Glucuronic Acid Derivatives Research Articles

Inhibition of xanthine oxidase-catalyzed xanthine and 6-mercaptopurine oxidation by luteolin, naringenin, myricetin, ampelopsin and their conjugated metabolites

Luteolin, naringenin, myricetin, and ampelopsin are abundant flavonoids in nature, and several dietary supplements also contain them at very high doses. After the peroral intake, flavonoids go through extensive presystemic biotransformation; therefore, typically their sulfate/glucuronic acid conjugates reach high concentrations in the circulation. Xanthine oxidase (XO) enzyme is involved in uric acid production, and it also takes part in the elimination of certain drugs (e.g., 6-mercaptopurine). The inhibitory effects of flavonoid aglycones on XO have been widely studied; however, only limited data are available regarding their sulfate and glucuronic acid conjugates. In this study, we examined the impacts of luteolin, naringenin, myricetin, ampelopsin, and their sulfate/glucuronide derivatives on XO-catalyzed xanthine and 6-mercaptopurine oxidations employing in vitro enzyme incubation assays and molecular modeling studies. Our major results/conclusions are the following: (1) Sulfate metabolites were stronger while glucuronic acid derivatives were weaker inhibitors of XO compared to the parent flavonoids. (2) Naringenin, ampelopsin, and their metabolites were weak inhibitors of the enzyme. (3) Luteolin, myricetin, and their sulfates were highly potent inhibitors of XO, and the glucuronides of luteolin showed moderate inhibitory impacts. (4) Conjugated metabolites of luteolin and myricetin can be involved in the inhibitory effects of these flavonoids on XO enzyme.

Peg- Induced Drought Stress Effects on Spinach Germination Parameters

Exposure to the drought stress reduces germination rate and seedling's growth with significant variations from crop to crop. An unavoidable consequence of drought exposure is the generation of reactive oxygen species. They can be extremely reactive with several cellular constituents such as proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids. Spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) is one of the most consumed vegetable species, rich in vitamins, such as vitamin C, and minerals, which are essential for human health. Besides, spinach contains large amounts of bioactive molecules such as glucuronic acid derivatives of flavonoids and p-coumaric acid derivatives that exhibit strong antioxidant activity Osmotic solutions of polyethylene glycol (PEG) are commonly used to control water potential in seed germination studies. PEG reduces the water potential of osmotic solutions but may limit oxygen availability to germinating seeds. The purpose of this study was to determine whether seed immersion in PEG solution had a detrimental effect on total Germination percentage, Relativized percentage, Mean germination time, Mean germination rate, Coefficient of variation of germination time, Coefficient of the velocity of germination, Germination index, Uncertainty of germination process, Synchronization index, Time to 10% germination, Time to 25% germination, Time to 50% germination, Time to 75% germination, Time to 90% germination, Time from 10 to 90% germination, Time from 25 to 75% germination, Mean daily germination Percent, Peak value for germination, Germination value. A controlled experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of drought stress, induced by PEG, on these germination parameters in Spinach. For control, seeds were treated with nutrient solution, and 2.5% PEG was used to induce drought stress. The seeds were germinated geotropically between moisten filter papers. Each roll contained 30 seeds. Overall germination parameters showed a decrease as compared to control. The germination percentage of control seeds of Spinach oleracea L. was 79% while those treated with PEG were only 63%. Similarly, the relativized percentage decrease was observed in the case of PEG-treated seeds. Relativized percentage of control seeds was 91% as treated seeds were only 73%. Both showed a significant decrease as compared to the control.

Solid-phase synthesis of molecularly imprinted polymer nanolabels: Affinity tools for cellular bioimaging of glycans

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a glycosaminoglycan that plays many roles in health and disease and is a key biomarker of certain cancers. Therefore, its detection at an early stage, by histochemical methods, is of importance. However, intracellular HA can be masked by other HA-binding macromolecules, rendering its visualization somehow problematic. We show that fluorescent molecularly imprinted polymer nanogels (MIP-NPs), can localize and detect intracellular HA. MIP-NPs were synthesized by solid-phase synthesis on glass beads (GBs). GBs were functionalized with terminal alkyne groups on which an azide derivative of the template molecule glucuronic acid was immobilized via click chemistry. Immobilization via the anomeric carbon left the template’s carboxyl moiety free to enable strong stoichiometric electrostatic interactions with a benzamidine-based functional monomer, to confer selective recognition to the MIP-NPs. Due to the two-point orientation of the template, the resulting MIP-NPs were endowed with improved binding site homogeneity and specificity, reminiscent of monoclonal antibodies. These synthetic antibodies were then applied for probing and staining HA, of which glucuronic acid is a substructure (epitope), on human epidermal cells. Their excellent sensitivity, small size and water compatibility, enabled the MIP-NPs to visualize HA, as evidenced by confocal fluorescence micrographs.

