A two-step chemical mechanism for ribosome-catalysed peptide bond formation.

The chemical step of natural protein synthesis, peptide bond formation, is catalysed by the large subunit of the ribosome. Crystal structures have shown that the active site for peptide bond formation is composed entirely of RNA. Recent work has focused on how an RNA active site is able to catalyse this fundamental biological reaction at a suitable rate for protein synthesis. On the basis of the absence of important ribosomal functional groups, lack of a dependence on pH, and the dominant contribution of entropy to catalysis, it has been suggested that the role of the ribosome is limited to bringing the substrates into close proximity. Alternatively, the importance of the 2'-hydroxyl of the peptidyl-transfer RNA and a Brønsted coefficient near zero have been taken as evidence that the ribosome coordinates a proton-transfer network. Here we report the transition state of peptide bond formation, based on analysis of the kinetic isotope effect at five positions within the reaction centre of a peptidyl-transfer RNA mimic. Our results indicate that in contrast to the uncatalysed reaction, formation of the tetrahedral intermediate and proton transfer from the nucleophilic nitrogen both occur in the rate-limiting step. Unlike in previous proposals, the reaction is not fully concerted; instead, breakdown of the tetrahedral intermediate occurs in a separate fast step. This suggests that in addition to substrate positioning, the ribosome is contributing to chemical catalysis by changing the rate-limiting transition state.

Transition states of uncatalyzed hydrolysis and aminolysis reactions of a ribosomal P-site substrate determined by kinetic isotope effects.

The ester bond of peptidyl-tRNA undergoes nucleophilic attack in solution and when catalyzed by the ribosome. To characterize the uncatalyzed hydrolysis reaction, a model of peptide release, the transition state structure for hydrolysis of a peptidyl-tRNA mimic was determined. Kinetic isotope effects were measured at several atoms that potentially undergo a change in bonding in the transition state. Large kinetic isotope effects of carbonyl (18)O and alpha-deuterium substitutions on uncatalyzed hydrolysis indicate the transition state is nearly tetrahedral. Kinetic isotope effects were also measured for aminolysis by hydroxylamine to study a reaction similar to the formation of a peptide bond. In contrast to hydrolysis, the large leaving group (18)O isotope effect indicates the C-O3' bond has undergone significant scission in the transition state. The smaller carbonyl (18)O and alpha-deuterium effects are consistent with a later transition state. The assay developed here can also be used to measure isotope effects for the ribosome-catalyzed reactions. These uncatalyzed reactions serve as a basis for determining what aspects of the transition states are stabilized by the ribosome to achieve a rate enhancement.

Synthesis of enantiomerically pure (S)-methanocarbaribo uracil nucleoside derivatives for use as antiviral agents and P2Y receptor ligands.

We have developed an approach toward enantiomerically pure (S)-methanocarba ribonucleosides based on several functional group transformations on a sensitive bicyclo[3.1.0]hexane system. D-ribose was transformed into methanocarba alcohol 3 followed by conversion of the OH group to a nitrile with inversion of configuration at C4. The nitrile group was subsequently reduced in two stages to the 5'-hydroxymethyl group. An ester group appended to a tertiary carbon (C1) was transformed to an amino group as a nucleobase precursor.

Synthesis of isotopically labeled P-site substrates for the ribosomal peptidyl transferase reaction.

Isotopomers of the ribosomal P-site substrate, the trinucleotide peptide conjugate CCA-pcb (Zhong, M.; Strobel, S. A. Org. Lett. 2006, 8, 55-58), have been designed and synthesized in 26-35 steps. These include individual isotopic substitution at the alpha-hydrogen, carbonyl carbon, and carbonyl oxygen of the amino acid, the O2' and O3' of the adenosine, and a remote label in the N3 and N4 of both cytidines. These isotopomers were synthesized by coupling cytidylyl-(3',5')-cytidine phosphoramidite isotopomers as the common synthetic intermediates, with isotopically substituted A-Phe-cap-biotin (A-pcb). The isotopic enrichment is higher than 99% for 1-13C (Phe), 2-2H (Phe), and 3,4-15N2 (cytidine), 93% for 2'/3'-18 O (adenosine), and 64% for 1-18 O (Phe). A new synthesis of highly enriched [1-18 O2]phenylalanine has been developed. The synthesis of [3'-18 O]adenosine was improved by Lewis acid aided regioselective ring opening of the epoxide and by an economical SN2-SN2 method with high isotopic enrichment (93%). Such substrates are valuable for studies of the ribosomal peptidyl transferase reaction by complete kinetic isotope effect analysis and of other biological processes catalyzed by nucleic acid related enzymes, including polymerases, reverse transcriptases, ligases, nucleases, and ribozymes.

Regiospecific N9 alkylation of 6-(heteroaryl)purines: shielding of N7 by a proximal heteroaryl C-H1.

