Total structure determination of apratoxin A, a potent novel cytotoxin from the marine cyanobacterium Lyngbya majuscula

Apratoxin A (1), a potent cytotoxin with a novel skeleton, has been isolated from the marine cyanobacterium Lyngbya majuscula Harvey ex Gomont. This cyclodepsipeptide of mixed peptide-polyketide biogenesis bears a thiazoline ring flanked by polyketide portions, one of which possesses an unusual methylation pattern. Its gross structure has been elucidated by spectral analysis, including various 2D NMR techniques. The absolute configurations of the amino acid-derived units were determined by chiral HPLC analysis of hydrolysis products. The relative stereochemistry of the new dihydroxylated fatty acid unit, 3,7-dihydroxy-2,5,8,8-tetramethylnonanoic acid, was elucidated by successful application of the J-based configuration analysis originally developed for acyclic organic compounds using carbon-proton spin-coupling constants ((2,3)J(C,H)) and proton-proton spin-coupling constants ((3)J(H,H)); its absolute stereochemistry was established by Mosher analysis. The conformation of 1 in solution was mimicked by molecular modeling, employing a combination of distance geometry and restrained molecular dynamics. Apratoxin A (1) possesses IC(50) values for in vitro cytotoxicity against human tumor cell lines ranging from 0.36 to 0.52 nM; however, it was only marginally active in vivo against a colon tumor and ineffective against a mammary tumor.     

Adaptation strategies of the sheathed cyanobacterium Lyngbya majuscula to ultraviolet-B

Lyngbya majuscula is a dominant organism in the east coast of India forming characteristic mat in dried saline soils simultaneously exposed to solar radiation of the tropics. Studies on the growth response, changes in the spectral properties of the methanolic extract and protein profile of this estuarine sheathed cyanobacterium to UV-B revealed existence of effective adaptation mechanism to withstand prolonged UV-B radiation. Carotenoids along with MAAs of the organism was increased with increase in UV irradiation. Increase in thickness of the mucilaginous sheath layer as well as cellular carbohydrate content was observed upon exposure to prolonged UV-B dose. Induction of 21 and 33 kDa low molecular weight proteins, and a 99 kDa protein together with formation of distinct multilayered sheath embedding trichomes with granulated cells were the adaptive features of the organism to cope with UV-B stress. The organism was considerably revived after incubating the irradiated cells in mineral medium under florescent light and in the dark suggesting existence of photoreactivation and dark repair in this cyanobacterium. However more experiments are needed to establish the existence of photoreactivation and dark repair mechanism in the studied cyanobacterium.     

Total synthesis of (+)-kalkitoxin

The neurotoxic lipopeptide (+)-kalkitoxin was synthesized by a route which employed asymmetric organocopper conjugate addition followed by in situ enolate alkylation to install the anti,anti-1,2,4-trimethyl relationship of the toxin; the synthesis of kalkitoxin required sixteen steps and proceeded in 3% overall yield.     

Structure and biosynthesis of the jamaicamides, new mixed polyketide-peptide neurotoxins from the marine cyanobacterium Lyngbya majuscula

A screening program for bioactive compounds from marine cyanobacteria led to the isolation of jamaicamides A-C. Jamaicamide A is a novel and highly functionalized lipopeptide containing an alkynyl bromide, vinyl chloride, beta-methoxy eneone system, and pyrrolinone ring. The jamaicamides show sodium channelblocking activity and fish toxicity. Precursor feeding to jamaicamide-producing cultures mapped out the series of acetate and amino acid residues and helped develop an effective cloning strategy for the biosynthetic gene cluster. The 58 kbp gene cluster is composed of 17 open reading frames that show an exact colinearity with their expected utilization. A novel cassette of genes appears to form a pendent carbon atom possessing the vinyl chloride functionality; at its core this contains an HMG-CoA synthase-like motif, giving insight into the mechanism by which this functional group is created.     

The structure elucidation of isomalyngamide K from the marine cyanobacterium Lyngbya majuscula by experimental and DFT computational methods

The 2Z-isomer of malyngamide K has been isolated along with the known compounds malyngamide C, deoxy-C and K, and characterized from a Papua New Guinea field collection of the cyanobacterium Lyngbya majuscula. The planar structure was deduced by 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic and mass spectral data interpretation. The absolute configurations were determined on the basis of spectroscopic techniques, chemical degradation and DFT theoretical calculations.     

