Functional group-mediated biotransformation by Curvularia lunata NRRL 2178: synthesis of 3-dehydro-2-deoxy-ecdysteroids from the 3-hydroxy-2-mesyloxy analogues

Microbial transformation of ecdysteroids with 3-hydroxy-2-mesyloxy functional group by the fungus Curvularia lunata NRRL 2178 furnished 3-dehydro-2-deoxy analogues. The metabolites included 3-dehydro-2-deoxy analogues of 20-hydroxyecdysone, pterosterone, ponasterone A, 20-hydroxyecdysone 20,22-acetonide, shidasterone, and poststerone. The mild biotransformation conditions prevented the metabolites from C-5 epimerization.     

Novel thiazole and oxazole containing cyclic hexapeptides from a waterbloom of the cyanobacterium Microcystis sp.

Eight novel thiazole and oxazole containing cyclic peptides, microcyclamides GL616, GL582, GL614A, GL614B, GL614C, GL546A, GL546B, and GL628, as well as the known microcyclamide A, were isolated from the hydrophylic extract of a Microcystis sp. water-bloom collected in Gilboa reservoir, Valley of Armageddon, Israel. The planar structure of the compounds was determined by homonuclear and inverse-heteronuclear 2D NMR techniques as well as high-resolution mass spectrometry. The absolute configuration of the asymmetric centers of the amino acids was studied using Marfey's method for HPLC following ozonolysis, hydrolysis and derivatization with Marfey's reagent. This is the first example where acidic and modified amino acids are incorporated in this group of ribosomally biosynthesized metabolites.     

Three novel metabolites from a bloom of the cyanobacterium Microcystis sp.

Three new metabolites, microphycin AL828, microguanidine AL772, and microginin AL584 and three known metabolites, anabaenopeptin F, oscillamide Y, and microcin SF608 were isolated from the extracts of a Microcystis sp. bloom collected in Alonim reservoir, Valley of Armagedon, Israel. The planar structure of the compounds was determined by homonuclear and inverse-heteronuclear 2D-NMR techniques as well as high-resolution mass spectrometry. The absolute configuration of the asymmetric centers of the amino acids was studied using Marfey's method for HPLC.     

Biotransformation of (+)-(1R,2S)-fenchol by the larvae of common cutworm (Spodoptera litura)

Biotransformation of (+)-(1R,2S)-fenchol by the larvae of Spodoptera litura was carried out. Substrate was converted to three new terpenoids, (+)-(1R,2S)-10-hydroxyfenchol, (+)-(1R,2R,3S)-8-hydroxyfenchol and (−)-(1S,2S,6S)-6-exo-hydroxyfenchol, and one known terpenoid, (−)-(1R,2R,3R)-9-hydroxyfenchol. These structures were established by NMR, IR, specific rotation and mass spectral studies.     

Topsentiasterol sulfates with novel iodinated and chlorinated side chains from the marine sponge Topsentia sp.

Three new marine polar steroids, the first chlorine-containing steroid sulfate (1), topsentiasterol sulfate F (2) and the first natural iodinated steroid (3) have been isolated from the marine sponge Topsentia sp. The structures of 1-3 were elucidated using NMR and HRESIMS as well as by chemical correlation of 1 with previously known topsentiasterol sulfate D. Compound 1 proved to be an effective inhibitor of endo-1,3-β-d-glucanase from the marine mollusc Spisula sachalinensis.     

Synthesis and conformational properties of model dipeptides containing novel axially chiral α,β-didehydroamino acids at the (i+1) position of a β-turn conformation

A series of model dipeptides containing some novel axially chiral α,β-didehydroamino acids at the (i+1) position has been synthesised by reaction of the corresponding 4-(4-alkylcyclohexylidene)-2-phenyl-1,3-oxazol-5(4H)-one with (S)-phenylalanine cyclohexylamide. The conformations of two dipeptides in the crystal state have been studied by X-ray diffraction crystallographic analysis. The backbone torsion angles suggest that both peptides adopt similar type-II′ β-turn conformations. NMR spectroscopy has revealed that relatively rigid β-turn structures also persist in solution and that the absolute configurations of the axially chiral α,β-didehydroamino acids do not significantly influence the conformation of the peptide chain. Both heterochiral and homochiral dipeptides are found to accommodate the same βII′-turn conformation. Axially chiral α,β-didehydroamino acids (R_a)- and (S_a)-4-methyl-, 4-phenyl- and (4-tert-butylcyclohexylidene)glycine can be considered as elongated structural analogues of alanine, phenylglycine and tert-leucine of R and S configuration since, in these chiral α,β-didehydroamino acids, the methyl, phenyl and tert-butyl groups are located about 4.3 Å away from the peptide backbone in which they are incorporated.     

Structures and absolute stereochemistry of nipponallene and neonipponallene, new brominated allenes from the red alga Laurencia nipponica

Two new natural brominated allenes named as nipponallene 1 and neonipponallene 2 were isolated from the red alga Laurencia nipponica, collected near the Russian shore of the Sea of Japan (Troitsa Bay). The structures and absolute stereochemistry of 1 and 2 were elucidated using NMR spectroscopy, chemical transformations, modified Mosher’s method and on the basis of biogenetic understanding.     

Quinoxalines. Part 12: Synthesis and structural study of 1-(thiazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]quinoxalines—the dehydrogenative cyclization with hydroxylamine hydrochloride

Starting with 2-acetylquinoxaline a novel class of heterocyclic compounds, the 1-(thiazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]quinoxalines 4, were prepared by following two different synthetic procedures: 2-acetylquinoxaline reacted with thiosemicarbazide to the thiosemicarbazones 1a which was (i) cyclized with α-halogeno ketones to the thiazoles 3. These compounds were dehydrogenated in acidic medium to the title compounds 4. (ii) The thiosemicarbazone 1a could be also dehydrogenated using NH₂OH·HCl to the thioamide 5a and these, finally, were cyclized with α-halogeno ketones to the title compounds 4. Only thiazole 3a was isolated, the other thiazoles 3 were dehydrogenated in a one-pot procedure. From the thioamide 5a also both the compounds 9, by reacting with dibromodiacetyl, and 10, by treatment with dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate, were obtained. The analysis of both the ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectra was not straightforward but could be attained finally by employing the whole arsenal of 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy.