Enzymatic asymmetric hydroxylation of unnatural substrates with soybean lipoxygenase

Surrogate substrates mimicking the natural substrate (linoleic acid) bearing a spacing prosthetic group with a non-ionic hydroxyl terminus undergo asymmetric hydroxylation with soybean lipoxygenase. The prosthetic modifier supplies the missing structural features needed for enzymatic recognition and controls the regiochemical outcome of the reaction by its high hydrophobic content. The effect of pH on the regiochemistry clearly shows that all the substrates can arrange themselves at the active site of soybean lipoxygenase in only one orientation leading to formation of hydroperoxides by oxygenation at the ω-6 carbon.     

Brief total synthesis of the cell cycle inhibitor tryprostatin B and related preparation of its alanine analogue

Tryprostatin B was synthesized in 32% overall yield from the readily available dipeptide anhydride cyclo-(l-Trp-l-Pro). Its tandem C-3 prenylation/cyclization gave the corresponding pentacyclic pyrroloindole systems bearing a prenyl group at the indole C-3 position. These compounds were then submitted to acid-catalyzed opening of the newly formed ring, with concomitant migration of the prenyl group to the indole C-2 position. The alanine analogue of tryprostatin B was also prepared using a similar sequence. The successful implementation of this strategy strengthens the case for a biosynthetic route for the tryprostatins along similar lines.     

Allenyl azide cycloaddition chemistry: application to the total synthesis of (±)-meloscine

The pentacyclic alkaloid (±)-meloscine was prepared in 19 steps through a reaction sequence that features a putative azatrimethylenemethane intermediate, generated through cascade cyclization of an allenyl azide substrate, to deliver the core azabicyclo[3.3.0]octadiene substructure. Subsequent manipulation of the peripheral functionality then delivered (±)-meloscine.     

A Pauson-Khand approach to the synthesis of ingenol

[reaction: see text] Pauson-Khand cyclization of dioxanone photoadduct 21 leads to the formation of a single product in good yield. However, retro-aldol fragmentation of the pentacyclic cyclopentenone 22 leads to the formation of 23, with cis C-8/C-10 intrabridgehead stereochemistry, unlike the target compound ingenol 1, which possesses C-8/C-10 trans intrabridgehead stereochemistry.     

Synthesis and Kinetic Evaluation of Inhibitors of the Phosphatidylinositol-Specific Phospholipase C from Bacillus cereus

Substrate analogues of phosphatidylinositol (1) were synthesized and evaluated as potential inhibitors of the bacterial phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C (PI-PLC) from Bacillus cereus. The chiral analogues of the water-soluble phospholipid substrate 5 were designed to probe the effects of varying the inositol C-2 hydroxyl group, which is generally believed to serve as the nucleophile in the first step of the hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositols by PI-PLC. In the analogues 6-9, the C-2 hydroxyl group on the inositol ring of the phosphatidylinositol derivatives was rationally altered in several ways. Inversion of the stereochemistry at C-2 of the inositol ring led to the scyllo derivative 6. The inositol C-2 hydroxy group was replaced with inversion by a fluorine to produce the scyllo-fluoro inositol 7 and with a hydrogen atom to furnish the 2-deoxy compound 8. The C-2 hydroxyl group was O-methylated to prepare the methoxy derivative 9. The natural inositol configuration at C-2 was retained in the nonhydrolyzable phosphorodithioate analogue 10. The inhibition of PI-PLC by each of these analogues was then analyzed in a continuous assay using D-myo-inositol 1-(4-nitrophenyl phosphate) (25) as a chromogenic substrate. The kinetic parameters for each of these phosphatidylinositol derivatives were determined, and each was found to be a competitive inhibitor with K(i)'s as follows: 6, 0.2 mM; 10, 0.6 mM; 8, 2.6 mM; 9, 6.6 mM; and 7, 8.8 mM. This study further establishes that the hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositol analogues by bacterial PI-PLC requires not only the presence of a C-2 hydroxyl group on the inositol ring, but the stereochemistry at this position must also correspond to the natural myo-configuration. For future inhibitor design, it is perhaps noteworthy that the best inhibitors 6 and 10 each possess a hydroxyl group at the C-2 position. Several of the inhibitors identified in this study are now being used to obtain crystallographic information for an enzyme-inhibitor complex to gain further insights regarding the mechanism of hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositides by this PI-PLC.     

