Synthesis of hybrid lipid probes: derivatives of phosphatidylethanolamine-extended phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (Pea-PIP(2))

The total asymmetric synthesis of a novel hybrid lipid possessing a 2,3-diacylthreitol backbone, rather than a 1,2-diacylglycerol backbone, is described. The title compound, Pea-PIP(2), possesses a phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) headgroup at the 1-position and a phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PtdIns(4,5)P(2)) headgroup at the 4-position. Reporters (biotin, fluorophores, spin label) were covalently attached to the free amino group of the PE, such that these reporters were targeted to the lipid-water interface. The diacyl moieties allow incorporation of Pea-PIP(2) into a lipid bilayer, while the PtdIns(4,5)P(2) moiety in the aqueous layer was specifically recognized by PtdIns(4,5)P(2)-specific binding proteins.     

Synthesis and biological activity of PTEN-resistant analogues of phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate

The activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-K) and subsequent production of PtdIns(3,4,5)P3 launches a signal transduction cascade that impinges on a plethora of downstream effects on cell physiology. Control of PI 3-K and PtdIns(3,4,5)P3 levels is an important therapeutic target in treatments for allergy, inflammation, cardiovascular, and malignant human diseases. We designed metabolically stabilized, that is, phosphatase resistant, analogues of PtdIns(3,4,5)P3 as probes for long-lived potential agonists or potential antagonists for cellular events mediated by PtdIns(3,4,5)P3. In particular, two types of analogues were prepared containing phosphomimetics that would be selectively resistant to the lipid 3-phosphatase PTEN. The total asymmetric synthesis of the 3-phosphorothioate-PtdIns(3,4,5)P3 and 3-methylenephosphonate-PtdIns(3,4,5)P3 analogues is described. These two analogues showed differential binding to PtdIns(3,4,5)P3 binding modules, and both were potential long-lived activators that mimicked insulin action in sodium transport in A6 cells.     

Understanding the relative affinity and specificity of the pleckstrin homology domain of protein kinase B for inositol phosphates

Protein kinase B (PKB) is a serine/threonine kinase that plays a key role in the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway-one of the most frequently activated proliferation pathways in cancer. In this pathway, PKB is recruited to the plasma membrane by direct interaction of its pleckstrin homology (PH) domain with the inositol phosphate head-group of phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate [PtdIns(3,4,5)P(3)] or phosphatidylinositol 3,4-bisphosphate [PtdIns(3,4)P(2)]. This recruitment is a critical stage in the activation of PKB, whose downstream effectors play important roles in cell survival, proliferation and growth. It is therefore of great interest to understand PKB's mode of binding, as well as its specificity and affinity for different phosphoinositides. We have used a total of 3 μs of molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to better understand the interactions of the PKB PH domain with the inositol phosphate head-groups of phosphoinositides involved in the PI3K pathway. Our computational models successfully mirror PKB's in vivo selectivity for 3-phosphorylated phosphoinositides. Furthermore, the models also help to rationalize unexpected in vitro data in which inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate [Ins(1,4,5)P(3)] binds with a relatively high affinity to the PKB PH domain, despite its parent lipid phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate [PtdIns(4,5)P(2)] being known not to bind in vivo. With the support of computational simulations, we propose that when not bonded to a phosphatidate tail Ins(1,4,5)P(3) binds in an orientation in which its inositol ring is flipped with respect to the 3-phosphorylated inositol phosphate ligands and its parent lipid.     

Synthesis and biological activity of phospholipase C-resistant analogues of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate

The membrane phospholipid phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PtdIns(4,5)P2) is an important regulator in cell physiology. Hydrolysis of PtdIns(4,5)P2 by phospholipase C (PLC) releases two second messengers, Ins(1,4,5)P3 and diacylglycerol. To dissect the effects of PtdIns(4,5)P2 from those resulting from PLC-generated signals, a metabolically stabilized analogue of PtdIns(4,5)P2 was required. Two analogues were designed in which the scissile O-P bond was replaced with a C-P bond that could not be hydrolyzed by PLC activity. Herein we describe the asymmetric total synthesis of the first metabolically stabilized phospholipase C-resistant analogues of PtdIns(4,5)P2. The key transformation was a Pd(0)-catalyzed coupling of a H-phosphite with a vinyl bromide to form the desired C-P linkage. The phosphonate analogues of PtdIns(4,5)P2 were found to be effective in restoring the sensitivity of the TRPM4 channel to Ca2+ activation.     

Quantitative analysis of inositol lipids and inositol phosphates in synaptosomes and microvessels by column chromatography: comparison of the mass analysis and the radiolabelling methods.

Chromatographic methods that measure both the mass and the radiolabelling of various inositol lipids and inositol phosphates in tissues have been developed. The mass of phosphatidylinositol (PtdIns), phosphatidylinositol-4-monophosphate [PtdIns(4)P] and phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate [PtdIns(4,5)P2] was quantitated by measuring the inorganic phosphate, whereas inositol monophosphate (IP), inositol bisphosphate (IP2), inositol trisphosphate (IP3) and inositol tetrakisphosphate (IP4) were quantitated by using an enzymic method. The radiolabelling of various inositol lipids and inositol phosphates was determined by incubating the tissue samples with [3H]myo-inositol, separating individual inositol lipids and inositol phosphates, and measuring the radioactivity in each compound. Although the mass analysis method was sensitive enough to measure low levels of inositol lipids or inositol phosphates, the method was laborious and time-consuming. Compared with the enzymic method, the radiolabelling method was simple and fast, but it gave variable results. This study demonstrated differences in inositol lipid and inositol phosphate levels by radiolabelling and mass measurements, and agonist-stimulated phosphatidylinositol turnover of synaptosomes versus the blood-brain barrier as represented by microvessels. Although the mass of PtdIns, PtdIns(4)P and PtdIns(4,5)P2 was comparable in synaptosomes and microvessels, the incorporation of [3H]myo-inositol into phosphorylated PtdIns in microvessels was less than that in synaptosomes.     

Metabolically stabilized derivatives of phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate: synthesis and applications

Phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate (PtdIns(4)P) lipid is an essential component of eukaryotic membranes and a marker of the Golgi complex. Here, we developed metabolically stabilized (ms) analogs of PtdIns(4)P and the inositol 1,4-bisphosphate (IP(2)) head group derivative and demonstrated that these compounds can substitute the natural lipid fully retaining its physiological activities. The methylenephosphonate (MP) and phosphorothioate (PT) analogs of PtdIns(4)P and the aminohexyl (AH)-IP(2) probe are recognized by the PtdIns(4)P-specific PH domain of four phosphate adaptor protein 1 (FAPP1). Binding of FAPP1 to the PtdIns(4)P derivatives stimulates insertion of the PH domain into the lipid layers and induces tubulation of membranes. Both ms analogs and IP(2) probes could be invaluable for identifying protein effectors and characterizing PtdIns(4)P-dependent signaling cascades within the trans-Golgi network (TGN).     

Regioselective phosphorylation of vicinal 3,4-hydroxy myo-inositol derivative promoted practical synthesis of d-PtdIns(4,5)P2 and d-Ins(1,4,5)P3

The reactivity of 3 and 4-OH in 3,4-diol myo-inositol derivatives were observed through the phosphorylation, acylation and silylation. The results indicated that 3-OH is much more reactive than 4-OH, giving regiospecifically 3-mono-functionalized products. This investigation provided a concise methodology for the synthesis of natural d-form of PtdIns(4,5)P2 and d-Ins(1,4,5)P3 from l-1,2-O-cyclohexylidene-3,4-O-(tetraisopropyl disiloxane-1,3-diyl)-myo-inositol.     

