The nitration of sym-triazolo[3,4-b]benzothiazole

The nitration of sym-triazolo[3,4-b]benzothiazole (I) with a mixture of nitric and sulfuric acids has given 6-nitro-sym-triazolo[3,4-b]benzothiazole (II). The structure of II was established by comparing its properties (mp, PMR spectrum) with those of the 7-nitro-sym-triazolo[3,4-b]-benzothiazole (III) obtained by the ring closure of 2-hydrazino-6-nitrobenzothiazole (VI) with orthoformic ester. Compounds II and III have been converted into the corresponding acetylamino derivatives. Saponification of the acetyl groups has given amino derivatives of I.Translated from Khimiya Geterotsiklicheskikh Soedinenii, Vol. 6, No. 7, pp. 913–915, July, 1970.     

Identification of the related substances of tilmicosin by liquid chromatography/ion trap mass spectrometry

Structures of seven impurities of the veterinary drug tilmicosin have been elucidated by multiple fragmentation with ion trap tandem mass spectrometry. All related compounds possess the main lactone ring of tilmicosin. The differences in their structures are due to the hydroxyl, mycaminose, 3,5-dimethylpiperidine and mycinose groups connected to C(3), C(5), C(6), C(14) of the lactone ring, respectively. The following compounds of the impurity profile of tilmicosin were identified: B - tilmicosin with a hydroxyl group at C(3); C - tilmicosin without a methyl group at the N-atom connected to C(3) of the mycaminose ring; D - tilmicosin with a hydroxyl group at C(6) of the mycaminose ring; E - tilmicosin with a methoxy group at C(3), F - desmicosin; G - 20-dihydrodesmicosin; and H - tilmicosin without a mycaminose ring. Isomers of the compounds B, C, D, E and H were identified by their mass chromatograms and retention times. The concentrations of the impurities varied in the range of 0.1% to 2.9%.     

Direct, two-step synthetic pathway to novel dibenzo[a,c]phenanthridines

Novel dibenzo[a,c]phenanthridines are prepared regioselectively by the application of a straightforward synthetic pathway, starting from new 3,4-diaryl- and 3,4-dihydro-3,4-diarylisoquinolines prepared via Ritter-type heterocyclization and the more classical two-step reductive amination/Bischler-Napieralski cyclization of triarylethanones, respectively. A comparative study of nonphenolic oxidative coupling methodologies provides a highly efficient procedure, based on the hypervalent iodine reagent phenyliodine(III) bis(trifluoroacetate) (PIFA), to accomplish the final coupling step.     

Characterization of tylM3/tylM2 and mydC/mycB pairs required for efficient glycosyltransfer in macrolide antibiotic biosynthesis

The heterologous expression of tylM3 and mydC, two homologous genes of previously unknown function, along with genes encoding their respective partner glycosyltransferases, tylM2 and mycB, and the necessary sugar biosynthesis genes significantly enhances the glycosyltransferase activity in the engineered Streptomyces venezuelae host in which the native glycosyltransferase, desVII, has been inactivated. Both glycosyltransferases accept the endogenous 12-membered macrolide, 10-deoxymethynolide, or the exogenously fed 16-membered macrolide, tylactone. Five new compounds were generated using this expression system. This work suggests that the 13 other known TylM3/MydC/DesVIII homologues found in macrolide and anthracycline antibiotic clusters likely function as glycosyltransferase auxiliary proteins as well. These findings will greatly assist endeavors to generate new natural products in these pathways in a combinatorial fashion.     

The effect of carbonyl group in the asymmetry of 3,4JCH coupling constants in norbornanones

A rationalization of the known difference between the 3,4JC4H1 and 3,4JC1H4 couplings transmitted mainly through the 7-bridge in norbornanone is presented in terms of the effects of hyperconjugative interactions involving the carbonyl group. Theoretical and experimental studies of 3,4JCH couplings were carried out in 3-endo- and 3-exo-X-2-norbornanone derivatives (X = Cl, Br) and in exo- and endo-2-noborneol compounds. Hyperconjugative interactions were studied with the natural bond orbital (NBO) method. Hyperconjugative interactions involving the carbonyl pi*(C2=O) and sigma*(C2=O) antibonding orbitals produce a decrease of three-bond contribution to both 3,4JC4H1 and 3,4JC1H4 couplings. However, the latter antibonding orbital also undergoes a strong sigmaC3--C4 --> sigma*(C2=O) interaction, which defines an additional coupling pathway for 3,4JC4H1 but not for 3,4JC1H4. This pathway is similar to that known for homoallylic couplings, the only difference being the nature of the intermediate antibonding orbital; i.e. for 3,4JC4H1 it is of sigma*-type, while in homoallylic couplings it is of pi*-type.     

