Synthesis of 5-Amino-3(2H)-furanones via S-Methylation/Intramolecular Cyclization of γ-Sulfanylamides.

The S-methylation/intramolecular cyclization of γ-sulfanylamide is depicted. Different methylating reagents were successfully employed for S-methylation, depending on the substituent pattern of the amide in the starting γ-sulfanylamides; trimethyloxonium tetrafluoroborate was used for N-aryl substituted γ-sulfanylamides, and the combination of methyl iodide and silver(I) tetrafluoroborate was used for N-alkyl substituted γ-sulfanylamides. When the resulting sulfonium salt was treated with DBU, it smoothly underwent intramolecular cyclization to produce a series of N-aryl, N-alkyl, N,N-dialkyl or N-alkyl-N-aryl substituted 5-amino-3(2H)-furanones in 55%-quantitative yields.

Proposal for structure revision of pinofuranoxin A through total syntheses of stereoisomers.

The relative configuration of the epoxide functionality in pinofuranoxin A (1), α-alkylidene-ß-hydroxy-γ-methyl-γ-butyrolactone with trans-epoxy side chain isolated by Evidente et al. in 2021, was revised by DFT-based spectral reinvestigations and stereo-controlled synthesis. The present investigation demonstrates the difficulty of the configurational elucidation of the stereogenic centers on the conformationally flexible acyclic side-chains. Sharpless's enantioselective epoxidations and dihydroxylations were quite effective in the reinvestigations of the configurations. As our syntheses made all diastereomers available, these would be quite effective in the next structure-biological activity relationship studies.

A Wnt/ß-catenin signaling inhibitor, IMU1003, suppresses the emergence of osimertinib-resistant colonies from gefitinib-resistant non-small cell lung cancer cells.

Drug resistance has become a challenge in effective longterm molecular targeted therapy. Longterm non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treatments with the first-generation epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) shorten the effective duration of the third-generation EGFR-TKI, osimertinib, via genetic or epigenetic mechanisms in addition to the gatekeeper mutation T790M. This study reproduced this persistence in vitro using gefitinib-resistant NSCLC PC-9 cells (GR cells) and revealed that pharmacological nuclear localization inhibition of ß-catenin suppressed the osimertinib resistance. Osimertinib effectively reduced GR cell survival but left significantly more resistant colonies than parental PC-9 cells. The nuclear fraction of ß-catenin was enriched in GR cells during acquisition of osimertinib resistance. A chemical nuclear localization inhibitor of ß-catenin, IMU1003, dramatically decreased the emergence of osimertinib-resistant colonies. Forced nuclear localization of ß-catenin reduced IMU1003 efficacy. Thus, suppression of the nuclear ß-catenin function may overcome the transgenerational EGFR-TKI-resistance.

IMU1003, an atrarate derivative, inhibits Wnt/ß-catenin signaling.

Aberrant activation of the canonical Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway triggers tumorigenesis in various tissues. This study identified an atrarate compound, IMU14, derived from filamentous fungi as an inhibitor of Wnt/ß-catenin signaling in phenotypic chemical inhibitor screening of the zebrafish eyeless phenotype. Its derivatization resulted in synthesis of IMU1003 with enhanced Wnt inhibitory activity. IMU1003 inhibited ß-catenin/TCF-dependent transcriptional activation and decreased nuclear ß-catenin level. In addition, IMU1003 selectively decreased viability and target gene products of the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway in human non-colorectal cancer cell lines harboring intact APC and ß-catenin. Therefore, atrarate derivatives inhibit Wnt/ß-catenin signaling and show anticancer potential, and we developed a new class of chemical backbones for Wnt/ß-catenin signaling inhibitors.

Structure-Activity Relationship of Anti-malarial Allylpyrocatechol Isolated from Piper betle.

Malaria disease remains a serious worldwide health problem. In South-East Asia, one of the malaria infection "hot-spots," medicinal plants such as Piper betle have traditionally been used for the treatment of malaria, and allylpyrocatechol (1), a constituent of P. betle, has been shown to exhibit anti-malarial activities. In this study, we verified that 1 showed in vivo anti-malarial activity through not only intraperitoneal (i.p.) but also peroral (p.o.) administration. Additionally, some analogs of 1 were synthesized and the structure-activity relationship was analyzed to disclose the crucial sub-structures for the potent activity.