Nucleophilic substitution reactions of the tricyclic triphosphorus cage P3(CBu(t))2: a novel route to polyphosphorus phosphenium complexes

Substitution of Cl(-) in the tricyclic triphosphorus cage Cl(P(1))-P3(CBu(t))2 by a range of both anionic and neutral nucleophiles has been investigated. With anionic nucleophiles, reaction with fluoride and hydride anion was shown to afford F(P(1))-P3(CBu(t)) and H(P(1))-P3(CBu(t))2 respectively. Subsequent deprotonation of the latter results in the formation of the aromatic anion [1,2,4-P3(CBu(t))2]-. With neutral nucleophiles, addition of either PMe3 or PEt3 to Cl(P(1))-P3(CBu(t))2 in the presence of TlOTf results in the formation of the phosphine-phosphenium complexes [(R3P(P(1))-P3(CBu(t))2][OTf] (R = Me or Et): the structure of the methyl-substituted compound was determined by a single crystal X-ray diffraction study. The phosphine ligand in these complexes is extremely labile and addition of I2 to [(Me3P(P(1))-P3(CBu(t))2]+ results in the formation of I(P(1))-P3(CBu(t))2.     

A versatile approach to PI(3,4)P2, PI(4,5)P2, and PI(3,4,5)P3 from L-(-)-quebrachitol

[reaction: see text] A versatile synthesis of PI(3,4)P2, PI(4,5)P2, and PI(3,4,5)P3 is disclosed, starting from L-(-)-quebrachitol, a byproduct of latex production. The crystalline nature of most intermediates and the utilization of inexpensive protecting groups facilitate this synthetic route and its scale-up.     

Iodine,a protecting group for the synthesis of psoralen derivatives oxygenated in pyrone ring : Synthesis of 4,5-dimethoxypsoralen and 3,4,5-trimethoxypsoralen (halfordin)

A convenient synthesis of psoralen derivatives oxygenated in pyrone ring, viz 4,5-dimethoxy-7-oxo-7H-furo [3,2-g] [1] benzopyran (4,5-dimethoxypsoralen) and 4,5,6-trimethoxy-7-oxo-7H-furo [3,2-g] [1] benzopyran (halfordin) (3,4,5-trimethoxypsoralen) is described by blocking the 8-position with iodine, Claisen migration followed by cyclisation.     

Rapid and efficient routes to phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphates via myo-inositol orthobenzoate

Efficient routes to two phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate [PtdIns(3,4,5)P₃] analogues with different acyl chains have been developed by using cheaply available myo-inositol as the starting material. The high yield of the orthobenzoate derivative, preferential formation of the required protected inositol diastereomer in its desymmetrization and ease of separation make the synthesis expedient, economical and high yielding. Due to the inherent problem of racemization of diacylglycerol (DAG), the synthesis of phosphatidylinositol phosphates [PIPns] with unambiguous stereochemical purity has always been difficult. Our methodology excludes the possibility of racemization in the DAG unit and thus provides access to PtdIns(3,4,5)P₃ of high optical purity. Since the acyl functionalities are introduced last, the methodology reported is amenable to the synthesis of PtdIns(3,4,5)P₃ with any acyl chain (or even a library of analogues).     

Formation of isoxazole derivatives via nitrile oxide using ammonium cerium nitrate (CAN): a novel one-pot synthesis of 3-acetyl- and 3-benzoylisoxazole derivatives

The reactions of alkenes and alkynes with ammonium cerium(IV) nitrate ((NH₄)₂Ce(NO₃)₆, CAN(IV)) in acetone under reflux gave the corresponding 3-acetyl-4,5-dihydroisoxazole and 3-acetylisoxazole derivatives. In the case of acetophenone, 3-benzoyl-4,5-dihydroisoxazole and 3-benzoylisoxazole derivatives were obtained. Reaction of acetone with CAN(IV) afforded the corresponding furoxan (3,4-diacetyl-1,2,5-oxadiazole 2-oxide) as the dimer of nitrile oxide. Moreover, it was found that yields of isoxazole derivatives were improved using ammonium cerium(III) nitrate tetrahydrate ((NH₄)₂Ce(NO₃)₅·4H₂O, CAN(III))-formic acid. The reaction mechanisms based on nitration and formation of nitrile oxide mediated by CAN(IV) or CAN(III) from acetone or acetophenone are also proposed.     

