Exercising regiocontrol in palladium-catalyzed asymmetric prenylations and geranylation: unifying strategy toward flustramines A and B

Pd-catalyzed asymmetric prenylation of oxindoles to afford selectively either the prenyl or reverse-prenyl product has been demonstrated. Control of the regioselectivity in this transformation is governed by the choice of ligand, solvent, and halide additive. The resulting prenylated and reverse-prenylated products were transformed into ent-flustramides and ent-flustramines A and B. Additionally, control of the regio- and diastereoselectivity was obtained using π-geranylpalladium complexes.     

A general synthetic method for prenylated phenols of microbial origin: Synthesis of colletochlorins A and B

Prenylated phenols with a fully substituted benzene ring, such as colletochlorins A and B, were synthesized by first prenylating 1,5 - dimethoxy - 3 - methyl - 1,4 - cyclohexadiene and then effecting the aromatization of the prenylated product.     

Hyperinoids A and B,two polycyclic meroterpenoids from Hypericum patulum

Hyperinoids A (1) and B (2), two prenylated acylphloroglucinol related meroterpenoids, were isolated from Hypericum patulum. Compound 1 incorporates an unprecedented 11,12-dioxatetracyclo[5.4.3.0^1,7.0^4,14]tetradecane system, while 2 possesses a unique 10,11-dioxatetracyclo[5.3.3.0^1,7.0^4,13]tridecane system. Their structures were established by spectroscopic analysis and X-ray crystallographic data. Compounds 1 and 2 were identified as potent NF-κB inhibitors and suppressed the LPS-induced inflammatory responses in RAW 246.7 macrophages and primary mouse BMDM cells     

A biomimetic total synthesis of (-)-spirotryprostatin B and related studies

The prenylated natural products spirotryprostatin A and B derived from the Trp-Pro diketopiperazine also feature an oxidative rearrangement of the indole to form a spirooxindole. Synthetically, formation of the oxindole ring was stereoselectively accomplished by reaction of the appropriate indole precursor with N-bromosuccinimide. For optimum results, the oxidation should be carried out prior to diketopiperazine cyclization. In this manner, we have synthesized the tetrahydro- and dihydro- analogues of spirotryprostatin B in four steps from L-tryptophan methyl ester. The dihydro derivative was then converted to spirotryprostatin B by unsaturation of the pyrrolidine ring to a pyrroline, thus unambiguously confirming the structure of the natural product.     

Afzeliixanthones A and B, two new prenylated xanthones from Garcinia afzelii ENGL. (Guttiferae)

Two new prenylated xanthones, afzeliixanthones A (1) and B (2), together with three known xanthones (3-5) and two phytosterols, beta-sitosterol and stigmasterol, were isolated from the CH2Cl2/MeOH (1:1) extract of the stem bark of Garcinia afzelii ENGL. collected in the South West Province of Cameroon. Structures were mainly established using one and two-dimensional NMR and mass spectroscopies. The antioxidant activities of the crude extracts as well as the new compounds (1) and (2) were evaluated.     

Halichonines A, B, and C, novel sesquiterpene alkaloids from the marine sponge Halichondria okadai Kadota

Novel sesquiterpene alkaloids, halichonines A (1), B (2), and C (3), were identified from the marine sponge Halichondria okadai Kadota. By spectroscopic analyses and synthesis, their structures were revealed to include a 6,6-bicyclic ring system and two prenylated amine moieties. In addition, 2 induced apoptosis in HL60 human leukemia cells.     

Isolation of a new indoxyl alkaloid,Amoenamide B,from Aspergillus amoenus NRRL 35600: Biosynthetic implications and correction of the structure of Speramide B

A new prenylated indoxyl alkaloid, Amoenamide B (1), was isolated from Aspergillus amoenus NRRL 35600 along with Asperochramide A (2). Although many prenylated oxindole alkaloids, containing bicyclo[2.2.2]diazaoctane cores, have been isolated from the fungus of the genera Aspergillus and Penicillium to date, 1 is the fourth compound with the indoxyl unit containing the cores. During the structure elucidation of 1, we found that the planar structure matched to that of Speramide A (3), isolated from A. ochraceus KM007, but the reported structure of 3 was incorrect and turned out to be that of Taichunamide H (4), recently isolated from A. versicolor HDN11-84.     

