Enantioselective Monoclonal Antibodies for Detecting Ketamine to Crack Down on Illicit Use.

Ketamine (KT) is a chiral anesthetic agent, (R)- and (S)-enantiomers of which differ in their pharmacological properties. KT has become one of the most commonly used illicit drugs in the world, thus, rapid and feasible on-site testing is required to crack down on the illicit use. Although immunochemical approach with specific antibodies is promising for this purpose, in practice anti-KT antibodies are difficult to obtain. We here disclose generation of monoclonal antibodies against KT. Mice were immunized with either (a) commercially-available or (b) in-house-prepared KT-albumin conjugates. Splenocytes from these mouse groups (a and b) were separately fused with P3/NS1/1-Ag4-1 myeloma cells. After standard screening and cloning, we established 5 hybridoma clones: 2 were derived from group-a mice [generating Ab-KT(a)#2 and #37] and 3 were from group-b mice [generating Ab-KT(b)#9, #13, and #45]. These antibodies exhibited practical performance in competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay systems. When (±)-KT·hydrochloride (HCl) was used as the competitor, dose-response curves showed midpoint values of 30 and 70 ng/assay (a-series antibodies) and 2.0-3.0 ng/assay (b-series antibodies). Remarkably, the a-series antibodies were specific for (S)-KT·HCl, while the b-series antibodies were specific for (R)-KT·HCl. Ab-KT(a)#2 (Ka, 7.5×107 M-1) and Ab-KT(b)#45 (Ka, 7.7×108 M-1) exhibited the highest enantioselectivity for each group, and cross-reactivity with the (R)- and (S)-antipodes was 1.3 and 1.7%, respectively. The hybridomas established here are also valuable as a source of genetic information for the anti-KT antibodies, which is required for progressing to next-generation technologies using genetically engineered antibodies.

Toward the total synthesis of (±)-andrastin C.

An efficient approach to generate a fully functionalized cyclopenta[a]phenanthrene 34, the basic carbon framework of andrastin C (1c), is described. The present synthetic route features a stereoselective intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction of triene 12 and an intramolecular carbonyl ene reaction of 3-phenanthrenyl-2-(methoxymethoxy)propanal 31.

Mirror-image streptavidin with specific binding to L-biotin, the unnatural enantiomer.

The streptavidin-biotin system is known to have a very high affinity and specificity and is widely used in biochemical immunoassays and diagnostics. However, this method is affected by endogenous D-biotin in serum sample measurements (biotin interference). While several efforts using alternative high-affinity binding systems (e.g., genetically modified streptavidin and biotin derivatives) have been attempted, these efforts have all led to reduction in affinity. To solve this interference issue, the enantiomer of streptavidin was synthesized, which enabled specific binding to L-biotin. We successfully obtained a functional streptavidin molecule by peptide synthesis using D-amino acids and an in vitro folding technique. Several characterizations, including size exclusion chromatography (SEC), circular dichroism spectra (CD), and heat denaturation experiments collectively confirmed the higher-order enantiomer of natural streptavidin had been formed with comparable stability to the natural protein. L-biotin specific binding of this novel molecule enabled us to avoid biotin interference in affinity measurements using the Biacore system and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). We propose the enantiomer of streptavidin as a potential candidate to replace the natural streptavidin-biotin system, even for in vivo use.

Total synthesis of (+)-mycalamide A.

A convergent total synthesis of (+)-mycalamide A is described. A Yb(OTf)3-TMSCl catalytic system is used to synthesize a trioxadecalin ring system, which contains the right segment of mycalamide A. In addition, a tetrahydropyran ring, which is the left segment, is constructed with use of a novel one-pot delta-lactonization protocol. Both segments are prepared from a common starting material, d-mannitol. These segments are then coupled and the functional groups are transformed to synthesize (+)-mycalamide A.

Total synthesis of serofendic acids A and B employing tin-free homoallyl-homoallyl radical rearrangement.

Total syntheses of serofendic acids A (1a) and B (1b) are described. The key strategic element of the approach involves the novel tin-free homoallyl-homoallyl radical rearrangement of 5 for the construction of bicyclo[2.2.2]octane ring system 4. In addition, the conversion of methyl atisirenoate 2 to serofendic acids A (1a) and B (1b) was achieved on the basis of the Michael reaction of sodium thiomethoxide.[reaction: see text]

Diastereoselective formal total synthesis of the DNA polymerase alpha inhibitor, aphidicolin, using palladium-catalyzed cycloalkenylation and intramolecular Diels-Alder reactions.

[structure: see text] A novel diastereoselective formal synthesis of aphidicolin has been achieved by exploiting a unique characteristic of a bicyclo[3.2.1]octane prepared by employing a palladium-catalyzed cycloalkenylation process.

