Synthesis of the A/D/E-ring Core Compounds of Maoecrystal V.

Synthesis of the A/D/E-ring core compounds of maoecrystal V was achieved. The key Diels-Alder reactions between tricyclic α-methylene lactones and Kitahara-Danishefsky dienes afforded the spirocyclic core compounds in a regioselective and stereoselective manner.

Synthesis of the oxazolidinone fragment of thelepamide.

Thelepamide, an unique ketide-amino acid isolated from a marine annelid worm Thelepus crispus, has a unique oxazolidinone ring derived from cysteine, glycine and valine. Rareness in nature as well as promising bioactive possibility make the oxazolidinone ring an attractive synthetic target. The hydroxy oxazolidinone fragment of thelepamide was prepared by acid-catalysed N,O-acetal formation between a ketoamide and formaldehyde. Lactone-carbonyl selective isopropyl addition to an oxazilidine-dione under Grignard conditions also forms the target compound.

Synthesis of (12R,13S)-pyriculariol and (12R,13S)-dihydropyriculariol revealed that the rice blast fungus, Pyricularia oryzae, produces these phytotoxins as racemates.

Synthesis of assumed natural (12R,13S)-enantiomers of pyriculariol (1) and dihydropyriculariol (2), phytotoxins isolated from rice blast disease fungus, Pyricularia oryzae, was achieved using Wittig reaction or microwave-assisted Stille coupling reaction as the key step. The synthesis revealed that the natural 1 and 2 are racemates. Foliar application test on a rice leaf indicated that both the salicylaldehyde core and side chain were necessary for phytotoxic activity. The fungus is found to produce optically active phytotoxins when incubated with rotary shaker, but racemic ones when cultured using an aerated jar fermenter.

Biosynthesis of ß-(1→5)-Galactofuranosyl Chains of Fungal-Type and O-Mannose-Type Galactomannans within the Invasive Pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus.

The pathogenic fungus Aspergillus fumigatus contains galactomannans localized on the surface layer of its cell walls, which are involved in various biological processes. Galactomannans comprise α-(1→2)-/α-(1→6)-mannan and ß-(1→5)-/ß-(1→6)-galactofuranosyl chains. We previously revealed that GfsA is a ß-galactofuranoside ß-(1→5)-galactofuranosyltransferase involved in the biosynthesis of ß-(1→5)-galactofuranosyl chains. In this study, we clarified the biosynthesis of ß-(1→5)-galactofuranosyl chains in A. fumigatus Two paralogs exist within A. fumigatus: GfsB and GfsC. We show that GfsB and GfsC, in addition to GfsA, are ß-galactofuranoside ß-(1→5)-galactofuranosyltransferases by biochemical and genetic analyses. GfsA, GfsB, and GfsC can synthesize ß-(1→5)-galactofuranosyl oligomers at up to lengths of 7, 3, and 5 galactofuranoses within an established in vitro highly efficient assay of galactofuranosyltransferase activity. Structural analyses of galactomannans extracted from ΔgfsB, ΔgfsC, ΔgfsAC, and ΔgfsABC strains revealed that GfsA and GfsC synthesized all ß-(1→5)-galactofuranosyl residues of fungal-type and O-mannose-type galactomannans and that GfsB exhibited limited function in A. fumigatus The loss of ß-(1→5)-galactofuranosyl residues decreased the hyphal growth rate and conidium formation ability and increased the abnormal hyphal branching structure and cell surface hydrophobicity, but this loss is dispensable for sensitivity to antifungal agents and virulence toward immunocompromised mice.IMPORTANCE ß-(1→5)-Galactofuranosyl residues are widely distributed in the subphylum Pezizomycotina of the phylum Ascomycota. Pezizomycotina includes many plant and animal pathogens. Although the structure of ß-(1→5)-galactofuranosyl residues of galactomannans in filamentous fungi was discovered long ago, it remains unclear which enzyme is responsible for biosynthesis of this glycan. Fungal cell wall formation processes are complicated, and information concerning glycosyltransferases is essential for understanding them. In this study, we showed that GfsA and GfsC are responsible for the biosynthesis of all ß-(1→5)-galactofuranosyl residues of fungal-type and O-mannose-type galactomannans. The data presented here indicate that ß-(1→5)-galactofuranosyl residues are involved in cell growth, conidiation, polarity, and cell surface hydrophobicity. Our new understanding of ß-(1→5)-galactofuranosyl residue biosynthesis provides important novel insights into the formation of the complex cell wall structure and the virulence of the members of the subphylum Pezizomycotina.