Elucidating the Glucokinase Activating Potentials of Naturally Occurring Prenylated Flavonoids: An Explicit Computational Approach

Glucokinase activators are considered as new therapeutic arsenals that bind to the allosteric activator sites of glucokinase enzymes, thereby maximizing its catalytic rate and increasing its affinity to glucose. This study was designed to identify potent glucokinase activators from prenylated flavonoids isolated from medicinal plants using molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulation, density functional theory, and ADMET analysis. Virtual screening was carried out on glucokinase enzymes using 221 naturally occurring prenylated flavonoids, followed by molecular dynamics simulation (100 ns), density functional theory (B3LYP model), and ADMET (admeSar 2 online server) studies. The result obtained from the virtual screening with the glucokinase revealed arcommunol B (−10.1 kcal/mol), kuwanon S (−9.6 kcal/mol), manuifolin H (−9.5 kcal/mol), and kuwanon F (−9.4 kcal/mol) as the top-ranked molecules. Additionally, the molecular dynamics simulation and MM/GBSA calculations showed that the hit molecules were stable at the active site of the glucokinase enzyme. Furthermore, the DFT and ADMET studies revealed the hit molecules as potential glucokinase activators and drug-like candidates. Our findings suggested further evaluation of the top-ranked prenylated flavonoids for their in vitro and in vivo glucokinase activating potentials.     

A regiodivergent synthesis of ring a C-prenylflavones

Capitalizing on the use of orthogonal protecting groups and the development of a modified Robinson flavone synthesis that avoids harsh acidic conditions, a regioselective synthesis of 6- and 8-prenylflavones from the same prenylated disilylated phloracetophenone (9) has been developed, targeting cannflavin B (1d), the COX-inhibiting principle of marijuana, and its unnatural isomer isocannflavin B (1e) as model compounds.     

Isolation and purification of prenylated phenolics from Amorpha fruticosa by high‐speed counter‐current chromatography

Prenylated phenolics such as amorfrutins are recently identified potent anti‐inflammatory and antidiabetic natural products. In this work, high‐speed counter‐current chromatography was investigated for the isolation and purification of prenylated phenolics from the fruits of Amorpha fruticosa by using a two‐phase solvent system composed of n‐hexane/ethanol/water (5:4:1, v/v). As a result, 14.2 mg of 5,7‐dihydroxy‐8‐geranylflavanone, 10.7 mg of amorfrutin A and 17.4 mg of amorfrutin B were obtained from 200 mg of n‐hexane‐soluble crude extract in one step within 250 min. The purities of 5,7‐dihydroxy‐8‐geranylflavanone, amorfrutins A and B were 95.2, 96.7 and 97.1%, respectively, as determined by ultra high performance liquid chromatography. The structural identification was performed by mass spectrometry and ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. The results indicated that the established method is an efficient and convenient way to purified prenylated phenolics from A. fruticosa extract.     

Unified approach to prenylated indole alkaloids: total syntheses of (–)-17-hydroxy-citrinalin B, (+)-stephacidin A,and (+)-notoamide I

A unified strategy for the synthesis of congeners of the prenylated indole alkaloids is presented. This strategy has yielded the first synthesis of the natural product (–)-17-hydroxy-citrinalin B as well as syntheses of (+)-stephacidin A and (+)-notoamide I. An enolate addition to an in situ generated isocyanate was utilized in forging a key bicyclo[2.2.2]diazaoctane moiety, and in this way connected the two structural classes of the prenylated indole alkaloids through synthesis.     

