Novel Peptide Chemistry in Terrestrial Animals: Natural Luciferin Analogues from the Bioluminescent Earthworm Fridericia heliota

We report isolation and structure elucidation of AsLn5, AsLn7, AsLn11 and AsLn12: novel luciferin analogs from the bioluminescent earthworm Fridericia heliota. They were found to be highly unusual modified peptides, comprising either of the two tyrosine‐derived chromophores, CompX or CompY and a set of amino acids, including threonine, gamma‐aminobutyric acid, homoarginine, and unsymmetrical N,N‐dimethylarginine. These natural compounds represent a unique peptide chemistry found in terrestrial animals and rise novel questions concerning their biosynthetic origin.     

LC-MS and microscale NMR analysis of luciferin-related compounds from the bioluminescent earthworm Fridericia heliota

This paper presents the main results of RP-HPLC-MS and microscale NMR analysis performed on Accompanying similar to Luciferin (AsLn(x)), compounds present in extracts of the bioluminescent earthworm Fridericia heliota that display similarities with Fridericia's luciferin, the substrate of the bioluminescent reaction. Three isomers of AsLn were discovered, AsLn(1), AsLn(2) and AsLn(3), all of which present a molecular weight of 529 Da. Their UV-Vis absorption spectra show maxima at 235 nm for AsLn(1), 238 and 295 nm for AsLn(2) and 241 and 295nm for AsLn(3). MS(n) fragmentation patterns suggest the existence of carboxylic acid and hydroxyl moieties, and possibly chemical groups found in other luciferins like pterin or benzothiazole. The major isomer, AsLn(2), presents an aromatic ring and alkene and alkyl moieties. These luciferin-like compounds can be used as models that could give further insights into the structure of this newly discovered luciferin.     

A Novel Type of Luciferin from the Siberian Luminous Earthworm Fridericia heliota: Structure Elucidation by Spectral Studies and Total Synthesis

The structure elucidation and synthesis of the luciferin from the recently discovered luminous earthworm Fridericia heliota is reported. This luciferin is a key component of a novel ATP‐dependent bioluminescence system. UV, fluorescence, NMR, and HRMS spectroscopy studies were performed on 0.005 mg of the isolated substance and revealed four isomeric structures that conform to spectral data. These isomers were chemically synthesized and one of them was found to produce light when reacted with a protein extract from F. heliota. The novel luciferin was found to have an unusual extensively modified peptidic nature, thus implying an unprecedented mechanism of action.     

CompX,a luciferin-related tyrosine derivative from the bioluminescent earthworm Fridericia heliota. Structure elucidation and total synthesis

A luciferin analog, CompX, was isolated from the extracts of the bioluminescent earthworm Fridericia heliota. Its structure was determined as (Z)-5-(2-carboxy-2-methoxyvinyl)-2-hydroxybenzoic acid by spectroscopic data analysis and was confirmed by total synthesis. The (Z)-configuration of the double bond was established by comparing the ROESY spectra of CompX with those of its synthetic (E)-isomer. CompX represents a tyrosine analog, not previously found in natural sources, and is probably derived from tyrosine by deamination, O-methylation of the resulting alpha-keto acid, and carboxylation at the aromatic core.     

Novel Mechanism of Bioluminescence: Oxidative Decarboxylation of a Moiety Adjacent to the Light Emitter of Fridericia Luciferin

A novel luciferin from a bioluminescent Siberian earthworm Fridericia heliota was recently described. In this study, the Fridericia oxyluciferin was isolated and its structure elucidated. The results provide insight into a novel bioluminescence mechanism in nature. Oxidative decarboxylation of a lysine fragment of the luciferin supplies energy for light generation, while a fluorescent CompX moiety remains intact and serves as the light emitter.     