Microbial α-L-Rhamnosidases of Glycosyl Hydrolase Families GH78 and GH106 Have Broad Substrate Specificities toward α-L-Rhamnosyl- and α-L-Mannosyl-Linkages.

α-L-Rhamnosidases (α-L-Rha-ases, EC 3.2.1.40) are glycosyl hydrolases (GHs) that hydrolyze a terminal α-linked L-rhamnose residue from a wide spectrum of substrates such as heteropolysaccharides, glycosylated proteins, and natural flavonoids. As a result, they are considered catalysts of interest for various biotechnological applications. α-L-rhamnose (6-deoxy-L-mannose) is structurally similar to the rare sugar α-L-mannose. Here we have examined whether microbial α-L-Rha-ases possess α-L-mannosidase activity by synthesizing the substrate 4-nitrophenyl α-L-mannopyranoside. Four α-L-Rha-ases from GH78 and GH106 families were expressed and purified from Escherichia coli cells. All four enzymes exhibited both α-L-rhamnosyl-hydrolyzing activity and weak α-L-mannosyl-hydrolyzing activity. SpRhaM, a GH106 family α-L-Rha-ase from Sphingomonas paucimobilis FP2001, was found to have relatively higher α-L-mannosidase activity as compared with three GH78 α-L-Rha-ases. The α-L-mannosidase activity of SpRhaM showed pH dependence, with highest activity observed at pH 7.0. In summary, we have shown that α-L-Rha-ases also have α-L-mannosidase activity. Our findings will be useful in the identification and structural determination of α-L-mannose-containing polysaccharides from natural sources for use in the pharmaceutical and food industries.

Chemo-enzymatic synthesis of p-nitrophenyl ß-D-galactofuranosyl disaccharides from Aspergillus sp. fungal-type galactomannan.

ß-d-Galactofuranose (Galf) is a component of polysaccharides and glycoconjugates. There are few reports about the involvement of galactofuranosyltransferases and galactofuranosidases (Galf-ases) in the synthesis and degradation of galactofuranose-containing glycans. The cell walls of filamentous fungi in the genus Aspergillus include galactofuranose-containing polysaccharides and glycoconjugates, such as O-glycans, N-glycans, and fungal-type galactomannan, which are important for cell wall integrity. In this study, we investigated the synthesis of p-nitrophenyl ß-d-galactofuranoside and its disaccharides by chemo-enzymatic methods including use of galactosidase. The key step was selective removal of the concomitant pyranoside by enzymatic hydrolysis to purify p-nitrophenyl ß-d-galactofuranoside, a promising substrate for ß-d-galactofuranosidase from Streptomyces species.

Synthesis of Sulfo-Sialic Acid Analogues: Potent Neuraminidase Inhibitors in Regards to Anomeric Functionality.

The design, synthesis and application of N-acetylneuraminic acid-derived compounds bearing anomeric sulfo functional groups are described. These novel compounds, which we refer to as sulfo-sialic acid analogues, include 2-decarboxy-2-deoxy-2-sulfo-N-acetylneuraminic acid and its 4-deoxy-3,4-dehydrogenated pseudoglycal. While 2-decarboxy-2-deoxy-2-sulfo-N-acetylneuraminic acid contains no further modifications of the 2-deoxy-pyranose ring, it is still a more potent inhibitor of avian-origin H5N1 neuraminidase (NA) and drug-resistant His275Tyr NA as compared to the oxocarbenium ion transition state analogue 2,3-dehydro-2-deoxy-N-acetylneuraminic acid. The sulfo-sialic acid analogues described in this report are also more potent inhibitors of influenza NA (up to 40-fold) and bacterial NA (up to 8.5-fold) relative to the corresponding anomeric phosphonic acids. These results confirm that this novel anomeric sulfo modification offers great potential to improve the potency of next-generation NA inhibitors including covalent inhibitors.

