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.     

Biological generation of tritiated vitamin D3 metabolites and their purification by high-performance liquid chromatography

Summary A simple, reproducible method for the biological synthesis of tritiated 24,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol, 25,26-dihydroxycholecalciferol and 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol is described. Kidney homogenates from both vitamin D deficient and replete chicks were usedin vitro to generate these dihydroxylated metabolites using 25 (23,24-³H) hydroxycholecalciferol as the substrate. Tritiated products were purified by Sephadex LH 20 chromatography followed by high-performance liquid chromatography; the identity of each metabolite was established by chromatography with authentic crystalline preparations.Presented at the Symposium organised by the Chromatography Discussion Group, held at Hatfield Lodge on 29 November 1979.     

Synthesis of selectively deuterated and tritiated lupane derivatives with cytotoxic activity

The aim of this work was to synthesize deuterated and tritiated analogues of highly oxidized lupane derivatives known from our group. We selected compounds that previously showed very high cytotoxic activity on multiple cancer cell lines in order to further investigate the mechanism of their action. From starting material (compounds 1–4), we obtained benzyl platanate (5) and its reaction with deuteromethyltriphenylphosphonium iodide gave deuterated compound 6. Following benzyl deprotection gave free acid 7 and oxidation with SeO₂ gave 30-oxo-[29-²H₂]lup-20(29)-en-28-oic acid (8), which is one of the most active compounds synthesized in our group to date (IC₅₀ 6 μmol/L on CEM cell line). The alkylation of benzyl 2-hydroxy-3-oxolupa-1,20(29)-dien-28-oate (9) with methyliodide or deuteromethyliodide followed by a series of deprotection and hydrogenation steps gave compounds 10–14, where 2β-[31-²H₃]methoxy-3-oxolupan-20(29)-en-28-oic acid (13) is especially interesting, it showed lower activity on CEM cell line (IC₅₀ 10 μmol/L) however, it was very active against Ph1—positive human leukemia BV-173 (IC₅₀ 0.91 μmol/L) and against human myelogenous leukemia K562 (IC₅₀ 0.52 μmol/L). Selectively labelled [3α-²H] and [3α-³H] methyl 3β-acetoxy-21,22-dioxolup-18-en-28-oates 24, 25 were prepared in three steps by reduction of corresponding 3-oxo derivatives and they showed moderate activity on CEM cell line (IC₅₀ 10 μmol/L). In total, 11 labelled compounds (6–8, 11, 14, 18, 19, 21, 22, 24 and 25) have not been reported before.     

Synthesis of L-tryptophan labeled with hydrogen isotopes in the indole ring

The isotopomers of L-tryptophan (L-Trp) labeled with hydrogen isotopes in the indole ring were obtained by isotope exchange method. Heavy and tritiated water were used as the sources of stable and radioactive label. Three isotopomers, i.e., [4′-²H]-L-Trp, [4′-³H]-L-Trp, and doubly labeled [4′-²H/³H]-L-Trp were synthesized by isotope exchange enhanced by irradiation with a mercury discharge lamp. The indole whole ring labeled isotopomers, i.e., [2′,4′,5′,6′,7′-²H₅]-L-, [2′,4′,5′,6′,7′-³H₅]-L-, and doubly labeled [2′,4′,5′,6′,7′-²H/³H]-L-Trp were synthesized by isotope exchange between L-Trp and D₂O or DTO in the presence of deuteriated trifluoroacetic acid.     

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.     

Enzymatic synthesis of dopamine ring labeled with hydrogen isotopes

The synthesis of two isotopomers of L-DOPA, the precursors for labeled dopamine is reported. The ring labeled with deuterium or tritium [2′,5′,6-²H₃]-L-DOPA, and [2′,5′,6-³H₃]-L-DOPA were obtained using acid catalyzed isotopic exchange between L-DOPA and heavy or tritiated water, respectively. Their derivatives, i.e., [2′,5′,6-²H₃], and [2′,5′,6-³H₃]-dopamine were obtained by enzymatic decarboxylation of deuterated or tritiated isotopomers of L-DOPA using enzyme tyrosine decarboxylase (EC 4.1.1.25).     

Synthesis of isotopomers of <Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">l</Emphasis>-DOPA and dopamine labeled with hydrogen isotopes in the side chain

The enzymatic synthesis of three isotopomers of l-DOPA labeled with deuterium and tritium at α carbon atom was elaborated. These compounds were converted into [(1S)-²H]–, [(1S)- ³H]–, and doubly labeled [(1S)-²H/³H]-dopamines using enzyme tyrosine decarboxylase. Doubly labeled (1R) isotopologue, i.e., [(1R)-²H/³H]-dopamine, was afforded by enzymatic decarboxylation of authentic l-DOPA carried out in deuteriated and tritiated incubation medium.     