Synthesis, Characterization, and Thermolysis of C(15)N(12)

Synthesis of 1-methyl-2-fluoro-4,5-dicyanoimidazole was done by halogen exchange between 1-methyl-2-bromo-4,5-dicyanoimidazole and potassium fluoride. Halogen exchange between 1-methyl-2-bromo-4,5-dicyanoimidazole and lithium chloride in N-methylpyrrolidinone at 150 degrees C yielded 1-methyl-2-chloro-4,5-dicyanoimidazole, and additional heating to 210 degrees C resulted in the demethylation to yield 2-chloro-4,5-dicyanoimidazole. Thermolyses of the 2-halo-4,5-dicyanoimidazole derivatives (F, Cl) and 1-iodo-2-halo-4,5-dicyanoimidazole derivatives (Cl, Br, I) between 100 and 290 degrees C were found to yield Tris(imidazo)[1,2-a:1,2-c:1,2-e]-1,3,5-triazine-2,3,5,6,8,9-hexacarbonitrile, or HTT, with (C(5)N(4))(3) composition. HTT has been characterized and purified and the crystal structure obtained. Thermolysis of HTT at 490-500 degrees C gives a material with C/N = 1.020. The thermal properties of HTT and its decomposition products show thermal stability to 350 degrees C.     

Preparation of aminotriazole-thione derivatives from n-aryl-n-carboxyethyl-β-alanines

Depending on the substituents in the aryl moiety, the fusion of N-aryl-N-ethoxycarbonyl-β-alanines with thiocarbohydrazide gives di- or monotriazole derivatives, namely, 4-amino-(2-{[2-(4-amino-5-thioxo-4,5-dihydro-1H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl)ethyl]anilino}ethyl)-4,5-dihydro-1H-1,2,4-triazole-5-thiones, 1-[2-(4-amino- 5-thioxo-4,5-dihydro-1H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl)ethyl]-2,3-dihydroquinolin-4(1H)-ones, 4-amino-3-[2-(4-methylanilino))ethyl]-4,5-dihydro-1H-1,2,4-triazole-5-thione and 4-amino-3-[2-(4-ethoxyanilino)-ethyl]-4,5-dihydro-1H-1,2,4-triazole-5-thione. A ditriazolethione derivative was also obtained from the diethyl ester of N-ethoxycarbonyl-N-(4-ethoxyphenyl)- β-alanine.     

Crossed beam study of the atom-radical reaction of ground state carbon atoms (C(3P)) with the vinyl radical (C2H3(X2A'))

The atom-radical reaction of ground state carbon atoms (C((3)P)) with the vinyl radical (C(2)H(3)(X(2)A')) was conducted under single collision conditions at a collision energy of 32.3 ± 2.9 kJ mol(-1). The reaction dynamics were found to involve a complex forming reaction mechanism, which is initiated by the barrier-less addition of atomic carbon to the carbon-carbon-double bond of the vinyl radical forming a cyclic C(3)H(3) radical intermediate. The latter has a lifetime of at least 1.5 times its rotational period and decomposes via a tight exit transition state located about 45 kJ mol(-1) above the separated products through atomic hydrogen loss to the cyclopropenylidene isomer (c-C(3)H(2)) as detected toward cold molecular clouds and in star forming regions.     

