Synthesis and structure-activity relationships of cerebroside analogues as substrates of cerebroside sulphotransferase and discovery of a competitive inhibitor.

Metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD) is a rare genetic disease characterised by a dysfunction of the enzyme arylsulphatase A leading to the lysosomal accumulation of cerebroside sulphate (sulphatide) causing subsequent demyelination in patients. The enzyme galactosylceramide (cerebroside) sulphotransferase (CST) catalyses the transfer of a sulphate group from 3'-phosphoadenosine-5'-phosphosulphate (PAPS) to cerebrosides producing sulphatides. Substrate reduction therapy for arylsulphatase A by inhibition of CST was proposed as a promising therapeutic approach. To identify competitive CST inhibitors, we synthesised and investigated analogues of the substrate galactosylceramide with variations at the anomeric position, the acyl substituent and the carbohydrate moiety, and investigated their structure-activity relationships. While most of the compounds behaved as substrates, α-galactosylceramide 16 was identified as the first competitive CST inhibitor. Compound 16 can serve as a new lead structure for the development of drugs for the treatment of this devastating disease, MLD, for which small molecule therapeutics are currently not available.

Synthesis of Chrysogeside B from Halotolerant Fungus Penicillium and Its Antimicrobial Activities Evaluation.

Chrysogeside B, a natural cerebroside, was efficiently synthesized from commercial feedstocks. The bioassays showed that compounds 4, 5 and 6 exhibited enhanced biological activities compared Chrysogeside B. Further studies revealed that free hydroxyl groups and glycosidic bond have significant impact on the antimicrobial activities. The synthesis of Chrysogeside B and analogues designed to allow identification of the features of this glycolipid required for recognition by tested bacteria and Hela cells is described.

Synthesis of phalluside-1 and Sch II using 1,2-metallate rearrangements.

(4E,8E,10E)-9-Methyl-4,8,10-sphingatrienine, a core component of marine sphingolipids, was synthesised for the first time using a copper(I)-mediated 1,2-metallate rearrangement of a lithiated glycal as a key step. It was converted to phalluside-1, a cerebroside isolated from the ascidian Phallusia fumigate. By an analogous route, (4E,8E)-9-methyl-4,8-sphingadiene was synthesised and converted to Sch II, a cerebroside that induces fruiting body formation in the basidiomycete Schizophyllum commune.

New cerebrosides from Euphorbia peplis L.: antimicrobial activity evaluation.

The less polar fraction of the methanolic extract from the plant Euphorbia peplis L. exhibited interesting antifungal and antitubercular activity. A complex mixture of four glucocerebrosides was responsible for this activity. Two new cerebrosides were isolated for the first time from Euphorbiaceae, 4 was assigned as 1-O-(beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-(2S,3S,4E,8E)-2N-[(2'R)-2'-hydroxy-hexadecanoyl]-4 (E), 8 (E)-octadecadiene-1,3-diol and 3 as the 1-O-(beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-(2S,3S,4R,8Z)-2N-[(2'R)-2'-hydroxytetracosanoyl]-8 (Z)-octadecene-1,3,4-triol. The structures were determined on the basis of chemical and spectroscopic evidences. Mass spectrometry of dimethyl disulfide derivatives was useful for the determination of the double-bond positions in the long-chain bases.

The cerebrosides.

This review covers distribution, structural determination, syntheses and biological activities of the cerebrosides reported so far. Those with absolute stereochemistry assigned are marked herein with '*'. The literature from 1969 to mid-2003 is reviewed and 189 references cited.

Self-organizing properties of natural and related synthetic glycolipids.

In this article we report on the syntheses, self-organizing properties, and structures of a variety of cerebrosides and related synthetic glycolipids. The thermotropic and lyotropic liquid crystalline properties of the materials were evaluated in detail. All of the families of materials studied exhibited columnar mesophases. In the dry state the aliphatic chains were found to be located on the exterior of the columns, whereas in the wet state the reverse was the case with the polar headgroups on the exterior. Thus, the aliphatic chains act almost like hydrocarbon solvents in the dry state.

Syntheses and interfacial behaviour of neoglycolipid analogues of glycosyl ceramides.

