receptor. According to a simple model, a monotonic relation between biological activity and rotational barriers (and/or torque constants) can be expected and, by means of rank correlation analysis of adrenergic activities, has been found, too. In order to apply the latter method, particularities concerning quantitative structure–activity analyses of nonrigid and/or chiral molecules are worked out. We optimized conformations by means of analytically calculated first partials of the energy and a quasi-Newton method. Using a convenient numerical method, it was shown that coplanar conformations of catecholamines are generally unstable. Moreover, CNDO /2 proved to be a reliable method for conformational studies, in which rotations about conjugated bonds [1] are not considered.     

Structure of human telomeric DNA in crowded solution

G-quadruplex structures formed by DNA at the human telomeres are attractive anticancer targets. Human telomeric sequences can adopt a diverse range of intramolecular G-quadruplex conformations: a parallel-stranded conformation was observed in the crystalline state, while at least four other forms were seen in K(+) solution, raising the question of which conformation is favored in crowded cellular environment. Here, we report the first NMR structure of a human telomeric G-quadruplex in crowded solution. We show that four different G-quadruplex conformations are converted to a propeller-type parallel-stranded G-quadruplex in K(+)-containing crowded solution due to water depletion. This study also reveals the formation of a new higher-order G-quadruplex structure under molecular crowding conditions. Our molecular dynamics simulations of solvent distribution provide insights at molecular level on the formation of parallel-stranded G-quadruplex in environment depleted of water. These results regarding human telomeric DNA can be extended to oncogenic promoters and other genomic G-rich sequences.     

Convergent Synthesis of Repeating Peptides (Val-X-Leu-Pro-Pro-Pro)(8) Adopting a Polyproline II Conformation

The N-terminal domain of maize gamma-zein has a repetitive structure (Val-His-Leu-Pro-Pro-Pro)(8) that has recently been shown to adopt an amphipathic polyproline II type conformation in aqueous solution. We report here the synthesis and conformational analysis of three model peptides (Val-X-Leu-Pro-Pro-Pro)(8) (X = Ala (1), Glu (2), Lys (3)). The three compounds have been synthesized in a very efficient way using a convergent solid-phase strategy. Circular dichroism shows unequivocally that the three model peptides adopt polyproline II (PPII) type conformations under a variety of experimental conditions and that neither the presence of histidine nor amphipathicity of the peptide is an absolute requirement for adopting the native conformation. These results open the door for the de novo design of compounds with PPII conformations and must be taken into account in the structure prediction of protein structures from sequence data banks.     

Interplay among folding, sequence, and lipophilicity in the antibacterial and hemolytic activities of alpha/beta-peptides

Host-defense peptides inhibit bacterial growth but manifest relatively little toxicity toward eukaryotic cells. Many host-defense peptides adopt alpha-helical conformations in which cationic side chains and lipophilic side chains are segregated to distinct regions of the molecular surface ("globally amphiphilic helices"). Several efforts have been made to develop unnatural oligomers that mimic the selective antibacterial activity of host-defense peptides; these efforts have focused on the creation of molecules that are globally amphiphilic in the preferred conformation. One such endeavor, from our laboratories, focused on helix-forming alpha/beta-peptides, i.e., oligomers containing a 1:1 pattern of alpha- and beta-amino acid residues in the backbone [Schmitt, M. A.; Weisblum, B.; Gellman, S. H. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2004, 126, 6848-6849]. We found, unexpectedly, that the most favorable biological activity profile was displayed by a "scrambled" sequence, which was designed not to be able to form a globally amphiphilic helix. Here we report new data, involving an expanded set of alpha/beta-peptides, from experiments designed to elucidate the origins of this surprising result. In addition, we evaluate the susceptibility of alpha/beta-peptides to proteolytic degradation. Our results support the hypothesis that the ability to adopt a globally amphiphilic helical conformation is not a prerequisite for selective antibacterial activity. This conclusion represents a significant advance in our understanding of the relationship among molecular composition, conformation, and biological activity. Our results should therefore influence the design of other unnatural oligomers intended to function as antibacterial agents.     