Kinetics of the reactions of Cl*(2P(1/2)) and Cl(2P(3/2)) atoms with CH3OH, C2H5OH, n-C3H7OH, and i-C3H7OH at 295 K

The title reactions were studied using laser flash photolysis/laser-induced-fluorescence (FP-LIF) techniques. The two spin-orbit states, Cl*(2P(1/2)) and Cl(2P(3/2)), were detected using LIF at 135.2 and 134.7 nm, respectively. Measured reaction rate constants were as follows (units of cm3 molecule(-1) s(-1)): k(Cl(2P(3/2))+CH3OH) = (5.35 +/- 0.24) x 10(-11), k(Cl(2P(3/2))+C2H5OH) = (9.50 +/- 0.85) x 10(-11), k(Cl(2P(3/2))+n-C3H7OH) = (1.71 +/- 0.11) x 10(-10), and k(Cl(2P(3/2))+i-C3H7OH) = (9.11 +/- 0.60) x 10(-11). Measured rate constants for total removal of Cl*(2P(1/2)) in collisions with CH3OH, C2H5OH, n-C3H7OH, and i-C3H7OH were (1.95 +/- 0.13) x 10(-10), (2.48 +/- 0.18) x 10(-10), (3.13 +/- 0.18) x 10(-10), and (2.84 +/- 0.16) x 10(-10), respectively; quoted errors are two-standard deviations. Although spin-orbit excited Cl*(2P(1/2)) atoms have 2.52 kcal/mol more energy than Cl(2P(3/2)), the rates of chemical reaction of Cl*(2P(1/2)) with CH3OH, C2H5OH, n-C3H7OH, and i-C3H7OH are only 60-90% of the corresponding Cl(2P(3/2)) atom reactions. Under ambient conditions spin-orbit excited Cl* atoms are responsible for 0.5%, 0.5%, 0.4%, and 0.7% of the observed reactivity of thermalized Cl atoms toward CH3OH, C2H5OH, n-C3H7OH, and i-C3H7OH, respectively.     

Sterically hindered and robust pnictogen ligands derived from carboranes: synthesis and X-ray structure determination of tris(1'-methyl(1,2-dicarba-closo-dodecaboran-1-yl))phosphine, tris(1'-methyl(1,2-dicarba-closo-dodecaboran-1-yl))arsine and chloro(tris(1'-methyl(1,2-dicarba-closo-dodecaboran-1-yl))phosphine)gold(I)

Sterically hindered phosphine and arsine ligands derived from ortho-carborane were synthesized and characterized by X-ray crystallography. Tris(1'-methyl(1,2-dicarba-closo-dodecaboran-1-yl))phosphine, 2 (crystal data, hexagonal, space group P6(3), a = b = 12.251(3) A, c = 11.514(4) A, alpha = beta = 90 degrees, gamma = 120 degrees, V = 1496.6(7) A(3), Z = 2, R(1) = 0.0568) and tris(1'-methyl(1,2-dicarba-closo-dodecaboran-1-yl))arsine, 3 (crystal data, hexagonal, space group P6(3), a = b = 12.330(3) A, c = 11.474(4) A, alpha = beta = 90 degrees, gamma = 120 degrees, V = 1510.7(7) A(3), Z = 2, R(1) = 0.0930) were prepared in 82% and 68% yield, respectively. The phosphine ligand is resistant to air-oxidation but was converted to corresponding oxide when heated with hydrogen peroxide. The tertiary carboranyl phosphine reacted with (Tht)AuCl to yield chloro(tris(1'-methyl(1,2-dicarba-closo-dodecaboran-1-yl))phosphine)gold(I), 4 (crystal data, monoclinic, space group P2(1)/c, a = 19.101(4) A, b = 12.167(2) A, c = 13.846(3) A, alpha = gamma = 90 degrees, beta = 91.13(3) degrees, V = 3217.2(11) A(3), Z = 4, R(1) = 0.0396) in 82% yield. From the X-ray structure of the gold complex, the cone angle of the phosphine was determined to be 213(2) degrees, which is among the largest values reported to date.     