Promiscuity of carbonic anhydrase II. Unexpected ester hydrolysis of carbohydrate-based sulfamate inhibitors

Carbonic anhydrases (CAs) are enzymes whose endogenous reaction is the reversible hydration of CO(2) to give HCO(3)(-) and a proton. CA are also known to exhibit weak and promiscuous esterase activity toward activated esters. Here, we report a series of findings obtained with a set of CA inhibitors that showed quite unexpectedly that the compounds were both inhibitors of CO(2) hydration and substrates for the esterase activity of CA. The compounds comprised a monosaccharide core with the C-6 primary hydroxyl group derivatized as a sulfamate (for CA recognition). The remaining four sugar hydroxyl groups were acylated. Using protein X-ray crystallography, the crystal structures of human CA II in complex with four of the sulfamate inhibitors were obtained. As expected, the four structures displayed the canonical CA protein-sulfamate interactions. Unexpectedly, a free hydroxyl group was observed at the anomeric center (C-1) rather than the parent C-1 acyl group. In addition, this hydroxyl group is observed axial to the carbohydrate ring while in the parent structure it is equatorial. A mechanism is proposed that accounts for this inversion of stereochemistry. For three of the inhibitors, the acyl groups at C-2 or at C-2 and C-3 were also absent with hydroxyl groups observed in their place and retention of stereochemistry. With the use of electrospray ionization-Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance-mass spectrometry (ESI-FTICR-MS), we observed directly the sequential loss of all four acyl groups from one of the carbohydrate-based sulfamates. For this compound, the inhibitor and substrate binding mode were further analyzed using free energy calculations. These calculations suggested that the parent compound binds almost exclusively as a substrate. To conclude, we have demonstrated that acylated carbohydrate-based sulfamates are simultaneously inhibitor and substrate of human CA II. Our results suggest that, initially, the substrate binding mode dominates, but following hydrolysis, the ligand can also bind as a pure inhibitor thereby competing with the substrate binding mode.     

Biogenetic syntheses of kopsijasminilam and deoxykopsijasminilam

The hexacyclic ketoester 7, derived from cyclization of racemic minovincine (6), was reduced to two C-19 epimeric alcohols 8 and 9. Stereoelectronically controlled fragmentations of corresponding O-sulfonyl derivatives provided, respectively, the hexacyclic enamine 14 and, after oxidation of the olefin 16, the pentacyclic lactam 17 with a brigehead double bond. Formation of a carbamate, introduction of a second double bond at C-16, and conjugate reductive hydroxylation at C-20, or hydrogenation, gave the title products.     

Rearrangement or gem-difluorination of quinine and 9-epiquinine and their acetates in superacid

In HF-SbF₅, quinine 1a or its dihydrochloride rearranges into compound 3 (89%), the preferred conformation of the substrate favouring the observed cyclization. Under similar conditions epiquinine 2a dihydrochloride yields in equal amounts two 10,10-difluoro derivatives, epimeric at C-3. In this case, the more stable conformation of the substrate in which the benzylic hydroxyl group is ‘exo’ to the quinuclidyl moiety, prevents the cyclisation. Similarly acetates 1b and 2b give the corresponding 10,10-difluoro derivatives epimeric at C-3. Formation of gem-difluoro compounds implies the formation of chloro intermediates at C-10 followed by an hydride abstraction, yielding an α-chloronium ion. This one is trapped by a fluoride ion and leads to the product by halogen exchange.     

Total synthesis of (+/-)-scopadulin.

