Biosynthesis of the Verrucarins and Roridins. Part 1. The transformation of mevalonic acid into verrucarinic acid. Evidence for a hydrogen 1,2-shift. Verrucarins and roridins, 27th communication

Incorporation experiments using sodium [2-¹⁴C]-, [2-³H]-, (3R)-[5-¹⁴C]- and [2-³H, 2-¹⁴C]-mevalonates and with mevalonates stereospecifically tritiated at C(2) demonstrate the transformation of mevalonic acid ( 8 ) into verrucarinic acid ( 5 ). Degradation experiments showed that this transformation occurs with a hydrogen 1, 2-shift of the ‘pro-2R’ hydrogen atom of mevalonate to C(3) of verrucarinate. A possible mechanistic pathway is discussed.     

Biosynthesis of the Cytochalasans. Biosynthetic studies on chaetoglobosin A and 19-O-acetylchaetoglobosin A

Incorporation of [1-¹³C]-, [2-¹³C]- and [1,2-¹³C₂]-acetate, [1-¹³C]-propionate, [¹³C-CH₃]-L -methionine and [3-¹⁴C]-DL -tryptophan into chaetoglobosin A ( 1 ) and 19-O-acetylchaetoglobosin A ( 2 ) by Chaetomium globosum demonstrated that the building blocks of 1 and 2 are 9 and 10 units of acetate/malonate respectively, 3 units of methionine and 1 unit of tryptophan. Propionate is incorporated indirectly after several biological transformations. Using [2-¹³C, 2-²H₃]-acetate as precursor, the starter unit of the polyketide-chain was identified. Experiments which [¹³C, ²H₃-CH₃-L -methionine demonstrated that the three C-methylations occur with retention of all three H-atoms of the methyl group. Incorporation experiments with various ¹⁴C- and ³H-labelled tryphtophan samples and with [2-²H]- and [2-¹⁵N]-L -tryptophan showed that the amino acid is incorporated intact with retention of both the α-H- and the α-N-atom. On the basis of these results a more detailed general scheme of the cytochalasan biogenesis is proposed.     

Synthesis of 2-dichloromethyl-2-methyl [2-14C]-1,3-dioxolane

The labelled compound was prepared by chlorination of [2-¹⁴C]acetone obtained from the barium salt of [1-¹⁴C]acetic acid by pyrolysis. The reaction product 1,1-dichloro [2-¹⁴C]acetone was converted to 2-dichloromethyl-2-methyl [2-¹⁴C]-1,3-dioxolane by condensation with ethylene glycol in the presence of thionyl chloride. Radiochemical yield: 62% based on [1-¹⁴C]acetic acid.     

Facile conversion of [1-<Superscript>14</Superscript>C]lauronitrile to [1-<Superscript>14</Superscript>C]lauric acid under microwave irradiation

Summary A highly efficient and an optimized synthesis of [1-¹⁴C]lauric acid with high specific activity (50 mCi/mmol) is described. [1-¹⁴C]lauric acid was prepared from [1-¹⁴C]lauronitrile, in 2 minutes with a mixture of concentrated hydrochloric acid: propionic acid (1: 2 v/v) under microwave irradiation, in quantitative yield.     

Biosynthesis of cytochalasans. Part 5. The incorporation of deoxaphomin into cytochalasin B (phomin).

Radioactive deoxaphomin (1) which was obtained by feeding [4′-³H, U-¹⁴C]-L -phenylalanine to cultures of Phoma sp. (S298) was shown to be well incorporated into cytochalasin B (phomin) (2). The results demonstrate that 1 is an immediate biogenetic precursor of 2.     

An Efficient Synthesis of Optically Active [4-13C] Labelled Quorum Sensing Signal Autoinducer-2

A new synthetic route for the quorum sensing signal Autoinducer-2 (AI-2) is described and used for the preparation of [4-¹³C]-AI-2 starting from [1-¹³C]-bromoacetic acid. The key step in this process was the enantioselective reduction of an intermediate ketone. This synthesis provides, selectively, both enantiomers of the labelled or unlabelled parent compound, (R) or (S)-4,5-dihydroxypentane-2,3-dione (DPD) and was used for an improved synthesis of [1-¹³C]-AI-2.     

Synthesis of 24-Methylidene[24-14C]- and 24-Methylidene[7-3H]cholesterol

The syntheses of 24-methylidene[24-¹⁴C]cholesterol ( 7a ) and of 24-methylidene[7-³H]cholesterol ( 7b ) from commercially available (20S)-3-oxopregn-4-ene-20-carbaldehyde ( 1 ) are described. The method also provides simple preparations of 3β-acetoxy[24-¹⁴C]chol-5-en-24-oic acid ( 4 ) and 24-oxocholest-5-en-3β-yl acetate ( 6b ).     