Tracer studies on dinoflagellate luciferin with [N]-glycine and [N]-l-glutamic acid in the dinoflagellate Pyrocystis lunula

The bioluminescence of dinoflagellate is a typical luciferin-luciferase reaction. To clarify the biosynthesis of dinoflagellate luciferin, we performed a feeding experiment with [¹⁵N]-glycine and [¹⁵N]-l-glutamic acid in the dinoflagellate Pyrocystis lunula. In a control experiment, we also examined whether or not chlorophyll a was incorporated with these labeled compounds. We detected by mass spectrometry the incorporation of [¹⁵N]-glycine and [¹⁵N]-l-glutamic acid into the four tetrapyrrole rings of the luciferin. In the control experiment, chlorophyll a was also incorporated with [¹⁵N]-glycine and [¹⁵N]-l-glutamic acid. Our results show that either glycine or glutamic acid could be the original component of dinoflagellate luciferin as well as chlorophyll a in the dinoflagellate P. lunula.     

Synthesis of Latia luciferin benzoate analogues and their bioluminescent activity

The bioluminescent system of the univalve shell Latia neritoides exhibits a luciferin-luciferase reaction. We study the enol formate structure of Latia luciferin, which is expected to be important for luminescent activity. The Latia luciferin analogues with an enol substituted benzoate moiety were synthesized and their bioluminescent activity was measured. The Latia luciferin benzoate analogues delay emission for natural luciferin in bioluminescence, indicating that the Latia bioluminescent activity can be controlled by the design of the enol ester.     

A simple synthesis of the pentacyclic lamellarin skeleton from 3-nitro-2-(trifluoromethyl)-2H-chromenes and 1-methyl(benzyl)-3,4-dihydroisoquinolines

The basic structural framework of lamellarin alkaloids, 8,9-dihydro-6H-chromeno[4′,3′:4,5]pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinoline derivatives, has been obtained in good yields via Grob synthesis between 3-nitro-2-(trifluoromethyl)-2H-chromenes and 1-methyl-3,4-dihydroisoquinolines in refluxing isobutanol. In the case of 1-benzyl-3,4-dihydroisoquinolines, a dynamic NMR effect was observed in the ¹H and ¹⁹F NMR spectra of the products as a result of restricted rotation about the single bond linking the benzene ring and the heterocyclic system. When the reaction was carried out with 3-nitro-2-(trichloromethyl)-2H-chromenes in toluene at room temperature, only Michael adducts, as a mixture of two diastereomers, were isolated.     

Progress in the Study of Bioluminescent Earthworms

Even though bioluminescent oligochaetes rarely catch people's eyes due to their secretive lifestyle, glowing earthworms sighting reports have come from different areas on all continents except Antarctica. A major breakthrough in the research of earthworm bioluminescence occurred in the 1960s with the studies of the North American Diplocardia longa. Comparative studies conducted on 13 earthworm species belonging to six genera showed that N‐isovaleryl‐3‐aminopropanal (Diplocardia luciferin) is the common substrate for bioluminescence in all examined species, while luciferases appeared to be responsible for the color of bioluminescence. The second momentous change in the situation has occurred with the discovery in Siberia (Russia) of two unknown luminous enchytraeids. The two bioluminescent systems belong to different types, have different spectral characteristics and localization, and different temperature and pH optima. They are unique, and this fact is confirmed by the negative results of all possible cross‐reactions. The bioluminescent system of Henlea sp. comprises four essential components: luciferase, luciferin, oxygen and calcium ion. For Friderica heliota, the luminescent reaction requires five components: luciferase, luciferin, ATP, magnesium ion and oxygen. Along with luciferin, more than a dozen analogues were isolated from worm biomass. These novel peptide‐like natural compounds represent an unprecedented chemistry found in terrestrial organisms.     

Syntheses and evaluation of fluorinated benzothiazole anilines as potential tracers for β-amyloid plaques in Alzheimer's disease

[¹¹C]2-(4′-(Methylamino)phenyl)-6-hydroxybenzothiazole ([¹¹C]PIB) is a most potential PET tracer for detecting the β-amyloid plaques in Alzheimer's disease. Here the syntheses of three fluorinated PIB, namely 2-(4′-(methylamino)phenyl)-6-fluoroethoxybenzothiazole (O-FEt-PIB), 2-(4′-(methylamino)phenyl)-6-fluoro-benzothiazole (F-N-Me) and 2-(4′-(dimethylamino)phenyl)-6-fluorobenzo-thiazole (F-N,N-Me), and the radiosynthesis of one corresponding ¹⁸F-labeled PIB compound, [¹⁸F]O-FEt-PIB, as well as their in vitro/in vivo biological characters were reported. The structures of the products were confirmed by IR, ¹H NMR, EI/ESI-MS, elemental analysis and HRMS techniques. The radiolabeled product was characterized by radio-TLC and radio-HPLC and purified by semi-preparative radio-HPLC. The suitable biological characters showed these tracers were potential to be developed as probes for detecting β-amyloid plaques in Alzheimer's disease.     

