The SESA network links duplication of the yeast centrosome with the protein translation machinery.

The yeast spindle pole body (SPB), the functional equivalent of mammalian centrosome, duplicates in G1/S phase of the cell cycle and then becomes inserted into the nuclear envelope. Here we describe a link between SPB duplication and targeted translation control. When insertion of the newly formed SPB into the nuclear envelope fails, the SESA network comprising the GYF domain protein Smy2, the translation inhibitor Eap1, the mRNA-binding protein Scp160 and the Asc1 protein, specifically inhibits initiation of translation of POM34 mRNA that encodes an integral membrane protein of the nuclear pore complex, while having no impact on other mRNAs. In response to SESA, POM34 mRNA accumulates in the cytoplasm and is not targeted to the ER for cotranslational translocation of the protein. Reduced level of Pom34 is sufficient to restore viability of mutants with defects in SPB duplication. We suggest that the SESA network provides a mechanism by which cells can regulate the translation of specific mRNAs. This regulation is used to coordinate competing events in the nuclear envelope.

Reduction of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Pom34 protein level by SESA network is related to membrane lipid composition.

Various pathways block initiation of translation of the bulk of mRNAs in response to membrane stress, amino acid starvation and unfolded proteins. In contrast, SESA, a network of proteins comprising Smy2, Eap1, Scp160 and Asc1, is a novel inhibitor of translation initiation of specific mRNAs. SESA binds POM34 mRNA in response to failure in spindle pole body (SPB) duplication process and inhibits its initiation of translation. We herein report that Pom34 protein level is reduced also in cells with altered membrane lipid composition upon treatment with various chemicals and show that SESA-induced downregulation of Pom34 is crucial for viability of cells with a disturbed nuclear envelope. Thus, we propose that SESA's action in SPB duplication process is dependent on the alteration of membrane lipid composition to facilitate the insertion process.

Cobalt-catalyzed arylation of azole heteroarenes via direct C-H bond functionalization.

[reaction: see text] We herein report a new cobalt-catalyzed method for arylation of azole heteroarenes, including thiazole, oxazole, imidazole, benzothiazole, benzoxazole, and benzimidazole. The direct arylation of thiazole and oxazole was achieved both with iodo- and bromoarenes as the aryl donors in the presence of cobalt catalyst [Co(OAc)(2)/IMes] and cesium carbonate, while imidazole required the use of zinc oxide as the base. A complete reversal of arylation from C-5 to C-2 was accomplished using the bimetallic Co/Cu/IMes system. A direct comparison of the new cobalt method and the previously developed palladium protocol revealed significant differences, in terms of both chemical yield and selectivity.

Selective and catalytic arylation of N-phenylpyrrolidine: sp3 C-H bond functionalization in the absence of a directing group.

We herein describe our studies on arylation of N-phenylpyrrolidine, which led to the development of a new transformation for the direct and selective arylation of sp3 C-H bonds in the absence of a directing group. In this method, Ru(H)2(CO)(PCy3)3 4 was used as the catalyst, and preliminary mechanistic studies suggested that Ru(Ph)(I)(CO)(PCy3)2 5 is the key intermediate of the catalytic cycle. A large kinetic isotope effect (kH/kD = 5.4) was observed, which supports the proposal that C-H bond metalation is the slow step. Preliminary examination of the substrate scope showed that in addition to N-phenylpyrrolidine, N-methyl- and N-benzylpyrrolidine, as well as N-benzoylpyrrolidine, were arylated under the reaction conditions.

Site-specific phenylation of pyridine catalyzed by phosphido-bridged ruthenium dimer complexes: a prototype for C-H arylation of electron-deficient heteroarenes.

Direct and selective catalytic arylation of alpha-C-H bond in pyridine with iodobenzene was achieved in up to 70% yield. Phosphido-bridged bisruthenium complexes 6a and 6b arising from Ru3(CO)12 and PPh3 were identified as active catalysts. The formation of complexes 6a and 6b was investigated, a sequence of C-H and C-P bond cleavage, cluster fragmentation, and disproportionation was established, and the intermediate ruthenium complexes lying on this pathway were isolated and fully characterized.

Oxidative C-arylation of free (NH)-heterocycles via direct (sp3) C-H bond functionalization.

The development of a new chemical transformation, namely oxidative C-arylation of saturated (NH)-heterocycles, is described. This reaction combines dehydrogenation and arylation in one process, leading to cross-coupling of (NH)-heterocycles and haloarenes. Typical reaction conditions involve heating the reaction partners in anhydrous dioxane at 120-150 degrees C in the presence of RhCl(CO)[P(Fur)3]2 as the catalyst and Cs2CO3 as the base. Addition of tert-butylethylene as the hydrogen acceptor increases the chemical yield by diminishing the dehalogenation pathway. This method demonstrated a good substrate scope, allowing for cross-coupling of a variety of (NH)-heterocycles (e.g., pyrrolidine, piperidine, piperazine, morpholine) and halo(hetero)arenes to afford valuable heterocyclic products in one step. The preliminary mechanistic studies provided some insight regarding the key events in the proposed catalytic cycle, including beta-hydride elimination of an amido rhodium complex and carbometalation of the resulting imine. A large kinetic isotope effect [KIE (kC-H/kC-D) = 4.3] suggests that one or both beta-hydride elimination steps are rate determining. The central role for the phosphine ligand was established in controlling the partitioning between the oxidative C-arylation and N-arylation pathways.

