Toward an enantioselective synthesis of (-)-zampanolide: preparation of the C9-C20 region

Linear (-)-Zampanolide: Flexibility in Conformation-Activity Relationships

Through an understanding of the conformational preferences of the polyketide natural product (-)-zampanolide, and the structural motifs that control these preferences, we developed a linear zampanolide analogue that exhibits potent cytotoxicity against cancer cell lines. This discovery provides a set of three structural handles for further structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies of this potent microtubule-stabilizing agent. Moreover, it provides additional evidence of the complex relationship between ligand preorganization, conformational flexibility, and biological potency. In contrast to medicinal chemistry dogma, these results demonstrate that increased overall conformational flexibility is not necessarily detrimental to protein binding affinity and biological activity.

Synthesis, conformational preferences, and biological activity of conformational analogues of the microtubule-stabilizing agents, (-)-zampanolide and (-)-dactylolide

Zampanolide and dactylolide are microtubule-stabilizing polyketides possessing potent cytotoxicity towards a variety of cancer cell lines. Using our understanding of the conformational preferences of the macrolide core in both natural products, we hypothesized that analogues lacking the C17-methyl group would maintain the necessary conformation for bioactivity while reducing the number of synthetic manipulations necessary for their synthesis. Analogues 3, 4 and 5 were prepared via total synthesis, and their conformational preferences were determined through computational and high-field NMR studies. While no observable activities were present in dactylolide analogues 3 and 4, zampanolide analogue 5 exhibited sub-micromolar cytotoxicity. Herein, we describe these efforts towards understanding the structure- and conformation-activity relationships of dactylolide and zampanolide.

Total Synthesis and Structural Reassignment of Lyngbyaloside C Highlighted by Intermolecular Ketene Esterification

Lyngbyaloside C, a classic macrolide, isolated from Lyngbya bouilloni, has shown moderate anticancer activity against several cancer cell lines. Here, we report the first total synthesis and stereochemical configuration reassignment of lyngbyaloside C. The synthesis highlights a one-pot intermolecular ketene esterification reaction to form the crucial tertiary ester and tetrahydropyran. In addition, a novel and concise synthetic pathway towards the 1,3-syn secondary, tertiary diol fragment is described using a regio- and stereospecific electrophilic ether transfer reaction.

Zampanolide and dactylolide: cytotoxic tubulin-assembly agents and promising anticancer leads

Zampanolide is a marine natural macrolide and a recent addition to the family of microtubule-stabilizing cytotoxic agents. Zampanolide exhibits unique effects on tubulin assembly and is more potent than paclitaxel against several multi-drug resistant cancer cell lines. A high-resolution crystal structure of αβ-tubulin in complex with zampanolide explains how taxane-site microtubule-stabilizing agents promote microtubule assemble and stability. This review provides an overview of current developments of zampanolide and its related but less potent analogue dactylolide, covering their natural sources and isolation, structure and conformation, cytotoxic potential, structure-activity studies, mechanism of action, and syntheses.

A multi-pronged mechanistic study of the phosphine-mediated conjugate addition of an alcohol to an acetylenic ester

The conjugate addition of an alcohol to a butynoate ester using an organophosphine catalyst was monitored using pressurized sample infusion electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (PSI-ESI-MS), together with ³¹P and ¹H NMR spectroscopy.

Conformational preferences of zampanolide and dactylolide

The solution conformation behavior of the macrolide core of microtubule-stabilizing agents (-)-zampanolide and (-)-dactylolide has been determined through a combination of high-field NMR experiments and computational modeling. Taken together, the results demonstrate that in solution both molecules exist as a mixture of three interconverting conformational families, one of which bears strong resemblance to zampanolide's tubulin-bound conformation.

Concise enantioselective synthesis of diospongins A and B

Ether transfer methodology is capable of stereoselectively generating 1,3-diol mono- and diethers in good yield. Surprisingly, allylic and benzylic substrates provide none of the desired products when exposed to previously optimized conditions of iodine monochloride. Herein, second-generation activation conditions for ether transfer have been developed that circumvents undesired side reactions for these substrates. The application of this chemistry to the enantioselective synthesis of diospongins A and B has now been accomplished.

Macrocyclic drugs and synthetic methodologies toward macrocycles

Macrocyclic scaffolds are commonly found in bioactive natural products and pharmaceutical molecules. So far, a large number of macrocyclic natural products have been isolated and synthesized. The construction of macrocycles is generally considered as a crucial and challenging step in the synthesis of macrocyclic natural products. Over the last several decades, numerous efforts have been undertaken toward the synthesis of complex naturally occurring macrocycles and great progresses have been made to advance the field of total synthesis. The commonly used synthetic methodologies toward macrocyclization include macrolactonization, macrolactamization, transition metal-catalyzed cross coupling, ring-closing metathesis, and click reaction, among others. Selected recent examples of macrocyclic synthesis of natural products and druglike macrocycles with significant biological relevance are highlighted in each class. The primary goal of this review is to summarize currently used macrocyclic drugs, highlight the therapeutic potential of this underexplored drug class and outline the general synthetic methodologies for the synthesis of macrocycles.