GfsA is a ß1,5-galactofuranosyltransferase involved in the biosynthesis of the galactofuran side chain of fungal-type galactomannan in Aspergillus fumigatus.

Previously, we reported that GfsA is a novel galactofuranosyltransferase involved in the biosynthesis of O-glycan, the proper maintenance of fungal morphology, the formation of conidia and anti-fungal resistance in Aspergillus nidulans and A. fumigatus (Komachi Y et al., 2013. GfsA encodes a novel galactofuranosyltransferase involved in biosynthesis of galactofuranose antigen of O-glycan in Aspergillus nidulans and Aspergillus fumigatus. Mol. Microbiol. 90:1054-1073). In the present paper, to gain an in depth-understanding of the enzymatic functions of GfsA in A. fumigatus (AfGfsA), we established an in vitro assay to measure galactofuranosyltransferase activity using purified AfGfsA, UDP-α-d-galactofuranose as a sugar donor, and p-nitrophenyl-ß-d-galactofuranoside as an acceptor substrate. LC/MS, 1H-NMR and methylation analyses of the enzymatic products of AfGfsA revealed that this protein has the ability to transfer galactofuranose to the C-5 position of the ß-galactofuranose residue via a ß-linkage. AfGfsA requires a divalent cation of manganese for maximal activity and consumes UDP-α-d-galactofuranose as a sugar donor. Its optimal pH range is 6.5-7.5 and its optimal temperature range is 20-30°C. 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR and methylation analyses of fungal-type galactomannan extracted from the ∆AfgfsA strain revealed that AfGfsA is responsible for the biosynthesis of ß1,5-galactofuranose in the galactofuran side chain of fungal-type galactomannan. Based on these results, we conclude that AfGfsA acts as a UDP-α-d-galactofuranose: ß-d-galactofuranoside ß1,5-galactofuranosyltransferase in the biosynthetic pathway of galactomannans.

Product Selectivity of Esterification of L-Aspartic Acid and L-Glutamic Acid Using Chlorotrimethylsilane.

TMSCI works as an acid catalyst precursor for selective esterification of L-aspartic and L-glutamic acids in the presence of primary, secondary and tertiary alcohols. Although excess TMSCI was required for the completion of esterification, the resulting alkyl TMS ether could be azeotropically removed by simple evaporation with alcohol.

Identification and Characterization of a Novel Galactofuranose-Specific ß-D-Galactofuranosidase from Streptomyces Species.

ß-D-galactofuranose (Galf) is a component of polysaccharides and glycoconjugates and its transferase has been well analyzed. However, no ß-D-galactofuranosidase (Galf-ase) gene has been identified in any organism. To search for a Galf-ase gene we screened soil samples and discovered a strain, identified as a Streptomyces species by the 16S ribosomal RNA gene analysis, that exhibits Galf-ase activity for 4-nitrophenyl ß-D-galactofuranoside (pNP-ß-D-Galf) in culture supernatants. By draft genome sequencing of the strain, named JHA19, we found four candidate genes encoding Galf-ases. Using recombinant proteins expressed in Escherichia coli, we found that three out of four candidates displayed the activity of not only Galf-ase but also α-L-arabinofuranosidase (Araf-ase), whereas the other one showed only the Galf-ase activity. This novel Galf-specific hydrolase is encoded by ORF1110 and has an optimum pH of 5.5 and a Km of 4.4 mM for the substrate pNP-ß-D-Galf. In addition, this enzyme was able to release galactose residue from galactomannan prepared from the filamentous fungus Aspergillus fumigatus, suggesting that natural polysaccharides could be also substrates. By the BLAST search using the amino acid sequence of ORF1110 Galf-ase, we found that there are homolog genes in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes, indicating that Galf-specific Galf-ases widely exist in microorganisms.

