Synthesis of natural PI(3,4,5)P3

Iterative synthesis of nucleoside oligophosphates with phosphoramidites

P-Amidites can be used in iterative couplings to selectively give mixed P(III) -P(V) anhydrides. These intermediates can be oxidized followed by a rapid removal of the two terminal fluorenylmethyl groups. An iterative synthesis (coupling, oxidation, deprotection) of nucleoside oligophosphates can be carried out in solution and on a solid support. The coupling rates and yields are high, the procedures convenient (non-dry reagents and solvents, ambient conditions, unprotected nucleotides), and the purification is very simple. The method works with all canonical nucleosides and holds promise for significant simplification of the usually cumbersome process of P-anhydride bond construction.

The chemical biology of phosphoinositide 3-kinases

Since its discovery in the late 1980s, phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), and its isoforms have arguably reached the forefront of signal transduction research. Regulation of this lipid kinase, its functions, its effectors, in short its entire signaling network, has been extensively studied. PI3K inhibitors are frequently used in biochemistry and cell biology. In addition, many pharmaceutical companies have launched drug-discovery programs to identify modulators of PI3Ks. Despite these efforts and a fairly good knowledge of the PI3K signaling network, we still have only a rudimentary picture of the signaling dynamics of PI3K and its lipid products in space and time. It is therefore essential to create and use novel biological and chemical tools to manipulate the phosphoinositide signaling network with spatial and temporal resolution. In this review, we discuss the current and potential future tools that are available and necessary to unravel the various functions of PI3K and its isoforms.

Synthesis and immobilization of erythro-C14-omega-aminosphingosine-1-phosphate as a potential tool for affinity chromatography

A sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) analogue containing a terminal alkyl chain amino group is synthesized in a few steps via olefin cross-metathesis of an optically resolved intermediate and subsequent phosphorylation. Regioselective acylation of this intermediate at its N terminus in solution is demonstrated as a model reaction and provides a biologically active derivative. Finally, the omega-amino intermediate is immobilized on an affinity matrix. The choice of a UV-active phosphate protecting group allows for quantification of resin loading after cleavage which amounted to 66 %.

Stereoselective inhibition of glutamate carboxypeptidase by organophosphorus derivatives of glutamic acid

A series of alkyl and aryl phosphonyl, thiophosphonyl, and dithiophosphonyl derivatives of (S)- and (R)-glutamic acid were prepared and examined for inhibitory potency against glutamate carboxypeptidase (carboxypeptidase G). The acquisition of the phosphonamidodithioic acids and the individual phosphonamidothioic acid diastereomers was achieved through a common phosphonamidothiolate precursor, which also allowed for the chromatographic resolution of the chiral phosphorus center of the phosphonamidothioic acids. The most potent inhibitor of the series was the n-butylphosphonamidate derivative of the natural isomer of glutamic acid. Although each diastereomeric pair of three phosphonamidothionates exhibited stereoselective inhibition consistent with the configuration of the chiral phosphorus center, this effect was generally not remarkable. More important, was the effect of carbon stereochemistry upon glutamate carboxypeptidase inhibition as exemplified by a limited series of enantiomeric pairs of phosphonamidate and phosphonamidodithionate derivatives of glutamic acid. The phosphonamidate analogs derived from the unnatural stereoisomer of glutamic acid were devoid of inhibitory potency in contrast to their enantiomers. Surprisingly, the phosphonamidodithionates derived from the unnatural stereoisomer of glutamic acid demonstrated greater inhibitory potency than their naturally-derived antipodes.

A short, concise route to diphosphatidylglycerol (Cardiolipin) and its variants

A new approach is described for the synthesis of the cardiolipin family of phospholipids that uses phosphonium salt methodology. The method involves the reaction of 2-O-protected glycerol with a trialkyl phosphite derived from 1,2-diacylsn-glycerol in the presence of pyridinium bromide perbromide and triethylamine to afford the phosphoric triesters. The synthesis involves three steps and allows the preparation of a wide range of cardiolipins with different substitution patterns and chain lengths, including unsaturated derivatives. The use of inexpensive protecting groups and the ease of purification facilitate this synthetic route and allow its scale-up in a higher overall yield (72%) than the literature methods.

Membrane-Permeant 3-OH-Phosphorylated Phosphoinositide Derivatives

A crucial role in the regulation of epithelial chloride secretion is played by the phosphoinositide PtdIns(3,4,5)P3 . Membrane-permeant derivatives of this and other naturally occurring phosphoinositides have been synthesized. These derivatives, which can be bioactivated, were used in investigations on nasal epithelia of patients suffering from cystic fibrosis.