Two New Prenylated 2-Arylbenzofurans from Artocarpus nanchuanensis and Their Antirespiratory Burst Activities

Chemistry of Natural Compounds - Two new prenylated 2-arylbenzofurans, namely artonancins A and B (1 and 2), together with four known ones (3–6), were isolated from the roots of Artocarpus...     

Chemical modification and anticancer effect of prenylated flavanones from Taiwanese propolis

Our previous studies demonstrated that eight prenylated flavanones (1-8), isolated from Taiwanese propolis, were capable of a broad spectrum of biological activities. Among them, nymphaeol A (3), nymphaeol B (4) and nymphaeol C (7), abundant in Taiwanese propolis, exhibited cytotoxicity against cancer cell lines. It therefore seemed interesting to improve their activity via a semi-synthetic strategy. In this study, 12 novel prenylated flavanones were synthesised in our laboratory and their activities were assessed for two human prostate cancer cell lines, PC-3 and DU-145, and a human hepatoma cell line, Hep-3B. Of these compounds, 10c, 11 and 12 showed more potent cytotoxicity against the PC-3 cell line than 5-Fu. Using cytometric analysis followed by double staining with annexin V-FITC and propidium iodide, it was observed that these compounds induced apoptosis as well. This suggests that prenylated flavanones 10c, 11 and 12 may have anticancer potential for further development.     

Isolation of amoenamide A and five antipodal prenylated alkaloids from Aspergillus amoenus NRRL 35600

A new prenylated alkaloid, Amoenamide A (6), was isolated from the fungus Aspergillus amoenus NRRL 35600. Previously, 6 was postulated to be a precursor of Notoamide E4 (21) converted from Notoamide E (16), which was a key precursor of the prenylated indole alkaloids in the fungi of the genus Aspergillus. We previously succeeded in the isolation of two pairs of antipodes, Stephacidin A (1) and Notoamide B (2), from A. amoenus and A. protuberus MF297-2 and expected the presence of other antipodes in the culture of A. amoenus. We here report five new antipodes (7–11) along with a new metabolite (12), which was isolated as a natural compound for the first time, from A. amoenus.     

A rapid screening method for prenylated flavonoids with ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography/electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry in licorice root extracts

Due to their substitution with an isoprenoid group, prenylated flavonoids have an increased affinity for biological membranes and target proteins, enhancing their potential bioactivity. Although many prenylated flavonoids have been described, there are no methods that specifically screen for their presence in complex mixtures, prior to purification. We describe a method based on ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) with electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry (ESI‐MS) that allows rapid screening for prenylated flavonoids in multi‐component plant extracts. Identification of the prenylated flavonoids is based on screening for neutral losses of 42 u and 56 u in the positive‐ion mode MS² and MS³ spectra within the MS chromatograms. In addition, this method discriminates between a prenyl chain and a ring‐closed prenyl (pyran ring), based on the ratio of the relative abundances of the ions that lose 42 u and 56 u (42:56). The application of this screening method on a 70% aq. ethanol, ethanol and ethyl acetate extract of the roots of Glycyrrhiza glabra indicated the presence of 70 mono‐ and di‐prenylated flavonoids. In addition, of each prenylated flavonoid the type of prenylation, chain or pyran ring was determined. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Identification of prenylated pterocarpans and other isoflavonoids in Rhizopus spp. elicited soya bean seedlings by electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry

Phytoalexins from soya are mainly characterised as prenylated pterocarpans, the glyceollins. Extracts of non-soaked and soaked soya beans, as well as that of soya seedlings, grown in the presence of Rhizopus microsporus var. oryzae, were screened for the presence of prenylated flavonoids with a liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS)-based screening method. The glyceollins I-III and glyceollidins I-II, belonging to the isoflavonoid subclass of the pterocarpans, were tentatively assigned. The formation of these prenylated pterocarpans was accompanied by that of other prenylated isoflavonoids of the subclasses of the isoflavones and the coumestans. It was estimated that approx. 40% of the total isoflavonoid content in Rhizopus-challenged soya bean seedlings were prenylated pterocarpans, whereas 7% comprised prenylated isoflavones and prenylated coumestans. The site of prenylation (A-ring or B-ring) of the prenylated isoflavones was tentatively annotated using positive-ion mode MS by comparing the (1,3) A(+) retro-Diels-Alder (RDA) fragments of prenylated and non-prenylated isoflavones. Furthermore, the fragmentation pathways of the five pterocarpans in negative-ion (NI) mode were proposed, which involved the cleavage of the C-ring and/or D-ring. The absence of the ring-closed prenyl (pyran or furan) gave exclusively -H(2) O(x,y) RDA fragments, whereas its presence gave predominantly the common RDA fragments.     

New prenylated isoflavanones from the roots of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Glycyrrhiza glabra</Emphasis>

Two new prenylated isoflavanones have been isolated from the roots of Glycyrrhiza glabra L. along with the known compounds cetoleic acid, β-sitosterol, stigmasterol, lanast-5,24-dien-3β-D-glucuronopyranoside, and glucuronic acid. The structures of the prenylated isoflavanones have been established as 8-isoprenyl-7,4′-dihydroxylicoisoflavanone (glabraisoflavanone A) and 7,3′-dihydroxy-8-isoprenyl-4′-cyclogeranioloxyisoflavanone (glabraisoflavanone B) on the basis of spectral data analyses and chemical reactions.     

Chemical biology of protein lipidation: semi-synthesis and structure elucidation of prenylated RabGTPases

Rab/Ypt guanosine triphosphatases (GTPases) represent a family of key membrane traffic regulators in eukaryotic cells. For their function Rab/Ypt proteins require double modification with two covalently bound geranylgeranyl lipid moieties at the C-terminus. Generally, prenylated proteins are very difficult to obtain by recombinant or enzymatic methods. We generated prenylated RabGTPases using a combination of chemical synthesis and protein engineering. This semi-synthesis depends largely on the availability of functionalized prenylated peptides corresponding to the proteins' native structure or modifications. We developed solution phase and solid phase strategies for the generation of peptides corresponding to the prenylated C-terminus of Rab7 GTPase in preparative amounts enabling us to crystallize the mono-prenylated Ypt1:RabGDI complex. The structure of the complex provides a structural basis for the ability of RabGDI to inhibit the release of nucleotide by Rab proteins and a molecular basis for understanding a RabGDI mutant that causes mental retardation in humans.     