Characterization of the early stage aminoshikimate pathway in the formation of 3-amino-5-hydroxybenzoic acid: the RifN protein specifically converts kanosamine into kanosamine 6-phosphate

The biosynthesis of 3-amino-5-hydroxybenzoic acid (AHBA), precursor of the ansamycin and mitomycin antibiotics, proceeds by the aminoshikimate pathway from 3,4-dideoxy-4-amino-D-arabino-heptulosonic acid 7-phosphate (aminoDAHP). Identification of RifN, product of one of three genes from the rifamycin biosynthetic gene cluster known to be essential for aminoDAHP formation, as a specific kanosamine (3-deoxy-3-amino-D-glucose) 6-kinase establishes kanosamine and its 6-phosphate as specific intermediates in AHBA formation. This suggests a hypothetical reaction sequence for aminoDAHP formation, and thus for the early steps of AHBA biosynthesis, starting from UDP-D-glucose and introducing the nitrogen by oxidation and transamination at C-3.     

The Fanconi anemia pathway and ubiquitin

Fanconi anemia (FA) is a rare genetic disorder characterized by aplastic anemia, cancer/leukemia susceptibility and cellular hypersensitivity to DNA crosslinking agents, such as cisplatin. To date, 12 FA gene products have been identified, which cooperate in a common DNA damage-activated signaling pathway regulating DNA repair (the FA pathway). Eight FA proteins form a nuclear complex harboring E3 ubiquitin ligase activity (the FA core complex) that, in response to DNA damage, mediates the monoubiquitylation of the FA protein FANCD2. Monoubiquitylated FANCD2 colocalizes in nuclear foci with proteins involved in DNA repair, including BRCA1, FANCD1/BRCA2, FANCN/PALB2 and RAD51. All these factors are required for cellular resistance to DNA crosslinking agents. The inactivation of the FA pathway has also been observed in a wide variety of human cancers and is implicated in the sensitivity of cancer cells to DNA crosslinking agents. Drugs that inhibit the FA pathway may be useful chemosensitizers in the treatment of cancer. Publication history: Republished from Current BioData's Targeted Proteins database (TPdb; http://www.targetedproteinsdb.com).     

Biosynthesis of 1-deoxy-1-imino-D-erythrose 4-phosphate: a defining metabolite in the aminoshikimate pathway.

With respect to the source of the nitrogen atom incorporated into the aminoshikimate pathway, d-erythrose 4-phosphate has been proposed to undergo a transamination reaction resulting in formation of 1-deoxy-1-imino-d-erythrose 4-phosphate. Condensation of this metabolite with phosphoenolpyruvate catalyzed by aminoDAHP synthase would then hypothetically form the 4-amino-3,4-dideoxy-d-arabino-heptulosonic acid 7-phosphate (aminoDAHP), which is the first committed intermediate of the aminoshikimate pathway. However, in vitro formation of aminoDAHP has not been observed. In this account, the possibility is examined that 3-amino-3-deoxy-d-fructose 6-phosphate is the source of the nitrogen atom of the aminoshikimate pathway. Transketolase-catalyzed ketol transfer from 3-amino-3-deoxy-d-fructose 6-phosphate to d-ribose 5-phosphate would hypothetically release 1-deoxy-1-imino-d-erythrose 4-phosphate. Along these lines, a chemoenzymatic synthesis of 3-amino-3-deoxy-d-fructose 6-phosphate was elaborated. Incubation of 3-amino-3-deoxy-d-fructose 6-phosphate in Amycolatopsis mediterranei crude cell lysate with d-ribose 5-phosphate and phosphoenolpyruvate resulted in the formation of aminoDAHP and 3-amino-5-hydroxybenzoic acid. 3-[15N]-Amino-3-deoxy-d-6,6-[2H2]-fructose 6-phosphate was also synthesized and similarly incubated in A. mediterranei crude cell lysate. Retention of both 15N and 2H2 labeling in product aminoDAHP indicates that 3-amino-3-deoxy-d-fructose 6-phosphate is serving as a sequestered form of 1-deoxy-1-imino-d-erythrose 4-phosphate.     