The first total synthesis of (+/-)-scopadulin, an aphidicolane diterpene, is described. The core structure (A/B/C/D ring system) was constructed by an initial synthesis of the B/C/D ring system by our reported methods and a subsequent A ring cyclization by intramolecular aldol condensation. A highly stereoselective cyanation of the tetracyclic enone by Et2AlCN gave a trans-fused A/B ring system with a beta-cyanide at C-4. Stereoselective construction of a quaternary carbon at C-4 was achieved by alpha-alkylation of the cyano group and conversion of the sterically hindered cyano group to a methyl group via our novel reaction for conversion of primary aliphatic amines into alcohols. Finally, the total synthesis of (+/-)-scopadulin was accomplished by a highly chemo- and stereoselective methylation at C-16 and modification of the C-4 alpha-functionality. The stereoselectivity observed in the MeTi(O-i-Pr)3-mediated methylation for the generation of a tertiary axial alcohol at C-16 is extremely high.     

Novel intramolecular [4 + 1] and [4 + 2] annulation reactions employing cascade radical cyclizations

Tributyltin hydride and tris(trimethylsilyl)silane promote sequential/cascade free radical cyclization reactions of dienoate tethered vinyliodides or alkynes. These processes produce [4 + 1] and [4 + 2] annulated products. In contrast, the electrochemical reductions of the vinyliodides afford monocyclic compounds. Both the regiochemical and stereochemical courses of the sequential radical cyclizations strongly depend on substrate structure. Especially important is the balance between steric and stereoelectronic (Baldwin's rules) factors that serve to control cyclization regiochemistry.     

Construction of an advanced tetracyclic intermediate for total synthesis of the marine alkaloid sarain A

In work directed toward a total synthesis of the marine alkaloid sarain A (1), the advanced intermediate 54, containing all the key elements and the seven stereogenic centers of sarain A, has been successfully synthesized from bicyclic lactam 4, previously prepared via an intramolecular stereospecific [3 + 2]-azomethine ylide dipolar cycloaddition. Intermediate lactam 4 could be efficiently converted to N-Boc derivative 12. Introduction of a two-carbon fragment into lactam 12 which eventually becomes the C-7',8' syn diol of the "eastern" ring was then achieved by C-acylation of the corresponding enolate with methoxyacetyl chloride followed by a highly stereoselective ketone reduction with Zn(BH4)2 to afford alcohol 16. Intermediate 16 has the incorrect C-7' relative stereochemistry for sarain A, but this problem was conveniently remedied by inverting the C-7' center via an intramolecular Ohfune-type cyclization of the silyl carbamate derived from Boc mesylate 27 to produce the key cyclic carbamate 28. It was then possible to convert acetal 28 to allylsilane 32 followed by cyclization to the alkaloid tricyclic core 33 via an allylsilane/N-sulfonyliminium ion cyclization. Formation of the "western" macrocyclic ring has been successfully addressed using functional group handles at C-3' and N-1' on the tricyclic core via a ring-closing olefin metathesis (RCM) strategy with the second-generation Grubbs ruthenium catalyst to produce intermediate macrolactam 47. A chelation-controlled addition of ethynylmagnesium bromide to advanced aldehyde 51 afforded a single diastereomeric adduct 53 which is tentatively assigned to have the correct C-7',8' syn-diol stereochemistry. This adduct could be rearranged to the conveniently protected amino carbonate 54 which is set up for construction of the remainder of the eastern ring of sarain A.     

Synthetic UDP-galactofuranose analogs reveal critical enzyme-substrate interactions in GlfT2-catalyzed mycobacterial galactan assembly

