Removing 4E-BP Enables Synapses to Refine without Postsynaptic Activity.

Throughout the developing nervous system, considerable synaptic re-organization takes place as postsynaptic neurons extend dendrites and incoming axons refine their synapses, strengthening some and eliminating others. It is well accepted that these processes rely on synaptic activity; however, the mechanisms that lead to this developmental reorganization are not fully understood. Here, we explore the regulation of cap-dependent translation, a mechanism known to play a role in synaptic growth and plasticity. Using sympathetic ganglia in α3 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR)-knockout (KO) mice, we establish that electrophysiologically silent synapses between preganglionic axons and postsynaptic sympathetic neurons do not refine, and the growth of dendrites and the targeting of synapses on postsynaptic neurons are impaired. Remarkably, genetically removing 4E-BP, a suppressor of cap-dependent translation, from these α3 nAChR-KO mice largely restores these features. We conclude that synaptic connections can re-organize and refine without postsynaptic activity during post-natal development when 4E-BP-regulated cap-dependent translation is enhanced.

Site-Selective Aliphatic C-H Chlorination Using N-Chloroamides Enables a Synthesis of Chlorolissoclimide.

Methods for the practical, intermolecular functionalization of aliphatic C-H bonds remain a paramount goal of organic synthesis. Free radical alkane chlorination is an important industrial process for the production of small molecule chloroalkanes from simple hydrocarbons, yet applications to fine chemical synthesis are rare. Herein, we report a site-selective chlorination of aliphatic C-H bonds using readily available N-chloroamides and apply this transformation to a synthesis of chlorolissoclimide, a potently cytotoxic labdane diterpenoid. These reactions deliver alkyl chlorides in useful chemical yields with substrate as the limiting reagent. Notably, this approach tolerates substrate unsaturation that normally poses major challenges in chemoselective, aliphatic C-H functionalization. The sterically and electronically dictated site selectivities of the C-H chlorination are among the most selective alkane functionalizations known, providing a unique tool for chemical synthesis. The short synthesis of chlorolissoclimide features a high yielding, gram-scale radical C-H chlorination of sclareolide and a three-step/two-pot process for the introduction of the ß-hydroxysuccinimide that is salient to all the lissoclimides and haterumaimides. Preliminary assays indicate that chlorolissoclimide and analogues are moderately active against aggressive melanoma and prostate cancer cell lines.

Site-selective aliphatic C-H bromination using N-bromoamides and visible light.

Transformations that selectively functionalize aliphatic C-H bonds hold significant promise to streamline complex molecule synthesis. Despite the potential for site-selective C-H functionalization, few intermolecular processes of preparative value exist. Herein, we report an approach to unactivated, aliphatic C-H bromination using readily available N-bromoamide reagents and visible light. These halogenations proceed in useful chemical yields, with substrate as the limiting reagent. The site selectivities of these radical-mediated C-H functionalizations are comparable (or superior) to the most selective intermolecular C-H functionalizations known. With the broad utility of alkyl bromides as synthetic intermediates, this convenient approach will find general use in chemical synthesis.

Synthesis of a D-Ala-D-Ala peptide isostere via olefin cross-metathesis and evaluation of vancomycin binding.

The alkene peptide isostere for the d-Ala-d-Ala dipeptide was synthesized via a convergent approach utilizing olefin cross-metathesis. The new isostere was then evaluated for binding to the last resort antibiotic, vancomycin. The alkene isostere exhibited a K(D)=90 microM in comparison to the native peptide (K(D)=2.3 microM) and Lac mutant (K(D)=2300 microM). This study demonstrates that loss of binding in vancomycin resistant strains as a result of a d-Ala to d-Lac mutation is from both the loss of a crucial hydrogen bond and introduction of a repulsive lone pair interaction.