Tritium nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. 14—analysis of tritiated methyl groups

The complete analysis of the tritium distribution in tritiated methyl groups in labelled compounds is achieved by a direct method for the first time, through ³H NMR spectroscopy aided by resolution enhancement.     

Biosynthesis of verrucarins and roridins. 3. Incorporation of 3R)-(5-14C)-and at C(2)stereospecific tritiated mevalonate into verrucarol]

Separate experiments, involving incorporation of either (3R)-[5-¹⁴C]-mevalonate or each enantiomer of [2-³H]-mevalonate into verrucartin A and roridin A, indicate that hydroxylation at C(4) of the tricothecane skeleton, to yield verrucarol (4), proceeds with an overall retention of configuration; they confirm that C(8) and not C(10) is derived specifically from C(2) or mevalonate.     

Fluorinated analogs and tritiated enantiomers of inositol (1,3,4)-trisphosphate

The total syntheses of 2-fluoro- and 2,2-difluoro-2-deoxy analogs of DL-myo-Ins (1,3,4)P3 are described. Resolution of a key intermediate followed by borotritide reduction and phosphorylation provided both D- and L-[1-³H]-Ins(1,3,4)P₃ enantiomers with specific activities 15 Ci/mmol.     

Zur Kenntnis der β-Lysin-Mutase-Reaktion: Mechanismus und sterischer Verlauf

Investigations on the β-lysine mutase reaction: Mechanism and steric course The steric course and some mechanistic aspects of the coenzyme-B₁₂-dependent β-lysine-mutase reaction, in which (3 S)-β-lysine is converted to (3 S, 5 S)-3, 5-diaminohexanoate, have been investigated by means of tritium labelling. The reaction involves migration of an hydrogen atom from C(5) of the substrate to C(5′) of coenzyme B₁₂ and back-transfer to C(6) of the product. In the presence of [5′-³H]-coenzyme B₁₂ the enzyme catalyzes the exchange of label between the cofactor and one of the diastereotopic H-atoms at C(5) of the substrate. The exchangeable hydrogen atom is identical with the one specifically involved in the migration reaction. Degradation of the tritiated β-lysine obtained in such experiments yielded a sample of tritiated succinic acid which was shown in an enzymic assay involving partial oxidation with succinate dehydrogenase, to possess the (S)-configuration. Thus, the overall substitution at C(5) occurs with inversion of configuration.     

Preparation of 3H-labelled alcohols by reduction of carbonyl compounds with lithium borohydride partially hydrolysed with tritiated water

LiBH₄ partially hydrolysed with tritiated water in THF solution reduces carbonyl compounds to ³H-labelled alcohols with a negligible amount of exchange of hydrogen in the α-position provided there is no additional activation of this position. The labile methylene H atoms of phenylacetaldehyde suffer about 2% exchange during reduction.     

Intradiffusion coefficients in perchloric acid solutions: Water at 5°C; water and perchlorate ion at 25°C

Intradiffusion coefficients for tritiated water (³HHO) and perchlorate ion (³⁶ClO ₄ ^- ) were measured in perchloric acid solutions. At 5°C the diffusion coefficient measured for the tritiated species increases to a maximum near 1.3 mol-dm^–3. The data at 25°C have been used to calculate distinct diffusion coefficients, D _ij ^d . As a precursor for those calculations, new estimates were made of the Onsager phenomenological coefficients, l _ij . The l _ij and D _ij ^d are similar to the respective coefficients in hydrochloric acid solutions.     

Isotope effects of steroids during analytical separations by paper- and high-pressure liquid chromatography

Conclusions During HPLC (reversed phase), tritiated steroids elute earlier than the unlabeled and the [4-¹⁴C]-labeled analogues. On formamide impregnated paper [4-¹⁴C]-labeled steroids move faster than the tritiated analogues. Thus, in both systems the ³H-labeled compounds behave as if they were more polar [1]. In the case of sixfold labeled estradiol the highly efficient resolution of the paperchromatographic and HPLC-systems (Fig. 1 A) may be applied to obtain carrier-free steroids with high specific activities. On the other hand the analytical application of these systems may lead to great systematic errors if the isotope effects of tritiated steroids are not taken into consideration.

