Structural and thermodynamic analyses reveal critical features of glycopeptide recognition by the human PILRα immune cell receptor.

Before entering host cells, herpes simplex virus-1 uses its envelope glycoprotein B to bind paired immunoglobulin-like type 2 receptor α (PILRα) on immune cells. PILRα belongs to the Siglec (sialic acid (SA)-binding immunoglobulin-like lectin)-like family, members of which bind SA. PILRα is the only Siglec member to recognize not only the sialylated O-linked sugar T antigen (sTn) but also its attached peptide region. We previously determined the crystal structure of PILRα complexed with the sTn-linked glycopeptide of glycoprotein B, revealing the simultaneous recognition of sTn and peptide by the receptor. However, the contribution of each glycopeptide component to PILRα binding was largely unclear. Here, we chemically synthesized glycopeptide derivatives and determined the thermodynamic parameters of their interaction with PILRα. We show that glycopeptides with different sugar units linking SA and peptides (i.e. "GlcNAc-type" and "deoxy-GlcNAc-type" glycopeptides) have lower affinity and more enthalpy-driven binding than the wild type (i.e. GalNAc-type glycopeptide). The crystal structures of PILRα complexed with these glycopeptides highlighted the importance of stereochemical positioning of the O4 atom of the sugar moiety. These results provide insights both for understanding the unique O-glycosylated peptide recognition by the PILRα and for the rational design of herpes simplex virus-1 entry inhibitors.

Total Synthesis of Brasilicardins A and C.

The first total synthesis of brasilicardins A and C, novel diterpenoid-saccharide-amino acid hybrid metabolites with unique immunosuppressive activity, is described. The key step is a Diels-Alder/reductive angular methylation sequence capitalizing on a trans-fused bicyclic α-cyano-α,ß-enone as its precursor to construct the 8,10-dimethyl-trans/syn/trans-perhydrophenanthrene skeleton. Other notable features include an anti-selective aldol reaction, a stereocontrolled glycosylation of a C2 alcohol, and a one-pot, two-step global deprotection sequence that did not damage these sensitive molecules.

Rapid Screening by Cell-Based Fusion Assay for Identifying Novel Antivirals of Glycoprotein B-Mediated Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 Infection.

Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is a causative agent for a variety of diseases. Although antiherpetic drugs such as acyclovir have been developed to inhibit virus replication through interaction with DNA kinases, their continuous administration leads to an increase in the frequency of drug-resistant HSV-1, which is an important clinical issue that requires urgent solution. Recently, we reported that the sialylated O-linked sugar T antigen (sTn) and its attached peptide region (O-glycosylated sTn peptide) derived from the HSV-1 glycoprotein B (gB) protein inhibited HSV-1 infection by specifically targeting paired immunoglobulin-like type 2 receptor alpha (PILRα) in vitro. In this study, to further identify novel inhibitors of gB-mediated HSV-1 infection in vitro, we established a cell-based fusion assay for rapid drug screening. Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells were transfected with expression plasmids for HSV-1 gB, gD, gH, and gL, and T7 RNA polymerase, and were designated as the effector cells. The CHO-K1 cells stably expressing PILRα were transfected with the expression plasmid for firefly luciferase under the T7 promoter, and were designated as the target cells. The effector and target cells were co-cultured, and luminescence was measured when both cells were successfully fused. Importantly, we found that cell-to-cell fusion was specifically inhibited by O-glycosylated sTn peptide in a dose dependent manner. Our results suggested that this virus-free cell-based fusion assay system could be a useful and promising approach to identify novel inhibitors of gB-mediated HSV-1 infection, and will aid in the development of antiviral therapeutic strategies for HSV-1-associated diseases.

Asymmetric Total Synthesis of (-)-Englerin A through Catalytic Diastereo- and Enantioselective Carbonyl Ylide Cycloaddition.

An asymmetric total synthesis of the guaiane sesquiterpene (-)-englerin A, a potent and selective inhibitor of the growth of renal cancer cell lines, was accomplished. The basis of the approach is a highly diastereo- and enantioselective carbonyl ylide cycloaddition with an ethyl vinyl ether dipolarophile under catalysis by dirhodium(II) tetrakis[N-tetrachlorophthaloyl-(S)-tert-leucinate], [Rh2 (S-TCPTTL)4 ], to construct the oxabicyclo[3.2.1]octane framework with concomitant introduction of the oxygen substituent at C9 on the exo-face. Another notable feature of the synthesis is ruthenium tetraoxide-catalyzed chemoselective oxidative conversion of C9 ethyl ether to C9 acetate.

Glycosylation with 2-Acetamido-2-deoxyglycosyl Donors at a Low Temperature: Scope of the Non-Oxazoline Method.