Wewakazole,a novel cyclic dodecapeptide from a Papua New Guinea Lyngbya majuscula

Phytochemical examination of a Papua New Guinea collection of Lyngbya majuscula resulted in the discovery of wewakazole (1), a novel cyclic dodecapeptide containing an unprecedented six five-membered heterocycles. Multiple NMR experiments and MS/MS data were required to assemble its planar structure because of its extensively signal-overlapped NMR spectra. In particular, a 1D HMBC was utilized to orient a three amino acid fragment that could not be placed by standard spectroscopic methods. [structure--see text]     

Caylobolide A, a unique 36-membered macrolactone from a Bahamian Lyngbya majuscula

[structure: see text]. A new 36-membered macrolactone, (25S,27S,29S,33S)-caylobolide A, was isolated from the Bahamian cyanobacterium Lyngbya majuscula. The structure of caylobolide contains an unprecedented repeated unit-a contiguous pentad of 1,5 diols-and a 1,3,5-triol. The relative steroechemistry of the 1,3,5-triol was determined using Kishi's Universal NMR database, and absolute stereochemistry at C25,27,29 and C33 were determined by Mosher's analysis. Caylobolide A exhibited in vitro cytotoxicity against human colon tumor cells (IC50 HCT 116, 9.9 microM).     

Total synthesis and biological evaluation of the nakijiquinones.

The Her-2/Neu receptor tyrosine kinase is vastly overexpressed in about 30% of primary breast, ovary, and gastric carcinomas. The nakijiquinones are the only naturally occurring inhibitors of this important oncogene, and structural analogues of the nakijiquinones may display inhibitory properties toward other receptor tyrosine kinases involved in cell signaling and proliferation. Here, we describe the first enantioselective synthesis of the nakijiquinones. Key elements of the synthesis are (i) the reductive alkylation of a Wieland-Miescher-type enone with a tetramethoxyaryl bromide, (ii) the oxidative conversion of the aryl ring into a p-quinoid system, (iii) the regioselective saponification of one of the two vinylogous esters incorporated therein, and (iv) the selective introduction of different amino acids via nucleophilic conversion of the remaining vinylogous ester into the corresponding vinylogous amide. The correct stereochemistry and substitution patterns are completed by conversion of two keto groups into a methyl group and an endocyclic olefin via olefination/reduction and olefination/isomerization sequences, respectively. This synthesis route also gave access to analogues of nakijiquinone C with inverted configuration at C-2 or with an exocyclic instead of an endocyclic double bond. Investigation of the kinase-inhibiting properties of the synthesized derivatives revealed that the C-2 epimer 30 of nakijiquinone C is a potent and selective inhibitor of the KDR receptor, a receptor tyrosine kinase involved in tumor angiogenesis. Molecular modeling studies based on the crystal structure of KDR and a model of the ATP binding site built from a crystal structure of FGF-R revealed an insight into the structural basis for the difference in activity between the natural product nakijiquinone C and the C-2 epimer 30.     

Total synthesis of a cytotoxic acetogenin,pyranicin

[structure: see text] The first total synthesis of a new cytotoxic acetogenin, pyranicin (1), is described. SmI(2)-induced reductive cyclization of beta-alkoxy acrylate 4 proceeded stereoselectively to give 16,20-syn-19,20-trans-THP derivative 14, which was efficiently transformed into the 19,20-cis-THP derivative 18 through Mitsunobu lactonization. Wittig reaction of the phosphonium salt 2 obtained therefrom with butenolide 3 at -78 degrees C followed by reduction and deprotection afforded 1 in good overall yield.     

Total synthesis,stereochemical assignment,and biological evaluation of L-755,807

The relative and absolute configurations of L-755,807 were established through total synthesis. All four possible stereoisomers were prepared via a convergent synthetic strategy, including a novel diastereoselective Darzens reaction of an α-alkoxy aldehyde with di-tert-butyl bromomalonate, an E-selective Horner–Wadsworth–Emmons reaction, and late-stage coupling of the ring and side-chain segments. Additionally, biological evaluation of the synthesized compounds revealed their potent inhibitory activities (IC₅₀?=?5–21?μM) against amyloid-β aggregation for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.     

Total synthesis and biological evaluation of verticipyrone and analogues

[reaction: see text] Total synthesis of verticipyrone, a novel NADH-fumarate reductase inhibitor, has been accomplished by a convergent approach using novel "Reverse Julia olefination" method. During total synthetic studies, we also prepared and evaluated several synthetic verticipyrone analogues, some of which exhibited more potent antiparasitic activity than the natural verticipyrone.     

Total synthesis and biological evaluation of tamandarin B analogues

Tamandarins A and B are a class of marine natural cyclodepsipeptides with structures and biological activities closely related to those of the didemnins. The easier synthetic access to tamandarins accelerates the preparation of new macrocyclic derivatives of this family of antitumor, antiviral, and immunosuppressive compounds. The optimization of the previously reported synthetic route to tamandarins by changing the macrolactamization site from Nst1 and Thr6 to Pro4 and N,O-Me2Tyr5 residues led to a significant improvement in the reaction yield. Using this new synthetic approach, four new macrocyclic analogues of tamandarin B were prepared and evaluated for anticancer activity. These results provide further insight into the structure-activity relationship of the tamandarins and didemnins.     

