K-13, a novel inhibitor of angiotensin I converting enzyme produced by Micromonospora halophytica subsp. exilisia. I. Fermentation, isolation and biological properties

Chemical cyclization of tyrosine-containing peptides via in situ generated triazolinedione peptides

Tyr-derived cyclic peptide natural products are formed by enzymatic manifolds that oxidatively cross-link embedded phenolic side chains of tyrosine (Tyr) and 4-hydroxyphenylglycine residues during their controlled production. Bioactive Tyr-derived cyclic peptides, such as the arylomycins and vancomycins, continue to motivate the development of enzymatic and chemical strategies for their de novo assembly and modification. However, chemical access to these structurally diverse natural cycles can be challenging and step intensive. Therefore, we developed an oxidative procedure to selectively convert Tyr-containing N4-substituted 1,2,4-triazolidine-3,5-dione peptides (urazole peptides) into stable Tyr-linked cyclic peptides. We show that Tyr-containing urazole peptides are simple to prepare and convert into reactive N4-substituted 1,2,4-triazoline-3,5-dione peptides by oxidation, which then undergo spontaneous cyclization under mildly basic aqueous conditions to form a cross-linkage with the phenol side chain of embedded Tyr residues. Using this approach, we have demonstrated access to over 25 Tyr-linked cyclic peptides (3- to 11-residue cycles) with good tolerance of native residue side chain functionalities. Importantly, this method is simple to perform, and product formation can be quickly confirmed by mass spectrometric and 1H NMR spectroscopic analyses.

Chemoselective, Oxidation-Induced Macrocyclization of Tyrosine-Containing Peptides

Inspired by nature's wide range of oxidation-induced modifications to install cross-links and cycles at tyrosine (Tyr) and other phenol-containing residue side chains, we report a Tyr-selective strategy for the preparation of Tyr-linked cyclic peptides. This approach leverages N4-substituted 1,2,4-triazoline-3,5-diones (TADs) as azo electrophiles that react chemoselectively with the phenolic side chain of Tyr residues to form stable C-N1-linked cyclic peptides. In the developed method, a precursor 1,2,4-triazolidine-3,5-dione moiety, also known as urazole, is readily constructed at any free amine revealed on a solid-supported peptide. Once prepared, the N4-substituted urazole peptide is selectively oxidized using mild, peptide-compatible conditions to generate an electrophilic N4-substituted TAD peptide intermediate that reacts selectively under aqueous conditions with internal and terminal Tyr residues to furnish Tyr-linked cyclic peptides. The approach demonstrates good tolerance of native residue side chains and enables access to cyclic peptides ranging from 3- to 11-residues in size (16- to 38-atom-containing cycles). The identity of the installed Tyr-linkage, a stable covalent C-N1 bond, was characterized using NMR spectroscopy. Finally, we applied the developed method to prepare biologically active Tyr-linked cyclic peptides bearing the integrin-binding RGDf epitope.

Micromonospora: A Prolific Source of Bioactive Secondary Metabolites with Therapeutic Potential

Micromonospora, one of the most important actinomycetes genera, is well-known as the treasure trove of bioactive secondary metabolites (SMs). Herein, together with an in-depth genomic analysis of the reported Micromonospora strains, all SMs from this genus are comprehensively summarized, containing structural features, bioactive properties, and mode of actions as well as their biosynthetic and chemical synthesis pathways. The perspective enables a detailed view of Micromonospora-derived SMs, which will enrich the chemical diversity of natural products and inspire new drug discovery in the pharmaceutical industry.

The isolation of water-soluble natural products - challenges, strategies and perspectives

Covering period: up to 2019Water-soluble natural products constitute a relevant group of secondary metabolites notably known for presenting potent biological activities. Examples are aminoglycosides, β-lactam antibiotics, saponins of both terrestrial and marine origin, and marine toxins. Although extensively investigated in the past, particularly during the golden age of antibiotics, hydrophilic fractions have been less scrutinized during the last few decades. This review addresses the possible reasons on why water-soluble metabolites are now under investigated and describes approaches and strategies for the isolation of these natural compounds. It presents examples of several classes of hydrosoluble natural products and how they have been isolated. Novel stationary phases and chromatography techniques are also reviewed, providing a perspective towards a renaissance in the investigation of water-soluble natural products.