Enzymatic Synthesis of [3-14C]Cinnamic Acid

Convenient and efficient route of the synthesis of [3-¹⁴C] cinnamic acid is reported. [1-¹⁴C]Benzoic acid, prepared by carbonation of Grignard reagent with [¹⁴C]carbon dioxide, was reduced to [1-¹⁴C]benzyl alcohol. In the enzymatic step this alcohol was selectively oxidised to [1-¹⁴C]benzaldehyde using enzyme YADH (Ec. 1.1.1.1) and immediately condensed with malonic acid. This combined chemical and enzymatic approach allows to obtain [3-¹⁴C]cinnamic acid with radiochemical yield higher than 50% in respect to the starting alcohol.     

Biosynthetic studies of marine lipids—3 : Experimental demonstration of the course of side chain extension in marine sterols

The Pacific sponge Aplysina fistularis was fed cholesterol-[4-¹⁴C],(24R)-methyl-25-dehydrocholesterol-[26-¹⁴C] (epicodisterol[26-¹⁴C]), (24S)-methyl-25-dehydrocholesterol-[26-¹⁴C] (codisterol-[26-¹⁴C]), and 24-methylenecholesterol-[28-¹⁴C]. Only epicodisterol, which has the same stereochemistry at C-24 as (24R,25S)-24,26-dimethylcholesterol (aplysterol), was converted with high efficiency into (24R)-24,27-dimethyl-25-dehydrocholesterol (25-dehydroaplysterol). Further side chain extension [to E-(24R)-24,26,27-trimethyl-25-dehydrocholesterol (verongulasterol)] could also be demonstrated.     

Einbauversuche mit (3H und 14C)-doppelmarkiertem Farnesol in Cantharidin. 5. Mitteilung zur Biosynthese des Cantharidins

Incorporation experiments with (³H and ¹⁴C) doubly labelled farnesols into cantharidin After injection of 11′, 12-[³H]-7-[¹⁴C]-farnesol or 11′, 12-[³H]-5,6-[¹⁴C]-farnesol, the ³H-label is located specifically in the C(9)-methyl-group of cantharidin, whereas the ¹⁴C-labelling pattern follows an incorporation via acetic acid (Scheme 4). C-Atoms 5, 6 and 7 from the middle part of the farnesol molecule are utilized for cantharidin biosynthesis to an extent that is about 2.1–11% of the incorporation rate of the methyl groups C(11′) and C(12), depending on the position of the ¹⁴C-label in farnesol. These results confirm our earlier hypothesis [1] that the C₁₀-molecule cantharidin is biosynthesized from the C₁₅-precursor farnesol which is cleaved between C(1)–C(2), C(4)–C(5), and C(7)–C(8). The synthesis of 7-[¹⁴C]-farnesol and of 5,6-[¹⁴C]-farnesol is described.     

Synthesis of [3-<Superscript>14</Superscript>C]-L-tryptophan and 5′-hydroxy-[3-<Superscript>14</Superscript>C]-L-tryptophan

The synthesis of selectively labeled [3-¹⁴C]-L-tryptophan and its derivative 5′-hydroxy-[3-¹⁴C]-L-tryptophan using chemical and multienzymatic methods is reported. The key intermediate for this synthesis, [3-¹⁴C]-DL-alanine was obtained from ¹⁴CH₃I as a result of its condensation with N-(diphenylmethylene)glycine tert-butyl ester. Next, the mixture containing [3-¹⁴C]-DL-alanine, indole or 5-hydroxyindole has been converted to [3-¹⁴C]-L-tryptophan or 5′-hydroxy-[3-¹⁴C]-L-tryptophan, respectively, in a one-pot multienzymatic reaction using four enzymes: D-amino acid oxidase, catalase, glutamic-pyruvic transaminase and tryptophanase.     

Biosynthesis of cytochalasans. Part 4. The mode of incorporation of common naturally-occurring carboxylic acids into cytochalasin D1.

Utilization of sodium [1-¹⁴C]-, [2–¹⁴C]-, and [1,2-¹³C]-acetates, [1-¹⁴C]-, [1-¹³C]-, or [2-¹⁴C]-propionates, [1-¹⁴C]-or [2-¹⁴C]-malonates, of [1-¹⁴C]- or of [1-¹⁴C]-myristic acid, or of [1-¹⁴C]- and [1-¹⁴C]-palmitic acid in the biosynthesis of cytochalasin D ( 1 ) by Zygosporium masonii was determined by degradation studies or by carbon magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The precursors were incorporated primarily via the acetate-malonate pathway to generate 1 from nine intact acetate units, eight of which are coupled in a head to tail fashion to form the C₁₆-polyketide moiety.     

