Pyranosone dehydratase from the basidiomycete Phanerochaete chrysosporium: improved purification, and identification of 6-deoxy-D-glucosone and D-xylosone reaction products

Pyranose oxidase and pyranosone dehydratase (aldos-2-ulose dehydratase), enzymes which convert in coupled reactions D-glucose to beta-pyrone cortalcerone, peaked coincidently during idiophasic growth of Phanerochaete chrysosporium under agitated conditions. The enzymes were purified from mycelial extracts of the fungus and separated from each other by hydrophobic interaction chromatography on Phenyl-Sepharose and Phenyl-Superose. Two pyranosone dehydratase activity peaks, PD I and PD II, were resolved. The major PD I fraction, consisting about 74% of the total dehydratase activity, was further purified by anion exchange chromatography on Mono Q to yield apparently pure enzyme as judged by SDS-PAGE and gel filtration on Superose 12. Isoelectric focusing indicated microheterogeneity of the protein by the presence of at least five protein bands with pI 5.1-5.3. PD II had a pI of 5.75. Overall PD I purification was 60.7-fold with 50% yield. The enzyme acted on several osones (glycosuloses), with the preferred substrate being D-glucosone. D-Xylosone and 6-deoxy-D-glucosone were dehydrated at C-3-C-4 to give the corresponding 5-hydroxy-2,3-dioxoalcanals (4-deoxy-2,3-glycosdiuloses), new enzymatically produced sugar derivatives. The latter labile compounds were trapped as diphenylhydrazine or o-phenylenediamine derivatives and spectroscopically identified. The analogous D-glucosone dehydration product did not accumulate due to its further transformation. pH optimum of PD I activity was 6.0 and its pH stability was optimal at pH 7-11. The enzyme was sensitive to Me2+ chelating agents and some heavy metal ions (Hg2+, Cu2+).

New Metabolites of Streptomyces globisporus and Streptomyces griseus

5,6,7,7a-Tetrahydro-3H-pyrrolizin-7a-ol-3-one (VI) and N-[2-(1-hydroxy-4-methylpentyl)]acetamide (VII) were isolated from submerged cultures of the macrotetrolide-producing strains Streptomyces globisporus and S. griseus. Proposed structures are based on spectroscopic measurements.

A Conformational Study of the Semisynthetic Ergot Alkaloid - Terguride

Conformational analysis studied by 2D NMR techniques and X-ray diffraction methods are reported for the semisynthetic ergot alkaloid - terguride, in the form of free base and as the protonated species. The structure of terguride hydrogen maleate monohydrate (C20H29N4O)+(C4H3O4)- . H2O (II) was solved by direct methods and refined anisotropically to an Rvalue of 0.068 for 1 991 unique observed reflections. The title compound crystallizes in the triclinic space group P1 with lattice parameters a = 7.061(2), b = 9.205(1), c = 12.223(4) Å, α = 96.36(2), β = 107.15(2), γ = 106.67(1)°. Studies revealed that terguride monohydrate (I) and its protonized form (terguride hydrogen maleate monohydrate) possesses the identical conformations both in solutions and in the solid state - an envelope for C and Chair for D ergoline rings.

Side Reactions in Bromination of α-Ergocryptine

2,3-Dihydro-2-oxo-α-ergocryptine (III) and 2,3-dihydro-2-oxo-3-hydroxy-α-ergocryptine (IV) were found as the side reaction products in bromination of α-ergocryptine (I) with bromine in the presence of water. 2,3-Dihydro-2-oxo-3-ethoxy-α-ergocryptine (V) was formed in the presence of ethanol.

Macrotetrolide antibiotics produced by Streptomyces globisporus

Macrotetrolides isolated from a new producer, Streptomyces globisporus, were identified as nonactin, monactin, dinactin and trinactin. Spectroscopic characterization of these compounds was extended by 13NMR spectra. Chemical ionization with ammonia as reactive gas was proposed for mass-spectroscopic characterization of their mixtures. Their biological activity was confirmed by using larvae of the Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata) as a new test model.

