Zur Biosynthese des Strychnins. 135. Mitteilung über Alkaloide

From the feeding of young plants of Strychnos nux-vomica with [¹⁴C]-1-and [¹⁴C]-2-acetate it could be deduced that the C-atoms 22 and 23 were derived from acetate. [¹⁴C]-2-mevalonate, [¹⁴C]-2-geraniol and [¹⁴C]-2-geranyl pyrophosphate were also incorporated into strychnine. The distribution of radioactivity in the «mevalonate-strychnine» was in agreement with the monoterpenoid hypothesis. Feeding experiments especially with [¹⁴C]-tryptophane showed that the main production centre of the alkaloid lay in the roots and that only a small part of it was carried to the leaves. Tritium labelled WIELAND GUMLICH aldehyde as well as N_(a)-[¹⁴C]-1-acetyl WIELAND GUMLICH aldehyde were not converted into strychnine by S. nux-vomica.     

Biosynthesis of verrucarins and roridins. 2. Incorporation of acetate in cis-transmuconic acid and of mevalonate in roridinic acid]

Incorporation experiments using sodium [1-¹⁴C]-acetate and sodium [2-¹⁴C]- and [2-¹⁴C,2-³H₂]-mevalonate and degradations of the verrucarin A ( 1 ) and roridin A ( 2 ) so produced demonstrate that cis,trans-muconic acid ( 3 ) is formed from 3 acetate units. The cis,trans-muconic acid and the C₂-side-chain structural elements of roridinic acid ( 6 ) are built up from 4 acetate units; the cis-oricntcd C(11)-carboxyl group of 6 originates from C(1) of acctic acid. The structural moiety of roridinic acid ( 6 ) corresponding to verrucarinic, acid ( 7 ) originates from mevalonate, as does 7 . A new degradation scheme was devised for roridinic acid ( 6 ); the oxime 23 of its 13 dehydro-detrahydro derivative 21 underwent cleavage with SOCl₂ and subsequent hydrolysis to yield verrucarinolactone ( 8 ), acetonitrile ( 26 ) and methyl adipaldohydate ( 27 ) by a heterolytic Beckmann fragmentation reaction.     

Biosynthesis of verrucarins and roridins. 3. Incorporation of 3R)-(5-14C)-and at C(2)stereospecific tritiated mevalonate into verrucarol]

Separate experiments, involving incorporation of either (3R)-[5-¹⁴C]-mevalonate or each enantiomer of [2-³H]-mevalonate into verrucartin A and roridin A, indicate that hydroxylation at C(4) of the tricothecane skeleton, to yield verrucarol (4), proceeds with an overall retention of configuration; they confirm that C(8) and not C(10) is derived specifically from C(2) or mevalonate.     

Biosynthesis of the Cytochalasans. Biosynthetic studies on chaetoglobosin A and 19-O-acetylchaetoglobosin A

Incorporation of [1-¹³C]-, [2-¹³C]- and [1,2-¹³C₂]-acetate, [1-¹³C]-propionate, [¹³C-CH₃]-L -methionine and [3-¹⁴C]-DL -tryptophan into chaetoglobosin A ( 1 ) and 19-O-acetylchaetoglobosin A ( 2 ) by Chaetomium globosum demonstrated that the building blocks of 1 and 2 are 9 and 10 units of acetate/malonate respectively, 3 units of methionine and 1 unit of tryptophan. Propionate is incorporated indirectly after several biological transformations. Using [2-¹³C, 2-²H₃]-acetate as precursor, the starter unit of the polyketide-chain was identified. Experiments which [¹³C, ²H₃-CH₃-L -methionine demonstrated that the three C-methylations occur with retention of all three H-atoms of the methyl group. Incorporation experiments with various ¹⁴C- and ³H-labelled tryphtophan samples and with [2-²H]- and [2-¹⁵N]-L -tryptophan showed that the amino acid is incorporated intact with retention of both the α-H- and the α-N-atom. On the basis of these results a more detailed general scheme of the cytochalasan biogenesis is proposed.     

Biosynthesis of cytochalasans. Part 4. The mode of incorporation of common naturally-occurring carboxylic acids into cytochalasin D1.

Utilization of sodium [1-¹⁴C]-, [2–¹⁴C]-, and [1,2-¹³C]-acetates, [1-¹⁴C]-, [1-¹³C]-, or [2-¹⁴C]-propionates, [1-¹⁴C]-or [2-¹⁴C]-malonates, of [1-¹⁴C]- or of [1-¹⁴C]-myristic acid, or of [1-¹⁴C]- and [1-¹⁴C]-palmitic acid in the biosynthesis of cytochalasin D ( 1 ) by Zygosporium masonii was determined by degradation studies or by carbon magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The precursors were incorporated primarily via the acetate-malonate pathway to generate 1 from nine intact acetate units, eight of which are coupled in a head to tail fashion to form the C₁₆-polyketide moiety.     