An artificial pathway to 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid allows generation of new aminocoumarin antibiotic recognized by catechol transporters of E. coli

An artificial operon was synthesized, consisting of the genes for chorismate pyruvate-lyase of E. coli and for 4-hydroxybenzoate 3-hydroxylase of Corynebacterium cyclohexanicum. This operon, directing the biosynthesis of 3,4-dihdroxybenzoate, was expressed in the heterologous expression host Streptomyces coelicolor M512, together with a modified biosynthetic gene cluster for the aminocoumarin antibiotic clorobiocin. The resulting strain produced a clorobiocin derivative containing a 3,4-dihdroxybenzoyl moiety. Its structure was confirmed by MS and NMR analysis, and it was found to be a potent inhibitor of the gyrases from Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Bioassays against different E. coli mutants suggested that this compound is actively imported by catechol siderophore transporters in the cell envelope. This study provides an example of the structure of a natural product that can be rationally modified by synthetic biology.     

Fungal indole alkaloid biosynthesis: genetic and biochemical investigation of the tryptoquialanine pathway in Penicillium aethiopicum

Tremorgenic mycotoxins are a group of indole alkaloids which include the quinazoline-containing tryptoquivaline (2) that are capable of eliciting intermittent or sustained tremors in vertebrate animals. The biosynthesis of this group of bioactive compounds, which are characterized by an acetylated quinazoline ring connected to a 6-5-5 imidazoindolone ring system via a 5-membered spirolactone, has remained uncharacterized. Here, we report the identification of a gene cluster (tqa) from P. aethiopicum that is involved in the biosynthesis of tryptoquialanine (1), which is structurally similar to 2. The pathway has been confirmed to go through an intermediate common to the fumiquinazoline pathway, fumiquinazoline F, which originates from a fungal trimodular nonribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS). By systematically inactivating every biosynthetic gene in the cluster, followed by isolation and characterization of the intermediates, we were able to establish the biosynthetic sequence of the pathway. An unusual oxidative opening of the pyrazinone ring by an FAD-dependent berberine bridge enzyme-like oxidoreductase has been proposed based on genetic knockout studies. Notably, a 2-aminoisobutyric acid (AIB)-utilizing NRPS module has been identified and reconstituted in vitro, along with two putative enzymes of unknown functions that are involved in the synthesis of the unnatural amino acid by genetic analysis. This work provides new genetic and biochemical insights into the biosynthesis of this group of fungal alkaloids, including the tremorgens related to 2.     

A domino approach to pyrazino- indoles and pyrroles using vinyl selenones

Herein we disclose an efficient and flexible approach to biologically relevant 3,4-dihydropyrazino[1,2-a]indol-1(2H)ones and 3,4-dihydropyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrazin-1(2H)ones through a domino Michael/intramolecular nucleophilic substitution pathway using potassium hydroxide in dichloromethane. Variously substituted vinyl selenones and 1H-indole-2-carboxamides or 1H-pyrrole-2-carboxamides have been employed with success in chemo and regio-selective processes. The introduction of an amino acid portion on the amidic function is well tolerated without racemization.     

Gene network and canonical pathway analysis in prostate cancer: a microarray study

The molecular mechanism playing a role in the development of prostate cancer (PCA) is not well defined. We decided to determine the changes in gene expression in PCA tissues and to compare them to those in non-cancerous samples. Prostate tissue samples were collected by needle biopsy from 21 PCA and 10 benign prostate hyperplasic (BPH) patients. Total RNA was isolated, cDNA was synthesized, and gene expression levels were determined by microarray method. In the progression to PCA, 738 up-regulated and 515 down-regulated genes were detected in samples. Analysis using Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) software revealed that 466 network and 423 functions-pathways eligible genes were up-regulated, and 363 network and 342 functions-pathways eligible genes were down-regulated. Up-regulated networks were identified around IL-1beta and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) genes. The NFKB gene was centered around two up- and down-regulated networks. Up-regulated canonical pathways were assigned and four of them were evaluated in detail: acute phase response, hepatic fibrosis, actin cytoskeleton, and coagulation pathways. Axonal guidance signaling was the most significant down-regulated canonical pathway. Our data provide not only networks between the genes for understanding the biologic properties of PCA but also useful pathway maps for future understanding of disease and the construction of new therapeutic targets.     