2,3'-anhydrosucrose

Alkaline hydrolysis of alpha-D-glucopyranosyl 3,4-anhydro-beta-D-ribo-hexulofuranoside (1) involves participation of HO-2 and leads to 2,3'-anhydrosucrose (2). The structure of 2 was assigned on the basis of the n.m.r. and mass spectra of its hexa-acetate 3 and confirmed by the formation from 2 of the 6,6'-di-(4) and 6,1',6'-tri-O-trityl (5) derivatives, the 4,6-O-isopropylidene derivative (6), and 2,3':3,4-dianhydro-galacto-sucrose, isolated as the tetra-acetate 7. The structure of 7 was confirmed by its conversion into the 4'-O-tosyl-6,1',6'-O-trityl derivative 14 and by unambiguous synthesis from 6.

Microbial transformation of semisynthetic derivatives of daunomycinone modified in ring A

Semisynthetic derivatives of daunomycinone with 7,9-isopropylacetal, 7-O-methyl, 7-O-(4-penten-2-yl), and 7-O-(2-hydroxyethyl) substituents were converted by Streptomyces peucetius var. caesius (an adriamycin-blocked mutant) into 7-deoxy-13-dihydrodaunomycinone, while daunomycinone was transformed into 13-dihydrodaunomycinone (predominantly) and 7-deoxy-13-dihydrodaunomycinone. S. coeruleorubidus mutants 24-74 (accumulating aclavinone derivatives instead of daunomycin and related compounds) and 96-85 (producing no anthracycline substances), and S. aureofaciens B-96 (a tetracycline-blocked mutant) transformed the above substrates into the corresponding 13-dihydro derivatives, with the exception of 7,9-isopropylacetal daunomycinone which remained intact. 7-O-Propyn-1-yl daunomycinone was not transformed by any of the strains used under the conditions.

Titanium-catalyzed Diels-Alder addition of bis(trimethylsilyl)acetylene to 1,3-cyclohexadiene

The TiCl4-(C2H5)2AlCl catalyst induced the Diels-Alder addition of bis(trimethylsilyl)acetylene to 1,3-cyclohexadiene affording 2,3-bis(trimethylsilyl)bicyclo[2.2.2]octa-2,5-diene in 72% yield under mild conditions. The product eliminates ethylene upon heating to 240 °C to give 1,2-bis(trimethylsilyl)benzene.

New semisynthetic anthracycline glycosides

3-Trifluoroacetamido-4-O-trifluoroacetyl-2,3,6-trideoxy-α,β-L-lyxopyranosyl chloride (VII) was coupled under Koenigs-Knorr glycosidation conditions to (7S)-O-(2-hydroxyethyl)daunomycinone (IV), (7R)-O-(2-hydroxyethyl)daunomycinone (V), and (7S)-O-(4-hydroxy-2-butynyl)daunomycinone (VI). The deprotection of isolated N-trifluoroacetyl derivatives of α- and β-glycosides XVI, XVII, XX, XXI, and XXIV yielded free glycosides XVIII, XIX, XXII, XXIII, and XXV. Their anomeric configuration was determined by NMR spectroscopy. Reaction of 3,4-di-O-acetyl-2,6-dideoxy-α,β-L-arabinopyranosyl chloride (II) with IV gave glycosides XII and XIII. Their deacetylation provided free glycosides XIV and XV. An analogueous reaction with 3-acetamido-4-O-acetyl-2,3,6-trideoxy-α,β-L-lyxopyranosyl chloride (III) with IV lead to the N-acetyl glycoside IX only.

Alkaloids and Phenolics of Colchicum cilicicum1,2

The distributions of the alkaloids colchicine, 2-demethylcolchicine, 3-demethylcolchicine, demecolcine, 2-demethyldemecolcine, and 3-demethyldemecolcine in the corms, stems, leaves, flowers, and seeds of COLCHICUM CILICICUM were analysed by HPLC. In addition, the alkaloids cornigerine, N-formyl- N-deacetylcolchicine, N-methyl-demecolcine, beta-lumicolchicine, gamma-lumicolchicine, beta-lumidemecolcine, gamma-lumidemecolcine, and N-ethoxycarbonyldemecolcine were identified, the last named being reported for the first time from a COLCHICUM species. The flavones luteolin and apigenin were isolated and benzoic, 2-hydroxy-6-methoxybenzoic, and vanillic acids were also detected.