Synthesis of glucuronic acid derivatives via the efficient and selective removal of a C6 methyl group

This investigation is related to the development of a general strategy for the synthesis of certain glucuronic acid derivatives. In particular, we report exceptionally selective conditions for removing the C6 methyl protecting group by potassium hydroxide without affecting the benzoyl protecting groups on the C2, C3 and C4 hydroxyl groups in high yields (95–99%). The present method proves to be efficient and environmentally friendly in terms of short reaction time, high yield and the single product.

Oxidation of amylose and amylopectin by hydroxyl radicals assessed by electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry

The hydroxyl radicals (HO) are one of the most reactive oxygen species (ROS) involved in the oxidative damage of biological molecules, including carbohydrates. During the industrial processing of food, ROS can be formed. In order to identify the structural changes induced in starch by oxidation, amylose, amylopectin, and maltotriose, an oligosaccharide structurally related to these polysaccharides, were subjected to oxidation with HO generated under Fenton reaction conditions (Fe2+/H2O2). The oxidised polysaccharides were hydrolysed by α-amylase and the obtained oligosaccharides were fractionated by ligand-exchange/size-exclusion chromatography. Both acidic and neutral α-amylase resistant oligosaccharides were characterized by mass spectrometry. In oxidised neutral products, new keto, hydroxyl, and hydroperoxy moieties, and oxidative ring scission were observed at the reducing end of the oligosaccharides. The acid sugar residues occurred at the reducing end and included gluconic and glucuronic acid derivatives, and acids formed by oxidative ring scission, namely, arabinonic, erythronic, glyceric and glycolic acids.

Glycosylation and functionalization of native amino acids with azido uronic acids

Bifunctional, acetyl-protected, azido glucuronic and galacturonic acid derivatives were coupled via the carboxylic acid moiety to amine- and hydroxyl-containing side chains of the natural amino acids lysine and serine or via the N-terminus of the amino acids leucine, methionine and glutamine. The glycosylated amino acids were then functionalized via the free azido moiety to produce the corresponding anomeric triazole derivatives. This approach enables the dual glycosylation and functionalization of a range of native amino acids in high yields.

Synthesis of Purine Nucleosides from D‐Glucuronic Acid Derivatives and Evaluation of Their Cholinesterase‐Inhibitory Activities

AbstractGlucuronolactones were used as precursors for N9 and N7 purine nucleosides containing glucuronic acid derivatives in their structures. Acetylated N‐benzylglucofuran‐ and glucopyranuronamides were synthesized in a few steps from glucofuranurono‐6,3‐lactone. They were converted into the corresponding furanosyl and pyranosyl uronamide‐based nucleosides by N‐glycosylation with silylated 2‐acetamido‐6‐chloropurine in the presence of trimethylsilyl triflate. The triacetylated bicyclic lactone was coupled itself with the nucleobase to give bicyclic N9,N7 nucleosides. Tri‐O‐acetylglucopyranurono‐6,1‐lactone was used for the first time as a glycosyl donor for N‐glycosylation, and led to β‐configured N9‐ and N7‐linked purinylglucuronides under reaction conditions similar to those used with the 1‐O‐acetyl‐substituted glycosyl donors. The cholinesterase inhibitory profiles of the synthetic nucleosides bearing glucuronic acid derivatives as glycons were evaluated, and they showed moderate selective acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activities (Ki = 14.78–50.53 μM). The best inhibition was shown by the furanosyl N9‐linked uronamide‐based purine nucleoside.

Simultaneous determination of neutral sugars and uronic acid constituents in a novel bacterial polysaccharide using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

The purified novel bacterial polysaccharide was acid-hydrolyzed, followed by the subsequent derivatization using ethanethiol-trifluoroacetic acid and acetic anhydride-pyridine systems sequentially. Our findings differ from the previous reports in that the glucuronic acid was obtained through effective derivatization. The neutral sugars and glucuronic acid were analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) with xyloses as an internal standard. The polysaccharide was found to be composed of fucose, glucose, glucuronic acid and galactose, with the relative molar ratio of 1.50: 1.0: 0.79: 2.06. The neutral sugars ratio was similar to the relative molar ratio for fucose, glucose and galactose of 1.76: 1.0: 1.98 through alditol acetates determined by GC. The percentages of glucuronic acid analyzed using either the carbazole and sulfuric acid method or the above method were 16.19% and 14.85%, respectively. These results indicate that it is practicable to use the derivatization method and GC-MS to quantitatively analyze neutral sugars and glucuronic acid simultaneously in polysaccharide. For GC-MS analysis, the procedure was developed for the simultaneous determination of the derivatives in 25 min, and was performed using an HP-5MS column. Molecular ion peaks were observed in the electron ionization (EI) mass spectra. The fragmentation mechanism for glucuronic acid derivative is discussed in detail.

