Mass spectrometric analysis of ceramide perturbations in brain and fibroblasts of mice and human patients with peroxisomal disorders

In this study, the levels and composition of ceramides in brains of newborn mice lacking peroxisomes (Pex5-/-, Zellweger mice) were analyzed using normal-phase high-performance liquid chromatography/atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry (HPLC/APCI-MS). Total ceramide compositions were found to be comparable to that of control animals. However, a minor ceramide species, containing hexacosanoic/hexacosenoic acid as the amide fatty acid, was 9-fold increased. Also, in the sphingomyelin-derived ceramides this species was elevated. Subsequent analysis of extracts from fibroblasts of Pex5-/- mice and mice with a defective peroxisomal beta-oxidation (lacking D-specific multifunctional protein 2 (MFP2)), revealed, again, a similar rise in this particular ceramide. Further, this ceramide was elevated in human X-ALD fibroblasts as well. Whether C26:1/0-ceramide is linked to some of the pathology seen in Zellweger syndrome remains to be investigated. However, an increase in this sphingolipid can be considered as a diagnostic criterion for diseases caused by defects in peroxisome biogenesis or peroxisomal beta-oxidation.     

Enantioselective [4 + 2] cycloadditions of o-quinone methides: total synthesis of (+)-mimosifoliol and formal synthesis of (+)-tolterodine

The first example of an enantioselective cycloaddition of an o-quinone methide (o-QM) with a chiral enol ether is described along with the total synthesis of (+)-mimosifoliol and the formal synthesis of (+)-tolterodine. These syntheses exemplify a three-component, one-pot benzopyran approach for the construction of chiral benzylic junctions. Cycloadditions of various enol ethers and o-QMs are examined, and diastereoselectivities >95% are obtained with trans-2-phenyl-1-cyclohexanol and 2,2-diphenylcyclopentanol vinyl ethers.     

Chemical selectivity in the remote abstractive chemisorption of ICl on Al(111)

The interaction of ICl and Al(111) involves remote dissociation in its chemisorption process. In remote dissociation, an electron harpoons from an Al(111) surface to an ICl gas molecule to initiate the chemisorption process. We have determined that ICl can chemisorb onto Al(111) by non-activated direct chemisorption, and the sticking probability of this direct channel is 0.65 +/- 0.03. Furthermore, low energy ICl molecules that do not undergo remote dissociation can chemisorb onto Al(111) by precursor-mediated chemisorption. Not only is the interaction of ICl and Al(111) reactive, it is chemically selective. Studies with Auger spectroscopy reveal that the ratio of chlorine atoms to iodine atoms on the Al(111) is 0.32 +/- 0.10 at low (0.042 +/- 0.002) surface coverage. Time-of-flight mass spectrometry studies also show that chlorine atoms are the only species scattered from the surface after ICl interacts with Al(111). These results indicate that iodine-selective abstraction, in which the iodine atom of ICl chemisorbs to the aluminium surface while the chlorine atom is ejected into the gas phase, is the dominant mechanism in this reaction. Iodine-end first collisions are more reactive than chlorine-end first collisions because the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) of ICl is primarily composed of iodine atomic orbitals, and it is the LUMO that interacts with the harpooning electron from the aluminium.     

Quantitative measurement of different ceramide species from crude cellular extracts by normal-phase high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to atmospheric pressure ionization mass spectrometry

Normal-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (NP-HPLC) coupled to atmospheric pressure ionization mass spectrometry (APCI-MS) allows quantitative analysis of endogenous ceramide and dihydroceramide species from crude lipid extracts. Qualitative information for the species comes from observation of differences in chromatographic and mass spectrometric behavior between species (Pettus et al. Rapid Commun. Mass Spectrom. 2003; 17: 1017-1026). Quantitative analysis is achieved by (1) use of a synthetic internal standard as an extraction and injection control, (2) lack of salt adduction, ion suppression, or other matrix effects in APCI mode, and (3) consistent fragmentation and ionization of external standards across the physiologically relevant concentration range found in endogenous lipid samples. Application to the analysis and quantitation of ceramide and dihydroceramide from various cell lines is demonstrated. The results from APCI-MS analysis corroborate and enhance information acquired from use of the diacylglycerol kinase assay for total ceramide measurement. This technique readily allows simultaneous quantitation of ceramide and dihydroceramide species.     

A mild anionic method for generating o-quinone methides: facile preparations of ortho-functionalized phenols

A low-temperature method for generating o-quinone methides is described which permits facile introduction of assorted R substituents onto the aryl ring system at low temperature. The method is useful for the efficient preparation of ortho-ring-alkylated phenols.     

Diastereoselective Synthesis of a Simplified Core of Rishirilide B

A route enabling the synthesis of the stereo-triad of rishirilide B (1) from 2-hydroxy-3-methylnaphthalene-1,4-dione, is reported. Key transformations include the regioselective 1,2-Grignard addition to a tautomeric mixture of o- and p-quinones, regioselective carbamoylation of a tautomeric mixture, and a synopsis of the methods explored to convert various terminal vinyl ethers into the corresponding carboxylic acid by cleavage.     

The Total Synthesis of Eleutherobin: A Surprise Ending

An “sp ² –sp ³ Stille coupling” of the vinyl triflate 1 and the stannyl compound 2 is a key step toward the completion of the total synthesis of eleutherobin, a natural product exhibiting taxol-like cytotoxic activity.     

Unusual cycloadditions of o-quinone methides with oxazoles

Unusual reactions between various electron-rich oxazoles and ortho-quinone methides is described. This combination leads to some interesting adducts.     

Total synthesis of (+/-)-mitorubrinic acid

[reaction: see text] (+/-)-Mitorubrinic acid, a member of the azaphilone family of natural products, has been constructed in 12 steps. Key aspects of the synthesis include elaboration and oxidative dearomatization of an isocoumarin intermediate to provide the azaphilone nucleus with a disubstituted, unsaturated carboxylic acid side chain.