Enzymatic synthesis of tryptamine and its halogen derivatives selectively labeled with hydrogen isotopes

Nine isotopomers of tryptamine and its halogen derivatives, labeled with deuterium, tritium in side chain, i.e., [(1R)-²H]-, [(1R)-³H]-, 5-F-[(1R)-²H]-, 5-F-[(1R)-³H]-, 5-Br-[(1R)-²H]-, double labeled [(1R)-²H/³H]-, 5-F-[(1R)-²H/³H]-, and ring labeled [4-²H]-, and [5-²H]-tryptamine, were obtained by enzymatic decarboxylation of l-Trp and its appropriate derivatives in deuteriated or tritiated media, respectively. Intermediates: [5′-²H]-l-Trp used for further decarboxylation was synthesized by enzymatic coupling of [5-²H]-indole with S-methyl-l-cysteine, and [4′-²H]-l-Trp was obtained by isotope exchange ¹H/²H of the authentic l-Trp dissolved in heavy water induced by UV-irradiation. Doubly labeled [(1R)-²H/³H]- and 5-F-[(1R)-²H/³H]-tryptamine were obtain by decarboxylation of l-Trp or [5′-F]-l-Trp carried out in ²H³HO incubation medium.     

Biogenesis of betalaine. Biotransformation of dopa and tyrosine in betalaminic acid part of the betanins

During studies on the biogenesis of betalains (I) in cactus fruits (Opuntia sp.). DL -dopa-1-[¹⁴C] and -2-[¹⁴C] were incorporated into betanin (III) which was obtained radiopure after crystallization. The specific activity remained constant after conversion to betanidin (IV) and to a neobetanidin derivative (IX). Reaction of radiobetanin with proline afforded indicaxanthin (V) carrying more than 90% of the radioactivity. Dopa (VI) is thus an efficient precursor for betalamic acid (VIII) but not for cyclodopa (VII). Decarboxylation of radiobetanidin and radioindicaxanthin showed that the carboxyl group of dopa remained a carboxyl group in the biotransformation to betalamic acid. It is concluded that the aromatic ring of dopa is cleaved and that re-cyclization involving the nitrogen generates the dihydropyridine moiety. Under the same conditions mevalonic acid, aspartic acid and phenylalanine showed low incorporations. Studies with beet seedlings and DL -dopa-1-[¹⁴C], -2-[¹⁴C] and DL -tyrosine-1-[¹⁴C] afforded similar results but with low incorporations.     

Diastereoselective synthesis of 3-tert-butyl-3,4-dihydropyrazolo[5,1-c][1,2,4]triazine-3,4-diyl dicarboxylates

The reactions of 3-tert-butyl-7-R¹-8-R²-pyrazolo[5,1-c][1,2,4]triazines (R¹ = H, Br; R² = Me, n-Bu) with N-bromosuccinimide in the presence of R³CO₂H (R³ = Me, t-Bu, Ph) afforded novel diastereomerically pure 3-tert-butyl-7-R¹-8-R²-3,4-dihydropyrazolo[5,1-c][1,2,4]triazine-3,4-diyl dicarboxylates. The structures of the isolated products were established on the basis of IR, ¹H, ¹³C, 2D NOESY NMR, high resolution mass spectrometry and X-ray single-crystal analysis. The steric and mechanistic origins of the observed regio- and stereoselectivity were also discussed.     

Late stages in the biosynthesis of abnormal erythrina alkaloids

The incorporation of (±)-, N-norprotosinomenine, N-nor-orientaline, N-nor-reticuline, norlaudanosoline, protosinomenine, and N-[2-(3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl)ethyl]-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl) ethylamine into coccuvine has been studied, and the specific utilisation of the (±)-norprotosinomenine demonstrated. A double labelling experiment with (±)-[1-³H,4'-methoxy-¹⁴C]-N-norprotosinomenine showed that the 4'-O-Me group of the precursor is retained in the bioconversion and the erythrinan ring system is not formed by addition of secondary amino function onto an ortho-quinone system. Feeding of (±)-[1-³H, 7-methoxy-¹⁴C]norprotosinomenine established that O-demethylation is the terminal step in the biosynthesis of coccuvine. Feeding of labelled abnormal Erythrina alkaloids revealed that isococculidine is converted into coccoline via coccuvinine and isococculine into coccolinine via coccuvine.     

