Kupyaphores are zinc homeostatic metallophores required for colonization of Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) endures a combination of metal scarcity and toxicity throughout the human infection cycle, contributing to complex clinical manifestations. Pathogens counteract this paradoxical dysmetallostasis by producing specialized metal trafficking systems. Capture of extracellular metal by siderophores is a widely accepted mode of iron acquisition, and Mtb iron-chelating siderophores, mycobactin, have been known since 1965. Currently, it is not known whether Mtb produces zinc scavenging molecules. Here, we characterize low-molecular-weight zinc-binding compounds secreted and imported by Mtb for zinc acquisition. These molecules, termed kupyaphores, are produced by a 10.8 kbp biosynthetic cluster and consists of a dipeptide core of ornithine and phenylalaninol, where amino groups are acylated with isonitrile-containing fatty acyl chains. Kupyaphores are stringently regulated and support Mtb survival under both nutritional deprivation and intoxication conditions. A kupyaphore-deficient Mtb strain is unable to mobilize sufficient zinc and shows reduced fitness upon infection. We observed early induction of kupyaphores in Mtb-infected mice lungs after infection, and these metabolites disappeared after 2 wk. Furthermore, we identify an Mtb-encoded isonitrile hydratase, which can possibly mediate intracellular zinc release through covalent modification of the isonitrile group of kupyaphores. Mtb clinical strains also produce kupyaphores during early passages. Our study thus uncovers a previously unknown zinc acquisition strategy of Mtb that could modulate host-pathogen interactions and disease outcome.

Total Synthesis of the Dimeric Phytocannabinoid Cannabitwinol (CBD Dimer) and Its Analogues.

A new synthetic route to access the natural product phytocannabinoid cannabitwinol (1) starting from commercially available raw materials is disclosed. We have also demonstrated the synthesis of other related dimers, including their enantiomers, using the present sequence. This route avoids the legal constraints concerning the acquisition of cannabis plant material or CBD.

Direct Deoxygenation of α-Hydroxy and α,ß-Dihydroxy Ketones Using a Silyl Lithium Reagent.

A reliable method for the one-step direct deoxygenation of α-hydroxy ketones has been developed using a silyl lithium reagent and acetic anhydride. The method is metal-catalyst-free and does not require prefunctionalization of the hydroxy group prior to its removal. Deoxygenation of different primary, secondary, and tertiary alcohols was carried out with up to 98% isolated yield. Additionally, double deoxygenation was achieved when the present method was applied to α,ß-dihydroxy ketones to access the corresponding enones in a single step.

Amidative Cyclization of Alkynyl Esters to Access Pyrazin-1(2H)-ones: Application to the Synthesis of Peramine and Dibromophakellin.

Herein, we report an efficient 1,5,7-Triazabicyclo[4.4.0]dec-5-ene (TBD)-catalyzed tandem intermolecular amidation and regioselective intramolecular 6-exo-dig cyclization of alkynyl esters to efficiently access pyrazine-1(2H)-one scaffolds. This organo-catalyzed [5 + 1] annulation features a broad substrate scope concerning both annulating partners. Total syntheses of peramine and formal syntheses of dibromophakellin natural products were achieved to show the application potential of the method.

Comprehensive Study on Solomonamides: Total Synthesis, Stereochemical Revision, and SAR Studies toward Identification of Simplified Lead.

Solomonamides, a pair of macrocyclic peptide natural products originating from marine sources, have garnered significant attention within the synthetic community owing to their marked anti-inflammatory efficacy and intricate molecular architectures. In this paper, we present a very detailed investigation into solomonamides, including the challenges associated with the total synthesis, the evolution of our synthetic strategies, structural reassignment, synthesis of all possible stereoisomeric macrocycles, biological assessment, structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies, etc. Within the ambit of this total synthesis, diverse strategies for macrocyclization were rigorously explored, encompassing the Friedel-Crafts acylation, cyclization involving the aniline NH2 moiety, macrolactamization utilizing Gly-NH2, and Heck macrocyclization methodologies. In addition, an array of intriguing chemical transformations were devised, including but not limited to photo-Fries rearrangement, Wacker oxidation, ligand-free Heck macrocyclization, oxidative cleavage of indole, synthesis of contiguous stereocenters via substrate/reagent-controlled protocols, and simultaneous making and breaking of olefinic moieties. The findings of this investigation revealed a structurally simplified lead compound. Remarkably, the lead compound, while possessing structural simplification in comparison to the intricate solomonamide counterparts, demonstrates equipotent in vivo anti-inflammatory efficacy.

