Capacity of antibodies to synthetic peptides of α-bungarotoxin for recognizing conformational sections of the neurotoxin molecule

The capacity of antibodies to various synthetic peptides of -bungarotoxin for binding peptides of the neurotoxin and recognizing the corresponding regions of the -bungarotoxin molecule has been investigated. It has been established that individual conformational sections of the -bungarotoxin molecule are specifically recognized by antibodies to synthetic epitopes of the neurotoxin.Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 4, pp. 502–506, July–August, 1999.     

Synthesis of novel β2,2-amino acid from D-mannose and attempted synthesis of peptides from the amino acid

The study describes the synthesis of new α,α-disubstituted β-amino acid (β^2,2-Caa) and attempts the synthesis of peptides from it. The β^2,2-Caa was prepared from D-(+)-mannose, using crossed aldol and Cannizzaro reactions.     

Synthesis of mutual azo prodrugs of anti-inflammatory agents and peptides facilitated by α-aminoisobutyric acid

Reported is the synthesis of azo mutual prodrugs of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDs) 4-aminophenylacetic acid (4-APAA) or 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) with peptides, including an antibiotic peptide temporin analogue modified at the amino terminal by an α-aminoisobutyric acid (Aib) residue. These prodrugs are designed for colonic delivery of two agents to treat infection and inflammation by the bacterial pathogen Clostridium difficile .     

On-line sample stacking of peptides in capillary electrophoresis for the study of prebiotic reactions between α,α-dialkylated amino acids and amino acid N-carboxyanhydrides

The reaction between α,α-dialkylated amino acids and amino acid N-carboxyanhydrides is slow leading to low concentrations of products (peptides). The detection by capillary electrophoresis of the analytes contained in such samples is therefore a challenging issue. In this work, on-line sample pre-concentration methods based on field-amplified sample stacking have been implemented and compared. Because of the high ionic strength present in the sample matrix, samples were diluted with an organic solvent prior to analysis to decrease the sample conductivity. Different modes of sample injection (field amplified sample injection (FASI), hydrodynamic normal sample stacking (NSS) or large volume sample stacking (LVSS)) were compared. Pre-concentration factors of 20 for FASI, about 30–40 for NSS and 60 for LVSS were obtained for the analysis of (l,l) dipeptide of valine in a large excess of isovaline and 0.2 M of ionic strength. For LVSS application and resolution optimisation, a new non-covalent coating based on the partial modification of the capillary surface was used to tune the electroosmotic flow magnitude and to pump the sample matrix out of the capillary. This on-line sample pre-concentration step allowed confirming that oligopeptides including α,α-dialkylated amino acids are formed during the reaction between α,α-dialkylated amino acids and N-carboxyanhydride amino acids.     

Synthesis of the unusual α-amino acid component of some novel histone deacetylase inhibiting cyclic peptides

A flexible protocol for the synthesis of three lipophilic α-amino acid components of some novel cyclic peptides having important histone deacetylase inhibiting properties has been developed from a common source, which featured a cross-metathesis reaction between two unhindered terminal olefins as the key step.     

Synthesis of β3-amino acid and peptides from D-ribose

Synthesis of new β³-amino acid, peptides and conformational analysis are reported from d-ribose, using Wittig olefination and Aza-Michael addition.     

Chiroptical study of α-aliphatic amino acid films in the vacuum ultraviolet region

A series of natural circular dichroism (CD) and absorption spectra for films of α-aliphatic amino acids--such as alanine, aminobutyric acid, norvaline, norleucine, valine, leucine, and isoleucine--in the vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) region were observed with the absolute values of optical constants at the undulator-based CD beamline TERAS BL5. Preliminary predictions of some CD spectra were also performed, based on quantum-chemical calculations using the crystal structure. Although the absorption spectra show similar features to each other, significant differences between the CD spectra were found, especially in the 7-8 eV region. The CD spectra of aliphatic amino acids with branched alkyl groups in the side-chain--such as valine, leucine, and isoleucine--exhibit strong negative CD peaks in this energy region. In contrast, the corresponding CD peaks were weak or absent in the spectra of amino acids with straight alkyl groups. Our simple calculation, and the absorption spectra of alkanes, suggest that this difference partly originates from the contribution of the alkyl group. Clear discrepancies between the CD spectra of these amino acids in solutions and those in the solid state were also observed; this is probably caused by the different molecular structures in each state. Our results clearly indicated that CD spectra in the VUV region were very sensitive to the conformations of chiral molecules.     

Synthesis and properties of a sterically unencumbered δ-silanediol amino acid

An amino acid carrying a 1-(4-dihydroxymethylsilyl)butyl side chain has been prepared in enantiomerically pure form as a potential inhibitor of the enzyme arginase, a pharmaceutical target. As a water-soluble silanediol, this compound was anticipated to be entropically stabilized against polymerization and siloxane formation. At 50 mM in D(2)O, the degree of oligomerization was found to be pH dependent, with diastereomeric mixtures formed on condensation. Above pH 11 the silane is largely monomeric.     

Synthesis of enantiopure (αMe)Dip and other α-methylated β-branched amino acid derivatives

This report describes the synthesis of the two enantiomerically pure α-methylated β-branched phenylalanine derivatives, (S)- and (R)-α-methyl-β,β-diphenylalanine—(αMe)Dip—starting from the chiral building blocks (R)- and (S)-N-Boc-N,O-isopropylidene-α-methylserine methyl esters, respectively. The key step involves a double alkylation with a Grignard reagent on an ester group. The use of the same protocol for the preparation of other α-methylated β-branched serine derivatives is also described.     