Diversity synthesis via C-H bond functionalization: concept-guided development of new C-arylation methods for imidazoles.

Herein, we have formulated the concept of systematic derivatization of a structural motif via C-H bond functionalization. This concept may not only serve as a blueprint for new strategies in diversity synthesis but also provide systematic guidance for the identification of unsolved and important synthetic challenges. To illustrate this point, 2-phenylimidazole was selected as the core motif for this study, a choice inspired by numerous azole-based synthetics, including pharmaceuticals (compound SB 202190), and also fluorescent and chemiluminescent probes. We were able to show that systematic and comprehensive arylation of the 2-phenylimidazole core was feasible, and in the context of this study new arylation methods were developed. The direct 4-arylation of free 2-phenylimidazole was achieved with iodoarenes as the aryl donors in the presence of palladium catalyst (Pd/Ph(3)P) and magnesium oxide as the base. A complete switch from C-4 to C-2' arylation was accomplished using a ruthenium catalyst [CpRu(Ph(3)P)(2)Cl] and Cs(2)CO(3). The corresponding transformations for (N,2)-diphenylimidazole (C-5 and C-2' arylation) were accomplished via the palladium-based method [Pd(OAc)(2)/Ph(3)P/Cs(2)CO(3)] and a rhodium-catalyzed procedure [Rh(acac)(CO)(2)/Cs(2)CO(3)], respectively. All of the arylation methods described herein demonstrated broad synthetic scope, high efficiency, and exclusive selectivity. Furthermore, these new methods proved to be orthogonal to one another and applicable to sequential arylation schemes. With these methods in hand, arrays of arylated imidazoles may now be accessed in a direct manner from 2-phenylimidazole. This strategy stands in sharp contrast to a traditional approach, wherein a distinct and multistep synthesis would be required for each analogue.

Selective C-arylation of free (NH)-heteroarenes via catalytic C-H bond functionalization.

A new system for palladium-catalyzed arylation of a broad spectrum of free (NH)-heteroarenes has been developed (indole, pyrrole, pyrazole, 2-phenylimidazole, imidazole, benzimidazole, and purine). Remarkable selectivity has been achieved in the presence of MgO base, providing single C-arylation products, while no N-arylation and no bis-arylation products have been detected. In the case of free imidazole, exclusive C-4 arylation may be switched to exclusive 2-arylation by the addition of CuI to the Pd/Ph3P/MgO system. When free aryl-(NH)-azoles are desired, direct arylation eliminates three steps in comparison to standard methods, including N-protection, stoichiometric metalation or halogenation, and N-deprotection.

C-C bond formation via C-H bond activation: catalytic arylation and alkenylation of alkane segments.

A new system for catalytic arylation and alkenylation of alkane segments has been developed. The ortho-tert-butylaniline substrates and 2-pivaloylpyridine may be arylated and alkenylated at the tert-butyl group, while no functionalization occurred at more reactive C-H and other bonds. Arylation and alkenylation of these substrates are achieved in the presence of Ph2Si(OH)Me and Ph-CH=CH-Si(OH)Me2, respectively, and the catalytic amount of Pd(OAc)2 and stoichiometric oxidant (Cu(OAc)2, 2 equiv) in DMF. In contrast, the ortho-i-propylaniline substrate underwent cyclopalladation, but no arylation product was obtained. Complex compound 14 was synthesized via tandem arylation-alkenylation of tert-butylaniline 11. We hypothesize that the high selectivity of this system stems from the confluence of directing effect of the Schiff base or pyridine moiety and unique reactivity properties of a phenyl-palladium acetate species (Ph-Pd-OAc.Ln).

C-C bond formation via C-H bond activation: synthesis of the core of teleocidin B4.

The core of teleocidin B4, a complex fragment of a natural product containing two quaternary stereocenters and a penta-substituted benzene ring, was synthesized in four C-C bond-forming steps starting from tert-butyl derivative 1. The first step involved alkenylation of the tert-butyl group with a vinyl boronic acid, followed by the successful annulation of the cyclohexane ring to the benzene nucleus via an intramolecular Friedel-Crafts reaction. The third step required a diastereoselective oxidative carbonylation of the geminal dimethyl group, followed at last by indole assembly via the alkenylation of the phenol nucleus, to afford the teleocidin B4 core. Noteworthy is the fact that steps 1 and 3 critically depended on the directing role of the aniline nitrogen (directed C-H bond functionalization).