One-pot assembly of tricyclo[6.2.1.0(1,6)]undecan-4-one and related polycyclic compounds by tandem electroreductive cyclization.

[reaction: see text] Electroreductive tandem cyclization of 4-allyl-4-(2-bromoprop-2-en-1-yl)cyclohex-2-en-1-one to tricyclo[6.2.1.0(1,6)]undecan-4-one has been demonstrated. This protocol represents an attractive alternative to conventional tandem radical cyclization.

Simple construction of bicyclo[4.3.0]nonane, bicyclo[3.3.0]octane, and related benzo derivatives by palladium-catalyzed cycloalkenylation.

[reaction: see text] Bicyclo[4.3.0]nonanes (hydrindanes) and bicyclo[3.3.0]octanes (octahydropentalenes) are easily synthesized by palladium-catalyzed cycloalkenylations. Additionally, benzo-fused bicyclo[3.3.0]octanes are prepared for the first time through intramolecular coupling between silyl enol ethers and aromatic rings in the presence of catalytic palladium acetate.

A novel synthesis of tetrahydrofuran via alkoxy radical cyclisation.

Tetrahydrofurans were synthesised via 5-exo-trig cyclisation of alkoxy radical generated by unprecedented 1,5-hydrogen shift from hydroxyl group to vinyl radical.

Palladium-Catalyzed Intramolecular Allylic Alkylation Reaction in Marine Natural Product Synthesis: Enantioselective Synthesis of (+)-Methyl Pederate, a Key Intermediate in Syntheses of Mycalamides.

A novel preparation of (+)-methyl pederate (4), a key intermediate in syntheses of mycalamides (1), marine natural products from a New Zealand sponge of the genus Mycale, is described. The key step involves palladium-catalyzed intramolecular allylic alkylation of the carbonate 21, derived from (+)-(4R,5R,E)-5-(tert-butyldimethylsiloxy)-4-methyl-2-hexenol (13), yielding lactones 5 in 87% yield. Demethoxycarbonylation of the cyclization products 5 and further functional group transformations led to (+)-methyl pederate (4).

Development of a second generation palladium-catalyzed cycloalkenylation and its application to bioactive natural product synthesis.

A novel palladium-catalyzed intramolecular oxidative alkylation of unactivated olefins is described. This protocol was devised to solve one of the drawbacks of the original palladium-catalyzed cycloalkenylation that we developed. We call this new procedure the 'second generation palladium-catalyzed cycloalkenylation'. This protocol has been applied to the total syntheses of cis-195A, trans-195A, boonein, scholareins A, C, D, and alpha-skytanthine.

Convergent total synthesis of (+)-mycalamide A.

The details of a convergent total synthesis of (+)-mycalamide A are described. Yb(OTf)3-TMSCl-catalyzed cross-aldol reaction conditions are used to synthesize the right segment of mycalamide A. In this reaction, an acid-sensitive aldehyde reacts with methyl trimethylsilyl dimethylketene acetal without epimerization to provide the desired aldol adduct. Additionally, a tetrahydropyran ring, which is the left segment of mycalamide A, is prepared using a novel one-pot delta-lactone formation methodology. Both segments are constructed from a common starting material, d-mannitol. These segments are then coupled in the presence of BuLi, and the functional groups are transformed to complete the synthesis of (+)-mycalamide A.

Regiospecific and stereoselective syntheses of (+/-)-reserpine and (-)-reserpine.

Full details of three approaches to an entirely regio- and stereoselective synthesis of the well-known target reserpine are described, culminating in a total synthesis which efficiently meets these requirements.

Some aspects of palladium-catalyzed cycloalkenylation: developments of environmentally benign catalytic conditions and demonstration of tandem cycloalkenylation.

The influences of catalysts, substituent groups, and solvents on the palladium-catalyzed cycloalkenylation of cross-conjugated silyl enol ethers of 2-tert-butyldimethylsiloxy-5-(2-propenyl)-1,3-cyclohexadiene derivatives have been investigated. The catalytic reaction proceeded smoothly, even in aqueous media. The product ratios were influenced by the structure of substrates as well as solvents. In addition, it was found that the reaction is applicable to a tandem cyclization for the construction of cedrane skeleton.

Synthesis of optically active methyl 7 beta-hydroxykaurenoate with potent neuroprotective activity.

(-)-Methyl 7 beta-hydroxykaurenoate (3) and its 4-demethyl acetate (-)-4 were both synthesized via methods that contained radical cyclization and intramolecular Diels-Alder reactions as key steps. Both compounds displayed potent neuroprotective activity against N-methyl-D-aspartate toxicity in cultured cortical neurons.