New transformation of α-acetylenic ketones under the action of 1,2-diaminoethane

A reaction of 3-aryl-1-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)prop-2-yn-1-ones with 1,2-diaminoethane in boiling dioxane leads to 2-aryl-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazoles and 1-(3,4,5-trimethoxy-phenyl)ethanone.     

A theoretical and experimental study on the Lewis acid-base adducts (P(4)E(3)).(BX(3)) (E = S, Se; X = Br, I) and (P(4)Se(3)).(NbCl(5))

The Lewis acid-base adducts (P(4)E(3)).(BX(3)) (E = S, Se; X = Br, I) and (P(4)Se(3)).(NbCl(5)) have been prepared and characterized by Raman, IR, and solid-state (31)P MAS NMR spectroscopy. Hybrid density functional calculations (B3LYP) have been carried out for both the apical and the basal (P(4)E(3)).(BX(3)) (E = S, Se; X = Br, I) adducts. The thermodynamics of all considered species has been discussed. In accordance with solid-state (31)P MAS NMR and vibrational data, the X-ray powder diffraction structures of (P(4)S(3)).(BBr(3)) [monoclinic, space group P2(1)/m (No. 11), a = 8.8854(1) A, b = 10.6164(2) A, c = 6.3682(1) A, beta = 108.912(1) degrees, V = 568.29(2) A(3), Z = 2] and (P(4)S(3)).(BI(3)) [orthorhombic, space group Pnma (No. 62), a = 12.5039(5) A, b = 11.3388(5) A, c = 8.9298(4) A, V = 1266.09(9) A(3), Z = 4] indicate the formation of an apical P(4)S(3) complex in the reaction of P(4)S(3) with BX(3) (X = Br, I). Basal adducts are formed when P(4)Se(3) is used as the donor species. Vibrational assignment for the normal modes of these adducts has been made on the basis of comparison between theoretically obtained and experimentally observed vibrational data.     

Study on the optical properties of 4,4'-bis-(2-(substituted-styryl))biphenyl and 1,4-bis-(2-(substituted-styryl))benzene

The maximum absorption wavelengths (lambda(a-max)), absorption coefficient (epsilon), maximum emission wavelengths (lambda(e-max)), fluorescent quantum yields (phi(f)), and second-order nonlinear polarizations (beta(xxx)) of seventeen 4,4'-bis-(2-(substituted-styryl))biphenyl and three 1,4-bis-(2-(substituted-styryl))benzene were measured. The results showed that some of this series of compounds possess high fluorescent quantum yields in DMF, such as, 2 (0.801), 3 (0.680), 5 (0.565), 15 (0.538) 16 (0.848), 18 (2.175), 19 (1.314) and 20 (1.060), as compared with quinine-sulfuric acid. They could be used as fluorescent whiteners and fluorescent colorants. Some of these compounds were of a high beta(xxx) values, such as in DMSO, 2 (29.00/10(-30) m(5)c(-1)), 3 (25.29/10(-30) m(5)c(-1)), 8 (21.79/10(-30) m(5)c(-1)) and 9 (24.08/10(-30) m(5)c(-1)). Electron-withdrawing substituent NO(2), which is attached to the two terminal phenyl rings could cause lambda(a-max) obviously to be shorter, but it made lambda(e-max) change longer. Electron-donating substituent at two end benzene rings, such as OCH(3), N((CH(3))(2)), even Cl, could make lambda(a-max) and lambda(e-max) longer, and the larger the electron-donating ability of the substituent, the longer the lambda(a-max) and lambda(e-max). This influence of 4-position substituent on lambda(a-max) or lambda(e-max) is obviously larger than that of 2-position substituent, and the action of substituent on 2-position is larger than that of substituent on 3-position. The values of lambda(a-max) and lambda(e-max) of biphenyl compounds 2 or 3 were respectively close to these values of corresponding benzene compounds 18 or 19.