Toosendanin relatives, trypanocidal principles from Meliae Cortex.

Africa Trypanosomiasis remains a serious health problem, but the approved drugs for this disease are so few that novel trypanocidal compounds are demanded. In search for trypanocidal principles from medicinal plants, we found MeOH extracts of Meliae Cortex with potent activity through the screening from about 300 kinds of methanolic extract. By bioassay-guided fractionation from this extract through the liquid-liquid partition and subsequent chromatographic technique using silica gel and ODS, finally we disclosed toosendanin (1) and its relatives as active principles. These active congeners showed not only potent trypanocidal activity but also little cytotoxicity to display the excellent selective index. Taking the isolated amount as well as trypanocidal activity into consideration, 1 was disclosed to be the responsible active principle in Meliae Cortex. Additionally, the derivatives of 1 were chemically prepared from 1 and bioactivity of them were also evaluated. Through the comparison with their trypanocidal activity among the isolated relatives and the synthesized derivatives of 1, the epoxide moiety was revealed to be essential for their potent trypanocidal activity. Furthermore, 3-O-acetyl group and 7-hydroxyl group were presumed to be important functional groups and introduction of methylpropionyl group into hemiacetal hydroxy moiety was clarified to enhance their typanocidal activity.

Oenothein B, dimeric hydrolysable tannin inhibiting HCV invasion from Oenothera erythrosepala.

The envelope proteins of the hepatitis C virus (HCV), E1 and E2, have been revealed to be essential for invasion of HCV. Thus, we were engaged in the search for the inhibitors against HCV invasion through the assay system using the model virus expressing recombinant HCV envelopes, E1 and E2. Now, we disclosed dimeric hydrolysable tannin oenothein B (1) from MeOH extract of Oenothera erythrosepala as an active principle for inhibition of HCV invasion and its potency was almost the same as that of monomeric hydrolysable tannin, tellimagrandin I (2). Furthermore, by use of stereoselectively prepared 1-ß- and 1-α-O-methyl tellimagrandin Is (4 and 5), the introduction of methyl moiety into 1-hydroxy group of 2 was clarified to result in slightly reduction of activity and ß-isomer was revealed to exhibit a little stronger activity than α-one.

Synthesis of 5-Aryl-3(2 H)-furanones Using Intramolecular Cyclization of Sulfonium Salts.

Base-induced intramolecular cyclization of novel (4-aryl-2,4-dioxobutyl)methylphenylsulfonium salts prepared from the commercially available 1-arylethanone by a cost-effective process is described in this paper. The reaction was completed within 10 min to produce a family of 2-unsubstituted 5-aryl-3(2 H)-furanones in excellent yield. This procedure is simple, and can be carried out under mild conditions and an ambient atmosphere.

Inhibitor for FcεRI expression on mast cell from Verbasucum thapsus L.

We found out 2',3'-dihydroxypuberulin from South American medicinal plant, V. thapsus L., as a candidate of an anti-allergic lead which inhibits the expression of high-affinity receptor of IgE (FcεRI) on the surface of mast cells. Furthermore, the analysis of structure-activity relationship by using synthesized 2',3'-dihydroxypuberulin analogs revealed that both hydroxy groups in the side chain and both of methyl moieties on phenolic hydroxy groups were crucial for potent activity, but absolute configuration of C-3' position wasn't. The active principle, 2',3'-dihydroxypuberulin, was disclosed to down-regulate the mRNA level of ß-chain of FcεRI, different from previous reported active natural product reducing γ-chain level.

N-Alkylation Using Sodium Triacetoxyborohydride with Carboxylic Acids as Alkyl Sources.

A versatile N-alkylation was performed using sodium triacetoxyborohydride and carboxylic acid as an alkyl source. The combination of these reagents furnished products different from those given previously by a similar reaction. Moreover, the mild conditions of our method allowed some functional groups to remain through the reaction, whereas they would react and be converted into other moieties in the similar reductive N-alkylation reported previously. Herein, we provide a new procedure for the preparation of various compounds containing nitrogen atoms.