Polymeric membrane sensors based on Cd(II) Schiff base complexes for selective iodide determination in environmental and medicinal samples

The two cadmium chelates of schiff bases, N,N'-bis(salicylidene)-1,4-diaminobutane, (Cd-S(1)) and N,N'-bis(salicylidene)-3,4-diaminotoluene (Cd-S(2)), have been synthesized and explored as ionophores for preparing PVC-based membrane sensors selective to iodide(I) ion. Potentiometric investigations indicate high affinity of these receptors for iodide ion. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)-based membranes of Cd-S(1) and Cd-S(2) using as hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (HTAB) cation discriminator and o-nitrophenyloctyl ether (o-NPOE), dibutylphthalate (DBP), acetophenone (AP) and tributylphosphate (TBP) as plasticizing solvent mediators were prepared and investigated as iodide-selective sensors. The best performance was shown by the membrane of composition (w/w) of (Cd-S(1)) (7%):PVC (31%):DBP (60%):HTAB (2%). The sensor works well over a wide concentration range 5.3x10(-7) to 1.0x10(-2)M with Nernstian compliance (59.2mVdecade(-1) of activity) within pH range 2.5-9.0 with a response time of 11s and showed good selectivity for iodide ion over a number of anions. The sensor exhibits adequate life (3 months) with good reproducibility (S.D.+/-0.24mV) and could be used successfully for the determination of iodide content in environmental water samples and mouth wash samples.     

Isoprenoid biosynthesis via the MEP pathway. Synthesis of (3,4)-3,4-dihydroxy-5-oxohexylphosphonic acid, an isosteric analogue of 1-deoxy-D-xylulose 5-phosphate, the substrate of the 1-deoxy-D-xylulose 5-phosphate reducto-isomerase

(3,4)-3,4-Dihydroxy-5-oxohexylphosphonic acid, an isosteric analogue of 1-deoxy-D-xylulose 5-phosphate (DXP), was obtained in enantiomerically pure form from (+)-2,3--benzylidene--threitol by a seven-step sequence. This phosphonate did not affect the growth of. It did not inhibit the 1-deoxy-D-xylulose 5-phosphate reductoisomerase (DXR), but was converted by this enzyme into (3,4)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-3-methylpentylphosphonic acid, an isosteric analogue of 2-C-methyl-D-erythritol 4-phosphate. The enzyme was, however, less efficient with the methylene phosphonate analogue than with the natural substrate.     

Identification of a tetraene-containing product of the indanomycin biosynthetic pathway

The indanomycin biosynthetic gene (idm) cluster was recently identified from Streptomyces antibioticus NRRL 8167. The disruption of one of these genes, idmH, and the increased production of a previously unreported metabolite in this mutant is reported. The structure of this compound was elucidated and was shown to possess a linear tetraene. This metabolite is not a logical biosynthetic intermediate of indanomycin but instead is likely an alternate product of the pathway.     

Dexamethasone-induced differentiation of pancreatic AR42J cell involves p21(waf1/cip1) and MAP kinase pathway