Chaetominedione, a new tyrosine kinase inhibitor isolated from the algicolous marine fungus Chaetomium sp.

A marine fungal isolate, identified as Chaetomium sp., was cultivated and found to produce a novel benzonaphthyridinedione derivative, chaetominedione (1). In addition to the known fungal metabolites, 2-furancarboxylic acid (2) and 5-(hydroxymethyl)-2-furancarboxylic acid (3) were obtained. The structures of all the compounds were determined based on extensive spectroscopic measurements (1D and 2D NMR, MS, UV, and IR). The total extract and compound 1 had significant inhibitory activity toward p56^lck tyrosine kinase (18.7% and 93.6% enzyme inhibition at 200 μg/mL, respectively).     

Synthesis and characterization of new soluble fluorinated seco-porphyrazines

Magnesium porphyrazinate substituted with eight 3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl groups on the peripheral positions has been synthesized by the cyclotetramerization of 3,4-[3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]pyrroline-2,5-diimine in the presence of magnesium butanolate. Acid-mediated demetallation of the magnesium porphyrazine resulted in peripheral oxidation of one pyrrole ring to reveal the seco-porphyrazine, octakis[3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-2-seco-porphyrazine-2,3-dione. Further reaction of this product with copper (II) acetate, zinc (II) acetate and cobalt (II) acetate has led to the metallo-derivatives, {octakis[3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-2-seco-2,3-dioxoporphyrazinato} M(II) [M = Cu(II), Zn(II), Co(II)]. These new soluble complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, together with FT-IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, ¹⁹F NMR, UV-Vis and mass spectral data.     

Improved chemical synthesis of o-nirtrobenzyl-tyrosine for concise site-specific 15N-tyrosine NMR analysis demonstrated by plant ABA receptor PYL10

The yield of unnatural amino acid o-nitrobenzyl-tyrosine (oNBTyr), which was able to recover to natural tyrosine after UV-photocleavage was greatly improved from 20% to 81% by using 2-nitrobenzyl bromide as the nucleophilic reagent. Through genetically introducing ¹⁵N-oNBY and consequent photo-cleavage, the site-specific ¹⁵N-Tyr NMR analysis of plant ABA (abscisic acid) receptor PYL10 was implemented without any residue variation. This isotope labelling of tyrosine onto protein backbone provides a convenient strategy for NMR analysis.     

2D F/F NOESY for the assignment of NMR spectra of fluorochemicals

Two-dimensional (2D) NMR is an invaluable technique for the complete analysis and assignment of chemical structures. Although ¹⁹F/¹⁹F COSY experiments are routinely used for assignments in perfluorochemicals, interpretation can be difficult because four-bond (⁴J_FF) coupling constants are typically 5-10-fold larger than vicinal (³J_FF) coupling constants. Furthermore, the dependence of long range coupling constants on stereochemistry is not always known. Fluorine-fluorine NOESY correlations represent an enhancement in the arsenal of 2D ¹⁹F NMR experiments. The NOESY and COSY spectra of 2,2,3,3,4,4,4-heptafluorobutanol and a telomeric perfluorochemical iodide show that COSY identifies the 1,4-fluorine interactions whereas NOESY identifies the vicinal fluorine atoms. The combined experiments have been used to unambiguously assign all of the fluorines in a mixture of cis- and trans-perfluoro-1,3-dimethylcyclohexane and in a substituted perfluorotetrahydrofuran.     

