The chemistry of 2'' ,3''-seconucleosides II. Reactions and biological properties of 2'',3''-secopyrimidine ribonucleosides

Reaction of 2',3'-secouridine with acetone gave the 3',5'-$\text{O}$-isopropylidene derivative (1) which upon treatment with mesylchloride gave the 2'-$\text{O}$-mesyl compound (2). Replacement of the mesyl group of 2 with halide could be effected by reaction with a metal halide in DMF. The 3',5'-$\text{O}$-isopropylidene group was removed simultaneously to give a 2'-halogeno-2'-deoxy-2',3'-secouridine. 2',3'-Dichloro-2',3'-dideoxy-2',3'-secouridine upon treatment with base gave 6($\text{R}$)-chloromethyl-2($\text{R}$)-(uracil-1-yl)-1,4-dioxane in addition to O²,2'-anhydro-3'-chloro-3'-deoxy-2',3'-secouridine, as previously reported. 2',3'-Dichloro-2',3'-dideoxy-5'-0-trityl-2',3'-secouridine was converted to 2',3'-dichloro-2',3'-dideoxy-2',3'-secocytidine (16) $\text{via}$ a triazole derivative. Compound 16 was unstable and appeared to form O²,2'-anhydro-3'-chloro-3'-deoxy-2,3'-secocytidine upon standing at room temperature. 5-Vinyl- and 5-($\text{E}$) (2-bromovinyl) uridine dialdehydes have been made, as well as a number of other 5-substituted 2',3'-secouridine derivatives. None of the compounds obtained showed significant activity against a number of virus strains or tumor cell lines, except for 5-($\text{E}$)(2-bromovinyl) uridine dialdehyde, which was inhibitory to the growth of human lymphoblast (Raji, Namalva) cells at a concentration of 28 μ/ml.     

Properties of the Macrophomina phaseolina endoglucanase (EGL 1) gene product in bacterial and yeast expression systems

Functional expression of a β-d-1,4 glucanase-encoding gene (egl1) from a filamentous fungus was achieved in both Escherichia coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae using a modified version of pRS413. Optimal activity of the E. coli-expressed enzyme was found at incubation temperatures of 60°C, whereas the enzyme activity was optimal at 40°C when expressed by S. cerevisiae. Enzyme activity at different pH levels was similar for both bacteria and yeast, being highest at 5.0. Yeast expression resulted in a highly glycosylated protein of approx 60 kDa, compared to bacterial expression, which resulted in a protein of 30 kDa. The hyperglycosylated protein had reduced enzyme activity, indicating that E. coli is a preferred vehicle for production scale-up.     

C[triple‐bond]C—H systems as hydrogen‐bond donors and acceptors: trans‐1,2‐diethynylcyclo­hexane‐1,2‐diol and trans‐1,4‐diprop‐2‐ynylcyclo­hexane‐1,4‐diol monohydrate

The title 1,2‐diol derivative, C₁₀H₁₂O₂, crystallizes with two independent but closely similar mol­ecules in the asymmetric unit. Only two of the four OH groups are involved in classical hydrogen bonding; the mol­ecules thereby associate to form chains parallel to the short c axis. The other two OH groups are involved in O—H⋯(C[triple‐bond]C) systems. Additionally, three of the four C[triple‐bond]C—H groups act as donors in C—H⋯O inter­actions. The 1,4‐diol derivative crystallizes with two independent half‐mol­ecules of the diol (each associated with an inversion centre) and one water mol­ecule in the asymmetric unit, C₁₂H₁₆O₂·H₂O. Both OH groups and one water H atom act as classical hydrogen‐bond donors, leading to layers parallel to the ac plane. The second water H atom is involved in a three‐centre contact to two C[triple‐bond]C bonds. One acetyl­enic H atom makes a very short `weak' hydrogen bond to a hydr­oxy O atom, and the other is part of a three‐centre system in which the acceptors are a hydroxy O atom and a C[triple‐bond]C bond.     

The reactivity of 2-vinylindoles with dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate

The overall rates of reaction of 1-substltuted-1- (1-methyl-2-indolyl)ethenes with dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate are considerably lower than those of the corresponding 2-vinyl- pyrroles. Steric interaction between the N-methyl group on the indole ring and the 1-substituent on the ethenyl group prevents the diene system adopting a coplanar $\text{cisoid}$ configuration and, thereby, inhibits the _π4 + _π2 cycloaddition reaction of the system with dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate. Under such conditions, the indolylethene preferentially undergoes a Michael addition reaction at the 3-position. The _π4 + _π2 cycloaddition reaction is promoted at elevated temperatures. No evidence was found for a Cope rearrangement of the Michael adducts to give the dihydrocarbazole.     

