Multicomponent Cascade Reactions of Unprotected Ketoses and Amino Acids--Access to a Defined Configured Quaternary Stereogenic Center.

A highly stereoselective multicomponent cascade reaction of ketones with unprotected amino acids was developed. This operationally simple methodology was expanded to reactions of unprotected ketohexoses and unprotected amino acids. By the careful choice of amino acid and isonitrile, an optional access to all possible enantiomers is given.

Ibrutinib-associated cutaneous mucormycosis due to an Apophysomyces species: report of a case and review of the literature.

The use of ibrutinib, a Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitor, has been associated with invasive fungal infections (IFIs). We describe a case of Apophysomyces infection associated with long-term use of ibrutinib for the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia as well as perform a literature review of Mucormycosis infections in patients on ibrutinib. Our review found that the onset of IFI can occur within months to years of starting tyrosine kinase inhibitors. These reports provide a more complete picture of the risk of IFI while patients are on ibrutinib. Our case also demonstrates the utility of molecular techniques in the diagnosis of IFI, as the diagnosis was made using 28S rDNA/internal transcribed spacer PCR.

Phytate metabolism is mediated by microbial cross-feeding in the gut microbiota.

Dietary intake of phytate has various reported health benefits. Previous work showed that the gut microbiota can convert phytate to short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), but the microbial species and metabolic pathway are unclear. Here we identified Mitsuokella jalaludinii as an efficient phytate degrader, which works synergistically with Anaerostipes rhamnosivorans to produce the SCFA propionate. Analysis of published human gut taxonomic profiles revealed that Mitsuokella spp., in particular M. jalaludinii, are prevalent in human gut microbiomes. NMR spectroscopy using 13C-isotope labelling, metabolomic and transcriptomic analyses identified a complete phytate degradation pathway in M. jalaludinii, including production of the intermediate Ins(2)P/myo-inositol. The major end product, 3-hydroxypropionate, was converted into propionate via a synergistic interaction with Anaerostipes rhamnosivorans both in vitro and in mice. Upon [13C6]phytate administration, various 13C-labelled components were detected in mouse caecum in contrast with the absence of [13C6] InsPs or [13C6]myo-inositol in plasma. Caco-2 cells incubated with co-culture supernatants exhibited improved intestinal barrier integrity. These results suggest that the microbiome plays a major role in the metabolism of this phytochemical and that its fermentation to propionate by M. jalaludinii and A. rhamnosivorans may contribute to phytate-driven health benefits.

Versatile signaling mechanisms of inositol pyrophosphates.

Inositol pyrophosphates (PP-InsPs) constitute a group of highly charged messengers, which regulate central biological processes in health and disease, such as cellular phosphate and general energy homeostasis. Deciphering the molecular mechanisms underlying PP-InsP-mediated signaling remains a challenge due to the unique properties of these molecules, the different modes of action they can access, and a somewhat limited chemical and analytical toolset. Herein, we summarize the most recent mechanistic insights into PP-InsP signaling, which illustrate our progress in connecting mechanism and function of PP-InsPs.

Stable Isotopomers of myo-Inositol Uncover a Complex MINPP1-Dependent Inositol Phosphate Network.

The water-soluble inositol phosphates (InsPs) represent a functionally diverse group of small-molecule messengers involved in a myriad of cellular processes. Despite their centrality, our understanding of human InsP metabolism is incomplete because the available analytical toolset to characterize and quantify InsPs in complex samples is limited. Here, we have synthesized and applied symmetrically and unsymmetrically 13C-labeled myo-inositol and inositol phosphates. These probes were utilized in combination with nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) and capillary electrophoresis mass spectrometry (CE-MS) to investigate InsP metabolism in human cells. The labeling strategy provided detailed structural information via NMR-down to individual enantiomers-which overcomes a crucial blind spot in the analysis of InsPs. We uncovered a novel branch of InsP dephosphorylation in human cells which is dependent on MINPP1, a phytase-like enzyme contributing to cellular homeostasis. Detailed characterization of MINPP1 activity in vitro and in cells showcased the unique reactivity of this phosphatase. Our results demonstrate that metabolic labeling with stable isotopomers in conjunction with NMR spectroscopy and CE-MS constitutes a powerful tool to annotate InsP networks in a variety of biological contexts.

Harnessing 13C-labeled myo-inositol to interrogate inositol phosphate messengers by NMR.

Inositol poly- and pyrophosphates (InsPs and PP-InsPs) are an important group of metabolites and mediate a wide range of processes in eukaryotic cells. To elucidate the functions of these molecules, robust techniques for the characterization of inositol phosphate metabolism are required, both at the biochemical and the cellular level. Here, a new tool-set is reported, which employs uniformly 13C-labeled compounds ([13C6]myo-inositol, [13C6]InsP5, [13C6]InsP6, and [13C6]5PP-InsP5), in combination with commonly accessible NMR technology. This approach permitted the detection and quantification of InsPs and PP-InsPs within complex mixtures and at physiological concentrations. Specifically, the enzymatic activity of IP6K1 could be monitored in vitro in real time. Metabolic labeling of mammalian cells with [13C6]myo-inositol enabled the analysis of cellular pools of InsPs and PP-InsPs, and uncovered high concentrations of 5PP-InsP5 in HCT116 cells, especially in response to genetic and pharmacological perturbation. The reported method greatly facilitates the analysis of this otherwise spectroscopically silent group of molecules, and holds great promise to comprehensively analyze inositol-based signaling molecules under normal and pathological conditions.