First synthesis of natural phosphatidyl-β-d-glucoside

Herein, we report the chemical synthesis of naturally occurring mammalian phosphatidyl-β-d-glucoside (PtdGlc), in order to confirm the proposed structure and to clarify its stereochemistry. We designed a convergent synthetic strategy, suitable to prepare sensitive PtdGlc derivatives. As an initial demonstration of our strategy, we successfully prepared both PtdGlc diastereomers as well as its sensitive arachidonyl analogue. The presence of both diastereomers in the natural sample was confirmed.     

Stereoselective synthesis of decaprenylphosphoryl β-d-arabinofuranose

Decaprenylphosphoryl β-d-arabinofuranose (DPA) is known to be a key arabinose donor in mycobacteria. In order to study the biosynthesis of the major polysaccharides from the mycobacterial cell wall, it was necessary to develop a practical and stereoselective synthetic scheme for DPA. This goal was achieved by coupling of a suitably protected β-d-arabinofuranosyl phosphate intermediate with an activated form of decaprenol and subsequent deprotection.     

Stereoselective syntheses of heptaprenylphosphoryl β-d-arabino-and β-d-ribo-furanoses

The stereoselective syntheses of heptaprenylphosphoryl β-d-arabinofuranose and heptaprenylphosphoryl β-d-ribofuranose are described. In the synthesis of the d-arabino product, the stereoselectivity was achieved by the coupling of a suitably protected β-d-arabinofuranosyl phosphate intermediate with an activated form of heptaprenol and subsequent deprotection. In the case of the ribo-analog, the desired β-anomer could be obtained by the more convenient phosphoramidite method. The products were successfully employed in the mycobacterial epimerase assay.     

Synthesis of d-fructopyranosides with 2-O-acyl-β-d-fructopyranosides

Glycosylation of 2-O-acyl fructopyranosides was investigated, which were shown to be effective glycosyl donors for d-fructopyranoside synthesis with good β-selectivity and yields. For bulky acceptor 4e, α-anomer 5e was obtained with α/β = 65:23. Unexpected ring-opening was observed during acetylation of 9, indicating the sensitivity of the fructopyranosyl ring.     

First synthesis and full characterization of mexiletine N-carbonyloxy β-d-glucuronide

A simple, convergent synthesis of the N-carbonyloxy β-d-glucuronide of mexiletine (sodium salt) in moderate yield is described. The compound is now available as an authentic reference standard for analytical studies, enabling more detailed investigation on the metabolism of mexiletine.     

Regiospecific synthesis of quercetin O-β-d-glucosylated and O-β-d-glucuronidated isomers

Quercetin, the polyphenolic compound, which has the highest daily intake, is well known for its protective effects against aging diseases and has received a lot of attention for this reason. Both quercetin 3-O-β-d-glucuronide and quercetin 3′-O-β-d-glucuronide are human metabolites, which, together with their regioisomers, are required for biological as well as physical chemistry studies. We present here a novel synthetic route based on the sequential and selective protections of the hydroxyl functions of quercetin allowing selective glycosylation, followed by TEMPO-mediated oxidation to the glucuronide. This methodology enabled us to synthesize the five O-β-d-glucosides and four O-β-d-glucuronides of quercetin, including the major human metabolite, quercetin 3-O-β-d-glucuronide.     

Stereoselectivity in the synthesis of polyprenylphosphoryl β-d-ribofuranoses

Decaprenylphosphoryl β-d-arabinofuranose (DPA) is a key arabinose donor in mycobacteria. The ribo analog of DPA (DPR) has also been found in mycobacteria. It has recently been confirmed that DPA is formed via a two-step epimerization of DPR. The stereoselective synthesis of DPR as well as two shorter analogs of DPR is described.     

