Total synthesis of cerebrosides: (2S, 3R, 4E)-1-O-β-d-galactopyranosyl-N-(2′R and 2′S)-2′-hydroxytetracosanoylsphingenine

Phytoceramides from the Marine Sponge Monanchora clathrata: Structural Analysis and Cytoprotective Effects

In our research on sphingolipids from marine invertebrates, a mixture of phytoceramides was isolated from the sponge Monanchora clathrata (Western Australia). Total ceramide, ceramide molecular species (obtained by RP-HPLC, high-performance liquid chromatography on reversed-phase column) and their sphingoid/fatty acid components were analyzed by NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance) spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. Sixteen new (1b, 3a, 3c, 3d, 3f, 3g, 5c, 5d, 5f, 5g, 6b-g) and twelve known (2b, 2e, 2f, 3b, 3e, 4a-c, 4e, 4f, 5b, 5e) compounds were shown to contain phytosphingosine-type backbones i-t17:0 (1), n-t17:0 (2), i-t18:0 (3), n-t18:0 (4), i-t19:0 (5), or ai-t19:0 (6), N-acylated with saturated (2R)-2-hydroxy C21 (a), C22 (b), C23 (c), i-C23 (d), C24 (e), C25 (f), or C26 (g) acids. The used combination of the instrumental and chemical methods permitted the more detailed investigation of the sponge ceramides than previously reported. It was found that the cytotoxic effect of crambescidin 359 (alkaloid from M. clathrata) and cisplatin decreased after pre-incubation of MDA-MB-231 and HL-60 cells with the investigated phytoceramides. In an in vitro paraquat model of Parkinson's disease, the phytoceramides decreased the neurodegenerative effect and ROS (reactive oxygen species) formation induced by paraquat in neuroblastoma cells. In general, the preliminary treatment (for 24 or 48 h) of the cells with the phytoceramides of M. clathrata was necessary for their cytoprotective functions, otherwise the additive damaging effect of these sphingolipids and cytotoxic compounds (crambescidin 359, cisplatin or paraquat) was observed.

Impact of Structural Differences in Galactocerebrosides on the Behavior of 2D Monolayers

The molecular interactions of three biologically important galactocerebrosides have been studied in monolayers formed at the soft air/water interface as 2D model membranes. Highly surface-sensitive techniques as GIXD (grazing incidence X-ray diffraction), IRRAS (infrared reflection-absorption spectroscopy), and BAM (Brewster angle microscopy) have been used. The study reveals that small differences in the chemical structure have a relevant impact on the physical-chemical properties and intermolecular interactions. The presence of a 2-d-hydroxyl group in the fatty acid favored for GalCer C24:0 (2-OH) monolayers a higher hydration state of the headgroup at low lateral pressures (<25 mN/m) and a higher condensation effect above 30 mN/m. An opposite behavior was recorded for GalCer C24:0 and GalCer C24:1, for which the intermolecular interactions are defined by the weakly hydrated but strong H-bonded interconnected head groups. Additionally, the 15-cis-double bond in the fatty acid chain (nervonic acid) of GalCer C24:1 stabilized the LE phase but did not disturb the packing parameters of the LC phase as compared with the saturated compound GalCer C24:0.

New cerebrosides from a marine sponge Haliclona (Reniera) sp

A chemical investigation of the MeOH extract of a marine sponge Haliclona (Reniera) sp., collected off the coast of Ulleung Island, Korea, led to the isolation of thirteen new cerebrosides (1--3, 5--14), along with a known analogue (4). Their structures were elucidated on the basis of 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy, MS spectrometry, and chemical method. The major new features of these glucocerebrosides are C15 and C19 acyl chains, long (C24-C28) acyl chains, or the S-configuration of the acyl chains. It is noteworthy that both R- and S-configurations of the acyl chains were observed in the same specimen.

Total synthesis of globotriaosyl-E and Z-ceramides and isoglobotriaosyl-E-ceramide

Stereoselective, total synthesis of O-alpha-D-galactopyranosyl-(1----4) -O-beta-D-galactopyranosyl-(1----4)-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1----1)-N -tetracosanoyl-[2S,3R,4E (and 4Z)]-sphingenine and O-alpha-D -galactopyranosyl-(1----3)-O-beta-D-galactopyranosyl-(1----4)-O-beta-D -glucopyranosyl-(1----1)-N-tetracosanoyl-(2S,3R,4E)-sphin gen ine was achieved by using O-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-alpha-D-galactopyranosyl) -(1----4)-O-(2,3,6-tri-O-acetyl-beta-D-galactopyranosyl)-(1----4)-2,3,6- tri-O-acetyl-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl trichloroacetimidate, O-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-alpha-D-galactopyranosyl) -(1----4)-O-(2,3,6-tri-O-acetyl-beta-D-galactopyranosyl)-(1----4)-2,3,6- tri-O-acetyl-alpha (and beta)-D-glucopyranosyl fluoride, and O-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-alpha-D -galactopyranosyl)-(1----3)-O-(2,3,6-tri-O-acetyl-beta-D-galactopyran osyl)-(1----4)-2,3,6-tri-O-acetyl-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl trichloroacetimidate.