催化NH吲哚的C2异戊烯基化反应:肽后期多样化和两步全合成tryprostatin B

异戊烯基化吲哚生物碱是一类同时具有吲哚环和类异戊二烯基团的天然产物,主要来源于各种真菌中.异戊烯基的存在可以增强化合物的亲脂性,使其能够更容易地穿过脂溶性的细胞膜与靶蛋白相结合,因此,这类天然产物往往表现出优异的生物活性.例如,从烟曲霉中分离的吲哚生物碱tryprostatins A和B是由L-色氨酸和L-脯氨酸组合而成,在吲哚骨架C2位连有异戊烯基,具有高效的抗肿瘤活性.在已知的全合成中,关键步骤C2位异戊烯基的引入,均是通过多步当量反应实现的.从原子和步骤经济性角度出发,发展高效催化方法实现NH吲哚C2位直接异戊烯基化反应具有重要的意义.但是由于吲哚的氮原子和C3位亲核性都较强,使得挑战很大.在生物体中,吲哚生物碱C2位异戊烯基的引入是通过酶催化实现的.二甲基烯丙基焦磷酸(DMAPP)先在酶作用下,生成异戊烯基碳正离子,然后与吲哚C2位进行傅克反应,引入异戊烯基.受这一生物过程启发,设想通过化学方法能够生成稳定的异戊烯基碳正离子,也可能实现吲哚C2异戊烯基化反应.本文采用廉价易得的1,1-二甲基烯丙醇为异戊烯基前体,对该想法进行了尝试.首先,以色醇为模板底物,对酸催化剂、溶剂及反应温度进行了筛选.在1,2-二氯乙烷(DCE)溶剂中,布朗斯特酸、路易斯酸和固体酸都能促进反应的进行,但会得到吲哚N和C2异戊烯基化两种产物,其中三氯化铝有较好的收率和选择性.通过对不同溶剂考察发现,2-甲基四氢呋喃是最佳溶剂,在80 oC下反应,目标产物收率为75％,产物选择性可达到12:1.随后,对不同类型的3-取代吲哚进行了普适性考察.对于色醇类底物,吲哚苯环上的取代基以及N上的保护基对反应影响不大,都能很顺利地参与反应.在标准条件下,色胺的异戊烯基化反应会发生在C3位,而以氯苯为溶剂时,可以提高C2位选择性,通过该方法可在抗衰老分子褪黑素(melatonin)的C2位引入异戊烯基.3-苯基和烷基取代的吲哚也是合适的底物.肽的后期修饰在生物医药中有着很重要的用途,因此,本文也将该异戊烯基化反应尝试用于修饰色氨酸类衍生物.保护的L-色氨酸酯以及色氨醇都能够顺利发生转化,以中等收率得到目标产物.L-色氨酸与其它各类氨基酸如甘氨酸、丙氨酸、亮氨酸、异亮氨酸、苯丙氨酸、甲硫氨酸、天冬氨酸等形成的肽也可进行C2异戊烯基化反应.此外,该转化过程中,可以完全保持手性,不会发生消旋化.特别是,L-色氨酸与L-脯氨酸酯形成的环二肽brevianamide F,在该条件下,也能发生C2位异戊烯基化反应,快速合成天然吲哚生物碱tryprostatin B.该反应有两种可能的路径,一种是吲哚C2位直接异戊烯基化,另一种是吲哚C3位先异戊烯基化,然后再重排到C2位.为进一步探索机理,对其进行了研究.首先,在标准条件下,3-酯基吲哚可以发生反应,C2位异戊烯基化产物收率为25％.然后,预先将异戊烯基引入C3位,合成了3-酯基-3-异戊烯基-3H吲哚,同样反应条件下,也能检测到目标产物,但收率只有5％.其次,以氘代1,1-二甲基烯丙醇为原料时,3-异戊烯基吲哚也能与其发生反应,并且在C3和C2位都观察到了氘代异戊烯基,两种产物比例为1:2,结果表明两种反应路径都是存在的,但吲哚C2位直接异戊烯基化是主要路径.此外,以固体酸Nafion为催化剂,离子液体[Bmim]Cl为反应介质,在120 oC时,3-取代吲哚与1,1-二甲基烯丙醇的反应选择性会发生改变,得到C2位异戊烯基异构化的产物.总之,以商业可得的1,1-二甲基烯丙醇为前体,首次实现了化学催化NH吲哚C2位直接异戊烯基化反应,获得较好的区域和化学选择性.该方法能够兼容各类官能团,底物适用性广,且可以用于褪黑素以及色氨酸衍生各种肽类化合物的后期修饰.基于该催化方法,可以两步全合成天然吲哚生物碱tryprostatin B,极大提高了合成效率,有助于实现放大生产.在固体酸/离子液体催化体系中,还实现了反应选择性的改变,丰富了产物类型.     

First enantioselective total synthesis of penicimarin B,aspergillumarins A and B

A convergent enantioselective synthesis of penicimarin B, aspergillumarin A and B has been reported using Brown’s allylation, DeBrabander–Bhattacharjee lactonization and Grubbs cross coupling metathesis. During this synthesis we have standardized the conditions for DeBrabande–Bhattacharjee lactonization to obtain excellent yield (>90%).