Amber suppressors of Erwinia chrysanthemi

Mutations trpl and thyA1, both of a polyauxotrophic derivative of the Erwinia chrysanthemi strain B374, were characterized as amber mutations with an Escherichia coli suppressor, supA1P2, which inserts a glutamine in response to UAG. Simultaneous reversion of both mutations allowed us to isolate amber suppressor mutants of E. chrysanthemi. These suppressors were tested with a set of amber mutants of bacteriophage Mu which had been previously characterized on E. coli. The two independently isolated suppressors behaved as supD and supE mutants, respectively, of E. coli.     

Regioselective synthesis of triiodo-o-carboranes and tetraiodo-o-carborane

3,6-Diiodo-o-carborane 3, 3,6,9-triiodo-o-carborane 5, 3,9,12-triiodo-o-carborane 6 and 3,6,9,12-tetraiodo-o-carborane 7, which are suitable building blocks for supramolecular assemblies and carboracycles, were regioselectively synthesized by means of electrophilic iodination and introduction of iodine atoms via reconstruction of the o-carborane cage.     

Identification of a Mycobacterium tuberculosis gene cluster encoding the biosynthetic enzymes for assembly of the virulence-conferring siderophore mycobactin

Background: Many pathogenic bacteria secrete iron-chelating siderophores as virulence factors in the iron-limiting environments of their vertebrate hosts to compete for ferric iron. Mycobacterium tuberculosis mycobactins are mixed polyketide/nonribosomal peptides that contain a hydroxyaryloxazoline cap and two N-hydroxyamides that together create a high-affinity site for ferric ion. The mycobactin structure is analogous to that of the yersiniabactin and vibriobactin siderophores from the bacteria that cause plague and cholera, respectively.Results: A ten-gene cluster spanning 24 kilobases of the M. tuberculosis genome, designated mbtA-J, contains the core components necessary for mycobactin biogenesis. The gene products MbtB, MbtE and MbtF are proposed to be peptide synthetases, MbtC and MbtD polyketide synthases, Mbtl an isochorismate synthase that provides a salicylate activated by MbtA, and MbtG a required hydroxylase. An aryl carrier protein (ArCP) domain is encoded in mbtB, and is probably the site of siderophore chain initiation. Overproduction and purification of the mbtB ArCP domain and MbtA in Escherichia coli allowed validation of the mycobactin initiation hypothesis, as sequential action of PptT (a phosphopantetheinyl transferase) and MbtA (a salicyl-AMP ligase) resulted in the mbtB ArCP domain being activated as salicyl-S-ArCP.Conclusions: Mycobactins are produced in M. tuberculosis using a polyketide synthase/nonribosomal peptide synthetase strategy. The mycobactin gene cluster has organizational homologies to the yersiniabactin and enterobactin synthetase genes. Enzymatic targets for inhibitor design and therapeutic intervention are suggested by the similar ferric-ion ligation strategies used in the siderophores from Mycobacteria, Yersinia and E. coli pathogens.     

Dehalogenation of o-dihalogen substituted arenes and α,α′-dihalogen substituted o-xylenes with lanthanum metal

It was found that lanthanum metal caused the dehalogenation of o-dihalogen substituted arenes and α,α′-dihalogen substituted o-xylenes to generate the corresponding benzynes and o-quinodimethanes. When o-dihalogen substituted arenes were allowed to react with lanthanum metal in the presence of dienes, the Diels-Alder products between benzyne and dienes were formed in moderate to good yields. Similarly, the Diels-Alder adducts of o-quinodimethane with dienophiles were obtained, in the reaction of α,α′-dibromo-o-xylenes with lanthanum metal in the presence of dienophiles.     