Identification of a General O-linked Protein Glycosylation System in Acinetobacter baumannii and Its Role in Virulence and Biofilm Formation

Acinetobacter baumannii is an emerging cause of nosocomial infections. The isolation of strains resistant to multiple antibiotics is increasing at alarming rates. Although A. baumannii is considered as one of the more threatening “superbugs” for our healthcare system, little is known about the factors contributing to its pathogenesis. In this work we show that A. baumannii ATCC 17978 possesses an O-glycosylation system responsible for the glycosylation of multiple proteins. 2D-DIGE and mass spectrometry methods identified seven A. baumannii glycoproteins, of yet unknown function. The glycan structure was determined using a combination of MS and NMR techniques and consists of a branched pentasaccharide containing N-acetylgalactosamine, glucose, galactose, N-acetylglucosamine, and a derivative of glucuronic acid. A glycosylation deficient strain was generated by homologous recombination. This strain did not show any growth defects, but exhibited a severely diminished capacity to generate biofilms. Disruption of the glycosylation machinery also resulted in reduced virulence in two infection models, the amoebae Dictyostelium discoideum and the larvae of the insect Galleria mellonella, and reduced in vivo fitness in a mouse model of peritoneal sepsis. Despite A. baumannii genome plasticity, the O-glycosylation machinery appears to be present in all clinical isolates tested as well as in all of the genomes sequenced. This suggests the existence of a strong evolutionary pressure to retain this system. These results together indicate that O-glycosylation in A. baumannii is required for full virulence and therefore represents a novel target for the development of new antibiotics.

Efficient microwave-promoted synthesis of glucuronic and galacturonic acid derivatives using sulfuric acid impregnated on silica

Monomode microwave-assisted syntheses of d-glucuronic and d-galacturonic acid derivatives are reported in the presence of a solid acid catalyst, consisting of sulfuric acid loaded onto silica. This approach affords a variety of surface-active monoglycosylated glucofuranosidurono-6,3-lactones and disubstituted galacturonic adducts in excellent yields in less than 10 min at 85°C. This study illustrates the application of microwave heating mode, in combination with a cost-effective solid catalyst, as an efficient, selective, and eco-friendly methodology in carbohydrate chemistry.

SnCl4- and TiCl4-Catalyzed Anomerization of Acylated O- and S-Glycosides: Analysis of Factors That Lead to Higher α:β Anomer Ratios and Reaction Rates

The quantification of factors that influence both rates and stereoselectivity of anomerization reactions catalyzed by SnCl(4) and TiCl(4) and how this has informed the synthesis of α-O- and α-S-glycolipids is discussed. The SnCl(4)-catalyzed anomerization reactions of β-S- and β-O-glycosides of 18 substrates followed first order equilibrium kinetics and k(f) + k(r) values were obtained, where k(f) is the rate constant for the forward reaction (β → α) and k(r) is the rate constant for the reverse reaction (α → β). Comparison of the k(f) + k(r) values showed that reactions of glucuronic acid or galacturonic acid derivatives were ∼10 to 3000 times faster than those of related glucoside and galactopyranoside counterparts and α:β ratios were generally also higher. Stereoelectronic effects contributed from galacto-configured compounds were up to 2-fold faster than those of corresponding glucosides. The introduction of groups, including protecting groups, which are increasingly electron releasing generally led to rate enhancements. The anomerization of S-glycosides was consistently faster than that of corresponding O-glycosides. Reactions were generally faster for reactions with TiCl(4) than those with SnCl(4). Anomeric ratios depended on the Lewis acid, the number equivalents of the Lewis acid, temperature, and substrate. Very high ratios of α-products for both O- and S-glucuronides were observed for reactions promoted by TiCl(4); for these substrates TiCl(4) was superior to SnCl(4). Anomeric ratios from anomerization of S-glucosides were higher with SnCl(4) than with TiCl(4). The dependence of equilibrium ratio on Lewis acid and the number of equivalents of Lewis acid indicated that the equilibrium ratio is determined by a complex of the saccharide residue bound to the Lewis acid and not the free glycoside. The high α:β ratios observed for anomerization of both O- and S-glycuronic acids can be explained by coordination of the C-1 heteroatom and C-6 carbonyl group of the product to the Lewis acid, which would enhance the anomeric effect by increasing the electron-withdrawing ability of the anomeric substituent and lead to an increase in the proportion of the α-anomer. Such an observation would argue against the existence of a reverse anomeric effect. Support for a chelation-induced endocyclic cleavage mechanism for the anomerization is provided by the trapping of a key intermediate. The data herein will help predict the tendency of β-glycosides to undergo anomerization; this includes cases where 1,2-trans glycosides are initial products of glycosidation reactions catalyzed by TiCl(4) or SnCl(4).