A biaryl-linked tripeptide from Planomonospora reveals a widespread class of minimal RiPP gene clusters

Microbial natural products impress by their bioactivity, structural diversity, and ingenious biosynthesis. While screening the less exploited actinobacterial genus Planomonospora, two cyclopeptides were discovered, featuring an unusual Tyr-His biaryl bridging across a tripeptide scaffold, with the sequences N-acetyl-Tyr-Tyr-His and N-acetyl-Tyr-Phe-His. Planomonospora genomes pointed toward a ribosomal synthesis of the cyclopeptide from a pentapeptide precursor encoded by 18-bp bytA, to our knowledge the smallest coding gene ever reported. Closely linked to bytA is bytO, encoding a cytochrome P450 monooxygenase likely responsible for biaryl installment. In Streptomyces, the bytAO segment was sufficient to direct production of the crosslinked N-acetylated Tyr-Tyr-His tripeptide. Bioinformatic analysis of related cytochrome P450 monooxygenases indicated that they constitute a widespread family of enzymes, and the corresponding genes are closely linked to 5-amino acid coding sequences in approximately 200 (actino)bacterial genomes, all with potential for biaryl linkage between amino acids 1 and 3. We propose the named biarylitides this family of RiPPs.

Gut microbiome: An intermediary to neurotoxicity

There is growing recognition that the gut microbiome is an important regulator for neurological functions. This review provides a summary on the role of gut microbiota in various neurological disorders including neurotoxicity induced by environmental stressors such as drugs, environmental contaminants, and dietary factors. We propose that the gut microbiome remotely senses and regulates CNS signaling through the following mechanisms: 1) intestinal bacteria-mediated biotransformation of neurotoxicants that alters the neuro-reactivity of the parent compounds; 2) altered production of neuro-reactive microbial metabolites following exposure to certain environmental stressors; 3) bi-directional communication within the gut-brain axis to alter the intestinal barrier integrity; and 4) regulation of mucosal immune function. Distinct microbial metabolites may enter systemic circulation and epigenetically reprogram the expression of host genes in the CNS, regulating neuroinflammation, cell survival, or cell death. We will also review the current tools for the study of the gut-brain axis and provide some suggestions to move this field forward in the future.

Importance and synthesis of benzannulated medium-sized and macrocyclic rings (BMRs)

Cyclic molecular frameworks, especially the benzannulated medium-sized and macrocyclic ring (BMR) systems, constitute an integral component of a large number of biologically significant natural or synthetic molecules.

A template-based approach to inhibitors of calpain 2, 20S proteasome, and HIV-1 protease

Specificity counts: A template-based approach to protease inhibitors is presented using a core macrocycle that presents a generic β-strand template for binding to protease active sites. This is then specifically functionalized at P2 , and the C and N termini to give inhibitors of calpain 2, 20S proteasome, and HIV-1 protease.

Mild and Nonracemizing Conditions for Ullmann-type Diaryl Ether Formation between Aryl Iodides and Tyrosine Derivatives

CuI/N,N-dimethylglycine-catalyzed coupling reaction of L-tyrosine derivatives and L-phenylalanine-derived iodides in the presence of Cs2CO3 works at 90 degrees C to provide the corresponding diaryl ether. Partial racemization occurs when N-Boc- and N-Cbz-protected aromatic amino esters are used, while N-trityl- and N,N-dibenzyl-protected aromatic amino esters give rise to coupling products without loss of optical purity. Little racemization is also observed in cases of N-Boc- and N-Cbz-protected aromatic amino acids as substrates. But their reaction yields are moderate. On the basis of these studies, shorter protocols for assembling (S,S)-isodityrosine and K-13 are developed.

Amino Acid Derived Macrocycles—An Area Driven by Synthesis or Application?

The synthesis, structure, and physical properties of macrocycles have fascinated chemists for many years. Their inherent properties make them useful in areas as diverse as ion transport across membranes, development of new antibiotics, and catalysis. In this Review, the authors examine the chemistry of macrocycles containing non-peptidic amino acid derived molecules; the analysis is discussed in terms of function, rather than structure or synthesis. It is revealed that the diverse and imaginative structures created by synthetic chemists are not being fully exploited in application-driven endeavors.

