Investigation on the Synthesis of Shigella flexneri Specific Oligosaccharides Using Disaccharides as Potential Transglucosylase Acceptor Substrates.

Chemo-enzymatic strategies hold great potential for the development of stereo- and regioselective syntheses of structurally defined bioactive oligosaccharides. Herein, we illustrate the potential of the appropriate combination of a planned chemo-enzymatic pathway and an engineered biocatalyst for the multistep synthesis of an important decasaccharide for vaccine development. We report the stepwise investigation, which led to an efficient chemical conversion of allyl α-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→3)-2-deoxy-2-trichloroacetamido-ß-d-glucopyranoside, the product of site-specific enzymatic α-d-glucosylation of a lightly protected non-natural disaccharide acceptor, into a pentasaccharide building block suitable for chain elongation at both ends. Successful differentiation between hydroxyl groups features the selective acylation of primary alcohols and acetalation of a cis-vicinal diol, followed by a controlled per-O-benzylation step. Moreover, we describe the successful use of the pentasaccharide intermediate in the [5 + 5] synthesis of an aminoethyl aglycon-equipped decasaccharide, corresponding to a dimer of the basic repeating unit from the O-specific polysaccharide of Shigella flexneri 2a, a major cause of bacillary dysentery. Four analogues of the disaccharide acceptor were synthesized and evaluated to reach a larger repertoire of O-glucosylation patterns encountered among S. flexneri type-specific polysaccharides. New insights on the potential and limitations of planned chemo-enzymatic pathways in oligosaccharide synthesis are provided.

Structure driven design of novel human ether-a-go-go-related-gene channel (hERG1) activators.

One of the main culprits in modern drug discovery is apparent cardiotoxicity of many lead-candidates via inadvertent pharmacologic blockade of K+, Ca2+ and Na+ currents. Many drugs inadvertently block hERG1 leading to an acquired form of the Long QT syndrome and potentially lethal polymorphic ventricular tachycardia. An emerging strategy is to rely on interventions with a drug that may proactively activate hERG1 channels reducing cardiovascular risks. Small molecules-activators have a great potential for co-therapies where the risk of hERG-related QT prolongation is significant and rehabilitation of the drug is impractical. Although a number of hERG1 activators have been identified in the last decade, their binding sites, functional moieties responsible for channel activation and thus mechanism of action, have yet to be established. Here, we present a proof-of-principle study that combines de-novo drug design, molecular modeling, chemical synthesis with whole cell electrophysiology and Action Potential (AP) recordings in fetal mouse ventricular myocytes to establish basic chemical principles required for efficient activator of hERG1 channel. In order to minimize the likelihood that these molecules would also block the hERG1 channel they were computationally engineered to minimize interactions with known intra-cavitary drug binding sites. The combination of experimental and theoretical studies led to identification of functional elements (functional groups, flexibility) underlying efficiency of hERG1 activators targeting binding pocket located in the S4-S5 linker, as well as identified potential side-effects in this promising line of drugs, which was associated with multi-channel targeting of the developed drugs.

Linear synthesis of the branched pentasaccharide repeats of O-antigens from Shigella flexneri 1a and 1b demonstrating the major steric hindrance associated with type-specific glucosylation.

Shigella flexneri serotypes 1b and 1a are Gram-negative enteroinvasive bacteria causing shigellosis in humans. The O-antigen from S. flexneri 1b is a { → 2)-[3Ac/4Ac]-α-L-RHAP-(1 → 2)-α-L-Rhap-(1 → 3)-[2Ac]-α-L-Rhap-(1 → 3)-[α-D-Glcp-(1 → 4)]-ß-D-GlcpNAc-(1 → }n branched polysaccharide ({(Ac)AB(Ac)C(E)D}n). It is identical to that from S. flexneri 1a, except for the 2C-acetate. A concise synthesis of the disaccharide ED, trisaccharides (Ac)C(E)D and C(E)D, tetrasaccharides B(Ac)C(E)D and BC(E)D, and pentasaccharides AB(Ac)C(E)D and ABC(E)D is described starting from a 2-N-acetyl-D-glucosaminide acceptor and using the imidate glycosylation chemistry. The E residue was efficiently introduced via a potent stereoselective [E + D] coupling. In contrast, harsh conditions and appropriate tuning of the donor were required for a high yielding [C + ED] glycosylation. Irrespective of the level of steric bulk at residue C, glycosylation at O-3D of the ED acceptor generated a major change of conformation of the D residue within the obtained C(E)D trisaccharide, as attested by NMR data. Proper manipulation of the constrained C(E)D trisaccharide was necessary to proceed with the stepwise chain elongation at O-3C of an acceptor having the 2C-O-acetyl already in place. The protected intermediates went through a one- to three-step deprotection sequence to give the propyl glycoside targets, as portions of the O-antigens from both S. flexneri 1a and 1b. Protecting group removal was clearly associated with conformational relief, yielding oligosaccharides, for which NMR data were consistent with a (4)C1 conformation for the 3,4-di-O-glycosylated residue D, as in the native bacterial polymers.

The one-pot, multi-component construction of highly substituted tetrahydropyran-4-ones using the Maitland-Japp reaction.

A one-pot, multi-component reaction for the synthesis of highly substituted tetrahydropyran-4-ones, based on the long forgotten Maitland-Japp reaction has been realised. Two different aldehydes and a derivative of a beta-ketoester can be condensed regioselectively in the presence of a Lewis acid to form tetrahydropyran-4-ones in excellent yields. The diastereoselectively of the reaction was found to be dependant upon the nature of the Lewis acid and the temperature at which the reaction was carried out. This procedure was also extended to the formation of tetrahydropyran-4-ones in greater than 95% enantiomeric excess.

Revisiting the Maitland-Japp reaction. Concise construction of highly functionalised tetrahydropyran-4-ones.

Application of modern synthetic methods to the Maitland-Japp reaction has provided a one pot, one step procedure for the efficient construction of highly substituted tetrahydropyran-4-ones.