Synthesis of new C-19-functionalized cholesterols

Asymmetric Total Synthesis of (+)-Phainanoid A and Biological Evaluation of the Natural Product and Its Synthetic Analogues

Here, we report our detailed efforts toward the synthesis of phainanoids, a novel class of dammarane-type triterpenoids with potent immunosuppressive activities and unique structural features. Systematic model studies have been carried out, and efficient approaches have been established to construct the benzofuranone-based 4,5-spirocycle, the D/E/F tricyclic core, the [4.3.1] propellane, and the 5,5-oxaspirolactone moieties. The asymmetric synthesis of (+)-phainanoid A has been achieved through kinetic resolution of the tricyclic core followed by diastereoselective installation of the A/B/C and G/H rings and fragment coupling with the enantioenriched I/J rings. In addition, novel estrone-derived phainanoid analogues have been prepared. The immunosuppressive and cell survival assays revealed that (+)-phainanoid A and some of its synthetic analogues can specifically inhibit stimulation-induced lymphocyte proliferation but not cell survival at their effective concentrations. Preliminary structure-activity relationship information has been obtained, which could inspire future design of immunosuppressive phainanoid analogues.

Bidirectional Total Synthesis of Phainanoid A via Strategic Use of Ketones

Here we report the total synthesis of phainanoid A, a unique dammarane-type triterpenoid (DTT), using an unusual bidirectional synthetic strategy. It features two transition-metal-mediated highly diastereoselective transformations to access the two challenging strained ring systems that branch toward opposite directions from the tricyclic core. This work also highlights the strategic use of ketones (or enol triflates) as versatile handles for rapid growth of molecular complexity in all key transformations, which paves the way for efficient preparations of complex and biologically significant DTTs.

Bioorthogonal probes for imaging sterols in cells

Cholesterol is a fundamental lipid component of eukaryotic membranes and a precursor of potent signaling molecules, such as oxysterols and steroid hormones. Cholesterol and oxysterols are also essential for Hedgehog signaling, a pathway critical in embryogenesis and cancer. Despite their importance, the use of imaging sterols in cells is currently very limited. We introduce a robust and versatile method for sterol microscopy based on C19 alkyne cholesterol and oxysterol analogues. These sterol analogues are fully functional; they rescue growth of cholesterol auxotrophic cells and faithfully recapitulate the multiple roles that sterols play in Hedgehog signal transduction. Alkyne sterol analogues incorporate efficiently into cellular membranes and can be imaged with high resolution after copper(I)-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition reaction with fluorescent azides. We demonstrate the use of alkyne sterol probes for visualizing the subcellular distribution of cholesterol and for two-color imaging of sterols and choline phospholipids. Our imaging strategy should be broadly applicable to studying the role of sterols in normal physiology and disease.