PERSONAL DOSIMETRY OF SOLAR UV RADIATION FOR DIFFERENT OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

Abstract Quantifying individual exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) is critical to understanding the etiology of a number of diseases including nonmelanotic and melanotic skin cancers. Measurements of personal exposure to solar UVR were made in Hobart, Tasmania in February (summer) 1991 for six different outdoor activities using UVR-sensitive polysulfone (PS) film attached at seven anatomical sites. Concurrent behavioral and environmental observations were also made. To date many studies have relied on subject recall to quantify past solar UVR exposures. To gain insight into the accuracy of subject recall the measured UVR exposures received by different subjects using the PS film were compared to those calculated from personal diaries and ambient solar UVB levels from a monitoring station. In general, when UVR exposure activities took place under close supervision, good correlations were obtained between the PS badges and the ambient measurements/diaries approach. Ultraviolet radiation exposures for the field study involving 94 subjects engaged in a number of outdoor activities are presented.     

Lipophilicity in PK design: methyl, ethyl, futile

Lipophilicity, often expressed as distribution coefficients (log D) in octanol/water, is an important physicochemical parameter influencing processes such as oral absorption, brain uptake and various pharmacokinetic (PK) properties. Increasing log D values increases oral absorption, plasma protein binding and volume of distribution. However, more lipophilic compounds also become more vulnerable to P450 metabolism, leading to higher clearance. Molecular size and hydrogen bonding capacity are two other properties often considered as important for membrane permeation and pharmacokinetics. Interrelationships among these physicochemical properties are discussed. Increasing size (molecular weight) often gives higher potency, but inevitably also leads to either higher lipophilicity, and hence poorer dissolution/solubility, or to more hydrogen bonding capacity, which limits oral absorption. Differences in optimal properties between gastrointestinal absorption and uptake into the brain are addressed. Special attention is given to the desired lipophilicity of CNS drugs. In examples using -blockers, Ca channel antagonists and peptidic renin inhibitors we will demonstrate how potency and pharmacokinetic properties need to be balanced.     

The synthesis of the potent anti-herpes virus agent, E-5(2-bromovinyl)-2′-deoxyuridine and related compounds

The synthesis of $\text{E}$-5(2-bromovinyl)-2′-deoxyuridine in good yield from deoxyuridine $\text{via}$ an intermediate organopalladium derivative is described. The corresponding chloro and iodo compounds have also been made as have the corresponding bromo and iodo 2′-deoxycytidines.     

Phase-transfer catalysis-3: Acetylation of 2-acylcycloalkanones

With the exception of 2-formylcyclohexanone, which yields the E-exo-enol acetate, the phase-transfer catalysed acetylation of 2-acylcyclohexanones produces the 1-acetoxycyclohexene derivatives as the major products. The 1-acetoxy derivative is also obtained in good yield from the acetylation of 2-methoxycarbonylcyclopentanone but, generally, acetylation of 2-acylcyclopentanones yields the E-exo-enol acetates. 2-Acetylcyclopentanone, however, produces not only the E- and Z-exo-enol acetates, but also the endo-enol acetate, in a ratio of ca 2:2:1. The exo and endo-enol acetates were distinguished by ¹³CNMR spectroscopy and use of LIS reagents confirmed the configurational assignments of the exo-isomers     

The synthesis of annulated pyridazines by cycloaddition of azodicarboxylates to vinyl heterocycles

Reaction between 2-vinyl pyridine and azodicarboxylates 2 or 5 gives N,N'-disubstituted tetrahydropyrido[3,2-c]pyridazines 3 and 6, and dihydro-3H-pyrido[1,2-c]triazines 4 and 7; 2-(prop-1-en-1-yl)-pyridine 8 gives hydropyridopyridazines 10 and 11 but 2-(prop-1-en-2-yl)pyridine 9 gives mainly the ‘ene’ addition product 12. From 4-vinyl-pyridine and esters 2 or 5 diesters of tetrahydropyrido[3,4-c]pyridazine-1,2-dicarboxylic acid, 25 and 26 are obtained, and from 2-methyl-5-vinylpyridine both possible cyclisation products, the tetrahydro-pyrido[2,3-c]pyridazines 33 and 36, and -pyrido[4,3-c]pyridazines 34 and 37. The di-t-butyl esters 6, 11, 26, and 37 are quantitatively decarbalkoxylated in TFA, giving tetrahydropyridopyridazines 16, 18, 27, and 41; of these, the first three were oxidized to give pyrido[2,3-c]-pyridazine 15, its 3-methyl derivative 19, and pyrido[3,4-c]pyridazine 28 respectively. A dihydropyrido[4,3-c]-pyridazine 42 was obtained from compound 41. Thieno[2,3-c]-pyridazine 48 has been similarly prepared from 2-vinylthiophen, but 2-(prop-1-en-2-yl)thiophen gave an ene addition compound 51 and a dihydrothienopyridazine 50. Reactions with other vinylpyridines, and with vinylfurans, were unsuccessful.