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Isotopieeffekte von Steroiden bei der Papier- und Hochdruckflüssigkeits-Chromatographie

     

Incorporating tritiated water into a 14C-sampling system for quantitative estimation of 14C activity in airborne effluent

The effects of incorporating tritiated water into a ¹⁴C-sampling system in sample preparation and ¹⁴C activity measurement by liquid scintillation counting were investigated. Experiments derived the limit of water content in the prepared sample, and also demonstrated that ¹⁴C activity can be determined without any interference from ³H contamination for a clear-sample solution. The results enabled us to estimate the permissible relative humidity of air required for accomplishing sample preparation and ¹⁴C activity measurement. These showed that for sampling of air with less than the permissible relative humidity, total ¹⁴C activity in airborne effluent can be evaluated accurately without dehumidification of air. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Isatins 3-C annulation vs ring-opening: Two different pathways for synthesis of spiro compounds via multicomponent reactions

An efficient synthesis of spiro compounds via two different pathways from the reactions of isatins, 3-phenylisoxazol-5(4H)-one (3-ethylisoxazol-5(4H)-one), and pyrazol-5-amine (6-aminopyrimidine-2,4(1H,3H)-dione) were reported. The catalyst Amberlyst-15 could be easy recycled and reused for many time without any appreciable loss in catalytic activity. The new type spiro compounds were gained through the ring-opening of isatins process. The structures of spiro[indoline-3,4′-isoxazolo[5,4-b]pyrazolo[4,3-e]pyridin]-2-one, spiro[isoxazolo[5,4-b]quino line-4,5′-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine]-2′,4′,6′(1′H,3′H,7′H)-trione, and spiro[indoline-3,4′-pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridine]-2,6′(5′H)-dione were successfully confirmed by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, HRMS, and X-ray crystal diffraction analysis.     

Preparation of tritiated monomers and analysis of the tritium distribution by 3H-NMR spectroscopy

A number of monomers have been tritiated to reasonably high specific activity (in the range 2–30 mCi/mmol) using a variety of synthetic and catalytic procedures and the tritium distribution in the products analyzed by ³H-NMR spectroscopy.     

Incorporating tritiated water into a 14C-sampling system for quantitative estimation of 14C activity in airborne effluent

The effects of incorporating tritiated water into a ¹⁴C-sampling system in sample preparation and ¹⁴C activity measurement by liquid scintillation counting were investigated. Experiments derived the limit of water content in the prepared sample, and also demonstrated that ¹⁴C activity can be determined without any interference from ³H contamination for a clear-sample solution. The results enabled us to estimate the permissible relative humidity of air required for accomplishing sample preparation and ¹⁴C activity measurement. These showed that for sampling of air with less than the permissible relative humidity, total ¹⁴C activity in airborne effluent can be evaluated accurately without dehumidification of air. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Radiolabelled peptide ergot alkaloids.

Paspalic acid ( 11 ), labelled at different positions with ³H or ¹⁴C and at specific activities up to 1 Ci/mmol (³H) and 2mCi/mmol (¹⁴C), has been prepared biosynthetically in a scale of 2–5 mmol in submerged cultures of a selected strain of Claviceps paspali by incorporation of DL -[5-³H]-tryptophan, DL -[6-³H]-tryptophan, DL -[alanine-2,3-³H]-tryptophan, or DL -[alanine-3-¹⁴C]-tryptophan. Radioactive lysergic acid ( 12 ) was obtained from paspalic acid by base catalysed rearrangement. The procedures for labelling the precursors at high specific activity arc described. The ergolene carboxylic acids 11 and 12 were used as key intermediates for tlie chemical synthesis of radiolabelled peptide ergot alkaloids 14 required for pharinacokinetic and metabolic studies. Linking of the aminocyclols 13 (peptide parts) of the ergotarnine (R¹ = methyl), ergoxine (R¹ = ethyl) and ergotoxine (R¹ =isopropyl) series with a reactive derivative of either lysergic acid or its mixture with paspalic acid was accomplished by standard procedures. l-Mctliyl-[13-³H]-ergotarnine (MY 25) ( 16 ) and 2-brotno-α-ergocryptine (bromocriptine, C73 154) ( 17 ), labelled with ³H at position 12 and with ¹⁴C in position 4, were obtained by alkylating ³H-ergolamine and by ljrominating appropriately labelled α-ergocryptines. Radioactive peptide ergot alltaloitls labelled by tlic present nietliotl proved suitable for the use in biological tracer studies.     

Incorporating tritiated water into a 14C-sampling system for quantitative estimation of 14C activity in airborne effluent

The effects of incorporating tritiated water into a ¹⁴C-sampling system in sample preparation and ¹⁴C activity measurement by liquid scintillation counting were investigated. Experiments derived the limit of water content in the prepared sample, and also demonstrated that ¹⁴C activity can be determined without any interference from ³H contamination for a clear-sample solution. The results enabled us to estimate the permissible relative humidity of air required for accomplishing sample preparation and ¹⁴C activity measurement. These showed that for sampling of air with less than the permissible relative humidity, total ¹⁴C activity in airborne effluent can be evaluated accurately without dehumidification of air.The authors would like to thank T. Kozawa, K. Isaka and Y. Adachi of Inspection Development Company Ltd., Y. Hiyama of Zuihou Sangyou Company Ltd., and T. Mizutani, H. Watanabe, M. Takeishi and K. Shinohara of Japan Nuclear Cycle Development Institute for their valuable assistance.