Structure of penta-O-acetylsucroses formed by deacetylation of octa-O-acetylsucrose. Reaction of 2,3,4,6,6'-penta-O-acetylsucrose

Chromatographic separation of penta-O-acetylsucrose fraction from deacetylation of octa-O-acetylsucrose by treatment with aluminium oxide impregnated by potassium carbonate gave 1',3,4,6,6'-penta-O-acetylsucrose (XII), 1,2,3,4,6-penta-O-acetylsucrose (XIII), and the prevailing 2,3,4,6,6'-penta-O-acetylsucrose (XIV). Reaction of compound XIV with two equivalents of p-toluenesulfonyl chloride in pyridine produced besides the 1'-O-p-toluenesulfonyl derivative XXI and 1',3',4'-tri-O-tosyl derivative XXII also 1',3'-di-O-tosyl derivative XXIII and 1',4'-di-O-tosyl derivative XX. 1',2-anhydro-(3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-α-D-glucopyranosyl 6'-O-acetyl-3',4'-anhydro-β-D-ribo-hexulofuranoside) (X) and 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-α-D-glucopyranosyl 1,6-di-O-acetyl-3,4-anhydro-β-D-ribo-hexulofuranoside (VIII) were prepared from compound XXIII by two minutes boiling with 1M sodium methoxide, evaporation of the reaction mixture, and acetylation (method A). Compound XX gives under reaction conditions of method A 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-α-D-glucopyranosyl 1,6-di-O-acetyl-3,4-anhydro-β-D-lyxo-hexulofuranoside (IX) only. However, upon 24h boiling with 1M sodium methoxide, neutralization, evaporation, and acetylation of the reaction mixture (method B), we obtained 3,3',4,6,6'-penta-O-acetyl-1',2-anhydro-4'-O-methylsucrose (XXIV), 1',2,3,3',4,6,6'-hepta-O-acetyl-4'-O-methylsucrose (XXV), and 1',2-anhydro-(3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-α-D-glucopyranosyl 3',4',6'-tri-O-acetyl-β-D-xylo-hexulofuranoside) (XXVI). Compounds XXV and XXVI are also formed by reaction of epoxide IX with sodium methoxide according to method B. Compound XXVI can be prepared by hydrolysis of the dianhydro derivative X followed by acetylation. A reaction mechanism for compound XXVI formation from the epoxide IX is proposed. It assumes an intramolecular opening of the oxirane ring in compound IX under formation of α-D-glucopyranosyl 1,3-anhydro-β-D-xylo-hexulofuranoside (XLVI). The 1'-O-tosyl derivative XXI reacts with sodium methoxide according to method B to give 3,3',4,4',6,6'-hexa-O-acetyl-1',2-anhydrosucrose (XXVIII), octa-O-acetylsucrose, and 2,3,3',4,6,6'-hexa-O-acetyl-1',4'-anhydrosucrose XL.

New intermediate for rapid synthesis of N-isopropyl-2-amino-1-(4-iodophenyl)propane (N-isopropyl-4-iodoamphetamine), labelled with radioactive iodine

The triazene derivative of N-isopropyl-2-amino-1-phenylpropane XIV, synthesized in seven steps from 2-amino-1-phenylpropane (II), enables a rapid, simple and regiospecific preparation of N-isopropyl-2-amino-1-(4-iodophenyl)propane (N-isopropyl-4-iodoamphetamine; I), labelled with short-living isotopes of iodine, directly prior to application.

Solvolysis of some 1-(8α-ergolinyl)-3,3-diethylureas and their salts

Nine salts of 1-(8α-ergolinyl)-3,3-diethylurea (II) were prepared and their solubility in water and the stability of the aqueous solutions at 60 and 100 °C were studied. The main product of hydrolysis is 6-methyl-8α-aminoergoline IV. The urethan VII is formed in the ethanolic solution. Both decomposition products are also formed under long-term storage at +5 °C. The course of hydrolysis of N-propyl homologue III is similar. The decomposition of 9,10-didehydro derivative I is much slower under the conditions used.

Biosynthesis of monensins A and B: the role of isoleucine

Isoleucine added to the cultivation medium of Streptomyces cinnamonensis C-100-5 induced a relative increase of the production of monensin B at the expense of monensin A. U-14C-Isoleucine was found not to be a specific monensin B precursor. The incorporation of 1-13C-2-methylbutyrate into monensins A and B showed the label to be evenly incorporated in both products at carbon atoms originating from C(1) of propionate. In regulatory mutants insensitive to 2-amino-3-chlorobutyrate isoleucine influenced the production of monensins only slightly but strains resistant to 2-aminobutyrate and norleucine decreased their total production by 2-12% in the presence of isoleucine which was associated with a decrease of monensin A content by 14-52%. The inhibitory effect of isoleucine on the biosynthesis of valine, a specific precursor of the butyrate unit of monensin A, is discussed.