On the incorporation of geraniol and farnesol into cantharidin (author's transl)

On the incorporation of geraniol and farnesol into cantharidin Earlier investigations [1] have shown that cantharidin (1) is biosynthesized by the male Lytta vesicatoria L. (Meloidae, Coleoptera) from the common terpenoid precursors mevalonate and farnesol (3) . To prove if geraniol (2) is incorporated via farnesol (3) into cantharidin (1) the following geraniols have been synthesized and injected into either larvae or male adult Lytta vesicatoria, partly in a mixture with synthetic 11′, 12-[³H]-farnesol as an internal standard: 2-[¹⁴C]-, 7-[¹⁴C]-, 7′, 8-[¹⁴C]-, 7′, 8-[³H]-geraniol. Unexpectedly, geraniol (2) was not specifically incorporated into cantharidin (1) perhaps due to its higher toxicity or its faster degradation relative to the other precursors before incorporation. The incorporation of U-[¹⁴C]-leucine, U-[¹⁴C]-isoleucine and 1-[¹⁴C]-glucose into cantharidin (1) via their metabolites is evident by degradation studies, whereas 1-[¹⁴C]- and 2-[¹⁴C]-glycine do not serve as precursors for cantharidin (1) .     

Biosynthesis of the Verrucarins and Roridins. Part 1. The transformation of mevalonic acid into verrucarinic acid. Evidence for a hydrogen 1,2-shift. Verrucarins and roridins, 27th communication

Incorporation experiments using sodium [2-¹⁴C]-, [2-³H]-, (3R)-[5-¹⁴C]- and [2-³H, 2-¹⁴C]-mevalonates and with mevalonates stereospecifically tritiated at C(2) demonstrate the transformation of mevalonic acid ( 8 ) into verrucarinic acid ( 5 ). Degradation experiments showed that this transformation occurs with a hydrogen 1, 2-shift of the ‘pro-2R’ hydrogen atom of mevalonate to C(3) of verrucarinate. A possible mechanistic pathway is discussed.     

Biogenesis of betalaine. Biotransformation of dopa and tyrosine in betalaminic acid part of the betanins

During studies on the biogenesis of betalains (I) in cactus fruits (Opuntia sp.). DL -dopa-1-[¹⁴C] and -2-[¹⁴C] were incorporated into betanin (III) which was obtained radiopure after crystallization. The specific activity remained constant after conversion to betanidin (IV) and to a neobetanidin derivative (IX). Reaction of radiobetanin with proline afforded indicaxanthin (V) carrying more than 90% of the radioactivity. Dopa (VI) is thus an efficient precursor for betalamic acid (VIII) but not for cyclodopa (VII). Decarboxylation of radiobetanidin and radioindicaxanthin showed that the carboxyl group of dopa remained a carboxyl group in the biotransformation to betalamic acid. It is concluded that the aromatic ring of dopa is cleaved and that re-cyclization involving the nitrogen generates the dihydropyridine moiety. Under the same conditions mevalonic acid, aspartic acid and phenylalanine showed low incorporations. Studies with beet seedlings and DL -dopa-1-[¹⁴C], -2-[¹⁴C] and DL -tyrosine-1-[¹⁴C] afforded similar results but with low incorporations.     

Biosynthesis of the antibiotic verrucarin E use of [1-13C]-, [2-13C]-, [1,2-13C]- and [2-13C, 2-2H3]-acetates. Verrucarins and roridins, 37th communication [1]

The origin of the carbon skeleton of verrucarin E (1) from acetate as precursor is confirmed. Incorporation studies with [1,2-¹³C]-acetate have demonstrated that two acetoacetate units couple together as shown in pattern A (Scheme 2) and not as in B . Analysis of the deuterium distribution in both verrucarin E (1) isolated after the incorporation of [2-¹³C,2-²H₃]-acetate and in sodium acetate obtained after Kuhn-Roth oxidation of the metabolite demonstrated that C(7) is derived from the starter unit of one of the acetoacetate moieties. The deuterium exchange in verrucarin E (1) occurring during fermentation was investigated.     

A convenient method for <Superscript>14</Superscript>C-labeling of <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-(2-oxo-5-phenyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-benzo[e][1,4]diazepin-3-yl)-1H-pyrrole-2-carboxamide-[carboxy-<Superscript>14</Superscript>C] as CCK-A antagonist

N-(2-oxo-5-phenyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-benzo[e][1,4]diazepin-3-yl)-1H-pyrrole-2-carboxamide-[carboxy-¹⁴C] was prepared as part of a five-step sequence from pyrrol-2-carbonitrile-[cyano-¹⁴C] as a key synthetic intermediate which has been synthesized from 2-bromopyrrole and zinc [¹⁴C]-cyanide in the presence of tetrakis (triphenylphosphine)palladium.     