Highly regioselective synthesis of trifluoromethyl derivatives of pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines bearing fused cycloalkane rings using (2-ethoxycycloalkenyl)-2,2,2-trifluoroethanones

8-Trifluoromethyl-6,7-dihydro-5H-1,4,8a-triaza-s-indacene and 9-trifluoromethyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydropyrazolo[5,1-b]quinazolines were efficiently generated by condensation of 5(3)-aminopyrazoles with (2-ethoxycycloalkenyl)-2,2,2-trifluoroethanones and isolated in excellent yields. The regiochemistry of the prepared compounds was established by ¹H, ¹³C and ¹⁹F NMR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis.     

Synthesis and the reactions of trifluoromethylated 1,2,3-triketones 2-(het)arylhydrazones and 4,7-dihydroazolo[5,1-c]triazines

The coupling of trifluoromethylated 1,3-diketones with (het)aryldiazonium chlorides results mainly in the formation of 1,2,3-triketones 2-(het)arylhydrazones while using hetarylamine with a NH-group at the α-position of the heterocycle as the diazonium component gives 4,7-dihydroazolo[5,1-c]triazines due to cyclization at the trifluoroacetyl fragment. Trifluoromethylated 1,2,3-triketones 2-(het)arylhydrazones and 7-hydroxy-4,7-dihydroazolo[5,1-c]triazines react regio-selectively with methyl hydrazine and phenyl hydrazine to form 3-CF₃-pyrazoles. The long-range coupling constants (J_F-H) of 1-methylpyrazoles and the chemical shifts of trifluoromethyl groups in the ¹⁹F NMR spectra can be used for the determination of regio-isomeric structures of mono(trifluoromethyl)-substituted pyrazoles. 2-(Het)arylhydrazones and 4,7-dihydroazolo[5,1-c]triazines with two trifluoromethyl substituents afford the mixtures of cis- and trans-azopyrazoles in the reactions with hydrazines.     

Polyfluorinated arylnitrosamines

N-Methyl-, N-n-butyl-, N-t-butylperfluoroarylamines undergo nitrosation with nitrous acid to give the corresponding N-nitroso derivatives. Perfluoroaryl groups were selected from the benzene, indane, biphenyl, naphthalene and pyridine series. According to ¹H and ¹⁹F NMR spectra, N-nitroso-N-methyl derivatives of polyfluoroarenes consist of E and Z isomers with the former prevailing. The more bulky n-butyl group promotes an increase in the formation of Z isomers. Only Z isomers have been obtained from N-t-butyl derivatives of perfluorinated 4-toluidine and 4-aminopyridine. The structure of the Z isomer of N-nitroso-N-methylperfluoro-4-toluidine is confirmed by X-ray data.     

Bioluminescence activity of Latia luciferin analogues: replacement of the 2,6,6-trimethylcyclohexene ring onto the methyl-substituted phenyl groups

A series of Latia luciferin analogues having methyl-substituted phenyl groups instead of the natural 2,6,6-trimethylhexene ring was synthesized and their bioluminescence activity were measured. The Latia luciferase was found to be able to moderately recognize the appropriately methyl-substituted phenyl analogues with the same light production kinetics as that of natural luciferin.     

NMR studies of some second and third row transition metal complexes of monothio-β-diketones

A ¹³C and ¹⁹F NMR study of twenty-four ruthenium, rhodium, palladium and platinum complexes containing a difluoromethyl or a trifluoromethyl substitutent(R′) on the monothio-β-diketone, RCSCH₂COR′, is reported. The R-substituents are 2′-thienyl, 2′-naphthyl, phenyl, p-fluorophenyl or p-methylphenyl. The ¹³C NMR data show the chemical shift of the diketonate ring carbons to be geometry dependent. Similarly, the ¹⁹F NMR spectra show chemical shift data which are also metal dependent. The thiocarbonyl and methine carbon's shieldings are also dependent on the nature of the R-group. The rhodium and platinum complexes show carbon-metal and carbon-fluorine spin coupling. The paramagnetic ruthenium(III) complexes give ¹⁹F NMR spectral resonances which are broad and shifted upfield from the corresponding diamagnetic rhodium, palladium and platinum complexes. ¹³C and ¹⁹F NMR data supports a facial octahedral geometry for the rhodium(III) complexes.