Stereochemistry of the core structure of the mycolactones

Synthesis of the mycolactone core by ring-closing metathesis

The undecenolide core of mycolactone was synthesized by ring-closing metathesis and the structure confirmed using single-crystal X-ray diffraction techniques.

New approaches towards the synthesis of the side-chain of mycolactones A and B

New approaches towards the synthesis of the C1'-C16' side-chain of mycolactones A and B from Mycobacterium ulcerans are reported. Chiral building block 4 (Fig. 2) with the correct stereochemistry was obtained starting from naturally occurring monosaccharides, i.e. D-glucose or L-rhamnose. The polyunsaturated moiety 3 was synthesized in only 3 steps from 2,4-dimethylfuran. The building blocks were connected through a Sonogashira coupling resulting in the fast and convergent assembly of an 8,9-dehydro analogue 2 of the side-chain of mycolactones A and B. The synthesis of 1 is at this stage hampered by the lack of a selective partial hydrogenation protocol for alkynes embedded in a conjugated system. Alternative strategies involving palladium catalyzed sp2-sp2 coupling between C7' and C8' or C9' and C10' (Fig. 1) were also explored.

Structure elucidation of a novel family of mycolactone toxins from the frog pathogen Mycobacterium sp. MU128FXT by mass spectrometry

Structures are proposed, based on LC-ion trap MSn analysis and high-resolution FTICR MS/MS analysis, for a novel family of mycolactone toxins isolated from the frog pathogen MU128FXT and differing from those produced by the human pathogen M. ulcerans MUAgy99 in having an altered polyketide side chain.

Universal NMR Databases for Contiguous Polyols

On the basis of 1,2,3-triols 1a approximately d, 1,2,3,4-tetraols 2a approximately h, and 1,2,3,4,5-pentaols 3a approximately p, NMR databases with four types of profile-descriptors ((13)C-, (1)H-, and (1)H(OH)-chemical shifts and vicinal spin-coupling constants) for contiguous polyols are reported. To systematically assess the relative values of these databases, a case study has been conducted on heptaols 4a approximately d, through which the gamma- and delta-effects have been recognized to refine the (13)C and (1)H chemical shift profile predicted via an application of the concept of self-contained nature. The magnitudes of gamma- and delta-effects depend on a specific stereochemical arrangement of the functional groups present in both the inside and outside of a self-contained box and are significant only for the stereoisomers belonging to a specific sub-group. With the exception of the stereochemical arrangement of functional groups belonging to a specific sub-group, the gamma- and delta-effects can, at the first order of approximation, be ignored for the stereochemical analysis of unknown compounds. For the stereoisomers belonging to a specific sub-group, it is necessary to refine, with incorporation of the gamma- and delta-effects, the profile predicted at the first order of approximation. With use of heptaols 4a approximately d, the values of (3)J(H,H) profiles have been assessed. Two methods, one using profiles consisting of three contiguous (3)J(H,H) constants and the other using profiles consisting of two contiguous (3)J(H,H) constants, have been developed. A stereochemical analysis based on three, or two, contiguous (3)J(H,H) profiles is operationally simpler than one based on (13)C and (1)H chemical shift profiles. Therefore, it is recommended to use a (3)J(H,H) profile as the primary device to predict the stereochemistry of unknown polyols and (13)C and (1)H chemical shift profiles as the secondary devices to confirm the predicted stereochemistry.

Heterogeneity of mycolactones produced by clinical isolates of Mycobacterium ulcerans: implications for virulence

Mycobacterium ulcerans is the causative agent of Buruli ulcer, a severe necrotizing skin disease endemic in tropical countries. Clinical evidence suggests that M. ulcerans isolates from Asia, Mexico, and Australia may be less virulent than isolates from Africa. In vivo studies suggest that mycolactone, a polyketide-derived macrolide toxin, plays a major role in the tissue destruction and immune suppression which occur in cases of Buruli ulcer. Mycolactones were extracted from 34 isolates of M. ulcerans representing strains from Africa, Malaysia, Asia, Australia, and Mexico. Thin-layer chromatography, mass spectroscopic analysis, and cytopathic assays of partially purified mycolactones from these isolates revealed that M. ulcerans produces a heterogeneous mixture of mycolactone variants. Mycolactone A/B, the most biologically active mycolactone species, was identified by mass spectroscopy as [M(+)Na](+) at m/z 765.5 in all cytotoxic isolates except for those from Mexico. Mycolactone C [M+Na](+) at m/z 726.3 was the dominant mycolactone species in eight Australian isolates, and mycolactone D [M+Na](+) m/z 781.2 was characteristic of two Asian strains. Mycolactone species are conserved within specific geographic areas, suggesting that there may be a correlation between mycolactone profile and virulence. In addition, the core lactone, [M+Na](+) m/z 447.4, was identified as a minor species, supporting the hypothesis that mycolactones are synthesized by two polyketide synthases. A cytopathic assay of the core lactone showed that this molecule is sufficient for cytotoxicity, although it is much less potent than the complete mycolactone.

Complete stereochemistry of tetrafibricin

With use of the NMR databases in achiral and chiral solvents, the complete stereochemistry of tetrafibricin (1) has been elucidated without degradation of the carbon framework. [structure--see text]

Total synthesis of the mycolactones

[structure: see text] The first total synthesis of the mycolactones is reported. This work unambiguously confirms our earlier relative and absolute stereochemical assignment of the mycolactones.

Suspension cultivation of Mycobacterium ulcerans for the production of mycolactones

Mycolactones are polyketide toxins produced by Mycobacterium ulcerans, the causative agent of the tropical skin disease known as Buruli ulcer. Development of novel therapeutic agents from mycolactones has been hindered by the difficulty of producing sufficient amounts of material. Here, we describe the successful adaptation of M. ulcerans to suspension cultivation and the development of a fed-batch fermentation process that was scaled up to 150 l. In addition to producing mycolactones A and B, a number of new mycolactone-related compounds were also observed.