A direct construction of 1,2-trans-ß-linked 2-acetamido-2-deoxyglycosides was investigated. The 3,4,6-tri-O-benzyl- and 3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-protected glycosyl diethyl phosphites and 4,6-O-benzylidene-protected galactosyl diethyl phosphite each reacted with a variety of acceptor alcohols in the presence of a stoichiometric amount of Tf2NH in CH2Cl2 at -78 °C to afford the corresponding ß-glycosides in good to high yields with complete stereoselectivity. Some experiments provided strong evidence that the corresponding oxazolinium ions are not responsible for the reaction. We demonstrated that glycosylations with the corresponding glycosyl imidate and thioglycoside also proceeded at a low temperature, indicating the possibility of these donors being attractive alternatives to the phosphite. A plausible reaction mechanism, which features glycosyl triflimide and contact ion pair as reactive intermediates, is proposed on the basis of the results obtained with 2-acetamido-2-deoxymannosyl donors.

Synthesis of the Tetrasaccharide Repeating Unit from Acinetobacter baumannii Serogroup O18 Capitalizing on Phosphorus-Containing Leaving Groups.

The first convergent synthesis of the tetrasaccharide repeating unit of the polymeric O antigen isolated from Acinetobacter baumannii serogroup O18 has been achieved. The ManNAcß1→4Gal and GalNAcß1→3Gal units were successfully obtained through ß-selective glycosylation with 2-azido-4,6-O-benzylidene-2-deoxymannosyl diphenyl phosphate and Tf2NH-promoted glycosylation with 2-acetamido-2-deoxygalactosyl diethyl phosphite, respectively. The disaccharide units could be coupled with the aid of TMSClO4 as an activator of the diphenyl phosphate leaving group, and global deprotection completed the synthesis of the tetrasaccharide.

Stereoselective synthesis of the CDE ring system of antitumor saponin scillascilloside E-1.

A stereoselective synthesis of the CDE ring portion of the antitumor saponin scillascilloside E-1 has been achieved, utilizing an Ireland-Claisen rearrangement to construct the contiguous tetrasubstituted stereocenters at C13 and C17 simultaneously and intramolecular nitrile oxide cycloaddition to form the five-membered ring as key steps.

Synthesis of chiral building blocks for oxygenated terpenoids through a simultaneous and stereocontrolled construction of contiguous quaternary stereocenters by an Ireland-Claisen rearrangement.

Methods for highly stereocontrolled syntheses of chiral building blocks with a triad of contiguous stereocenters, including two quaternary ones, have been developed. Ireland-Claisen rearrangement of the (Z)-silyl ketene acetal generated stereoselectively from the (R)-3-methylcyclohex-2-enyl ester derived from an acyclic carboxylic acid proceeded through a chairlike transition state to give the rearranged product with an S configuration at the position α to the carboxyl group. Introduction of a cyclic conformational constraint in the acid component completely switched the transition state of the rearrangement to a boatlike one, leading to the predominant formation of a product with an R configuration, from which pseudodiastereomeric α-hydroxy esters were obtained in a four-step sequence. The enyne obtained through a base-mediated double eliminative ring-opening reaction was successfully converted into advanced intermediates for the synthesis of 9-oxygenated labdane diterpenoids through a Heck reaction and a regioselective transformation of the resultant diene.

Enantioselective cycloaddition of carbonyl ylides with arylallenes using Rh2(S-TCPTTL)4.

The first catalytic asymmetric carbonyl ylide cycloaddition with arylallenes is described. With dirhodium(II) tetrakis[N-tetrachlorophthaloyl-(S)-tert-leucinate], Rh2(S-TCPTTL)4, the cycloaddition of carbonyl ylides derived from diazoketoesters with arylallenes proceeded in a fully chemo- and regioselective manner to give highly functionalized 8-oxabicyclo[3.2.1]octanes with up to 99% ee and perfect exo diastereoselectivity.

Total syntheses of (+)-polygalolide†a and (+)-polygalolide†b: elucidation of the absolute stereochemistry and biogenetic implications.

The total syntheses of (+)-polygalolide A and (+)-polygalolide B have been completed by using a carbonyl ylide cycloaddition strategy. Three of the four stereocenters, including two consecutive tetrasubstituted carbon atoms at C2 and C8, were incorporated through internal asymmetric induction from the stereocenter at C7 by a [Rh(2) (OAc)(4)]-catalyzed carbonyl ylide formation/intramolecular 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition sequence. The arylmethylidene moiety of these natural products was successfully installed by a Mukaiyama aldol-type reaction of a silyl enol ether with a dimethyl acetal, followed by elimination under basic conditions. We have also developed an alternative approach to the carbonyl ylide precursor based on a hetero-Michael reaction. This approach requires 18 steps, and the natural products were obtained in 9.8 and 9.3 % overall yields. Comparison of specific rotations of the synthetic materials and natural products suggests that polygalolides are biosynthesized in nearly racemic forms through a [5+2] cycloaddition between a fructose-derived oxypyrylium zwitterion with an isoprene derivative.