Einbauversuche mit (3H und 14C)-doppelmarkiertem Farnesol in Cantharidin. 5. Mitteilung zur Biosynthese des Cantharidins

Incorporation experiments with (³H and ¹⁴C) doubly labelled farnesols into cantharidin After injection of 11′, 12-[³H]-7-[¹⁴C]-farnesol or 11′, 12-[³H]-5,6-[¹⁴C]-farnesol, the ³H-label is located specifically in the C(9)-methyl-group of cantharidin, whereas the ¹⁴C-labelling pattern follows an incorporation via acetic acid (Scheme 4). C-Atoms 5, 6 and 7 from the middle part of the farnesol molecule are utilized for cantharidin biosynthesis to an extent that is about 2.1–11% of the incorporation rate of the methyl groups C(11′) and C(12), depending on the position of the ¹⁴C-label in farnesol. These results confirm our earlier hypothesis [1] that the C₁₀-molecule cantharidin is biosynthesized from the C₁₅-precursor farnesol which is cleaved between C(1)–C(2), C(4)–C(5), and C(7)–C(8). The synthesis of 7-[¹⁴C]-farnesol and of 5,6-[¹⁴C]-farnesol is described.     

Studies on the Biosynthesis of Spirostaphylotrichin A

Incorporation of ¹⁴C-labelled acetate and amino acids as well as of [1-¹³C]-, [2-¹³C]-, and [1,2-¹³C₂] acetate, L -[methyl¹³C] methionine, [2,3-¹³C₂] succinate, and L -[2,3-¹³C₂] aspartate into spirostaphylotrichin A ( 1 ) by Staphylotrichum coccosporum demonstrates that the building blocks of 1 are 5 units of acetate/malonate, 1 unit of methionine, and a C₄-dicarboxylic acid. The latter is most likely aspartate and derived from the citric-acid cycle. Using [2-¹³C, 2-²H₃] acetate as a precursor, the starter unit of the polyketide chain was identified.     

Identification of farnesol as an intermediate in the biosynthesis of cantharidin from mevalonolactone

Identification of farnesol as an intermediate in the biosynthesis of cantharidin from mevalonolactone Simultaneous injection of 2-[¹⁴C]-mevalonolactone (2-[¹⁴C]- 1 ) and (E,E)-11′,12-[³H]-farnesol (11′,12-[³H]- 2 ) into Lytta vesicatoria L . (Coleoptera, Meloidae) yields doubly labelled cantharidin ( 3 ). The remainder of the precursor farnesol, re-isolated from the insects after the incubation period, has incorporated ¹⁴C-radioactivity. The labelling pattern in this farnesol, as determined by two independent degradative reaction sequences, is in agreement with the isoprene rule. Since specific incorporation of farnesol ( 2 ) into cantharidin ( 3 ), and of mevalonolactone ( 1 ) into both, farnesol ( 2 ) and cantharidin ( 3 ) is observed, the sesquiterpene alcohol 2 acts as an intermediate in the biosynthesis of the C₁₀-compound 3 (Scheme 1).     

Use of Dibutyl[14C]formamide as a Formylating Reagent in the Vilsmeier–Haack Reaction and Synthesis of a 14C‐Labeled Novel Phosphodiesterase‐4 (PDE‐4) Inhibitor

A simple, high‐yielding synthesis of dibutyl[¹⁴C]formamide ([¹⁴C]DBF; 1 ) from ¹⁴CO₂ was developed (Scheme 1): reaction of LiBEt₃H and ¹⁴CO₂ followed by aqueous workup gave H¹⁴CO₂H in high yield. Conversion of the [¹⁴C]formic acid to 1 was effected by a standard carbodiimide coupling procedure. The utility of 1 as an alternative to dimethyl[¹⁴C]formamide ([¹⁴C]DMF) in alkylation reactions and in the [¹⁴C]Vilsmeier–Haack reaction was demonstrated for several substrates (Table 2). A ¹⁴C‐labeled phosphodiesterase‐4 (PDE‐4) inhibitor, [¹⁴C]‐ 2 , was synthesized by application of this technology (Scheme 2).     

Generation and reactivity of N,N-dimethylaminobenzotriazolylcarbene a new nucleophilic carbene

N,N-Dimethylaminobenzotriazolylcarbene ( 5 ) reacted with phenyl isocyanate in a [1+2+2] cycloaddition and then with nucleophiles to generate various hydantoins 10 in a one-pot procedure. It was also found that this novel carbene reacted with trans-dibenzoylethylene ( 11 ) in a [1+4] cycloaddition, generating 2-dimethylamino-3-benzoyl-5-phenylfuran ( 13 ) and 2-phenyl-3-[benzotriazol-1-yl]-4-benzoylfuran ( 14 ) whose structures were confirmed by ¹H-¹³C long range correlations as well as the structure of furan 14 being confirmed by X-ray crystallography.     