Spongipyran synthetic studies. Total synthesis of (+)-spongistatin 2

Evolution of a convergent synthetic strategy to access (+)-spongistatin 2 (2), a potent cytotoxic marine macrolide, is described. Highlights of the synthesis include: development of a multicomponent dithiane-mediated linchpin union tactic, devised and implemented specifically for construction of the spongistatin AB and CD spiro ring systems; application of a Ca^II ion controlled acid promoted equilibration to set the thermodynamically less stable axial-equatorial stereogenicity in the CD spiroketal; use of sulfone addition/Julia methylenation sequences to unite the AB and CD fragments and introduce the C(44)-C(51) side chain; and fragment union and final elaboration to (+)-spongistatin 2 (2) exploiting Wittig olefination to unite the advanced ABCD and EF fragments, followed by regioselective Yamaguchi macrolactonization and global deprotection. Correction of the CD spiro ring stereogenicity was subsequently achieved via acid equilibration in the presence of Ca^II ion to furnish (+)-spongistatin 2 (2). The synthesis proceeded with a longest linear sequence of 41 steps.     

菌类多糖链构象及其表征方法研究进展 （专题报道）

 概述了菌类多糖在溶液中链构象及其表征方法的研究进展.主要报道从各种真菌（香菇、茯苓、灵芝、木耳、黄单胞菌、裂褶菌等）中提取的多糖在溶液中的分子量、分子形态和尺寸,即链构象.同时介绍多糖链构象对生物活性的影响,并且指出多糖刚性链带电基团及适量分子量有利于促进它与免疫细胞上受体结合,从而抑制肿瘤细胞增殖.由此表明,多糖链构象的研究对弄清其生物功能和推动生命科学发展十分重要.多糖在溶液中主要以无规线团、双螺旋、三螺旋、蠕虫状、棒状链以及聚集体构象存在,它取决于单糖组成、糖苷键、支链结构以及分子内和分子间作用力.测定链构象的方法主要包括光散射、黏度、显微技术（透射电镜,扫描电镜以及原子力显微镜）、微量热法和小角X-射线散射等.此外,介绍了多糖溶液理论以及计算链构象参数的表达式.     

Über Arsen-haltige Heterocylen. V. Konformative Gleichgewichte in 8gliedrigen Heterocyclen des Arsens und Antimons

On Heterocyclic Systems Containing Arsenic. V. Conformational Equilibria in Eight-Membered Heterocycles of Arsenic and Antimony ¹H- and ¹³C-NMR spectra were measured at and below room temperature and analysed quantitatively for two arsocanes and two stibocanes. Chemical shifts and coupling constants could be assigned and correlated with torsion angles starting from the known conformations in the solid. There are equilibria in solution between a chair-chair conformation and the two enantiomers of a boat-chair conformation at room temperature. These transitions turn infrequent at lower temperature. The amount of the two conformations is different for the four compounds. Transition states are discussed.     

Folding pathways of human telomeric type-1 and type-2 G-quadruplex structures

We have investigated new folding pathways of human telomeric type-1 and type-2 G-quadruplex conformations via intermediate hairpin and triplex structures. The stabilization energies calculated by ab initio methods evidenced the formation of a hairpin structure with Hoogsteen GG base pairs. Further calculations revealed that the G-triplet is more stable than the hairpin conformation and equally stable when compared to the G-tetrad. This indicated the possibility of a triplex intermediate. The overall folding is facilitated by K(+) association in each step, as it decreases the electrostatic repulsion. The K(+) binding site was identified by molecular dynamics simulations. We then focused on the syn/anti arrangement and found that the anti conformation of deoxyguanosine is more stable than the syn conformation, which indicated that folding would increase the number of anti conformations. The K(+) binding to a hairpin near the second lateral TTA loop was found to be preferable, considering entropic effects. Stacking of G-tetrads with the same conformation (anti/anti or syn/syn) is more stable than mixed stacking (anti/syn and vice versa). These results suggest the formation of type-1 and type-2 G-quadruplex structures with the possibility of hairpin and triplex intermediates.     