Four glycosyl ceramides analogues having D-galactose or 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-glucose moieties linked to enantiomeric lipids have been synthesised to study their interfacial behaviour at the air/water interface. The lipid chains were prepared in two steps by opening 1,2-epoxyhexadecane using Jacobsen kinetic hydrolytic resolution (KHR) followed by an azidosilylation reaction of the diol so obtained. Glycosylation reactions were realised either with 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-benzoyl-alpha-D-galactopyranosyl trichloroacetimidate or 1,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-2-allyloxycarbonylamino-2-deoxy-beta-D-glucopyranose as donors and (2R)- or (2S)-2-azidohexadecanol derivatives as acceptors. Transformation of the azido glycosides into N-acylated products was done by a modified Staudinger reaction in the presence of fatty acyl chlorides. The four neoglycolipids are able to form a condensed monolayer at the air/water interface; their pi-A isotherm diagrams are similar to that described for the natural glycosyl ceramides. The detailed analysis of the isotherms, taking into account the chirality of the lipid chains, allowed to determine the contribution of the different parts of the molecule under the monolayer packing.

Investigation of the calcium-mediated association between the carbohydrate head groups of galactosylceramide and galactosylceramide I3 sulfate by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry.

Calcium has been shown previously to cause aggregation of phosphatidylcholine/cholesterol liposomes containing galactosylceramide (GalCer) with similar liposomes containing cerebroside sulfate (galactosylceramide I3 sulfate) (CBS), suggesting that it mediates a carbohydrate-carbohydrate association between these two glycolipids. In order to determine if such an association occurs, the noncovalent complexes formed on addition of calcium chloride to GalCer and CBS in methanol were examined by positive and negative ion spray mass spectrometry. Monomeric Ca2+ complexes of both lipids were observed. In addition, Ca2+ also caused oligomerization of GalCer. Oligomerization of CBS anion was not seen, but dimers would not have been observed, as they would be neutral. However, Ca2+ caused heterotypic complexation of GalCer and CBS. Although these heterotypic complexes were of low abundance in methanol compared with the other monomeric and homotypic oligomeric positive ions formed at low declustering potentials, the heterotypic dimer [GalCer.CBS.Ca2+-H]+ had the greatest stability of all oligomers formed and was the only one to survive at high declustering potentials. Na+ did not cause oligomerization of GalCer in methanol indicating that the complexes of GalCer with Ca2+ are not caused by van der Waals interactions between the lipid moieties. GalCer and CBS are present in high concentrations in myelin. This Ca2+-mediated carbohydrate-carbohydrate interaction, which can bridge apposing bilayers, may be involved in adhesion of the extracellular surfaces of the myelin sheath.

Reinvestigation of the structure of the esterified cerebroside in the epidermis of guinea pigs.

One of the esterified cerebroside in the epidermis of guinea pigs is shown to be (2S,3R,4E,23'Z)-1-O-(beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-N-(32'-linoleoyloxy -23'-dotriacontenoyl)-4-sphingenine by chemical and spectroscopic studies.

Synthesis of the esterified cerebroside in the epidermis of guinea pigs.

(2S,3R,4E,23'Z)-1-O-(beta-D-Glucopyranosyl)-N-(32'-linoleoyloxy -23'-dotriacontenoyl)-4-sphingenine (1), a component of the esterified cerebrosides in the epidermis of guinea pigs, was synthesized by selective N-acylation of (2S,3R,4E)-1-O-(beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-4-sphingenine (18) with activated omega-linoleoyloxy fatty acid ester 17.

Synthesis of sulfated cerebroside analogs having mimicks of ceramide and their anti-human immunodeficiency virus type 1 activities.

Various sulfated cerebroside analogs, which are mimicks of cerebroside, have been prepared from per-O-acetylated D-glucose, per-O-acetylated D-galactose, and per-O-acetylated D-lactose with ethyleneglycol dodecyl ether, 3-docosyloxy-1-propanol, 2-hydroxymethyl-1,3-O-dimyristyl-1,3-propanediol, and L-serine diamide derivatives as ceramide moieties. The synthesized sulfated glycolipids showed anti-HIV-1 activities.

Cholesterol interacts with lactosyl and maltosyl cerebrosides but not with glucosyl or galactosyl cerebrosides in mixed monolayers.