Dexamethasone converts pluripotent pancreatic AR42J cells into exocrine cells expressing digestive enzymes. In order to address molecular mechanism of this differentiation, we have investigated the role of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase pathway and gene expressions of p21(waf1/cip1) and nuclear oncogenes (c-fos and c-myc) during AR42J cell differentiation. Dexamethasone markedly increased the intracellular and secreted amylase contents as well as its mRNA level. However, cell growth and DNA content were significantly decreased. With these phenotypic changes, AR42J cells induced transient mRNA expression of p21(waf1/cip1) gene, which reached maximal level by 6 h and then declined gradually toward basal state. In contrast to p21(waf1/cip1), c-fos gene expression was transiently inhibited by 6 h and then recovered to basal level by 24 h. Increased c-myc expression detected after 3 h, peaked by 12 h, and remained elevated during the rest of observation. Dexamethasone inhibited epidermal growth factor-induced phosphorylation of extracellular signal regulated kinase. Inhibition of MAP kinase pathway by PD98059 resulted in further elevation of the dexamethasone-induced amylase mRNA and p21(waf1/cip1) gene expression. These results suggest that p21(waf1/cip1) and nuclear oncogenes are involved in dexamethasone-induced differentiation and inhibition of MAP kinase pathway accelerates the conversion of undifferentiated AR42J cells into amylase-secreting exocrine cells.     

5-aroyl-3,4-dihydropyrimidin-2-one library generation via automated sequential and parallel microwave-assisted synthesis techniques

An efficient two-step synthetic pathway toward the preparation of diversely substituted 5-aroyl-3,4-dihydropyrimidin-2-ones is realized. The protocol involves an initial trimethylsilyl chloride-mediated Biginelli multicomponent reaction involving S-ethyl acetothioacetate, aromatic aldehydes, and ureas as building blocks to generate a set of 3,4-dihydropyrimidine-5-carboxylic acid thiol esters. These thiol esters serve as starting materials for a subsequent Pd-catalyzed Cu-mediated Liebeskind-Srogl cross-coupling reaction with boronic acids to provide the desired 5-aroyl-3,4-dihydropyrimidin-2-one derivatives. Both steps were performed using microwave heating in sealed vessels, either in an automated sequential or parallel format using dedicated microwave reactor instrumentation. A diverse library of 30 5-aroyl-3,4-dihydropyrimidin-2-ones was prepared with commercially available aldehyde, urea, and boronic acid building blocks as starting materials.     

Molecular genetic mining of the Aspergillus secondary metabolome: discovery of the emericellamide biosynthetic pathway

The recently sequenced genomes of several Aspergillus species have revealed that these organisms have the potential to produce a surprisingly large range of natural products, many of which are currently unknown. We have found that A. nidulans produces emericellamide A, an antibiotic compound of mixed origins with polyketide and amino acid building blocks. Additionally, we describe the discovery of four previously unidentified, related compounds that we designate emericellamide C-F. Using recently developed gene targeting techniques, we have identified the genes involved in emericellamide biosynthesis. The emericellamide gene cluster contains one polyketide synthase and one nonribosomal peptide synthetase. From the sequences of the genes, we are able to deduce a biosynthetic pathway for the emericellamides. The identification of this biosynthetic pathway opens the door to engineering novel analogs of this structurally complex metabolite.     

Biosynthesis of TDP-l-mycarose: the specificity of a single enzyme governs the outcome of the pathway

The biosynthetic pathway for l-mycarose, a 2,6-dideoxy-3-methylhexose found in the antibiotic tylosin produced by Streptomyces fradiae, has been studied with only two genes in the gene cluster, tylK and tylC2, remaining to be characterized. To verify the postulated functions of these two genes and to establish the sequence of events in the pathway, functional analyses of the proteins encoded by tylK and tylC2 were carried out. The results clearly show that TylK functions as the 5-epimerase and TylC2 functions as the 4-ketoreductase. However, both enzymes exhibit relaxed substrate specificity such that the production of TDP-l-mycarose as the sole product of the pathway depends on the absolute specificity of TylC3, a methyltransferase involved in an early step in the pathway. Exploitation of the promiscuous substrate specificity in the late steps of the mycarose pathway could produce new analogues of tylosin as well as other antibiotics containing this sugar.     

Synthesis of 5,6-carbonyldioxyindole,a melanogenic cyclic carbonate ester of 5,6-dihydroxyindole

5,6-Carbonyldioxyindole ( 4 ), a melanogenic derivative of 5,6-dihydroxyindole ( 1 ), was synthesized by a procedure starting with 3,4-methylenedioxycinnamic acid ( 5 ). Compound 4 is a stable crystalline solid which is readily hydrolyzed to 1 , a key intermediate on the biosynthetic pathway from tyrosine to melanin.