Molecular modeling study of species-selective peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) alpha agonist; possible mechanism(s) of human PPARalpha selectivity of an alpha-substituted phenylpropanoic acid derivative (KCL)

In order to investigate the reason why phenylpropanoic acid derivative (KCL), a potent, human peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) alpha-selective agonist, shows this selectivity, we analyzed the binding modes of KCL and a related compound to the ligand-binding domain of human PPARalpha and rat PPARalpha by means of computer-aided molecular modeling. We concluded that the characteristic specificity of KCL is due to a specific hydrophobic contact between the hydrophobic tail part (the 4-trifluoromethyl group) and the key amino acid Ile272 located on the helix three region of the human PPARalpha ligand binding domain. We propose a possible binding mode of KCL with the ligand-binding domain of human PPARalpha. This binding model should offer important insights for further structural design of subtype-selective PPARalpha agonists for the treatment of altered metabolic homeostasis, such as dyslipidemia, obesity, and diabetes.     

A highly regio- and stereoselective synthesis of internal olefins via an elimination of trimethylstannyl group

Internal reaction of secondary alkyltin(IV) compounds having thionium ion gave internal trans olefins with high yield and regio- and stereoselectivity via 1,5- or 1,6-transfer of a hydride β to the trialkylstannyl group.     

Synthetic studies on selective type 4 phosphodiesterase (PDE 4) inhibitors. 1. Structure-activity relationships and pharmacological evaluation of 1,8-naphthyridin-2(1H)-one derivatives

In order to develop novel and orally active phosphodiesterase (PDE) 4 inhibitors, random screening was performed using our chemical library to find YM-10335 possessing the 1,8-naphthyridin-2(1H)-one skeleton which is a completely different structure from rolipram. In this report, the syntheses and structure-activity relationships of the YM-10335 derivatives were described. Some compounds showed selective inhibitory activities for PDE 4 derived from human peripheral blood cells and no effect on the other PDE types (1, 2, 3, 5). The inhibition of the tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) release in vitro and the carrageenan-induced pleurisy in rats were also described.     

Creation of highly functional thin films using electrochemical nanotechnology

This overview describes the results of our recent study of the application of electrochemical nanotechnology to the fabrication of magnetic recording materials, interconnects in ultra-large-scale integrated (ULSI) devices, energy storage materials, and on-chip biosensors. It is important to note that electrochemical processes play significant roles in developing and fabrication such sophisticated materials and devices. In the field of magnetic recording, electrodeposition methods for preparing CoNiFe and CoFe soft magnetic thin films with a high saturation magnetic flux density were newly developed, and the significant issues for obtaining those films are highlighted. In the area of ULSI interconnects, we developed a technique using a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) for direct bonding of the interconnect layer to SiO2, and proposed a novel electroless deposition method for fabricating a diffusion barrier layer. In the field of batteries, electrodeposited SnNi alloy was proposed as a future anode material for Li batteries, and electrochemical MEMS processes were shown to be useful for fabricating micro-sized direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) as portable batteries for electronics applications. In the area of chemical sensors, we developed a new process for fabricating field effect transistors (FETs) modified with SAMs for on-chip biosensing applications.     

A lithiation approach to cordycepin analogues variously substituted at the C-8 position

Several 8-substituted cordycepins were prepared via LDA lithiation of 2′,5′-bis-O-(t-butyldimethylsilyl)-cordycepin and successive reactions of its C-8 lithiated species with various types of electrophiles. Wittig reaction of the 8-formyl derivative was also examined.     

The structure of enopeptins A and B, novel depsipeptide antibiotics

The structures of enopeptins A and B, novel depsipeptide antibiotics with 1,3,5,7,9-decapentaene-1,10-dicarboxylic acid and 2-amino-3-hydroxycyclopent-2-enone in a side chain, were determined by chemical and spectroscopic means.     

Chelating behavior of new chelating resins derived from n-(o-hydroxybenzyl)iminodiacetic acid

The chelating behavior of a new resin prepared by polycondensation of N-(o-hydroxybenzyl) iminodiacetic acid (o-HDA) with phenol and formaldehyde, is compared with that of the monomer, with p-HDA resin and p-HDA monomer, and with Chelex-100. The order of chelate stability for the o-HDA resin is Cu(II) > Ni(II) > Zn(II) > Co(II). An unusually high stability of the o-HDA and o-HDA resin iron(III) chelates in acidic solution is attributed to the participation of the o-hydroxyl group in the coordination process.     

Rotational correlation times of adenosine 5′-monophosphate in solution as deduced from 1H and 13C spin-lattice relaxation times

Rotational correlation times (τ_T) of the 5′-AMP molecule deduced from spin-lattice relaxation times (T₁) of different protons in the molecule agree fairly well with each other in the temperature range of 3.5–74°C. The same is true with τ_T values deduced from ¹³CT₁ values. These results indicate that the internal motions are slow as compared to the overall rotation of the 5′-AMP molecule.     

A practical synthesis of (S)-2-cyclohexyl-2-phenylglycolic acid via organocatalytic asymmetric construction of a tetrasubstituted carbon center

[reaction: see text] A concise and enantioselective synthesis of (S)-2-cyclohexyl-2-phenylglycolic acid as a key intermediate for (S)-oxybutynin is reported. The crucial asymmetric tetrasubstituted carbon center was constructed with excellent stereoselectivity through the proline-catalyzed direct asymmetric aldol reaction between cyclohexanone and ethyl phenylglyoxylate under mild conditions.