Alkaloids from the roots of Papaver pseudo-orientale (FEDDE) MEDW

Two new alkaloids, pseudorine (Ia) (quaternary benzyltetrahydroisoquinoline type) and pseudoronine (II) (benzil type), were isolated from the roots of Papaver pseudo-orientale (FEDDE) MEDW. This is a first occurrence of this type of alkaloids in Papaveraceae. The main component of the tertiary alkaloid fraction was isothebaine accompanied by smaller amounts of orientalidine, mecambridine, bracteolidine, nuciferine, protopine, and allocryptopine. The presence of salutaridine and papaverrubine D was established. Traces of coptisine and palmatine were also found in some samples. Strongly polar portion of the extract was converted to iodides. N-Methylisothebainium iodide (IIIa) (major component), pseudorine iodide (Ia), and corytuberine hydriodide (IV) (significant amounts), a minor alkaloids such as alborine iodide (alkaloid PO-5), pseudoronine (II), and magnoflorine iodide (IIIb) were isolated from this source. Structure of pseudorine was determined by UV, IR, 1H, and 13C NMR spectroscopy and using the correlation with laudanosine and codamine. Proposed structure of pseudoronine is based on the mass spectra comparison.

Partially acetylated sucrose. Structures of hepta-O-acetylsucroses formed by deacetylation of octa-O-acetylsucrose

Formation of hepta-O-acetylsucroses I, II, XI, and XII, having a free hydroxyl group on the fructose moiety, in deacetylation of octa-O-acetylsucrose on aluminum oxide impregnated by potassium carbonate was proved by preparative chromatography on silica gel and by liquid chromatography. Their structures were inferred from the 1H and 13C NMR spectra, from NMR and mass spectra of their mono-methanesulfonyl derivatives VI - IX, or using comparison with authentic samples. Methanolic solutions of hepta-O-acetylsucroses I and II, a mixture of hepta-O-acetylsucroses XI and XII, and octa-O-acetylsucrose were deacetylated on aluminum oxide impregnated by potassium carbonate ant the time dependence of the reaction mixture composition was studied by liquid chromatography. Kinetic measurements show that deacetylation is first order reaction with respect to the starting compounds. With octa-O-acetylsucrose, the most reactive group is that at position 4', so that formation of 1',2,3,3',4,6,6'-hepta-O-acetylsucrose (II) is preferred. Both this compound and 1',2,3,4,4',6,6'-hepta-O-acetylsucrose (XII) are deacetylated to 1',2,3,4,6,6'-hexa-O-acetylsucrose (V). From 2,3,3',4,4',6,6'-hepta-O-acetylsucrose (XI), the 2,3,4,4',6,6'-hexa-O-acetylsucrose (IV) results. Other hexa-O-acetylsucroses, formed by deacetylation of hepta-O-acetylsucroses I and II, are deacetylated to penta-O-acetylsucroses faster than the hexa-O-acetylsucrose V and their proportion in the mixture after deacetylation of octa-O-acetylsucrose is very low. No migration of the O-acetyl group from the position 4' to the position 6' or vice versa occurs during the deacetylation.

Alkaloids of Androcymbium melanthioides var. stricta1

The aerial parts of ANDROCYMBIUM MELANTHIOIDES yielded known alkaloids cornigerine, colchicine, N-formyl- N-deacetylcolchicine, 2-demethylcolchicine, 3-demethylcolchicine, demecolcine, 2-demethyldemecolcine, 3-demethyldemecolcine, beta-lumicornigerine, beta-lumicolchicine, gamma-lumicolchicine, androcymbine, O-methylandrocymbine, and melanthioidine. Of these, O-methylandrocymbine and beta-lumicornigerine are reported for the first, time. The alkaloid, formerly designated as compound AM-3, has been identified as N-deacetyl- N-dimethyl-gamma-lumicornigerine 1. Its spectral data are given.