Total Synthesis and Absolute Configuration Determination of the α-Glycosidase Inhibitor (3S,4R)-6-Acetyl-3-hydroxy-2,2-dimethylchroman-4-yl (Z)-2-Methylbut-2-enoate from Ageratina grandifolia.

Herein, we report the first total synthesis of α-glycosidase inhibitor (3R, 4S)-6-acetyl-3-hydroxy-2,2-dimethylchroman-4-yl (Z)-2-methylbut-2-enoate as well as its enantiomer. Our synthesis confirms the chromane structure separately proposed by Navarro-Vazquez and Mata, on the basis of DFT computations. Furthermore, our synthesis allowed us to determine the absolute configuration of the natural compound as (3S, 4R) and not (3R, 4S).

Ready Access to Densely Substituted Furans Using Tsuji-Wacker-Type Cyclization.

A competent method for the construction of highly substituted furans catalyzed by Pd(II) and Cu(II) chloride has been developed. The method provides easy access to di-, tri-, and tetrasubstituted furans from corresponding diols with relatively mild conditions in a unified strategy. The developed method has been successfully tested with more than 25 substrates, which resulted in furans of multiple substitution patterns with up to 84% isolated yields.

Ready Access to Benzannulated [5,5]-Oxaspirolactones Using Au(III)-Catalyzed Cascade Cyclizations.

This work showcases an unprecedented Au(III)-catalyzed cascade cyclization of 2-(4-hydroxyalkynyl)benzoates to access benzannulated [5,5]-oxaspirolactones related to biologically active natural products. This reaction proceeds through an initial 5-endo-dig mode of hydroalkoxylation of the alkynol segment to give the oxocarbenium species (via cyclic enol-ether) followed by the addition of carboxylate onto the oxocarbenium that delivers the oxaspirolactone scaffold. While testing this method's scope, we found that the steric and electronic environment of the hydroxyl group could alter the reaction pathway that delivers isochromenone through a competitive 6-endo-dig mode of attack of the carboxylate onto the tethered alkyne.

The biological process of lysine-tRNA charging is therapeutically targetable in liver cancer.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Mature transfer RNAs (tRNA) charged with amino acids decode mRNA to synthesize proteins. Dysregulation of translational machineries has a fundamental impact on cancer biology. This study aims to map the tRNAome landscape in liver cancer patients and to explore potential therapeutic targets at the interface of charging amino acid with tRNA. METHODS: Resected tumour and paired tumour-free (TFL) tissues from hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients (n = 69), and healthy liver tissues from organ transplant donors (n = 21), HCC cell lines, and cholangiocarcinoma (CC) patient-derived tumour organoids were used. RESULTS: The expression levels of different mature tRNAs were highly correlated and closely clustered within individual tissues, suggesting that different members of the tRNAome function cooperatively in protein translation. Interestingly, high expression of tRNA-Lys-CUU in HCC tumours was associated with more tumour recurrence (HR 1.1; P = .022) and worse patient survival (HR 1.1; P = .0037). The expression of Lysyl-tRNA Synthetase (KARS), the enzyme catalysing the charge of lysine to tRNA-Lys-CUU, was significantly upregulated in HCC tumour tissues compared to tumour-free liver tissues. In HCC cell lines, lysine deprivation, KARS knockdown or treatment with the KARS inhibitor cladosporin effectively inhibited overall cell growth, single cell-based colony formation and cell migration. This was mechanistically mediated by cell cycling arrest and induction of apoptosis. Finally, these inhibitory effects were confirmed in 3D cultured patient-derived CC organoids. CONCLUSIONS: The biological process of charging tRNA-Lys-CUU with lysine sustains liver cancer cell growth and migration, and is clinically relevant in HCC patients. This process can be therapeutically targeted and represents an unexplored territory for developing novel treatment strategies against liver cancer.

DBU/O2-Mediated Oxidation of Dienones.

Herein, we describe a DBU/O2-promoted novel method for oxidation of dienones to 2,6-dione derivatives. The reaction involves treatment of a dienone with DBU in acetonitrile employing molecular oxygen as the oxidant. Metal free conditions and an eco-friendly reagent are the striking features of this protocol. This transformation proceeds through a peroxide intermediate that upon Kornblum-DeLaMare rearrangement produces 2,6-diones. The method was successfully utilized for the synthesis of (±)-pleodendione with improved yields versus those of the traditional PDC-TBHP method.

DFT/NMR Approach for the Configuration Assignment of Groups of Stereoisomers by the Combination and Comparison of Experimental and Predicted Sets of Data.