Chiral separation of halogenated amino acids by ligand-exchange capillary electrophoresis

The chiral separation of halogenated amino acids by ligand-exchange CE is described. Halogenated amino acids attracted increasing interest in recent years because of their physiological activities. Different chiral selectors, as there are L-4-hydroxyproline, L-histidine, and N-alkyl derivatives of L-4-hydroxyproline in form of their copper(II) complexes, are compared for their chiral recognition ability for halogenated amino acids. The influence of various parameters, such as selector concentration, pH, organic modifier, and field strength, on the resolution was investigated. All halogenated amino acids investigated were baseline-separated under optimized conditions.

Synthesis of (S,S)-Isodityrosine by Dötz Benzannulation

[reaction: see text] A synthesis of (S,S)-isodityrosine 1, a naturally occurring, key structural subunit of numerous biologically active macromolecules, is described. A formal [3 + 2 + 1] cycloaddition (Dötz benzannulation) approach was utilized to simultaneously construct an aromatic ring and the diaryl ether linkage in one step. This key step was extended to the synthesis of (S,S)-isodityrosine in two separate convergent synthetic routes. This method demonstrates a novel and mild method for the synthesis of diaryl ethers.

Renieramide, a cyclic tripeptide from the Vanuatu sponge Reniera n. sp

The polar extract of the Vanuatu sponge Reniera n. sp., which showed immunomodulating activity in preliminary tests, was found to contain a cyclic tripeptide, which we named renieramide (1). This metabolite is identical to a synthetic derivative mentioned in a patent concerning the preparation of cyclic peptides of the OF4949 family of anticancer agents. We describe here the first isolation of this metabolite from natural sources and its complete characterization by spectroscopic and chemical approaches. Renieramide (1) possesses a 17-membered cyclic side-chain-linked biphenyl ether skeleton, typical of the class that includes the natural products OF4949 I-IV, K13, and eurypamides. A tridimensional model of 1, obtained by NMR restrained molecular mechanics and dynamics, is also presented.

A rapid access to biaryl ether containing macrocycles by pairwise use of Ugi 4CR and intramolecular S(N)Ar-based cycloetherification

[reaction: see text] From readily accessible starting materials, macrocycles with an endo aryl-aryl ether bond are synthesized in only two operations by combination of the Ugi four-component reaction and an intramolecular S(N)Ar reaction. The nitro group serves as an activator for the macrocyclization and provides a handle for the introduction of functional group diversity. A Ugi reaction promoted by ammonium chloride in aprotic solvent is documented for the first time.

Synthesis and chromatography of [CpRu]+-complexed bastadin precursors

The eastern and western diaryl ether portions of the macrocyclic bastadins, natural products from the marine sponge Ianthella sp., have been assembled as [CpRu]+ complexes. In an HPLC study, aminopropyl-functionalised silica was found as a very suitable stationary phase for the chromatographic separation of the different cationic ruthenium sandwich complexes. It is now possible for the first time to effectively monitor and purify [CpRu]+ complexes and to carry them through several synthetic steps.

Intramolecular O-arylation of phenols with phenylboronic acids: application to the synthesis of macrocyclic metalloproteinase inhibitors

[reaction: see text]. The copper acetate mediated intramolecular O-arylation of phenols with phenylboronic acid pseudopeptides is the key step in the preparation of macrocyclic biphenyl ether hydroxamic acid inhibitors of collagenase 1 and gelatinases A and B. The intramolecular macrocyclization was found to be mild and tolerant of common chemical functionality. This methodology should provide a general route to macrocyclic biphenyl ethers.

Diaryl ethers using Fischer chromium carbene mediated benzannulation

[formula: see text] The biological relevance and irresistible synthetic challenge of compounds containing the diaryl ether linkage encourages the development of new methodologies targeted toward this structural subunit. The syntheses of diaryl ethers 2 using a benzannulation strategy that formally involves a [3 + 2 + 1] cycloaddition between aryloxy-substituted Fischer carbenes 1 and alkynes are described. This methodology provides a neutral near ambient temperature formation of diaryl ethers.