A reappraisal of the Ni-[(Benzylprolyl)amino]benzophenone complex in the synthesis of α,α-disubstituted amino acid derivatives

α,α-Disubstituted alkenyl amino acid derivatives (e.g. Fmoc-S₅-OH) are valuable monomers in the construction of stapled peptide derivatives. Synthetic access to these is possible using the Ni-[(Benzylprolyl)amino]benzophenone (BPB) complex as a chiral auxiliary. We discuss a reappraisal of the use of this, and demonstrate that epimerisation of the proline α-centre occurs during formation of the complex, leading to erosion in the enantiomeric excess of the final product. Modified conditions have been developed, providing the target compounds in high enantiomeric excess.     

The Preparation of α-Phosphonovinylzirconocenes and their Application in the Stereospecific Synthesis of α-Halo-l-alkenylphosphonates

Hydrozirconation of 1-alkylnylphosphonates gives the organozirconium(Ⅳ) complexes 2 in syn-addition way.Complexs 2 was trapped with NCS,NBS or I2 to afford stereodifined α-halo-1-alkenylphosphonates in moderate to high yields.     

Structural variations of N-acetylneuraminic acid, 24: Synthesis of the α-methylketoside of 8-oxo-N-acetylneuraminic acid and related derivatives

The synthesis of the sodium 5-acetamido-2,3,5-trideoxy-2,3 didehydro-D-galacto-2,8-nondiulopyranosidonate 8,8-dimethyl acetal (8) and of the methyl-5-acetamido-3,5-dideoxy--D-galacto-2,8-nondiulopyranosidonate 8,8 dimethyl acetal (11) as well as of the methyl-5-acetamido-3,5-dideoxy--D-galacto-2,8-nondiulopyranosidonic acid (12) is reported involving the easily accessible 8-oxoderivative5. Compounds11 and12, respectively, showed to have glycosidic bond with remarkable stability to acidic conditions.

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Strukturelle Variationen an N-Acetylneuraminsäure, 24. Mitt.: Synthese des -Methylketosids von 8-Oxo-N-acetylneuraminsäure und verwandten Derivaten

Zusammenfassung Es wird ein Zugang zu Natrium-(5-acetamido-2,3,5-trideoxy-2,3-didehydro-D-galacto-2,8-nondiulopyranosid)onat-8,8-dimethylacetal (8), Methyl-5-acetamido-3,5-dideoxy--D-galacto-2,8-nondiulopyranosidonat-8,8-dimethyl acetal (11) und Methyl-5-acetamido-3,5-dideoxy--D-galacto-2,8-nondiulopyranosidonsäure (12) über ein gemeinsames, leicht herzustellendes 8-Oxo-Sialinsäurederivat5 beschrieben. Die glycosidische Bindung der Verbindungen11 bzw.12 zeigt eine bemerkenswerte Stabilität gegenüber sauren Reaktionbedingungen, welche im Gegensatz zu Beobachtungen an anderen Neuraminsäuremethylketosiden steht.

     

Evidence for conformational differences in aqueous and crystalline structures of α-bungarotoxin and cobratoxin

Laser Raman spectroscopy has been employed to investigate the structures of α-bungarotoxin (Bungarus multicinctus) and cobratoxin (Naja naja siamensis) in H₂O and D₂O solutions. Structures of the aqueous neurotoxins are compared with one another and with the X-ray crystal structures. The results indicate that the solution and crystal molecular structures of cobratoxin are in substantial agreement with one another, but those of α-bungarotoxin are not. Raman data provide no evidence for strained disulfides in aqueous α-bungarotoxin, although strained CSSC dihedral angles are indicated for the X-ray crystal structure. The data are interpreted as evidence for a strained molecular conformation of α-bungarotoxin in the crystal, which converts to a relaxed, more energetically favorable conformation in aqueous solution. Raman spectra also suggest more β-strand secondary structure in aqueous α-bungarotoxin (47 ± 5%) than in the crystalline form ( < 10%). The high β-strand content measured by Raman spectroscopy could be due to either a secondary structure in solution that is appreciably different than that of the crystal, or to the imprecision of the Raman method in distinguishing peptide configurations that are vibrationally equivalent but conformationally inequivalent. Aqueous α-bungarotoxin and cobratoxin also differ from one another in amino acid side chain orientations and interactions, though not in main chain conformations. Different geometries are indicated for cystine CCSS dihedral angles, and different hydrogen bonding states are indicated for internal tyrosines. Tyrosine-24 of α-bungarotoxin is shown to donate a strong hydrogen bond to a negative acceptor, deduced to be glutamate-41, whereas the equivalently positioned residue of cobratoxin is apparently hydrogen bonded to solvent molecules.     

Synthesis of macrocycles and their application as chiral solvating agents in the enantiomeric recognition of carboxylic acids and α-amino acid derivatives

The chiral macrocycles 1 and 2 with multiple binding sites have been synthesized from D-phenylalanine as chiral solvating agents (CSAs) for the enantiomeric discrimination and determination of the enantiomeric excess of carboxylic acids and a-amino acids derivatives by the ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The results show that chiral macrocycles 1 and 2 are effective CSAs towards the carboxylic acids and a-amino acids derivatives.     

The Preparation of α-Phosphonovinylzirconocenes and their Application in the Stereospecific Synthesis of α-Halo-1 -alkenylphosphonates

Hydrozirconation of 1-alkylnylphosphonates gives the organozirconium(Ⅳ) complexes 2 in syn-addition way. Complexs 2 was trapped with NCS, NBS or I2 to afford stereodifined α-halo-1-alkenylphosphonates in moderate to high yields.