Enantio- and diastereoselective hetero-Diels-Alder reactions between 2-aza-3-silyloxy-1,3-butadienes and aldehydes catalyzed by chiral dirhodium(II) carboxamidates.

The first catalytic asymmetric hetero-Diels-Alder reaction between 2-aza-3-silyloxy-1,3-butadienes and aldehydes is described. With dirhodium(II) tetrakis[N-benzene-fused-phthaloyl-(S)-piperidinonate], Rh(2)(S-BPTPI)(4), the cycloaddition reaction proceeded exclusively in an endo mode to give all-cis-substituted 1,3-oxazinan-4-ones in high yields with up to 98% ee.

Catalytic enantioselective intermolecular cycloaddition of diazodiketoester-derived carbonyl ylides with indoles using chiral dirhodium(II) carboxylates.

The first example of enantioselective intermolecular cycloaddition of carbonyl ylides with indoles is described. The cycloaddition of five- and six-membered carbonyl ylides derived from diazodiketoesters with N-methylindoles under catalysis by dirhodium(II) tetrakis[N-tetrachlorophthaloyl-(S)-tert-leucinate], Rh(2)(S-TCPTTL)(4), gave cycloadducts in high yields and with high levels of enantioselectivity (up to 99% ee) as well as excellent exo diastereoselectivity.

Catalytic asymmetric synthesis of the endo-6-aryl-8-oxabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-en-2-one natural product from Ligusticum chuanxing via 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of a formyl-derived carbonyl ylide using Rh2(S-TCPTTL)4.

The reaction of a six-membered cyclic formyl-carbonyl ylide derived from alpha-diazo-beta-ketoester with phenylacetylene derivatives under the catalysis of dirhodium(II) tetrakis[N-tetrachlorophthaloyl-(S)-tert-leucinate], Rh(2)(S-TCPTTL)(4), provides cycloadducts containing an 8-oxabicyclo[3.2.1]octane ring system in up to 97% ee. This represents the first example of an enantioselective 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of a cyclic formyl-carbonyl ylide. Using this catalytic process, an asymmetric synthesis of endo-6-aryl-8-oxabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-en-2-one natural product 1 from Ligusticum chuanxing Hort. has been achieved.

Highly enantioselective hetero-Diels-Alder reactions between Rawal's diene and aldehydes catalyzed by chiral dirhodium(II) carboxamidates.

The first example of a chiral Lewis acid-catalyzed enantioselective hetero-Diels-Alder (HDA) reaction between 1-dimethylamino-3-silyloxy-1,3-butadiene (Rawal's diene) and aldehydes is described. The cycloaddition reaction under the influence of 1 mol% of dirhodium(II) tetrakis[N-benzene-fused-phthaloyl-(S)-piperidinonate], Rh(2)(S-BPTPI)(4), proceeded cleanly and gave, after treatment with acetyl chloride, the corresponding dihydropyranones in up to 99% ee.

Asymmetric synthesis of neolignans (-)-epi-conocarpan and (+)-conocarpan via Rh(II)-catalyzed C-H insertion process and revision of the absolute configuration of (-)-epi-conocarpan.

Catalytic asymmetric synthesis of neolignan natural products (-)-epi-conocarpan and (+)-conocarpan has been achieved by exploiting an enantio- and diastereoselective intramolecular C-H insertion reaction to construct a cis-2-aryl-2,3-dihydrobenzofuran ring system as a key step. The C-H insertion reaction of 5-bromoaryldiazoacetate catalyzed by Rh(2)(S-PTTEA)(4), a new dirhodium(II) carboxylate complex that incorporates N-phthaloyl-(S)-triethylalaninate as chiral bridging ligands, provided 2-aryl-5-bromo-3-methoxycarbonyl-2,3-dihydrobenzofuran with exceptionally high diastereoselectivity (cis/trans = 97:3) and high enantioselectivity for the cis isomer (84% ee).

Catalytic stereoselective glycosidation with glycosyl diphenyl phosphates: rapid construction of 1,2-cis-alpha-glycosidic linkages.

A commercially available 0.1 M solution of HClO(4) in dioxane has been shown to catalyze the glycosidation of glycosyl diphenyl phosphates. The per-O-benzyl-protected glucosyl and galactosyl donors and the 3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-2-azido-2-deoxygalactosyl donor each react with a range of acceptor alcohols in the presence of 0.05-0.2 equiv of HClO(4) in dioxane/Et(2)O (1:1) to afford glycosides in good yields with good to excellent alpha selectivities. The synthetic utility of this glycosidation method was demonstrated by a stereoselective synthesis of the alpha-galactosylceramide KRN7000, an activator of natural killer (NK) T cells through CD1d molecules.