Pure and mixed monolayers of mono- and dihexoside cerebrosides with cholesterol have been characterized at the air/water interface. Cholesterol oxidase was used as a reporter enzyme for the cholesterol-cerebroside interaction in the mixed monolayers. The cerebrosides either were derived from bovine brain extracts or were synthetic. The dihexoside cerebrosides were synthesized by coupling of the hepta-O-acetyl-alpha-lactosyl- or maltosylphosphoramidates with D-erythro-N-acylceramides in dichloromethane, in the presence of trimethylsilyl triflate and molecular sieves, followed by hydrolysis of the acetate-protecting groups. All of the bovine-brain-derived cerebrosides [galactosyl cerebroside (GalCer, types I and II), glucosyl cerebroside (GlcCer), and lactosyl cerebroside (LacCer)] had very condensed force-area isotherms (compressibility values of 3-5 x 10(-3) m/mN at 20 mN/m), as did the synthetic N-stearoylmaltosylceramide (N-18:0 MaltCer). Shorter-chain synthetic cerebrosides (N-8:0 LacCer and N-8:0 MaltCer) had more expanded isotherms, with compressibility values of 15-17 x 10(-3) m/mN. When cholesterol was included in mixed monolayers of monohexoside cerebroside, it did not induce significant condensation of packing (indicating that cholesterol did not increase the order of the acyl chains). However, with dihexoside cerebrosides, a cholesterol-induced condensing effect was observed, which amounted to a 11-19% reduction in the observed mean molecular area. When cholesterol oxidase was used to titrate the stoichiometry of cholesterol/cerebroside in mixed monolayers, at which pure cholesterol clusters appeared, it was observed that in monohexoside cerebroside monolayers cholesterol clusters were present even below a 1:1 molar stoichiometry.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Synthesis of cerebroside, lactosyl ceramide, and ganglioside GM3 analogs containing beta-thioglycosidically linked ceramide.

Coupling of the sodium salt of 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-1-thio-beta-D-glucopyranose, -beta-D-galactopyranose, O-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-beta-D-galactopyranosyl)-(1----4)-2,3,6-tri-O- acetyl- 1-thio-beta-D-glucopyranose, or O-(methyl 5-acetamido-4,7,8,9-tetra-O-acetyl-3,5-dideoxy-D-glycero-alpha-D-galacto -2- nonulopyranosylonate)-(2----3)-O-(2,3-di-O-acetyl-6-O-bezoyl -beta-D- galactopyranosyl)-(1----4)-3-O-acetyl-2,6-di-O-benzoyl-1-thio-beta-D- glucopyranose, which were prepared from the corresponding 1-S-acetates, 1, 3, 6, and 9, with (2S,3R,4E)-2-azido-3-O-benzoyl-1-O-(p-tolylsulfonyl)-4-oc tadecene-1,3-diol (12) derived by tosylation of 11, gave the corresponding beta-thioglycosides 13, 17, 21, and 25, respectively in good yield. The beta-thioglycosides obtained were converted, via selective reduction of the azide group, condensation with octadecanoic acid, and removal of the protecting groups, into the title compounds.

Synthesis and characterization of NBD-PS: a fluorescent analog of cerebroside arylsulfatase A deficiency disorders.

N-[7-Nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazol-4-yl]psychosine sulfate (NBD-PS), a fluorescent analog of cerebroside sulfate (CS), was synthesized and tested as an alternative to the radiolabeled forms of CS used for assaying arylsulfatase A (ASA) in its physiological role as a cerebroside sulfate sulfohydrolase. NBD-PS simulates the natural substrate for ASA. Protocols have been developed for its use in differentiating low enzyme activities in diagnostic samples. Hydrolysis of NBD-PS is specific for ASA and optimal assay parameters were identical to those determined for CS. Differentiations between each of the major phenotypes for ASA activity were possible in the set of samples tested. One particular advantage was the ability to discriminate between individuals exhibiting arylsulfatase A pseudodeficiency and the truly deficient individuals with metachromatic leukodystrophy. Differential diagnosis was possible with fibroblast extracts by an assay that is more sensitive than procedures employing radioisotopes. Reaction products may be analyzed quantitatively by HPLC, or semiquantitatively with TLC. NBD-PS provides a simpler, safer, and more cost-effective means of performing natural substrate enzyme assays for ASA. Phenotyping with the fluorescence assay is an effective alternative to the laborious radioactive CS preparations and tissue culture loading studies that have previously been necessary.

Evaluation of synthetic sphingosine, lysosphingolipids and glycosphingolipids as inhibitors of functional responses of human neutrophils.

Human neutrophils, when exposed to soluble stimuli, aggregate, release oxygenated products of arachidonic acid and generate active oxygen species. Sphingolipid-derived products such as sphingosine and lysosphingolipids have been shown to exert selective actions on a variety of cell types, including neutrophils. Therefore, to determine the structural basis for selective inhibition of neutrophil responses by naturally occurring sphingolipids, seven compounds were prepared by total organic synthesis, and their impact on neutrophils in suspension has been studied. The compounds synthesized included sphingosine, psychosine, lactosyl lysosphingolipid, globotriaosyl (Gb3) lysosphingolipid, galactosyl cerebroside, lactosyl ceramide and Gb3 ceramide. The neutrophil responses studied were aggregation, leukotriene generation and superoxide anion production. When exposed to non-cytotoxic levels of the synthetic compounds, as monitored by exclusion of Trypan Blue, none of the synthetic sphingolipids inhibited A23187-induced aggregation of neutrophils. Only lactosyl lysosphingolipid, at a concentration of 1 microM, significantly inhibited aggregation induced by fMetLeuPhe; the other compounds in this series including sphingosine were without effect at equal molar concentrations (1 microM). Aggregation induced by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) (0.1 microM) was significantly blocked by only two of the synthetic sphingolipids (1 microM). At concentrations below 1 microM, these inhibitory actions were not evident, nor was it possible to assign a structure-activity relationship for this series of compounds. None of the synthetic sphingolipids effectively inhibited the generation of superoxide anions induced by PMA. In addition, neither synthetic sphingosine nor psychosine affected either the formation or metabolism of leukotriene B4. Taken together, the results provide further evidence that sphingolipids, when added to intact cells, are not potent selective inhibitors of functional responses of human neutrophils.