Pictet-spengler reaction using ion-exchange resin as a catalyst and support for 'catch and release' purification.

The Pictet-Spengler reaction between tryptamine and aldehydes was catalyzed by Dowex 50W-X4 acidic ion-exchange resin. The products were obtained from the resin in high purity by 'catch and release' without the need for separate chromatographic purification.

Analogues of the nicotinic acid adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NAADP) antagonist Ned-19 indicate two binding sites on the NAADP receptor.

Nicotinic acid adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NAADP) is a Ca(2+)-releasing messenger. Biological data suggest that its receptor has two binding sites: one high-affinity locking site and one low-affinity opening site. To directly address the presence and function of these putative binding sites, we synthesized and tested analogues of the NAADP antagonist Ned-19. Ned-19 itself inhibits both NAADP-mediated Ca(2+) release and NAADP binding. A fluorometry bioassay was used to assess NAADP-mediated Ca(2+) release, whereas a radioreceptor assay was used to assess binding to the NAADP receptor (only at the high-affinity site). In Ned-20, the fluorine is para rather than ortho as in Ned-19. Ned-20 does not inhibit NAADP-mediated Ca(2+) release but inhibits NAADP binding. Conversely, Ned-19.4 (a methyl ester of Ned-19) inhibits NAADP-mediated Ca(2+) release but cannot inhibit NAADP binding. Furthermore, Ned-20 prevents the self-desensitization response characteristic of NAADP in sea urchin eggs, confirming that this response is mediated by a high-affinity allosteric site to which NAADP binds in the radioreceptor assay. Collectively, these data provide the first direct evidence for two binding sites (one high- and one low-affinity) on the NAADP receptor.

Different behavior of artemisinin and tetraoxane in the oxidative degradation of phospholipid.

The reaction of trioxane and tetraoxane endoperoxides with unsaturated phospholipid 1 in the presence of Fe(II) was investigated in the absence of oxygen by means of tandem ESI-MS analysis. The spectral analyses for the reaction mixtures showed that artemisinin 2 with a trioxane structure gave no peak except that for the remaining intact phospholipid 1 (m/z 758.9), indicating that there was no structural change to 1. On other hand, the reaction mixture of 1 with tetraoxanes 3 and 4 afforded a number of new peaks (m/z 620-850) that were presumably assigned to oxidative degradation products originating from phospholipid 1. Since this reaction was completely inhibited by the addition of a phenolic antioxidant, the process was considered to involve some free radical species. The newly discovered marked differences in reactivity between the trioxane and the tetraoxanes possibly reflects their different anti-malarial mechanisms, and this reactivity may contribute to the classification of a number of anti-malarial endoperoxides whose mode of action is based on phospholipid oxidation.

A combination of unnatural phosphatidyl acceptor and tandem electrospray ionization mass spectrometry for tracing phospholipase D activity.

Phospholipase D (PLD) is a biocatalyst in the synthesis of bioactive compounds and a key enzyme in a variety of biological signal transductions. A combination of unnatural phosphatidyl acceptor, N,N,N-triethyl-N-2-hydroxyethylammonium bromide 6, as a substrate for PLD, and tandem electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI MS) was found to provide information as to whether a given phospholipid serves as a substrate for the PLD-catalyzed reaction. Thus 2-(13'-hydroperoxy-octadecadienoyl)-1-palmitoylglycerophosphocholine 1, and its degradation products 2-(13'-oxo-octadecadienoyl)-1-palmitoylglycerophosphocholine 9 and 2-(13'-hydroxy-octadecadienoyl)-1-palmitoylglycerophosphocholine 11, in a mixture were found to be a substrate of the PLD-catalyzed transphosphatidylation. The sensitivity of this method was exemplified by the observation that PLD activity in cabbage leaves was detected using a small amount of crude crushed leaves with little pretreatment. This simple method can be used in screening for PLD activity and searching for inhibitors of the enzyme from various natural sources.