Quantum mechanical/nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) approaches are widely used for the configuration assignment of organic compounds generally comparing one cluster of experimentally determined data (e.g., 13C NMR chemical shifts) with those predicted for all possible theoretical stereoisomers. More than one set of experimental data, each related to a specific stereoisomer, may occur in some cases, and the accurate stereoassignments can be obtained by combining the experimental and computed data. We introduce here a straightforward methodology based on the simultaneous analysis, combination, and comparison of all sets of experimental/calculated 13C chemical shifts for aiding the correct configuration assignment of groups of stereoisomers. The comparison of the differences between the calculated/experimental chemical shifts instead of the shifts themselves led to the advantage of avoiding errors arising from calibration procedures, reducing systematic errors, and highlighting the most diagnostic differences between calculated and experimental data. This methodology was applied on a tetrad of synthesized cladosporin stereoisomers (cladologs) and further corroborated on a tetrad of pochonicine stereoisomers, obtaining the correct correspondences between experimental and calculated sets of data. The new MAEΔΔδ parameter, useful for indicating the best fit between sets of experimental and calculated data, is here introduced for facilitating the stereochemical assignment of groups of stereoisomers.

FeCl3-catalyzed oxidative decarboxylation of aryl/heteroaryl acetic acids: preparation of selected API impurities.

There is an ever-increasing demand for impurity compounds for use in impurity profiling as regulatory agencies seek information during registration. Herein, we report the FeCl3-catalyzed oxidative decarboxylation of aryl- and heteroaryl acetic acids to the corresponding carbonyl compounds. A variety of useful aldehydes and ketones were prepared in a simple one-pot transformation by employing an environmentally benign, low-cost, and readily available iron salt. The utility of this method has been demonstrated by preparing five valuable API impurities including a multi-gram-scale synthesis of ketorolac impurity B for the first time.

A route to access imidazol[1,5-a]indole-1,3-diones and pyrrolo[1,2-c]imidazole-1,3-diones.

A novel and practical route to synthesize imidazol[1,5-a]indoles and pyrrolo[1,2-c]imidazoles via N-H functionalization has been developed. Indole-2-carboxylic acid or pyrrole-2-carboxylic acid with diverse aniline groups and carbonyldiimidazole (CDI), in the presence of a base under microwave conditions, resulted in imidazol[1,5-a]indoles and pyrrolo[1,2-c]imidazoles, respectively. The present method is free of work-up and no need for column chromatography. Both title scaffolds can serve as useful heterocyclic scaffolds in medicinal chemistry as such, or they can be used as building blocks to construct different classes of useful compounds.

Total synthesis of the potent anti-inflammatory natural product solomonamide A along with structural revision and biological activity evaluation.

Herein, we report the total synthesis of solomonamide A along with its structural revision for the first time. The natural product possesses very potent anti-inflammatory activity, and it contains a macrocyclic peptide having four consecutive stereocenters on an unnatural amino acid component. The key features in the present synthesis include the application of an Evans aldol reaction, ligand-free Heck macrocyclization and chemoselective oxidations. The challenging task of fixing the stereochemistry of OH at the C5-position was accomplished with the help of DFT calculations, applying a quantum-mechanical (QM)/NMR combined approach. Biological evaluation in a mouse paw edema model revealed that a low dose (0.3 mg kg-1) of the synthesized solomonamide A showed 74% reduction at 6 h, which was comparable to a high dose (10 mg kg-1) standard drug dexamethasone effect (75% at 6 h). Thus, we further confirmed the revised structure of solomonamide A.

Removal of lead and fluoride from contaminated water using exhausted coffee grounds based bio-sorbent.

Water pollution by industrial and anthropogenic actives has become a serious threat to the environment. World Health Organization (WHO) has identified that lead and fluoride amid the environmental pollutants are most poisonous water contaminants with devastating impact on the human race. The present work proposes a study on economical bio-adsorbent based technique using exhausted coffee grounds in the removal of lead and fluoride contaminants from water. The exhausted coffee grounds gathered from industrial wastes have been acid-activated and examined for their adsorption capacity. The surface morphology and elemental characterization of pre-and-post adsorption operations by FESEM, EDX and FTIR spectral analysis confirmed the potential of the exhausted coffee ground as successful bio-sorbent. However, thermodynamic analysis confirmed the adsorption to be spontaneous physisorption with Langmuir mode of homogenous monolayer deposition. The kinetics of adsorption is well defined by pseudo second order model for both lead and fluoride. A significant quantity of lead and fluoride is removed from the synthetic contaminated water by the proposed bio-sorbent with the respective sorption capabilities of 61.6 mg/g and 9.05 mg/g. However, the developed bio-sorbent is also recyclable and is capable of removing the lead and fluoride from the domestic and industrial waste-water sources with an overall removal efficiency of about 90%.