Molecular weight characterization of poly[(R)-3-hydroxybutyrate] synthesized by genetically engineered strains of Escherichia coli

This study investigated the relationship of growth conditions, host strains and molecular weights of poly[(R)-3-hydroxybutyrate] [P(3HB)] synthesized by genetically engineered Escherichia coli. Various PHA synthases belonging to types I-IV enzymes were expressed in E. coli JM109 under the same experimental conditions, and the molecular weights of the polymers were characterized by gel permeation chromatography. The results demonstrate that P(3HB) polymers have varied molecular weights and polydispersities dependent on the characteristics of the individual PHA synthase employed. P(3HB) with high number-average molecular weights (M_n) [(1.5-4.0) × 10⁶] and narrow polydispersities (1.6-1.8) were synthesized by PHA synthases from Ralstonia eutropha (type I), Delftia acidovorans (type I) and Allochromatium vinosum (type III). Contrary to these, P(3HB) with relatively low M_n [(0.17-0.79) × 10⁶] and broad polydispersities (2.2-9.0) were synthesized by PHA synthases from Aeromonas caviae (type I), Pseudomonas sp. 61-3 (type II) and Bacillus sp. INT005 (type IV). Furthermore, the molecular weights of P(3HB) synthesized under various culture conditions, in various hosts of E. coli and by mutants of PHA synthase were characterized. It was found that, in addition to culture pH [Kusaka et al. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 1997;47:140], other variances such as culture temperature, host strain and use of mutants are effective in changing polymer molecular weight.     

A spectrophotometric study of o,o'-dihydroxyazobenzene and its chelates with aluminum,gallium and indium

The composition of the chelates of aluminum, gallium and indium with o,o'-dihydroxyazobenzene has been established in acidic alcoholic -water mixtures to be pH dependent by means of spcctrophotometric measurements. Only chelates with a 1 : 1 and 2. : 1 ratio of o,o'-dlihydroxyazobenzene to metal are formed. The first acid dissociation constant of o,o'-dlihydroxyazobenzene and the formulas and stability constants for -the chelates were determined, The stability of the chelates increased in tle order indium, aluminum, gallium.     

The rα-structures of partially oriented o-Dichloro-, o-dibromo- and o-diiodobenzene as determined from proton magnetic resonance spectra with 13C-satellites

The proton magnetic resonance spectra, with ¹³C-satellites at natural abundance, of partially oriented o-dichloro-, o-dibromo- and o-diiodobenzene in a nematic phase, were analysed. The r_α-structures could be computed after vibration corrections of the direct couplings had been taken into account. Carbon-Carbon, carbon-hydrogen and hydrogen-hydrogen internuclear distance ratios as well as bond angles were determined.     

Mono and dinuclear palladium complexes of o-alkyl substituted arylphosphane ligands: Solvent-dependent syntheses, NMR-spectroscopic characterization and X-ray crystallographic studies

Palladium(II) chloride complexes of o-alkyl substituted phosphanes were prepared in various solvents with the phosphane ligands o-methylphenyldiphenylphosphane, o-ethylphenyldiphenylphosphane, o-isopropylphenyldiphenylphosphane, o-cyclohexylphenyldiphenylphosphane and o-phenylphenyldiphenylphosphane. The structures of the complexes were characterized by ¹H NMR and ³¹P NMR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. The X-ray structures of PdCl₂(o-methylphenyldiphenylphosphane)₂, PdCl₂(o-isopropylphenyldiphenylphosphane)₂, PdCl₂(o-cyclohexylphenyldiphenylphosphane)₂, PdCl₂(o-phenylphenyldiphenylphosphane)₂, [PdCl₂(o-methylphenyldiphenylphosphane)]₂, [PdCl₂(o-ethylphenyldiphenylphosphane)]₂ and [PdCl₂(o-cyclohexylphenyldiphenylphosphane)]₂ were also determined. We report a systematic, solvent-dependent method to prepare palladium(II) complexes of the aryl phosphines o-methylphenyldiphenylphosphane, o-cyclohexylphenyldiphenylphosphane and o-phenylphenyldiphenylphosphane with a desired nuclearity. We demonstrated that chlorinated solvents promote the formation of dinuclear chlorine-bridged palladium complexes for all five ligands. The ligands preferentially form mononuclear palladium complexes in other solvents where the starting materials are only weakly soluble in the solvent.     