ChemInform Abstract: Higher Iodinated Analogues of D-Glucose: Syntheses of 3-C-Iodomethyl, 6-C-Iodomethyl and 6-C-Iodophenyl Derivatives.

Abstract C -Substituted iodinated analogues of d -glucose have been prepared from diacetone- d -glucose or d -glucuronic acid derivatives; in these compounds, each hydroxyl group of glucose is present.

Synthesis of Bivalent Lactosides Based on Terephthalamide, N,N′-Diglucosylterephthalamide, and Glycophane Scaffolds and Assessment of Their Inhibitory Capacity on Medically Relevant Lectins

Glycan recognition by lectins initiates clinically relevant processes such as toxin binding or tumor spread. Thus, the development of potent inhibitors has a medical perspective. Toward this goal, we report the synthesis of both rigid and flexible bivalent lactosides on scaffolds that include secondary and tertiary terephthalamides and N,N'-diglucosylterephthalamides. Construction of these compounds involved Schmidt-Michel glycosidation, and amide coupling or Ugi reactions of relevant glycosyl amines in key steps. A glycocluster based on a rigid glycophane was also prepared from coupling of a glucuronic acid derivative and p-xylylenediamine with subsequent ring-closing metathesis. Finally, a more flexible bivalent lactoside was produced from lactosyl azide with use of the copper-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition. Distances between lactose residues were analyzed computationally as were their orientations for the relatively rigid subset of compounds. Distinct spacing properties were revealed by varying the structure of the scaffold or by varying the location of the lactose residue on the scaffold. To relate these features to bioactivity a plant toxin and human adhesion/growth-regulatory galectins were used as sensors in three types of assay, i.e. measuring agglutination of erythrocytes, binding to glycans of a surface-immobilized glycoprotein, or binding to human cells. Methodologically, the common hemeagglutination assay was found to be considerably less sensitive than both solid-phase and cell assays. The bivalent compounds were less effective at interfering with glycoprotein binding to the plant toxin than to human lectins. Significantly, a constrained compound was identified that displayed selectivity in its inhibitory potency between galectin-3 and its proteolytically processed form. Conversely, compounds with a high degree of flexibility showed notable ability to protect human cells from plant toxin binding. The applied conjugation chemistry thus is compatible with the long-term aim to produce potent and selective lectin inhibitors.

Phenylenediamine-based bivalent glycocyclophanes: synthesis and analysis of the influence of scaffold rigidity and ligand spacing on lectin binding in cell systems with different glycomic profiles

The conjugation of carbohydrates to synthetic scaffolds has the goal of preparing potent inhibitors of lectin binding. We herein report the synthesis of a panel of bivalent compounds (cyclophane and terephthalamide-derivatives) then used to establish the influence of scaffold flexibility on respective inhibitory potency in a medically relevant test system. Synthetic routes to two phenylenediamine-based glycocyclophanes involving Ugi reactions of glucuronic acid derivatives and subsequent ring closing metathesis are described, as are improvements for producing terephthalamide-based carbohydrate carriers. Assays were performed with human tumour cells measuring quantitatively the influence of the test compounds on fluorescent surface staining by labelled lectins. Biological evaluation using two different lines of cancer cells as well as cells with known alterations in the glycomic profile (cells treated with an inhibitor of glycan processing and a glycosylation mutant) reduced the risk of generating premature generalizations regarding inhibitor potency. Bioactivity relative to free mannose was invariably determined for the synthetic compounds. A clear trend for enhanced inhibitory properties for macrocyclic compounds compared to non-macrocyclic derivatives was discerned for one type of glycocyclophane. Herein we also document the impact of altering the spacing between the mannose residues, altering cell surface ligand density and cell-type reactivity. The applied strategy for the cell assays is proposed to be of general importance in the quest to identify medically relevant lectin inhibitors.

