Shimalactone Biosynthesis Involves Spontaneous Double Bicyclo-Ring Formation with 8π-6π Electrocyclization

Shimalactones A and B are neuritogenic polyketides possessing characteristic oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane and bicyclo[4.2.0]octadiene ring systems that are produced by the marine fungus Emericella variecolor GF10. We identified a candidate biosynthetic gene cluster and conducted heterologous expression analysis. Expression of ShmA polyketide synthase in Aspergillus oryzae resulted in the production of preshimalactone. Aspergillus oryzae and Saccharomyces cerevisiae transformants expressing ShmA and ShmB produced shimalactones A and B, thus suggesting that the double bicyclo-ring formation reactions proceed non-enzymatically from preshimalactone epoxide. DFT calculations strongly support the idea that oxabicyclo-ring formation and 8π-6π electrocyclization proceed spontaneously after opening of the preshimalactone epoxide ring through protonation. We confirmed the formation of preshimalactone epoxide in vitro, followed by its non-enzymatic conversion to shimalactones in the dark.     

Synthesis and Systematic Structural Analysis of Cationic Half-Sandwich Ruthenium Chalcogenocarbonyl Complexes

Although the chemistry of transition-metal complexes with carbonyl (CO) and thiocarbonyl (CS) ligands has been well developed, their heavier analogues, namely selenocarbonyl (CSe) and tellurocarbonyl (CTe) complexes remain scarce. The limited availability of such CSe and CTe complexes has so far hampered our understanding of the differences between such chalcogenocarbonyl (CE: E=O, S, Se, Te) ligands. Herein, we report the synthesis and properties of a series of cationic half-sandwich ruthenium CE complexes of the type [CpRu(CE)(H₂IMes)(CNCH₂Ts)][BAr^F₄] (Cp=η⁵-C₅H₅⁻; H₂IMes=1,3-dimesitylimidazolin-2-ylidene; Ar^F=3,5-(CF₃)₂C₆H₃). A combination of X-ray diffraction analyses, NMR spectroscopic analyses, and DFT calculations revealed an increasing π-accepting ability of the CE ligands in the order O<S<Se<Te. A variable-temperature NMR analysis of the thus obtained chiral-at-metal CE complexes indicated high stereochemical stability.     

Micro‐ and Nano‐Technologies for Lipid Bilayer‐Based Ion‐Channel Functional Assays

Ion channel proteins provide gated pores that allow ions to passively flow across cell membranes. Owing to their crucial roles in regulating transmembrane ion flow, ion channel proteins have attracted the attention of pharmaceutical investigators as drug targets for use in the studies of both therapeutics and side effects. In this review, we discuss the current technologies that are used in the formation of ion channel‐integrated bilayer lipid membranes (BLMs) in microfabricated devices as a potential platform for next‐generation drug screening systems. Advances in BLM fabrication methodology have allowed the preparation of BLMs in sophisticated formats, such as microfluidic, automated, and/or array systems, which can be combined with channel current recordings. A much more critical step is the integration of the target channels into BLMs. Current technologies for the functional reconstitution of ion channel proteins are presented and discussed. Finally, the remaining issues of the BLM‐based methods for recording ion channel activities and their potential applications as drug screening systems are discussed.     

Development of 1,3a,6a-triazapentalene-labeled enterobactin as a fluorescence quenching sensor of iron ion

1,3a,6a-Triazapentalene (TAP)-labeled enterobactin was developed as an iron ion sensor. 3-Acetylated-TAP was successfully introduced to the catechol ring of enterobactin, a well-recognized siderophore secreted by various Gram-negative bacteria. The fluorescence of TAP-labeled enterobactin decreased gradually as the amount of Fe³⁺ ion as an additive was increased, and 1.2 equiv of Fe³⁺ ion completely quenched the fluorescence. In clear contrast, when other metal ions were used, the fluorescence of TAP-labeled enterobactin remained even at 5.0 equiv.     