Penicillin biosynthesis: Retention of configuration at c-3 of valine during its incorporation into the arnstein tripeptide

[3-³H]-valine was efficiently synthesised from sodium α-ketoisovalerate. With a β-lactam negative mutant of C. acremonium, l-[1-¹⁴C-3-³H]-valine and dl-[1-¹⁴C-3-³H]-valine were independently incorporated into the Arnstein tripeptide dimer, i.e. Bis-δ-(l-α-aminodipyl)-l-cystinyl-bis-d-valine, with full retention of trieium at C-3 of the d-valine residue. This result strongly suggested retention of configuration at C-3 of valine when the tripeptide was biosynthesised, and further limited the number of possible mechanisms for the biosynthesis of penicillins.     

Synthesis of dl-[2-13C]leucine and it use in the preparation of [3-dl-[2-13C]leucine]oxytocin and [8-dl-[2-13C]leucine]oxytocin: Preparative separation of diastereoisomeric peptides by partition chromatography and high pressure liquid chromatography

dl-[2-¹³C]Leucine was prepared by condensing the sodium salt of ethyl acetamido-[2-¹³C]cyanoacetate with isobutylbromide in hexamethylphosphoroustriamide followed by acid hydrolysis. N-Boc-dl-[2-¹³C]Leucine was prepared and incorporated into [8-dl-[2-¹³C]leucine]oxytocin by total synthesis. The ¹³C-labeled hormone derivative [8-[2-¹³C]leucine]oxytocin was separated from its 8-position diastereoisomer by partition chromatography. The specifically ¹³C-labeled peptide hormone diastereoisomeric analog [3-dl-[2-¹³C]leucine]oxytocin also was prepared by solid phase peptide synthesis. No suitable solvent system for partition chromatography separation of the latter diastereoisomeric peptide mixture could be found. However an excellent preparative separation of the diastereoisomers could be obtained by reverse phase high pressure liquid chromatography on a partisil 10 M9 ODS column using the solvent system 0.05 M ammonium acetate (pH 4.0), acetonitrile (81:19, $\text{v}\text{v}$) to give pure [3-(2-¹³C]leucine]oxytocin and [3-D-(2-¹³C]leucine]oxytocin. An excellent separation of [8[2-¹³C]leucine]oxytocin and the corresponding 8-D-leucine diastereoisomer derivative could also be accomplished by high pressure liquid chromatography.     

Biosyntheis of the alkaloids of Ammodendron karelinii

Summary The biosynthesis of the alkaloids ofAmmodendron karelinii Fisch. et Mey has been studied by feeding the plant with labelled [1,5-¹⁴C]cadaverine. It has been shown that cadaverine is a precursor of anagyrine, pachycarpine, ammodendrine, N-methylcytisine, and cytisine. Possible routes of interconversions have been considered by feeding the plant with the tritium-labelled [³H]pachycarpine, [³H]lupanine, [³H]anagyrine, and [³H]ammodendrine.V. I. Lenin Tashkent State University. Institute of Plant Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the GDR, Halle. Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 2, pp. 247–250, March–April, 1977.     

Investigation of the reactions of fluorine containing 3-hydrazino-5H-1, 2, 4-triazino[5, 6-b]indoles with ethyl acetoacetate. Synthesis of some novel tetracyclic ring systems

Novel tetracyclic ring systems viz. 3-methyl-1-oxo-12H-1, 2, 4-triazepino[3′,4′:3, 4][1, 2, 4]triazino[5, 6-b]indole ( 4a ) and 3-methyl-5-oxo-12H-1, 2, 4-triazepino[4′,3′:2, 3][1, 2, 4]triazino[5, 6-b]indole ( 5a ), having angular and linear structures respectively, were synthesized by the cyclization of 3-oxobutanoic acid [5H-1, 2, 4-triazino-[5, 6-b]indole-3-yl]hydrazone ( 3a ). However, cyclization of 3b (R = CH_a, R¹ = R² = H) afforded the angular product 4b exclusively. Moreover, cyclization of 3c (R = R³ = H, R¹ = F) yielded 7-fluoro-1-0xo-10H-1, 3-imidazo[2′,3′:3, 4][1, 2, 4]triazino[5, 6-b]indole ( 6c ) and 7-fluoro-3-oxo-10H-1, 3-imidazo[3′,2′:2, 3][1, 2, 4]triazino-[5, 6-b]indole ( 7c ) instead of the expected triazepinone derivatives. Compound 3d (R = R¹ = H, R² = CF₃) also gave an imidazole derivative but only one angular product was obtained. In all these reactions, formation of the angular product involving cyclization at N-4 is favoured. Characterization of these products have been done by elemental analyses, ir, pmr, ¹⁹F nmr and mass spectral studies.