Facile synthesis of 4-deoxy-4-fluoro-α-d-talopyranoside, 4-deoxy-4-fluoro-α-d-idopyranoside and 2,4-dideoxy-2,4-difluoro-α-d-talopyranoside

The title compounds were prepared by two independent syntheses using inexpensive commercially available starting materials. 4-Deoxy-4-fluoro-α-d-talopyranoside served as a precursor to 4-deoxy-4-fluoro-α-d-idopyranoside, allowing for inversion of configuration at C-3 via a three-step protocol. The synthesis of 2,4-dideoxy-2,4-difluoro-α-d-talopyranoside is based on two nucleophilic fluorination events at C-2 then at C-4 using TBAF·3H₂O and TBAF·4tBuOH as a fluoride source. All compounds are prepared as pure stereoisomers and are therefore suitable probes for OH?F H-bonding studies by ¹H NMR spectroscopy.     

Synthesis of potential bisubstrate inhibitors of Leishmania elongating α-d-mannosyl phosphate transferase

Synthesis of a potential mechanism-based bisubstrate inhibitor 1 of the elongating α-d-mannosyl phosphate transferase in Leishmania, comprising a guanosine subunit bound to the synthetic acceptor substrate through the methylenebisphosphonate linker, as well as its analogues 2 and 3 has been successfully accomplished.     

Direct access to new β-d-galactofuranoconjugates: application to the synthesis of galactofuranosyl-l-cysteine and l-serine

Galactofuranose post-translational modifications, although quite rare, were detected in some biomolecules produced by parasites. While hexopyranosides were already linked to various peptides and proteins, few hexofuranosides have been artificially conjugated to amino acids. We thus report herein a robust glycosylation methodology to obtain S-alkyl, O-serine and S-cysteine-β-d-galactofuranosides starting from readily available galactofuranose donors. O-Acetyl, thioimidoyl and acetimidoyl donors were compared in terms of yields and selectivity when reacted with mercaptans, l-cysteine and l-serine. Acetimidates turned out to be the best notably for amino acids glycosylation.     

Increasing the inhibitory potency of l-arabino-imidazolo-[1,2]-piperidinose towards β-d-glucosidase and β-d-galactosidase

The synthesis of some potent inhibitors of two retaining β-glycosidases was achieved by introducing aglycon-mimics into the imidazole moiety of l-arabino azasugar 1. The strongest inhibition was observed with the phenyl-ethyl substituent at C(2) of 1 against β-d-galactosidase and β-d-glucosidase, whereas the hydroxymethyl group at C(2) increased only slightly the inhibitory properties.     

Structure-based study of antiamyloidogenic cyclic d,l-α-peptides

Protein misfolding and aggregation are the hallmarks of many devastating diseases. We have previously shown that cyclic d,l-α-peptide CP-2 reacts and stabilizes less toxic forms of amyloid β (Aβ), and protects the cells from Aβ-induced toxicity. Here, we performed extensive structure-based studies on CP-2 to elucidate the contribution of each residue to the total antiamyloidogenic activity and determine the interactions that are involved between CP-2 and Aβ. We showed that the hydrophobicity of CP-2 analogs correlates with their antiamyloidogenic potency, however, aromatic interactions are even more important for this activity. The antiamyloidogenic activity of CP-2 analogs also correlates with their ability to self-assemble, as shown by the critical micelle concentration measurements. The cell survival studies performed on rat pheochromocytoma PC-12 cells suggest that incorporation of an additional aromatic residue to the CP-2's sequence increases its protective effect against Aβ42-induced toxicity.     

Synthesis and RNA-selective hybridization of α-l-ribo- and β-d-lyxo-configured oligonucleotides

Three α-l-ribofuranosyl analogues of RNA nucleotides (α-l-RNA analogues) have been synthesized and incorporated into oligonucleotides using the phosphoramide approach on an automated DNA synthesizer. The 4′-C-hydroxymethyl-α-l-ribofuranosyl thymine monomer was furthermore synthesized. Relative to the unmodified duplexes, incorporation of a single α-l-RNA monomer into a DNA strand leads to reduced thermal stability of duplexes with DNA complements but unchanged thermal stability of duplexes with RNA complements, whereas incorporation of more than one α-l-RNA monomer lead to moderately decreased thermal stability also of duplexes with RNA complements. Efficient hybridization with an RNA complement and no melting transition with a DNA complement were observed with stereoregular chimeric oligonucleotides composed of a mixture of α-l-RNA and affinity enhancing α-l-LNA monomers (α-l-ribo-configured locked nucleic acid). Furthermore, duplexes formed between oligodeoxynucleotides containing an α-l-RNA monomer and complementary RNA were good substrates for Escherichia coli RNase H. RNA-selective hybridization was also achieved by the incorporation of 1-(4-C-hydroxymethyl-β-d-lyxofuranosyl)thymine monomers into a DNA strand, whereas stable duplexes were formed with both complementary DNA and RNA when these monomers were incorporated into an RNA strand.     