Purine alkylations have been plagued with formation of mixtures of N9 (usually desired), N7, and other regioisomers. We have developed methods for synthesis of 6-(azolyl)purine derivatives whose X-ray crystal structures show essentially coplanar conformations of the linked azole-purine rings. Such ring orientations position the C-H of the azole above N7 of the purine, which results in protection of N7 from alkylating agents. Treatment of 6-(2-butylimidazol-1-yl)-2-chloropurine (9) with sodium hydride in DMF followed by addition of ethyl iodide resulted in exclusive formation of 6-(2-butylimidazol-1-yl)-2-chloro-9-ethylpurine (10), whereas identical treatment of 2-chloro-6-(4,5-diphenylimidazol-1-yl)purine (11) produced a regioisomeric mixture 12/13 (N9/N7, approximately 5:1). The linked imidazole and purine rings are coplanar in 9 (the butyl side chain is extended away from the purine ring and C-H is over N7) but are rotated approximately 57 degrees in 11, and the more bulky azole substituent in 11 did not prevent formation of the minor N7 regioisomer 13. Access to various regioisomerically pure 9-alkylpurines is now readily available.

Regiospecific and highly stereoselective coupling of 6-(substituted-imidazol-1-yl)purines with 2-deoxy-3,5-di-O-(p-toluoyl)-alpha-D-erythro-pentofuranosyl chloride. Sodium-salt glycosylation in binary solvent mixtures: improved synthesis of cladribine.

Glycosylation of 6-(substituted-imidazol-1-yl)purine sodium salts with 2-deoxy-3,5-di-O-(p-toluoyl)-alpha-D-erythro-pentofuranosyl chloride proceeds with regiospecific formation of the N9 isomers. Base substrates with lipophilic substituents on the C6-linked imidazole moiety are more soluble in organic solvents, and the solubility is further increased with binary solvent mixtures. Selective solvation also diminishes the extent of anomerization of the chlorosugar. Stirred reaction mixtures of the modified-purine sodium salts generated in a polar solvent and cooled solutions of the protected 2-deoxysugar chloride in a nonpolar solvent give 2'-deoxynucleoside derivatives with N9 regiochemistry and enhanced beta/alpha configuration ratios. Application of the binary-solvent methodology with 2-chloro-6-(substituted-imidazol-1-yl)purine salts in cold acetonitrile and the chlorosugar in cold dichloromethane gives essentially quantitative yields of the N9 isomers of beta-anomeric 2'-deoxynucleoside intermediates. Direct ammonolysis (NH(3)/MeOH) of such intermediates or benzylation of the imidazole ring followed by milder ammonolysis of the imidazolium salt gives high yields of the clinical anticancer drug cladribine (2-chloro-2'-deoxyadenosine).

Structure and synthesis of 6-(substituted-imidazol-1-yl)purines: versatile substrates for regiospecific alkylation and glycosylation at N9.

X-ray crystal structures of several 6-(azolyl)purine base and nucleoside derivatives show essentially coplanar conformations of the purine and appended 6-(azolyl) rings. However, the planes of the purine and imidazole rings are twisted approximately 57 degrees in a 2-chloro-6-(4,5-diphenylimidazol-1-yl)purine nucleoside, and a twist angle of approximately 61 degrees was measured between the planes of the purine and pyrrole rings in the structure of a 6-(2,5-dimethylpyrrol-1-yl)purine nucleoside derivative. Shielding "above" N7 of the purine ring by a proximal C-H on the 6-azolyl moiety is apparent with the coplanar compounds, but this effect is diminished in those without coplanarity. Syntheses of 6-(azolyl)purines from both base and nucleoside starting materials are described. Treatment of 2,6-dichloropurine with imidazole gave 2-chloro-6-(imidazol-1-yl)purine. Modified Appel reactions at C6 of trityl-protected hypoxanthine and guanine derivatives followed by detritylation gave 6-(imidazol-1-yl)- and 2-amino-6-(imidazol-1-yl)purines. Imidazole was introduced at C6 of 2',3',5'-tri-O-acetylinosine by a modified Appel reaction, and solvolysis of the glycosyl linkage gave 6-(imidazol-1-yl)purine. Guanosine triacetate was transformed into the protected 2,6-dichloropurine nucleoside, which was subjected to S(N)Ar displacement with imidazoles at C6 followed by glycosyl solvolysis to provide 2-chloro-6-(substituted-imidazol-1-yl)purines. Potential applications of these purine derivatives are outlined.

Synthesis of the ribosomal P-site substrate CCA-pcb.

[reaction: see text] CCA-pcb (cytidylyl-(3'5')-cytidylyl-(3'5')-3'(2')-O-(N-(6-D-(+)-biotinoylaminohexanoyl)-L-phenylalanyl)adenosine), a ribosomal P-site substrate, was synthesized by phosphoramidite chemistry in 26 steps with an overall yield of 18%, starting from biotin. The synthesis relies on the judicious selection of orthogonal silyl protecting groups for the 5'-hydroxyls and acid-labile protecting groups (DMTr, AcE, and MeE) at other reactive sites to ensure the intactness of the labile ester. Both 3'-esterification and nucleotide coupling were accomplished by in situ activation with imidazolium ions.

6-(2-Alkylimidazol-1-yl)purines undergo regiospecific glycosylation at N9.

[reaction: see text] Regioselective control of glycosylation of purines at N9 (versus N7) has been a continuing challenge. We now report Lewis acid catalyzed regiospecific glycosylations of 6-(2-alkylimidazol-1-yl)purines at N9. The 6-(2-alkyl)imidazole moiety also functions as a versatile leaving group that can be replaced by nucleophiles (S(N)Ar) and aryl groups (Suzuki cross-coupling).