Synthesis of the trans-fusarinine scaffold

The trans-fusarinine backbone is a common feature encountered in many fungal siderophores. This monomer is notably the structural base of N^α-methyl coprogen B and dimerumic acid. Both siderophores are known to be secreted by Scedosporium apiospermum, an emerging pathogenic fungus studied for its high involvement in invasive infections of immunocompromised patients. The strategy developed here for the synthesis of the trans-fusarinine scaffold relies on the preparation of both N-hydroxyornithine and 3-anhydroxymevalonic acid subunits starting from l-ornithine and 3-butyn-1-ol, respectively. The coupling of these two building blocks led to the expected protected backbone.     

Synthesis of novel dipodal-benzimidazole,benzoxazole and benzothiazole from cyanuric chloride: Structural,photophysical and antimicrobial studies

In the present study, new benzimidazole, benzoxazole and benzothiazole derivatives were prepared and screened for antimicrobial activity. The structure of 4,4′-((6-(4-(diethylamino)phenyl)-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-diyl)bis(oxy))dibenzaldehyde (DIPOD) 5 was established from p-hydroxy benzaldehyde 4 and 4-(4,6-dichloro-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)-N,N-diethylaniline 3. The reaction of DIPOD 5 with different o-phenylenediamine or o-amino phenol or o-amino thiophenol in ethanol gave benzimidazole, benzoxazole and benzothiazole 7. Novel heterocycles showed excellent broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against bacterial strain (Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus) and fungal strain (Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger) cultures. Activity data was compared with standard Streptomycin and Fluconazole drug. Photophysical and thermal properties of synthesized compounds were also studied.     

Toluene dioxygenase-mediated oxidation of dibromobenzenes. Absolute stereochemistry of new metabolites and synthesis of (−)-conduritol E

Dibromobenzenes (o-, m-, and p-isomers) were converted to the corresponding cis-cyclohexadiene diols by whole-cell fermentation with Escherichia coli JM 109 (pDTG601A), an organism over-expressing the enzyme toluene dioxygenase (TDO). Absolute stereochemistry of new metabolites was determined, and (−)-conduritol was synthesized.     

Synthesis, structures, and properties of peripheral o-dimethoxy-substituted pentiptycene quinones and their o-quinone derivatives

A series of peripheral o-dimethoxy-substituted pentiptycene quinones and their o-quinone derivatives have been synthesized. Especially, it was found that if two o-dimethoxybenzene moieties were situated at the same side of the pentiptycene quinones, one of them was only oxidized by excess CAN in aqueous acetonitrile. Moreover, the pentiptycene quinones with unique 3D rigid structure could all self-assemble into a 3D microporous structure in the solid state. For the pentiptycene quinones containing the dimethoxybenzene unit(s) and the quinone group(s) simultaneously, interesting intramolecular charge transfer interactions and electrochemical properties were also shown. These peripheral-substituted pentiptycene quinones and their o-quinone derivatives can be used as new useful building blocks and will find wide applications in material science and host-guest chemistry.     

Infrared spectra of p-, m- and o-fluorobenzaldehyde in low temperature argon matrices

Three structural isomers of fluorobenzaldehyde (p-, m- and o-forms) have been investigated in detail with matrix-isolation infrared spectroscopy, in the 700-3000 cm⁻¹ region, combined with the UV photoexcitation and the density functional calculations. Two rotamers (syn and anti) were identified for m- and o-fluorobenzaldehyde upon the photoexcitation and most of the bands of each rotamer were assigned. It is shown that the formation of the intramolecular C-H?F hydrogen bond for the anti rotamer of o-FB results in the shortening of the aldehyde C-H bond length and that the C-F and/or CO bond lengths are shortened for the syn rotamer of o-FB presumably due to the repulsion between the aldehyde O and F atoms.     