An expeditious synthesis of quercetin 3-O-β-d-glucuronide from rutin

We report the synthesis of the major human metabolite of quercetin, quercetin 3-O-β-d-glucuronide, from rutin (quercetin-3-rutinoside), which is commercially available at low cost. This straightforward synthesis is based on the key intermediate 3′,4′,5,7-tetra-O-benzyl-quercetin which is obtained in only two steps by the total benzylation of rutin followed by acid hydrolysis of the rutinoside residue. Glycosylation of the free 3 hydroxyl group by 1-bromo-3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-α-d-glucopyranoside yields the protected glucoside. TEMPO-mediated oxidation of primary alcohol on the deprotected glucoside gives access to the benzylated glucuronide. Removal of the benzyl groups which protect the quercetin hydroxyl groups by H₂ (10% Pd/C) yields quercetin 3-O-β-d-glucuronide.     

Chemo-enzymatic synthesis of 2′,3′-dideoxy-3′-fluoro-β-d-guanosine via 2,3-dideoxy-3-fluoro-α-d-ribose 1-phosphate

2,3-Dideoxy-3-fluoro-α-d-ribose 1-phosphate 2 was stereoselectively synthesized and converted to 2′,3′-dideoxy-3-fluoro-β-d-guanosine 1 by enzymatic reaction using purine nucleoside phosphorylase. This chemo-enzymatic strategy was first applied to the synthesis of 1.     

l-Galactose as a natural product: isolation from a marine octocoral of the first α-l-galactosyl saponin

Saponine 1 (6′-O-acetyl-3β-pregna-5,20-dienyl-α-l-galactopyranoside), that contains a l-galactose moiety linked to the aglycone through an infrequent α-glycosidic bond, has been isolated from the marine octocoral Muricea c.f. purpurea. This constitutes the first report on the occurrence of l-Gal as a nonpolymeric natural product. A CD procedure for the absolute stereochemical assignment of saponins, based on the CD analysis of its perbenzoylated derivative, is proposed.     

Simple synthesis of phenylpropenoid β-d-glucopyranoside congeners based on Mizoroki-Heck type reaction of organoboron reagents

Palladium(II)-catalyzed carbon-carbon bond formation between allyl 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-β-d-glucopyranoside (3) and phenylboronic acid congeners gave the phenylpropenoid 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-β-d-glucopyranoside (4a-f) in good yield. Among them, compounds 4a-c were converted to the naturally occurring phenylpropenoid β-d-glucopyranoside analogues (1a-c).     

Synthesis of 2-azidoethyl α-d-mannopyranoside orthogonally protected and selective deprotections

We present the synthesis of a fully orthogonally protected mannosyl glycoside 1 and the corresponding methods for selective deprotections. Mannosyl glycoside 1 contains a functionalized linker at the anomeric position to allow for the attachment of carbohydrate units to scaffolds in order to prepare carbohydrate multivalent systems.     

Synthesis of quercetin 3-O-β-d-apiofuranosyl-(1→2)-[α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→6)]-β-d-glucopyranoside

A concise method to construct a unique 2,6-branched trisaccharide was established by regioselective glycosylation of three free hydroxyl groups on a 3-O-protected glucose moiety, and successfully used in the synthesis of quercetin 3-O-β-d-apiofuranosyl-(1→2)-[α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→6)]-β-d-glucopyranoside, a flavonol O-glycoside isolated from glandless cotton seeds which showed notable antidepressant activities.     

A convenient new route to protected and free 2,6-anhydro-d-glycero-d-gulo-heptoses (1-formyl-β-d-glucopyranosides)

A new and efficient process has been developed for the synthesis of 1-formyl-β-d-glucopyranosides from d-glucose.