Biosynthesis of the verrucarins and roridins. Part 4. The mode of incorporation of (3R)-((5R)-5-3H)-mevalonate into verrucarol. Evidence for the identity of the C(11)-hydrogen atom of the trichothecane skeleton with the (5R)-hydrogen atom of (3R)-mevalonic acid.

Incorporation of (3R)-[(5R)-5-³H]-mevalonate into verrucarin followed by hydrolyses to verrucarol (2) and transformation of the latter to the spirolactol 5 and the spirolactone 6 successively, demonstrate the identity of the C(11)-hydrogen of the trichothecane skeleton with the 5-‘pro-R’ hydrogen atom of (3R)-mevalonate.     

Biosynthesis of cytochalasins. II Building blocks of cytochalasun D

A number of potential ¹⁴C- and ³H-labelled precursors were fed to growing cultures of Zygosporium masonii after the rate of formation of cytochalasin D had been measured. By chemical degradation of [¹⁴C]- and [³H, ¹⁴C]-cytochalasin D the distribution of the radioactivity originating from incorporated [4′-3H, U-¹⁴C]-L -phenylalanine and [CH₃-¹⁴C]-L -methionine was determinated. The results demonstrate that the building blocks of cytochalasin D are 1 unit of pheylalanine, 3 units of methionine and acetate units.     

Biosynthesis of brefeldin A

By feeding growing cultures of Penicillium brefeldianum Dodge with [-¹⁴C]-acetate radioactive brefeldin A (C₁₆H₂₄O₄) was obtained. By extensive degradation of [¹⁴C]-brefeldin A, the individual radioactivity of 12 of the 16 carbon atoms was determined quantitatively. The pattern of the distribution of the radioactivity shows that 8 acetate units have been incorporated into the metabolite in a regular manner. These findings suggest an octaketide as an intermediate. Possible mechanisms for the formation of the trans-fused cyclopentane ring are discussed.     

Biosynthese der Verrucarine und Roridine. Teil 5. Synthese von zwei Diastereoisomerenpaaren des [1,8-14C]-α-Bisabolols und Versuche zu deren Einbau in Verrucarol Verrucarine und Roridine, 32. Mitteilung [1]

The diastereoisomeric (+)-[1,8-¹⁴C]-(1'R,6R, S)-α-bisabolol ( 2a ) and (?)-[1,8-¹⁴C]-(1′S, 6R, S)-α-bisabolol ( 2b ) were synthesized by reaction of the Grignard compound of [1,6-¹⁴C]-5-bromo-2-methyl-2-pentene ( 12 ) with (+)-(R)- and (?)-(S)-4-acetyl-1-methyl-1-cyclohexene, ( 6a ) and ( 6b ) respectively. For the preparation of compound 12, cyclopropyl methyl ketone was treated with [¹⁴C]-methyl magnesium iodide to form the carbinol 11, which was cleaved by HBr. Compounds 6a and 6b were synthesized from (+)-(R)- and (?)-(S)-limonene, ( 4a ) and ( 4b ), via the derivatives 5a , 6a and 5b , 6b respectively. - This synthesis established the absolute configuration at C(1′) of the natural α-bisabolols: (R) for (+)-α-bisabolol and (S) for (?)-α-bisabolol. - Feeding experiments with cultures of Myrothecium roridum and radioactive (+)-(1′R, 6R, S)- and (?)-(1′S, 6R, S)-α-bisabolol ( 2a ) and ( 2b ) gave negative results. These findings indicate that bisabolane derivatives are not intermediates in the biosynthesis of verrucarol (3).     

Zur Biosynthese der Rubratoxine

In order to check the hypothesis that rubratoxin B ( 2 ), a C₂₆-metabolite, is formed biogenetically by head-to-tail coupling of two identical C₁₃-precursors derived from decanoic acid and oxaloacetic acid, two labelled forms of the postulated C₁₃-intermediate 2-((E)-1'-octenyl)-3-[¹⁴C]methyl- and 2-((E)-1'-octenyl)-3-[¹³C]-methylmaleic anhydride ( 10 ), were synthesized. The labelled compounds 10 as well as a number of other ¹⁴C]- and [¹³C]-labelled potential precursors were administered to growing cultures of Penicillium rubrum STOLL . Significant incorporation rates of acetate (as intact units) and malonate were observed. Propionate was incorporated after decarboxylation. Succinate exhibited the highest rate of incorporation. The results are in agreement with the assumption that the C₁₀-chain is formed by the fatty acid pathway and the C₃-unit via the tricarboxylic acid cycle. After administration of 10 randomization of the label was observed. Thus the question whether compound 10 is a biogenetic intermediate remains unanswered.