Efficient synthesis of o-alkynyl-N-pivaloylanilines from o-acyl-N-pivaloylanilines and lithium trimethylsilyldiazomethane

Reaction of o-acyl-N-pivaloylanilines with lithium trimethylsilyldiazomethane efficiently gave the corresponding o-alkynyl-N-pivaloylanilines via alkylidenecarbene intermediates.     

Synthesis of 2-substituted-benzothiazoles by palladium-catalyzed intramolecular cyclization of o-bromophenylthioureas and o-bromophenylthioamides

2-Amino-, and 2-alkyl-benzothiazoles have been efficiently prepared by palladium catalyzed cyclization of o-bromophenylthioureas and o-bromophenylthiamides. Results were best with the Pd₂(dba)₃/monophosphine catalytic system.     

The synthesis and characterisation of novel o-substituted benzyldi-t-butylphosphine-boranes

The novel compounds o-(chloromethyl)benzyldi-t-butylphosphine-borane and o-(methoxymethyl)benzyldi-t-butylphosphine-borane have been synthesised in 54% and 51% yields, respectively, and have been fully characterised. An improved method for the synthesis of α-chloro-α′-methoxy-o-xylene is also reported.     

Comparative study of azobenzene and stilbene bridged crown ether p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene

Photo-switchable calixarenes consisting of a stilbene or azobenzene bridge, spanning the narrow rim as a switching unit, were synthesized through reductive coupling of o-, m- and p-bis-benzaldehyde and bis-nitrobenzene-substituted calix[4]arenes. Both cis- and trans-stilbenes were produced from the reductive coupling of the o- and m-bis-benzaldehyde with the cis isomer being predominant for both regioisomers, whilst the coupling of p-bis-benzaldehyde gave only cis product. On the other hand, the only isolable product obtained from the reductive coupling of bis-o- and bis-m-nitrobenzene was the corresponding trans-azobenzene and the coupling product from bis-p-nitrobenzene was not stable. Each of the synthesized compounds showed a photostationary state in their cis-trans isomerization. The complexation of alkali metal ions was observed for only the o-azobenzene derivative suggesting that the lone pair of N-atom in the azo bridge participates in this process.     

Preparation and oxidative coupling of bis[o-(hydrosilyl)phenyl]cuprates and bis[o-(fluorosilyl)phenyl]cuprates

Bis[o-(hydrosilyl)phenyl]cuprates and bis[o-(fluorosilyl)phenyl]cuprates were prepared by reacting [o-(hydrosilyl)phenyl]lithiums and [o-(fluorosilyl)phenyl]lithiums, respectively, with copper salts, such as CuCN and Cu(OPiv)₂. The phenylcuprates underwent oxidative coupling to afford 2,2′-bis(hydrosilyl)biphenyls and 2,2′-bis(fluorosilyl)biphenyls.     

Cyclization and oxidation of o-bromophenylacetamides for the synthesis of oxindoles and isoindigoes

N-substituted oxindoles were obtained through a facile KOH/DMSO promoted intramolecular cyclization of o-bromophenylacetamides in good yields. Furthermore, isoindigo derivatives were readily synthesized through sequential intramolecular cyclization, oxidation and condensation of o-bromophenylacetamide in the presence of copper (II) acetate monohydrate, iodobenzene diacetate and KOH/DMSO. This method provides a convenient synthesis of a range of oxindoles and symmetrical biologically important (E)-bisindole-2-ones using o-bromophenylacetamide as sole starting material. The reaction mechanism is elucidated in light of the control experiment results.     

Preparation,spectroscopic assignments and relative stabilities of cis and trans species of o,o′-azodioxytoluene in the solid state and in solution

Crystalline samples of cis- and of trans-o,o′-azodioxytoluene have been isolated. The cis crystals isomerize spontaneously to trans. IR spectra were recorded for the pure dimeric species as well as for o-nitrosotoluene and assignments of specific peaks were made. In solution the cis form is the energetically more stable species as revealed from NMR assignments on cis and trans samples.