A combination of molecular probe-tandem electrospray ionization mass spectrometry: a technique for tracing structural changes in phospholipid hydroperoxides.

An ethyl-labeled phosphatidylcholine hydroperoxide (PC-OOH/Et 2) was synthesized as a molecular probe for naturally occurring PC-OOH 1. Applying the precursor ion scan mode in tandem ESI mass spectrometry at m/z 198, a signal of the PC-OOH/Et 2 alone could be selectively detected even in the presence of a large excess of a complex mixture of phospholipids in the blood. Furthermore, molecular species that formed from PC-OOH/Et 2 by its degradation in the blood were also observed in the same spectrum. Since the molecular probe-and-mass spectrometry-assisted analytical method presented herein requires no separation process by HPLC or TLC and is speedy, requiring less than 1 h, it may be useful in lipid analysis.

Identification of a chemical probe for NAADP by virtual screening.

Research into the biological role of the Ca(2+)-releasing second messenger NAADP (nicotinic acid adenine dinucleotide phosphate) has been hampered by a lack of chemical probes. To find new chemical probes for exploring NAADP signaling, we turned to virtual screening, which can evaluate millions of molecules rapidly and inexpensively. We used NAADP as the query ligand to screen the chemical library ZINC for compounds with similar three-dimensional shape and electrostatic properties. We tested the top-ranking hits in a sea urchin egg bioassay and found that one hit, Ned-19, blocks NAADP signaling at nanomolar concentrations. In intact cells, Ned-19 blocked NAADP signaling and fluorescently labeled NAADP receptors. Moreover, we show the utility of Ned-19 as a chemical probe by using it to demonstrate that NAADP is a key causal link between glucose sensing and Ca(2+) increases in mouse pancreatic beta cells.

Synthesis of novel conjugates of tetraoxane endoperoxide with bis(quaternary ammonium salts).

Novel water-soluble conjugates of 1,2,4,5-tetraoxane bis(quaternary ammonium salts) were synthesized in a relatively stable crystalline form via four steps starting from methyltrioxorhenium-catalyzed endo-peroxidation of ethyl 4-oxocyclohexanecarboxylate with hydrogen peroxide in hexafluoro-2-propanol. The assay for the in vitro toxicity of water-soluble tetraoxanes 5a-5d to malaria parasites indicate that they were inactive against the Plasmodium falciparum FCR-3 strain.

Cyclomaltodextrin glucanotransferase-catalyzed transglycosylation from dextrin to alkanol maltosides.

Maltosides of butanol, octanol, and lauryl alcohol were found for the first time to serve as substrates for cyclomaltodextrin glucanotransferase (CGTase), and glycosyl residue was transfered from dextrin to the substrate affording novel maltosides with 3-4 glucose units.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of alkoxycoumarins as novel nematicidal constituents.

We synthesized all of the monomethoxycoumarins, 5-alkoxycoumarins and their derivatives, and investigated their nematicidal activity against the phytopathogenic nematode, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus. Among the compounds, 5-ethoxycoumarin showed the highest nematicidal activity. Furthermore, 5-ethoxycoumarin was comparatively harmless against both the brine shrimps, Artemia salina, and the Japanese killifish, Oryzias latipes.

Termiticidal activity of diterpenes from the roots of Euphorbia kansui.

Five ingenane compounds, 1-5, kansuinins A and B, isolated from Euphorbia kansui, and their derivatives 7 and 9 were tested for termiticidal activity against the Japanese termite, Reticulitermes speratus. At 72 hours after treatment, the ingenane compounds 1 to 5 caused 100% mortality in R. speratus at 50, 25 and 12.5 microg/disk, respectively, except for compound 1, which gave a mortality rate of (93.06 +/- 5.56)% at 12.5 microg/disk. At 36, 48 and 60 hours after treatment, compounds 1 to 5 showed more termiticidal activity than kansuinins A and B and their derivatives. The kansuinins showed no or only slight activity against termites in the filter paper bioassay under the conditions tested compared with a solvent control.