Mycobacterial cell wall galactan, composed of alternating β-(1→5) and β-(1→6) galactofuranosyl residues, is assembled by the action of two bifunctional galactofuranosyltransferases, GlfT1 and GlfT2, which use UDP-galactofuranose (UDP-Galf) as the donor substrate. Kinetic analysis of synthetic UDP-Galf analogs identified critical interactions involved in donor substrate recognition by GlfT2, a processive polymerizing glycosyltransferase. Testing of methylated UDP-Galf analogs showed the donor substrate-binding pocket is sterically crowded. Evaluation of deoxy UDP-Galf analogs revealed that the C-6 hydroxyl group is not essential for substrate activity, and that interactions with the UDP-Galf C-3 hydroxyl group orient the substrate for turnover but appears to play no role in substrate recognition, making the 3-deoxy-analog a moderate competitive inhibitor of the enzyme. Moreover, the addition of a Galf residue deoxygenated at C-5 or C-6, or an l-arabinofuranose residue, to the growing galactan chain resulted in "dead end" reaction products, which no longer act as an acceptor for the enzyme. This finding shows dual recognition of both the terminal C-5 and C-6 hydroxyl groups of the acceptor substrate are required for GlfT2 activity, which is consistent with a recent model developed based upon a crystal structure of the enzyme. These observations provide insight into specific protein-carbohydrate interactions in the GlfT2 active site and may facilitate the design of future inhibitors.     

Quassinoids from the Roots of Eurycoma longifolia and Their Anti-Proliferation Activities

A phytochemical investigation on the roots of medicinal plant Eurycoma longifolia resulted in the isolation of 10 new highly oxygenated C₂₀ quassinoids longifolactones G‒P (1–10), along with four known ones (11–14). Their chemical structures and absolute configurations were unambiguously elucidated on the basis of comprehensive spectroscopic analysis and X-ray crystallographic data. Notably, compound 1 is a rare pentacyclic C₂₀ quassinoid featuring a densely functionalized 2,5-dioxatricyclo[5.2.2.0^4,8]undecane core. Compound 4 represents the first example of quassinoids containing a 14,15-epoxy functionality, and 7 features an unusual α-oriented hydroxyl group at C-14. All isolated compounds were evaluated for their anti-proliferation activities on human leukemia cells. Among the isolates, compounds 5, 12, 13, and 14 potently inhibited the in vitro proliferation of K562 and HL-60 cells with IC₅₀ values ranging from 2.90 to 8.20 μM.     

A new efficient synthetic process for the construction of the pentacyclic core of marine alkaloid ecteinascidins

The pentacyclic core of ecteinascidins was constructed from two fundamental building blocks, the 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline derivative and the substituted phenylalanine derivative, via 8 steps using readily available L-Dopa as starting material. The key steps involve coupling of the two aforementioned building blocks, regioselective reduction of the 11-carbonyl group of the key intermediate piperazine-1,4-dione derivative, and intramolecular Pictet-Spengler cyclization.     

Synthesis studies on the Melodinus alkaloid meloscine

The pentacyclic Melodinus alkaloid (±)-meloscine was synthesized in 19 chemical steps from 2-bromobenzaldehyde through a route featuring an allenyl azide cyclization cascade to deliver the core azabicyclo[3.3.0]octane substructure. Peripheral functionalization of this core included a Tollens-type aldol condensation to set the quaternary center at C(20) and a diastereoselective ring-closing metathesis to forge the tetrahydropyridine ring.     

Synthesis of 1-hydroxy-substituted pyrazolo[3,4-c]- and pyrazolo[4, 3-c]quinolines and -isoquinolines from 4- and 5-aryl-substituted 1-benzyloxypyrazoles

1-Hydroxypyrazolo[3,4-c]quinoline (22), 1-hydroxypyrazolo[4, 3-c]quinoline (21), 1-hydroxypyrazolo[3,4-c]isoquinoline (20), and 1-hydroxypyrazolo[4,3-c]isoquinoline (19) were prepared from 1-benzyloxypyrazole (6), establishing the pyridine B-ring in the terminal step. The pyridine ring of pyrazoloquinolines 14 and 18 was formed via cyclization of a formyl group at C-4 or C-5 and an amino group of a 2-aminophenyl substituent at C-5 or C-4 in 1-benzyloxypyrazole. The pyridine ring of pyrazoloisoquinolines 5 and 9 was created via cyclization of a formyl group in a 2-formylphenyl substituent at C-4 or C-5 with an iminophosphorane group installed at C-5 or C-4 of 1-benzyloxypyrazole by lithiation followed by reaction with tosyl azide and then with tributylphoshine utilizing the Staudinger/aza-Wittig protocol. The 2-aminophenyl and the 2-formylphenyl substituent were introduced at C-5 or C-4 by regioselective metalation followed by transmetalation to the pyrazolylzinc halide and subsequent palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling with 2-iodoaniline or 2-bromobenzaldehyde. The order of reactions and use of protecting groups in the individual sequences have been optimized. The 1-benzyloxy-substituted pyrazoloquinolines and isoquinolines thus obtained were debenzylated by strong acid to the corresponding 1-hydroxy-substituted pyrazoloquinolines and isoquinolines 19-22.     