Two distinct conformers of the cyclic heptapeptide phakellistatin 2 isolated from the fijian marine sponge stylotellaaurantium

The isolation, structure determination, and solution conformation of two conformers of the cyclic heptapeptide phakellistatin 2 (cyclo-[Phe1-cis-Pro2-Ile3-Ile4-cis-Pro5-Tyr6-cis-Pro7]) isolated from the Fijian marine sponge Stylotella aurantium are reported. The conformers can be isolated separately by HPLC and are stable in methanol solution over a period of weeks as determined by NMR. Their NMR spectra and mass spectral fragmentation patterns differ significantly. Their solution conformations were determined by NOE-restrained molecular dynamics calculations and indicated that the two conformers had different folds, hydrogen bonding patterns, and solvent accessible surfaces. These factors may contribute to the independent stability of the two conformers, and may explain the variable biological activity previously reported for phakellistatin 2.     

NMR studies and conformations of asymmetric polyamides derived from cyclopropyl diacids and diamines

The synthesis and optical properties of the polyamides [poly(C3A˙C3B) and poly(C3A-C3MB)] derived from asymmetric trans-1,2-cyclopropanedicarboxylic acids (C3A), asymmetric trans-1,2-diaminocyclopropanes (C3B), and asymmetric trans-1,2-bis(methylamino) cyclopropanes (C3MB) were reported in the preceding article. This paper describes the NMR studies and conformations of the polyamides. The NMR studies of the polyamides and their diamide models have suggested that the polyamides have about a 90° torsional angle for NH (or CH₃) CH. This angle seems to be reasonable because of less steric interaction, especially for poly(+)C3A(+)C3MB. The N? CH₃ of the poly(+)C3A(+)C3MB in sulfuric acid-d₂ (D₂SO₄) is a singlet and is tentatively assigned to trans to the carbonyl oxygen of the amide group. In 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol-d₃ (TFE-d₃) and chloroform-d (CDCl₃) it is also a singlet and is tentatively assigned to cis. The overall results obtained suggest that poly(+)C3A(+)C3MB exists in a compact helical conformation in TFE and TMS, while some conformational transition to a highly extended helical form with opposite handedness is induced by the addition of MSA. Likewise, poly(+)C3A(+)C3B must exist in some ordered conformation in the solvents studied. Possible ordered conformations of the polyamides have been proposed based on the experimental results and some assumptions.     

On the Conformations of Halichlorine and the Pinnaic Acids: Nitrogen Inversion as a Possible Determinant of Biological Profile

Although the marine alkaloids halichlorine ( 1 ) and the pinnaic acids 2 , which contain a quinolizidine ring system, exhibit considerable structural homology, they act upon different biological targets (VCAM‐1 and cPLA₂, respectively). Quinolizidines can exist as cisoid or transoid invertomers. In the recently reported total synthesis of (+)‐halichlorine, it was determined by NMR that advanced intermediates 3 and 4 , containing the spiroquinolizidine core, exhibit the transoid conformation, while the macrolactone‐containing halichlorine has the cisoid conformation. We conclude that constraints imposed upon closure of the macrolactone ring force adoption of the cisoid conformation. The major conformational reorganization upon macrolactonization has implications for the design of pharmacophors and anticipated structure‐activity relationships in their action on biological targets.     