Synthesis of pyrene derivatives of cerebroside sulfate and their use for determining arylsulfatase A activity.

Two fluorescent derivatives of cerebroside sulfate ('sulfatide') have been synthesized and used as substrates for determining arylsulfatase A activity. These were 12-(1-pyrene)dodecanoyl cerebroside sulfate (P12-sulfatide) and 12(1-pyrenesulfonylamido)dodecanoyl cerebroside sulfate (PSA12-sulfatide). When incubated at pH 5.0 in the presence of 5 mM MnCl2 and 5.5 mM of taurodeoxycholate, either substrate was hydrolyzed by arylsulfatase A of human leukocytes. The rate of hydrolysis was proportional to the incubation time and concentration of enzyme; Michaelis-Menten type kinetics were observed with increasing concentrations of substrate. For determining the rate of hydrolysis, each of the two products (i.e., P12- and PSA12-cerebrosides) were separated from the bulk of respective unreacted sulfatide on small columns of DEAE-Sephadex A-25 and their fluorescence intensities read at 343-378 and 350-380 nm for the excitation and emission wavelengths for P12- and PSA12-cerebrosides, respectively. When extracts of skin fibroblasts derived from normal individuals and patients with Maroteaux-Lamy (lacking arylsulfatase B) or metachromatic leukodystrophy (lacking arylsulfatase A) were used as source of enzyme, P12-sulfatide was hydrolyzed by the former two but not by the latter cell extract. Several derivatives of cerebroside sulfate were also synthesized and found to inhibit the hydrolysis of pyrenesulfatide by leukocyte arylsulfatase A. The results demonstrate that these two pyrene containing sulfatides can be effectively used as specific substrates for the determination of arylsulfatase A activity in extract of cells and most probably also of tissues.

Synthesis and use of galactolipid sulfotransferase substrate-analogue affinity probes: possible localization of the testicular enzyme.

Galactosyl ceramide (GC) is a substrate in vitro for galactolipid sulfotransferase preparations from brain, kidney, and testis. Biotinylated and light-sensitive azido derivatives of lysogalactosyl ceramide have been synthesized. These derivatives remain effective substrates for the testicular enzyme. Biotinylated GC has been used to localize specific GC-binding sites in frozen sections of rat testis. The binding pattern is consistent with the expected location of the testicular galactolipid sulfotransferase.

Reverse Königs-Knorr reaction. Synthesis of beta-D-gluco-thio-cerebroside.

The synthesis of 1-thio-beta-D-glucocerebroside by reaction of 1-iodo-3-O-benzoylceramide with 1-mercapto-beta-D-glucopyranose in the presence of sterically hindered amine (DBU) is described.

Synthesis of a fluorescent derivative of glucosyl ceramide for the sensitive determination of glucocerebrosidase activity.

A fluorescent derivative of glucosyl ceramide was synthesized by covalently linking a fluorescent fatty acid, 12-[N-methyl-N-(7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazol-4-yl)] aminododecanoic acid to the amino group of sphingosyl-1-O-beta-D-glucoside, glucosyl sphingosine. For hydrolysis by glucocerebrosidase, this substrate was dispersed in mixed micelles with Triton X-100 and sodium taurocholate or in unilamellar liposomes with phosphatidylcholine and the negatively charged lipid, dicetylphosphate. In either micellar or liposomal dispersions of the fluorescent substrate, reaction rates were linear with time and protein concentration, and saturation kinetics were observed. The rate of hydrolysis of this fluorescent substrate was equal to that obtained with radiolabeled glucosyl ceramide. The fluorescent glucosyl ceramide was used to determine glucocerebrosidase activity in extracts of human leukocytes, cultured skin fibroblasts, and various tissues as well as in partially purified splenic and placental glucocerebrosidase preparations. This fluorescent derivative of the natural substrate was not hydrolyzed by aryl beta-glucosidase(s), thereby facilitating the specific and reliable diagnosis of heterozygotes and homozygotes with Gaucher disease.