Simple Synthesis of a Heterocyclophane Exhibiting Anti-c-Met Activity by Acting as a Hatch Blocking Access to the Active Site**

A simple approach to the synthesis of heterocyclophane consisting of two 4,4’-bithiazoles has been developed in mild conditions. The heterocyclophane with two short chains was conveniently prepared by Hantzsch thiazoles synthesis using the reaction of 3-tert-butoxycarbonyl-3-azapentanethiocarboxamide with 1,4-dibromobutane-2,3-dione in methanol under reflux for only 15 min. Amino groups at the linkers of this heterocyclophane can be functionalized to give acylated and carbamate derivatives. Their properties as protein kinase inhibitors were investigated, and one of the heterocyclophanes exhibited specific anti-activity for c-mesenchymal epithelial transition factor (IC₅₀=603 nm ), among seven types of protein kinases investigated. The computational site identification by ligand competitive saturation method was used to determine why the one heterocyclophane exhibited strong anti-activity for c-mesenchymal epithelial transition factor.     

Ruthenocene‐Type Complexes of N‐Fused Porphyrins

Ruthenocene‐type hybrid complexes with N‐fused porphyrinato ligands, [Ru(NFp)Cp] (NFp=N‐fused porphyrin, Cp=cyclopentadienyl), have been prepared and characterized by NMR and UV/Vis/NIR spectroscopy, cyclovoltammetry, and X‐ray crystallography. [Ru(NFp)Cp] is a common low‐spin ruthenium(II) complex and shows strong aromaticity. The Ru–Cp distance (1.833 Å) in [Ru(NFp)Cp] is comparable to that in [RuCp₂] (1.840 Å). DFT calculations on [Ru(NFp)Cp] showed the unequivocal contribution of the RuCp moiety as well as the NFp moiety to both the HOMO and LUMO, constructing a three‐dimensional d–π conjugated system. The HOMO–LUMO gaps of [Ru(NFp)Cp] are insensitive to the substituents on the NFp ligand, which is illustrated spectroscopically as well as theoretically. This is in sharp contrast to the ligand precursor, the N‐fused porphyrin, in which the HOMO–LUMO gap is affected by substituents in a similar manner to standard porphyrins and related macrocycles.     

Efficient synthesis of an optically active tetrahydrozerumbone exhibiting a fragrance and the application of zerumbone derivatives with a medium ring structure

(R)-Tetrahydrozerumbone 2, which has a powerful balmy fragrance, contains a stereogenic carbon at the C2 position and can be easily prepared from zerumbone 1, one of the most important materials displaying an NMRDOS character. The reduction of 2 gave two diastereomers of tetrahydrozerumbol 3, and the optically active (>99%ee) alcohols were obtained by a lipase-catalyzed stereoselective transesterification of each racemic alcohol. A barrier to this development is a long reaction time (about four weeks) and the need to separate the diastereoisomers. The desired (2R)-form of 3 was efficiently obtained by a lipase-catalyzed transesterification under optimized conditions using a diastereomeric mixture of racemic 3 as the starting material without separation of the diastereomers. Using this method, the reaction of other zerumbone derivatives is greatly improved.     

Structure–function relationships of the supramolecular assembly of the bacterial photosynthetic antenna complexes in lipid membranes

Appropriate experimental platforms are required to clarify the structure–function relationships of membrane protein assemblies. In photosynthetic bacteria, light-harvesting complex 2 and light-harvesting/reaction center core complex play key roles in capturing and transferring light energy and facilitating subsequent charge separation. These photosynthetic apparatuses form a supramolecular assembly in the photosynthetic membrane. However, the mechanism through which this assembly influences the efficiency of energy conversion remains to be clarified. We review our recent studies that were conducted to evaluate the structure–function relationship of the supramolecular assembly of photosynthetic antenna complexes in various lipid bilayer systems, as well as the construction of novel systems of planar lipid membranes for use as experimental platforms.