Studies Toward the Syntheses of Pluramycin Natural Products. The First Total Synthesis of Isokidamycin

We report the first total synthesis of the complex C-aryl glycoside isokidamycin, the epimer of the naturally-occurring pluramycin antibiotic kidamycin. The synthesis features a highly efficient Diels-Alder reaction between a substituted naphthyne and a glycosylated furan to form the anthracene core bearing a pendent angolosamine C-glycoside. The regiochemical outcome of the Diels-Alder reaction was controlled by employing a disposable silicon tether to link the reactive naphthyne and the glycosyl furan, rendering the cycloaddition intramolecular. The benzopyranone moiety of the aromatic nucleus was appended by cyclization of a functionalized vinylogous amide onto an advanced anthrol intermediate. The vancosamine amino glycoside was introduced by an O→C-glycoside rearrangement that produced the β-anomer. Subsequent refunctionalizations then led to isokidamycin.     

Enzymatic cyclizations of squalene analogs with threo- and erythro-diols at the 6,7- or 10,11-positions by recombinant squalene cyclase. Trapping of carbocation intermediates and mechanistic insights into the product and substrate specificities

In order to trap the carbocation intermediates formed during the squalene cyclization cascade, squalene analogs with threo- and erythro-diols at the 6,7- and 10,11-positions were incubated with the recombinant squalene cyclase from Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius, leading to the construction of the triterpenes with tetrahydropyran, octahydrochromene, decahydronaphthalene with a carbonyl group, dodecahydrobenzo[f]chromene, tetradecahydronaphtho[2,1-b]oxepine and malabaricane skeletons, almost of which are novel compounds. These products indicate that 6-membered monocyclic, 6/6-fused bicyclic and 6/6/5-fused tricyclic cations were involved in the cyclization reaction in addition to acyclic cation. All the trapped cations were the stable tertiary cation, but not the secondary one, indicating that the polycyclization reaction proceeds with a Markovnikov closure. The product profiles revealed that the cyclization reactions proceeded with the product and substrate specificities in addition to enantioselectivity. Mechanistic insight into the observed stereochemical specificities indicated that the pre-organized chair-conformation of squalene-diols is tightly constricted by the cyclase and a free motion or a conformational change is not allowed in the reaction cavity, thus, the substrate and product specificities are dominantly directed by the least motion of the nucleophilic hydroxyl group toward the intermediary carbocation; a small rotation of the hydroxyl group afforded the cyclization products in a good yield, but a large rotation of the hydroxyl group gave a marginal or no detectable amount of products.     

Synthesis of 3-Deoxy-d-threopentofuranose 5-Phosphate,a Substrate of Arabinose 5-Phosphate Isomerase

3-Deoxy-d-threopentofuranose 5-phosphate, a substrate of arabinose 5-phosphate isomerase, has been synthesised starting from d-arabinose. Selective protection of the hydroxyl groups at C-1, C-2, and C-5 allowed deoxygenation of position 3 by conversion into a thiocarbamate and radical reduction. Deprotection and phosphorylation of the primary hydroxyl group and final deprotection of the other hydroxyl groups afforded the desired compound.     

Extending Pummerer reaction chemistry: studies in the palau'amine synthesis area

Exploratory oxidative cyclization studies on cyclopentanelated and cyclohexenelated oroidin derivatives utilized Pummerer chemistry to generate pentacyclic structures related to the palau'amine family of sponge metabolites. Stereochemical issues were paramount, and appropriate choice of annelated ring size led to formation of the pentacyclic framework with complete diastereoselectivity for all of the core bonds.