Synthesis and conformation of asymmetric rigid polyamides

Asymmetric polyamides from the reaction of either optically active trans-1,2-cyclopropanedicarboxylic acid (C3) or trans-1,2-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid (C6) with 2,7-diazaspiro[4,4]nonane(DSN) were synthesized. The possible conformations of these polymers and their model compounds in 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol (TFE), water, methanesulfonic acid (MSA), and sulfuric acid were examined by circular dichroism (CD), NMR, viscosity, and dipole moment measurements. The racemic polyamides (±)C3·(±)DSN and (±)C6·(±)DSN exist in extended forms. No intrinsic viscosity changes were observed for these two polymers in TFE and MSA. Certain viscosity and spectral changes have been observed for the optically active polyamides, although no specific ordered conformations can be assigned. The optically active diacid units incorporated into the polymer give a conformation unique from the totally extended chain. CD studies seem to evidence some conformational differences among the polyamide derived from (+)C6 diacid and the optically active DSN. By changing the solvent from TFE to MSA a blue shift of the trough was observed for (+)C6·(±)DSN, a red shift for (+)C6·(?)DSN, and an inversion of the CD spectrum for (+)C6·(+)DSN polyamides. The results of the work with (+)C6·(?)DSN in dilute acid solution suggest that the rotation around the C–N bond is a relatively low-energy process. The spectral and intrinsic viscosity data are consistent with this suggestion. No drastic spectral changes have been observed for the C3·DSN polyamides by changing the solvent from TFE to MSA. The amide group in the C3·DSN polyamide and the corresponding model compound prefer a similar conformation with the carbonyl group bisecting the cyclopropane ring. The C3·DSN polyamide seems to exist in an extended form.     

Stabilization of zwitterions in solution: GABA analogues

The solution-phase structures of a number of conformationally restricted gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) analogues are investigated at the MP2/6-31+G* level of theory, using both explicit water molecules and the conductor-like screening solvation model (COSMO) to model solvation. GABA analogues constrained in a cis conformation by either a double bond or cyclopropane ring have the potential to attain either folded, intramolecularly hydrogen-bonded, or partially folded conformations in solution. Systems constrained in a cis conformation by a cyclopentane or cyclopentene ring are more conformationally restricted and exist only in a folded, intramolecularly hydrogen-bonded form. GABA analogues constrained in a trans conformation by either a double bond or cyclopropane ring have the potential to adopt either partially folded or fully extended conformations in solution. Due to a lack of conformational flexibility, analogues that are constrained in a trans conformation by a cyclopentane or cyclopentene ring attain only partially folded conformations. Like GABA, conformationally flexible GABA analogues possess a large number of stable rotamers, and may exist in any or all of these conformations in aqueous solution. The structures of these analogues provide an essential foundation for subsequent structure-activity analysis of ligand binding at GABA receptors and transporters. This work is therefore expected to facilitate the design and development of new biologically active GABA analogues to treat GABA-related neurological disorders.     

UV resonance Raman determination of polyproline II, extended 2.5(1)-helix, and beta-sheet Psi angle energy landscape in poly-L-lysine and poly-L-glutamic acid

UV resonance Raman (UVR) spectroscopy was used to examine the solution conformation of poly-l-lysine (PLL) and poly-l-glutamic acid (PGA) in their non-alpha-helical states. UVR measurements indicate that PLL (at pH = 2) and PGA (at pH = 9) exist mainly in a mixture of polyproline II (PPII) and a novel left-handed 2.5(1)-helical conformation, which is an extended beta-strand-like conformation with Psi approximately +170 degrees and Phi approximately -130 degrees . Both of these conformations are highly exposed to water. The energies of these conformations are very similar. We see no evidence of any disordered "random coil" states. In addition, we find that a PLL and PGA mixture at neutral pH is approximately 60% beta-sheet and contains PPII and extended 2.5(1)-helix conformations. The beta-sheet conformation shows little evidence of amide backbone hydrogen bonding to water. We also developed a method to estimate the distribution of Psi Ramachandran angles for these conformations, which we used to estimate a Psi Ramachandran angle energy landscape. We believe that these are the first experimental studies to give direct information on protein and peptide energy landscapes.