Helically Chiral 1-Sulfur-Functionalized [6]Helicene: Synthesis, Optical Resolution, and Functionalization.

The synthesis and optical resolution of helically chiral 5,6,9,10-tetrahydro-1-[6]helicenethiol and its subsequent transformations to enantiopure 1-sulfur-functionalized [6]helicenes are reported. A novel enantiopure [7]thiahelicene having a thiophene ring at the terminal position of the [6]helicene skeleton was synthesized.

Synthesis of 4-Halo-3(2H)-furanones Using Intramolecular Cyclization of Sulfonium Salts.

A simple and efficient synthesis of 4-halo-3(2H)-furanones by halogenative intramolecular cyclization of sulfonium salts is described, which can expedite the production of a variety of 4-bromo- or 4-iodo-3(2H)-furanones, useful synthetic building blocks, in good to high yield under mild conditions.

Efficient Enantioselective Synthesis of Oxahelicenes Using Redox/Acid Cooperative Catalysts.

An efficient and enantioselective synthesis of oxa[9]helicenes has been established via vanadium(V)-catalyzed oxidative coupling/intramolecular cyclization of polycyclic phenols. A newly developed vanadium complex cooperatively functions as both a redox and Lewis acid catalyst to promote the present sequential reaction and afford oxa[9]helicenes in good yields with up to 94% ee.

Synthesis of Substituted 3(2H)-Furanones Using Alkylative Intramolecular Cyclization of Sulfonium Salts.

The facile alkylative intramolecular cyclization of 3-alkoxycarbonyl-2-oxopropyldiphenylsulfonium salts is described. This simple method can be readily applied to the synthesis of a novel family of 4-alkylated 3(2H)-furanones in moderate to high yields under mild conditions via a one-pot process.

Biosynthetic gene-based secondary metabolite screening: a new diterpene, methyl phomopsenonate, from the fungus Phomopsis amygdali.

The presence of the geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase (GGS) gene is a common feature of gene clusters for diterpene biosynthesis. We demonstrated identification of a diterpene gene cluster using homology-based PCR of GGS genes and the subsequent genome walking in the fungus Phomopsis amygdali N2. Structure determination of a novel diterpene hydrocarbon phomopsene provided by enzymatic synthesis with the recombinant terpene synthase PaPS and screening of fungal broth extracts with reference to characteristic NMR signals of phomopsene allowed us to isolate a new diterpene, methyl phomopsenonate. The versatility of the gene-based screening of unidentified diterpenes is discussed in regard to fungal genomic data.

Copper(I) ion mediated self-organization of molecular rectangular boxes from 1,2-Bis(2-pyridylethynyl)benzene Ligands with bulky substituents.

The reaction of chiral 1,2-bis(2-pyridylethynyl)benzene ligands with copper(I) ions in dichloromethane at room temperature gives rise to the formation of molecular rectangular boxes in high yields. The structures of these complexes were confirmed by X-ray crystallographic analysis. The compound CL1 crystallizes in the triclinic space group P1, with a = 13.707(4) A, b = 14.891(3) A, c = 12.030(1) A, alpha = 101.65(2) degrees, beta = 115.08(2) degrees, gamma = 97.66(1) degrees, V = 2110.8(2) A(3), Z = 1 (T = 288 K). The compound CL2 crystallizes in the triclinic space group P1, with a = 13.539(4) A, b = 14.755(2) A, c = 11.951(2) A, alpha = 101.70(1) degrees, beta = 115.11(1) degrees, gamma = 97.44(2) degrees, V = 2053.8(8) A(3), Z = 1 (T = 198 K). The formation of box-type structure is caused by steric hindrance between bulky substituents of the ligands.

Highly active Pd(II) catalysts with trans-bidentate pyridine ligands for the Heck reaction.

[reaction: see text] The air-, water-, and heat-stable palladium(II) complexes 2a and 2b are prepared by the reaction of palladium(II) salts with the new trans-bidentate nitrogen ligands, 1,2-bis(2-pyridylethynyl)benzenes. The structure of complex 2a has been confirmed by X-ray structure analysis. The complexes efficiently catalyze the Heck olefination of aryl iodides and provide a good yield under phosphine-free conditions. The reaction is very sensitive to the nature of the chelating ligand.