Epoxyeicosatrienoic acids are part of the VEGF-activated signaling cascade leading to angiogenesis.

Cytochrome P-450 (CYP) epoxygenases metabolize arachidonic acid to epoxyeicosatrienoic acid (EET) regioisomers, which activate several signaling pathways to promote endothelial cell proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis. Since vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays a key role in angiogenesis, we assessed a possible role of EETs in the VEGF-activated signal transduction cascade. Stimulation with VEGF increased CYP2C promoter activity in endothelial cells and enhanced CYP2C8 mRNA and protein expression resulting in increased intracellular EET levels. VEGF-induced endothelial cell tube formation was inhibited by the EET antagonist 14,15-epoxyeicosa-5(Z)-enoicacid (14,15-EEZE), which did not affect the VEGF-induced phosphorylation of its receptor or basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF)-stimulated tube formation. Moreover, VEGF-stimulated endothelial cell sprouting in a modified spheroid assay was reduced by CYP2C antisense oligonucleotides. Mechanistically, VEGF stimulated the phosphorylation of the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), which has also been linked to CYP induction, and the overexpression of a constitutively active AMPK mutant increased CYP2C expression. On the other hand, a dominant-negative AMPK mutant prevented the VEGF-induced increase in CYP2C RNA and protein expression in human endothelial cells. In vivo (Matrigel plug assay) in mice, endothelial cells were recruited into VEGF-impregnated plugs; an effect that was sensitive to 14,15-EEZE and the inclusion of small interfering RNA directed against the AMPK. The EET antagonist did not affect responses observed in plugs containing bFGF. Taken together, our data indicate that CYP2C-derived EETs participate as second messengers in the angiogenic response initiated by VEGF and that preventing the increase in CYP expression curtails the angiogenic response to VEGF.

Enantioselective, organocatalytic oxy-michael addition to gamma/delta-hydroxy-alpha,beta-enones: boronate-amine complexes as chiral hydroxide synthons.

An organocatalytic, enantioselective oxy-Michael addition to achiral gamma- and delta-hydroxy-alpha,beta-enones was developed. The key transformation is an unprecedented, asymmetric conjugate addition triggered by complexation between an in situ generated boronic acid hemiester and a chiral amine catalyst. Functionally, the intermediate amine-boronate complex acts as a chiral hydroxide surrogate or synthon. The resultant chiral beta-hydroxy-ketones are obtained in good to excellent yields and high ee following mild oxidative removal of the cyclic boronate. Natural products (R,12Z,15Z)-2-hydroxy-4-oxohenicosa-12,15-dienyl acetate and (+)-(S)-streptenol A were synthesized to demonstrate the utility of this reaction.

A new strategy towards the total synthesis of phenanthridone alkaloids: synthesis of (+)-2,7-dideoxypancratistatin as a model study.

A new strategy towards the synthesis of phenanthridone alkaloids has been reported through the synthesis of (+)-2,7-dideoxypancratistatin from D-(-)-quinic acid employing PET initiated carbocyclization of an electron rich aromatics by silylenol ether as a key step.