Access to Fused Tricyclic γ-Butyrolactones, A Natural Product-like Scaffold.

Serendipitous findings of an acid mediated skeletal rearrangement of bicyclo-ß-ketoester having cyclopropyl ring to access fused tricyclic γ-butyrolactones has been described. This novel transformation has been optimized to 30 mol% p-toluenesulfonic acid (p-TSA) in toluene using Dean-Stark apparatus, where the aldol condensation, cyclopropyl ring opening followed by cyclization took place in a single-pot operation. The resulting tricyclic compounds are interesting chemotype with natural product resemblance and may find useful applications in the future.

Determination of the Absolute Configuration of Gliomasolide D through Total Syntheses of the C-17 Epimers.

The absolute configuration at C-17, the carbon bearing the distal hydroxy group of the 14-membered natural product gliomasolide D, was assigned as R by comparison of 13C NMR shifts and specific rotation values of the epimers at C-17. The first total synthesis of gliomasolide D along with its C-17 epimer, regioselective macrocyclization (18 membered vs 14 membered), and regioselective Wacker oxidation are highlights of the present work.

Identification and Synthesis of Mycalol Analogues with Improved Potency against Anaplastic Thyroid Carcinoma Cell Lines.

The marine metabolite mycalol (1) has a specific inhibitory activity on cells of anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC), a very aggressive and rare cancer that does not have effective conventional therapy. In this study, we describe six new related analogues (2-7) that differ in the length of the terminal alkyl residue and the presence of acetate or 3S-hydroxybutyrate (3S)-3HB as a substituent at C-19. Despite the structural analogies, some of the new members were significantly more cytotoxic than 1 on cell lines derived from human ATC. Structures inclusive of the 2'R,3R,4S,7R,8S,19R absolute configuration were assigned to 2-7 on the basis of detailed spectroscopic analysis, synthesis of different isomers, and application of ECD and Mosher's methods. This work led to the identification of mycalol-578 (3) as the most potent analogue, with an IC50 of 2.3 µM on FRO cells.

GSH Induced Controlled Release of Levofloxacin from a Purpose-Built Prodrug: Luminescence Response for Probing the Drug Release in Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus.

Fluoroquinolones are third-generation broad spectrum bactericidal antibiotics and work against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Levofloxacin (L), a fluoroquinolone, is widely used in anti-infective chemotherapy and treatment of urinary tract infection and pneumonia. The main pathogen for urinary tract infections is Escherichia coli, and Streptococcus pneumoniae is responsible for pneumonia, predominantly a lower respiratory tract infection. Poor permeability of L leads to the use of higher dose of this drug and excess drug in the outer cellular fluid leads to central nervous system (CNS) abnormality. One way to counter this is to improve the lipophilicity of the drug molecule, and accordingly, we have synthesized two new Levofloxacin derivatives, which participated in the spatiotemporal release of drug via disulfide bond cleavage induced by glutathione (GSH). Recent studies with Streptococcus mutants suggest that it is localized in epithelial lining fluid (ELF) of the normal lower respiratory tract and the effective [GSH] in ELF is ∼430 µM. E. coli typically cause urinary tract infections and the concentration of GSH in porcine bladder epithelium is reported as 0.6 mM for a healthy human. Thus, for the present study we have chosen two important bacteria (Gram + ve and Gram - ve), which are operational in regions having high extracellular GSH concentration. Interestingly, this supports our design of new lipophilic Levofloxacin based prodrugs, which released effective drug on reaction with GSH. Higher lipophilicity favored improved uptake of the prodrugs. Site specific release of the drug (L) could be achieved following a glutathione mediated biochemical transformation process through cleavage of a disulfide bond of these purpose-built prodrugs. Further, appropriate design helped us to demonstrate that it is possible also to control the kinetics of the drug release from respective prodrugs. Associated luminescence enhancement helps in probing the release of the drug from the prodrug in bacteria and helps in elucidating the mechanistic pathway of the transformation. Such an example is scarce in the contemporary literature.

First Total Synthesis of Gliomasolide C and Formal Total Synthesis of Sch-725674.

Syntheses of two 14-membered macrolides Sch-725674 and Gliomasolide C are described here. The first total synthesis of Gliomasolide C, the short synthesis of Sch-725674, and regioselective Wacker oxidation of internal olefin are the highlights of this disclosure. In addition, a key macrocycle with orthogonal functionalities was designed and synthesized on a gram scale for the generation of analogues.