Modification of collagen in vitro with respect to formation of N ɛ-carboxymethyllysine

Developing new biopolymer-based materials with bio-identical properties is a significant challenge in modern science. One interesting route to this goal involves the biomineralization of collagen, a pre-structured and widely available protein, into a material with interesting properties. A prerequisite for biomineralization is the ability of cations (e.g., calcium) to bind to the protein and to result in concert with appropriate anions (e.g., phosphate) in composite material with e.g., bone-like properties. In order to increase the number of binding sites it is necessary to modify the protein prior to mineralization. For this glucuronic acid (GA) was used due to its carbonyl and carboxyl groups to derivatize proteinogenic amino groups transferring them into negatively charged carboxyl groups. Our experiments showed for the first time, that N ɛ-carboxymethyllysine is the major product of in vitro non-enzymatic glycosylation of collagen by glucuronic acid. For an unequivocal determination of the reaction products, the lysine residues of collagen and of the model peptide were carboxymethylated through a reductive alkylation with glyoxalic acid and compared to the glucuronic acid derivatives. Beside their identical mass spectra the common structure elements could be confirmed with FTIR. Thus, in the context of matrix engineering, by producing N ɛ-carboxymethyllysine, glucuronic acid offers a convenient way of introducing additional stable acidic groups into protein matrices.

Synthesis of sugar-lactams from azides of glucuronic acid

Sugar-lactams have found application as glycosidase inhibitors, synthetic precursors of iminosugars and they are structural components of natural products. The synthesis of β-d-glucopyranosidurono-6,1-lactams from glucuronic acid derivatives are described. NMR data and X-ray crystal structures indicate that the sugar-lactams adopt distorted 1C4 conformations in solution and in the solid state.

Convenient syntheses of deoxypyranose sugars from glucuronolactone

One of the characteristic reactions of glucuronic acid derivatives is the base-catalysed elimination of a 4-(substituted) hydroxy group to generate a Δ 4,5 pyranose. Following hydrogenation, proceeding mainly from the α-face provided the anomeric configuration is β, the initial C(5)-configuration is restored. This sequence affords access to a number of 4-deoxypyranoses: thus 4-deoxyglucoses are readily available by reduction at C(6). Conversion to a glycal, then cis-dihydroxylation at C(2)/C(3) leads to the d- lyxo configuration (found in neosidomycin). Finally a less obvious relationship to the KDO series is revealed, again by dihydroxylation.

Inhibition of membrane-associated carbonic anhydrase isozymes IX, XII and XIV with a library of glycoconjugate benzenesulfonamides

A library of glycoconjugate benzenesulfonamides that contain diverse carbohydrate-triazole tails were investigated for their ability to inhibit the enzymatic activity of the three human transmembrane carbonic anhydrase (CA) isozymes hCA IX, hCA XII and hCA XIV. These isozymes have their CA domains located extracellularly, unlike the physiologically dominant hCA II, and are of immense current interest as druggable targets. Elevated expression of isozymes IX and XII is a marker for a broad spectrum of hypoxic tumors—this physiology may facilitate a novel approach to discriminate between healthy cells and cancerous cells. Many of these glycoconjugates were potent inhibitors (low nM), but importantly exhibited different isozyme selectivity profiles. The most potent hCA IX inhibitor was the glucuronic acid derivative 20 ( K i = 23 nM). This compound was uniquely hCA IX selective cf. all other isozymes (16.4-, 16.8- and 4.6-fold selective against hCA II, XII, and XIV, respectively). At hCA XII there were many inhibitors with K is < 10 nM that also demonstrated excellent selectivity (up to 344-fold) against other isozymes. Potent hCA XIV inhibitors were also identified, several with K is ∼ 10 nM, however no hCA XIV-selective derivatives were evidenced from this library. The sugar tails of this study have shown promise as a valuable approach to both solubilize the aromatic sulfonamide CA recognition pharmacophore and to deliver potent inhibition and isozyme differentiation of the transmembrane CAs.

Convenient Syntheses of Daunomycinone‐7‐D‐glucuronides and Doxorubicinone‐7‐D‐glucuronides.

AbstractFor Abstract see ChemInform Abstract in Full Text.

Synthesis of mono- and bisglucuronylated carboranes

A route for the preparation of carborane-containing glucuronic acid derivatives is described, starting from 1,2- O-isopropylidene-α- d-glucuronolactone. The obtained compounds are potential BNCT agents ready to be tested for their uptake in selected tumor cell lines.