Applying surface-based hippocampal morphometry to study APOE-E4 allele dose effects in cognitively unimpaired subjects.

Apolipoprotein E (APOE) e4 is the major genetic risk factor for late-onset Alzheimer's disease (AD). The dose-dependent impact of this allele on hippocampal volumes has been documented, but its influence on general hippocampal morphology in cognitively unimpaired individuals is still elusive. Capitalizing on the study of a large number of cognitively unimpaired late middle aged and older adults with two, one and no APOE-e4 alleles, the current study aims to characterize the ability of our automated surface-based hippocampal morphometry algorithm to distinguish between these three levels of genetic risk for AD and demonstrate its superiority to a commonly used hippocampal volume measurement. We examined the APOE-e4 dose effect on cross-sectional hippocampal morphology analysis in a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) database of 117 cognitively unimpaired subjects aged between 50 and 85 years (mean = 57.4, SD = 6.3), including 36 heterozygotes (e3/e4), 37 homozygotes (e4/e4) and 44 non-carriers (e3/e3). The proposed automated framework includes hippocampal surface segmentation and reconstruction, higher-order hippocampal surface correspondence computation, and hippocampal surface deformation analysis with multivariate statistics. In our experiments, the surface-based method identified APOE-e4 dose effects on the left hippocampal morphology. Compared to the widely-used hippocampal volume measure, our hippocampal morphometry statistics showed greater statistical power by distinguishing cognitively unimpaired subjects with two, one, and no APOE-e4 alleles. Our findings mirrored previous studies showing that APOE-e4 has a dose effect on the acceleration of brain structure deformities. The results indicated that the proposed surface-based hippocampal morphometry measure is a potential preclinical AD imaging biomarker for cognitively unimpaired individuals.

Total Synthesis of (±)-Phomoidride†D.

Described herein is a synthetic strategy for the total synthesis of (±)-phomoidride D. This highly efficient and stereoselective approach provides rapid assembly of the carbocyclic core by way of a tandem phenolic oxidation/intramolecular Diels-Alder cycloaddition. A subsequent SmI2 -mediated cyclization cascade delivers an isotwistane intermediate poised for a Wharton fragmentation that unveils the requisite bicyclo[4.3.1]decene skeleton and sets the stage for synthesis completion.

Total Syntheses of (+)- and (-)-Tetrapetalones A and C.

Described herein are syntheses of the naturally occurring polyketides (-)-tetrapetalones A and C and their respective enantiomers. The employed strategy involves initial assembly of a masked N-aryl tetramic acid which is advanced via a highly selective conjugate addition/intramolecular Friedel-Crafts acylation sequence to deliver a key azepine intermediate. Application of recently developed C-H activation chemistry and subsequent Heck cyclization delivers the aglycone framework in an overall 12 steps. Resolution of the aglycone via stereospecific glycosylation with an enantiopure glycosyl donor followed by separation of the derived diastereomers enables further advancement to either (+)- or (-)-tetrapetalones A and C.

P450-Mediated Coupling of Indole Fragments To Forge Communesin and Unnatural Isomers.

Dimeric indole alkaloids are structurally diverse natural products that have attracted significant attention from the synthetic and biosynthetic communities. Here, we describe the characterization of a P450 monooxygenase CnsC from Penicillium that catalyzes the heterodimeric coupling between two different indole moieties, tryptamine and aurantioclavine, to construct vicinal quaternary stereocenters and yield the heptacyclic communesin scaffold. We show, via biochemical characterization, substrate analogues, and computational methods that CnsC catalyzes the C3-C3' carbon-carbon bond formation and controls the regioselectivities of the pair of subsequent aminal bond formations to yield the communesin core. Use of ω-N-methyltryptamine and tryptophol in place of tryptamine led to the enzymatic synthesis of isocommunesin compounds, which have not been isolated to date.

Nitrone Cycloadditions of 1,2-Cyclohexadiene.

We report the first 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions of 1,2-cyclohexadiene, a rarely exploited strained allene. 1,2-Cyclohexadiene is generated in situ under mild conditions and trapped with nitrones to give isoxazolidine products in synthetically useful yields. The reactions occur regioselectively and exhibit a notable endo preference, thus resulting in the controlled formation of two new bonds and two stereogenic centers. DFT calculations of stepwise and concerted reaction pathways are used to rationalize the observed selectivities. Moreover, the strategic manipulation of nitrone cycloadducts demonstrates the utility of this methodology for the assembly of compounds bearing multiple heterocyclic units. These studies showcase the exploitation of a traditionally avoided reactive intermediate in chemical synthesis.

Generation and regioselective trapping of a 3,4-piperidyne for the synthesis of functionalized heterocycles.

We report the generation of the first 3,4-piperidyne and its use as a building block for the synthesis of annulated piperidines. Experimental and computational studies of this intermediate are disclosed, along with comparisons to the well-known 3,4-pyridyne. The distortion/interaction model is used to explain the observed regioselectivities.

Elucidation of the concise biosynthetic pathway of the communesin indole alkaloids.

The communesins are a prominent class of indole alkaloids isolated from Penicillium species. Owing to their daunting structural framework and potential as pharmaceuticals, communesins have inspired numerous synthetic studies. However, the genetic and biochemical basis of communesin biosynthesis has remained unexplored. Herein, we report the identification and characterization of the communesin (cns) biosynthetic gene cluster from Penicillium expansum. We confirmed that communesin is biosynthesized by the coupling of tryptamine and aurantioclavine, two building blocks derived from L-tryptophan. The postmodification steps were mapped by targeted-gene-deletion experiments and the structural elucidation of intermediates and new analogues. Our studies set the stage for the biochemical characterization of communesin biosynthesis. This knowledge will aid our understanding of how nature generates remarkable structural complexity from simple precursors.

Cycloadditions of cyclohexynes and cyclopentyne.

We report the strategic use of cyclohexyne and the more elusive intermediate, cyclopentyne, as a tool for the synthesis of new heterocyclic compounds. Experimental and computational studies of a 3-substituted cyclohexyne are also described. The observed regioselectivities are explained by the distortion/interaction model.

Toward the synthesis of phomoidride D.

An efficient and highly stereoselective approach toward the phomoidride family of natural products is described. The carbocyclic core structure was assembled using a tandem phenolic oxidation/Diels-Alder cycloaddition and a tandem 5-exo-trig/5-exo-trig radical cyclization to deliver an isotwistane intermediate that, upon a late-stage xanthate-initiated Grob fragmentation, furnishes the requisite bicyclo[4.3.1]decene.

The first synthesis of an epidiselenodiketopiperazine.

Epidithiodiketopiperazines (ETPs) are natural products (e.g., gliotoxin) with varied and important biological activity, which often is attributed to the redox properties of the disulfide moiety. As such, analogs with altered redox properties and similar structural characteristics would be of value to biological investigations. The use of an ETP as the point of departure in the first synthesis of an epidiselenodiketopiperazine (ESeP) and its activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) is reported.

Wharton-fragmentation-based approach to the carbocyclic core of the phomoidrides.

The carbocyclic core of the phomoidrides has been synthesized efficiently and in high yield. Key steps include a phenolic oxidation/intramolecular Diels-Alder sequence, tandem radical cyclization, and a late-stage Wharton fragmentation of a densely functionalized isotwistane skeleton.

Total syntheses of (±)-securinine and (±)- allosecurinine.

Total syntheses of (±)-securinine and (±)-allosecurinine that employ a tandem rhodium carbenoid-initiated Claisen/α-ketol rearrangement sequence as a key step are described.