Total synthesis and preliminary biological evaluation of cis-solamin isomers

An efficient total synthesis of cis-solamin (1) has been achieved in 21% overall yield and with a longest linear sequence of just 11 steps from aldehyde 8. A key feature of the approach was the use of asymmetric permanganate-promoted oxidative cyclization to introduce four of the five required stereocenters in a single step. The use of robust and chemoselective methodology meant that the use of protecting groups could be avoided during the assembly of cis-solamin (1) from the three fragments 23, 6, and 4. The methodology was also applied to the synthesis of three further cis-solamin isomers 2, ent-1, and ent-2. Cytotoxicity and hemolytic properties of cis-solamin isomers and synthetic intermediates are reported.     

Total synthesis of (-)-7-epicylindrospermopsin, a toxic metabolite of the freshwater cyanobacterium aphanizomenonovalisporum, and assignment of its absolute configuration

[reaction: see text] The Z and E nitrones 38 and 39 from condensation of aldehyde 20 with hydroxylamine 36 underwent intramolecular dipolar cycloaddition to give the substituted 1-aza-7-oxobicyclo[2.2.1] heptanes 40 and 41 in a ratio of 2:1, respectively. Reductive N-O bond cleavage of 40 followed by carbonylation gave cyclic urea 47 in which inversion of the secondary alcohol was effected via an oxidation-reduction sequence. After conversion of the p-bromobenzyl ether 50 to azide 54, activation of the cyclic urea as its O-methylisourea and reduction of the azide led to spontaneous cyclization to afford the tricyclic nucleus 59 of cylindrospermopsin. Global deprotection, including hydrolysis of the 2,4-dimethyoxypyrimidine appendage to a uracil, and then monosulfation of the resultant diol 60 afforded a substance identical with natural (-)-7-epicylindrospermopsin (1). The asymmetric synthesis of (-)-7-epicylindrospermopsin defines its absolute configuration as 7S,8R,10S,12S,13R,14S.     

Total synthesis and biological evaluation of 11-desmethyllaulimalide, a highly potent simplified laulimalide analogue

[reaction: see text] A step-economical synthesis of 11-desmethyllaulimalide (2) is reported. This simplified analogue is available through an improved second-generation synthetic approach to the laulimalides, in a shorter step count and from much less expensive starting material than the parent compound. This new lead retains the anticancer function of laulimalide.     

Total synthesis and biological evaluation of pederin, psymberin, and highly potent analogs

The potent cytotoxins pederin and psymberin have been prepared through concise synthetic routes (10 and 14 steps in the longest linear sequences, respectively) that proceed via a late-stage multicomponent approach to construct the N-acyl aminal linkages. This route allowed for the facile preparation of a number of analogs that were designed to explore the importance of the alkoxy group in the N-acyl aminal and functional groups in the two major subunits on biological activity. These analogs, including a pederin/psymberin chimera, were analyzed for their growth inhibitory effects, revealing several new potent cytotoxins and leading to postulates regarding the molecular conformational and hydrogen bonding patterns that are required for biological activity. Second generation analogs have been prepared based on the results of the initial assays and a structure-based model for the binding of these compounds to the ribosome. The growth inhibitory properties of these compounds are reported. These studies show the profound role that organic chemistry in general and specifically late-stage multicomponent reactions can play in the development of unique and potent effectors for biological responses.     

Total synthesis and biological evaluation of neodysiherbaine A and analogues

Dysiherbaine (1) and its congener neodysiherbaine A (2) are naturally occurring excitatory amino acids with selective and potent agonistic activity for ionotropic glutamate receptors. We describe herein the total synthesis of 2 and its structural analogues 3-8. Advanced key intermediate 16 was employed as a branching point to assemble a series of these analogues 3-8 with respect to the C8 and C9 functionalities, which would not have been accessible through manipulations of the natural product itself. The synthesis of key intermediate 16 features (i) stereocontrolled C-glycosylation to set the C6 stereocenter, (ii) concise synthesis of the bicyclic ether skeleton through chemo- and stereoselective dihydroxylation of the exo-olefin and stereoselective epoxidation of the endo-olefin, followed by epoxide ring opening/5-exo ring closure, and (iii) catalytic asymmetric hydrogenation of enamide ester to construct the amino acid appendage. A preliminary biological evaluation of analogues for their in vivo toxicity against mice and binding affinity for glutamate receptors showed that both the type and stereochemistry of the C8 and C9 functional groups affected the subtype selectivity of dysiherbaine analogues for members of the kainic acid receptor family.     

Total synthesis and biological evaluation of marinopyrrole A and analogues

A five-step total synthesis of the antibiotic marinopyrrole A (1) is described. The developed synthetic technology enabled the synthesis of several marinopyrrole A analogs whose antibacterial properties against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus TCH1516 were evaluated.