Structures of hexa-O-acetylsucroses formed by deacetylation of sucrose octa-O-acetate

A fraction corresponding to hexa-O-acetylsucrose was isolated in 34% yield from the reaction mixture after deacetylation of sucrose octa-acetate by aluminium oxide impregnated by potassium carbonate. Its subsequent reaction with p-toluenesulfonyl chloride in pyridine provided crystalline 1',2,3,4,6,6'-hexa-O-acetyl-3',4'-di-O-p-toluenesulfonylsucrose (III). With triphenylphosphine-diethyl azodicarboxylate reagent, 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-α-D-glucopyranosyl 1,6-di-O-acetyl-3,4-anhydro-β-D-lyxo-hexulofuranoside (VI) was obtained. Treatment of ditosyl derivative III with sodium methoxide followed by acetylation gave besides the anhydro derivative VI also the anhydro derivative V with ribo configuration. The same reaction carried out with mother liquors after crystallization of ditosyl derivative III yielded in addition to anhydro derivatives V and VI the crystalline 1',2-anhydro(3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-α-D-glucopyranosyl 6'-O-acetyl-3',4'-anhydro-β-D-ribo-hexulofuranoside) (VII). From these results and the analysis of NMR and mass spectra of the hexa-O-acetylsucrose, it follows that the deacetylation of sucrose octa-acetate is highly regioselective, providing the mixture of 1',2,3,4,6,6'-hexa-O-acetylsucrose (I) and 2,3,4,4',6,6'-hexa-O-acetylsucrose (XIII) with markedly prevailing the former component. The structure of dianhydro derivative VII (except the oxirane ring configuration) was determined by NMR spectroscopy. The configuration of this ring follows from the fact that the treatment of 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-α-D-glucopyranosyl 6-O-acetyl-3,4-anhydro-1-O-methanesulfonyl-β-D-lyxo-hexulofuranoside (IX) with sodium methoxide followed by acetylation does not give the dianhydro derivative VII. However, this compound is formed from the anhydro derivative V by its partial deacetylation, mesylation, reaction with sodium methoxide, and acetylation.

Partially acetylated sucrose. Preparation of 3-O-acetylsucrose and 3,6'-di-O-acetylsucrose and the analysis of mixtures of O-acetyl derivatives of sucrose of various degrees of acetylation by thin-layer chromatography with flame-ionization detection

Partial deacetylation of 3,3',4',6'-tetra-O-acetyl-l',2 : 4,6-di-O-isopropylidene sucrose (V) with aluminum oxide impregnated with potassium carbonate gave a mixture of 3,6'-di-O-acetyl-l',2 : 4,6-di-O-isopropylidenesucrose (VI) and 3-O-acetyl-l',2 : 4,6-di-O-isopropylidenesucrose (VII). 3,6'-di-O-acetylsucrose (IX) and 3-O-acetylsucrose (X) were prepared on deacetalation of compounds VI and VII, respectively. The structure of compounds IX and X was proved by 13C NMR and mass spectra of their deuterioacetyl derivatives XI and XII. Using procedures described in literature 3,3',4',6'-tetra-O-acetylsucrose (IV), 2,3,3',4',6-penta-O-acetylsucrose (III), l',2,3,3',4',6'-hexa-O-acetylsucrose (II) and 1',2,3,3',4,4',6-hepta-O-acetylsucrose (I) were prepared. These acetyl derivatives, sucrose and their octa-O-acetyl derivative were analysed by thin-layer chromatography with flame-ionization detection either separately or in mixtures. A chromatogram of the mixture was identical with a chromatogram of a mixture of O-acetyl derivatives of sucrose formed on deacetylation of octa-O-acetylsucrose with aluminum oxide impregnated with potassium carbonate; from this it follows that under the conditions of analysis O-acetyl derivatives of sucrose are separated on the basis of the degree of acetylation.

[Anthracycline antibiotics from genetically modified streptomycetes. The isolation, spectroscopic structural elucidation and biologic effects of beta-rhodomycin I]

By mutagenic treatment and selection procedures the mutant ZIMET 43678 was obtained from a population of the interspecific recombinant Streptomyces violaceus subsp. iremyceticus ZIMET 43615, which showed a changed spectrum of secondary metabolites. The main component isolated from the fermentation broth was a pure anthracycline evidenced by TLC. By means of acid hydrolysis, identification of the degradation products and also by spectroscopic UV/VIS-, IR-, MS-, 1H/13C-NMR- and CD-investigations with intact anthracycline the structure 7-(alpha-L- rhodosaminyl )-beta- rhodomycinon with the absolute configuration 7S, 9R , 10R was found. The anthracycline called beta- rhodomycin -1 (1) exhibits antimicrobial and cytostatic activity in vitro and is also effective on tumour cells in tumour bearing animals.

Alkaloids of Gloriosa superba L

From the corms and seeds of Indian Gloriosa superba L., 19 tropolone and 3 non-tropolone alkaloids were isolated. Of these, cornigerine, (S)-(+)-floramultine (bechuanine), 1,12-dihydroxy-2,10,11-trimethoxyhomoaporphine, colchicamide, 2-demethylcolchifoline, 3-demethylcolchifoline, colchicoside, and isoperlolyrine are reported for the first time from this plant. The new alkaloid isoperlolyrine has been assigned the structure III. This is the first alkaloid of carboline type found in the subfamily Wurmbaeoideae.

[Leukemomycin-blocked mutants of Streptomyces griseus and their pigments. II. New 7-hydroxy-bisnahydro-rhodomycinones from the mutant ZIMET 41707/1P]

Various blocked mutants were isolated from three leukaemomycin-(daunomycin-)producing strains IMET JA 3933, IMET JA 5142 and IMET JA 5570 of Streptomyces griseus by NTG and UV treatments. Among them, one class of four mutants ZIMET 43707/1P, IMET JA 5570/3P, IMET JA 5570/10P and IMET JA 5142/01P1 produced new blue and red pigments. Two red compounds designated 1PI and 1PII are the main components of the pigment complex produced by culture of the blocked mutant ZIMET 43707/1P. This paper describes the isolation of 1PI and IPII; furthermore, the spectral and physicochemical properties of these anthracyclinones and the elucidation of their structures are reported.

Alkaloids of Fumaria densiflora*

FUMARIA DENSIFLORA DC., collected near Varna (Bulgaria) was investigated for its alkaloidal content. Protopine, cryptopine, coptisine, palmatine, adlumidiceine, (+/-)-sinactine, and a new spirobenzylisoquinoline alkaloid densiflorine were isolated. Benzophenanthridine alkaloids were not detected.

N-Deacetyl-N-3-oxobutyrylcolchicine, an alkaloid from Colchicum autumnale L. seeds

The structure of N-deacetyl-N-3-oxobutyrylcolchicine (V), based on spectroscopic measurements, was proposed for a minor alkaloid isolated from seeds of Colchicum autumnale L.

Phenazines from Streptomyces cinnamonensis

Phenazine-1-carboxylic acid (Ia) and 6-(3-methyl-2-butenyl)phenazine-1-carboxylic acid (IIa) were isolated from the mycelium of the strain Streptomyces cinnamonensis ATCC 15 413. Identification and structure elucidation were performed by spectroscopic methods. Both compounds weakly inhibit the growth of gram-positive bacteria.

Another antibiotic from the basidiomycete Oudemansiella mucida

The structure III was assigned on the basis of spectroscopic measurements to an another antifungal antibiotic isolated from the mycelial culture of the fungus Oudemansiella mucida.

Effect of colchicine derivatives on the antibody response induced in vitro

Effect of 44 colchicine derivatives on the induction of antibody response in tissue cultures was tested. Lymphatic cells from the spleen of BALB/c mice were cultivated with antigen (sheep red blood cells) and the number of antibody forming cells was determined by the plaque technique. Most compounds with the immunoinhibitory effect are derived from the colchicine formula (I). The effect was increased by introducing ethyl, formyl or methylenedioxide groups. Colchinols exerted very good immunoinhibitory effect resulting by contraction of tropolone ring C into the aromatic one. A complete loss of the effectivity was detected in the case of glucoside of colchicine, colchiceine, isocolchicine, oxycolchicine, allocolchicine and in lumiderivatives of colchicine. No correlations between the immunoinhibitory effect, toxicity and stathmokinetic effect were detected: decrease of cell viability and arrest of mitoses were not observed in cultured lymphocytes within the range of the immunoinhibitory effect. The effect of colchicine derivatives was manifested as the inhibition of lymphocyte blastogenesis, which is probably the result of membrane transport blockade.

Non-cyclol (lactame) ergot alkaloids

Two new alkaloids were isolated from the field ergot. Their structures, N-(D-lysergyl-L-valyl)cyclo(L-valyl-D-prolyl) (IV) and N-(D-lysergyl-L-valyl)cyclo(L-leucyl-D-prolyl) (V), were assigned by mass, 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy.