Norikazu Tamura

An efficient synthesis of a key intermediate for optically active 5,6-cis-carbapenem antibiotics

Abstract A versatile intermediate (18) for optically active 5,6- cis -carbapenem antibiotics was synthesized with a highly regioselective intramolecular aldol condensation as a key step.

Coenzyme A: diacylglycerol acyltransferase 1 inhibitor ameliorates obesity, liver steatosis, and lipid metabolism abnormality in KKAy mice fed high-fat or high-carbohydrate diets.

Coenzyme A (CoA):diacylglycerol acyltransferase 1 (DGAT1) is 1 of the 2 known DGAT enzymes that catalyze the final and only committed step in triacylglycerol synthesis; this enzyme is considered to be a potential therapeutic target in metabolic disorders such as obesity and its related lipid abnormalities. Compound-Z, a novel specific small-molecule DGAT1 inhibitor, significantly reduced adipose tissue weight and tended to hepatic lipid accumulation in genetically obese KKAy mice. These actions were shown to almost the same extent in both a high-fat feeding condition in which triacylglycerols are synthesized mainly via exogenous fatty acid and a low-fat, high-carbohydrate feeding condition in which triacylglycerols are synthesized mainly via de novo fatty acid synthesis. This inhibitor also significantly reduced plasma and/or hepatic cholesterol levels in KKAy mice in a high-fat feeding condition. This cholesterol-lowering effect was suggested to be due to mainly decreases in cholesterol absorption from the small intestine. These results suggest that Compound-Z is a promising and attractive agent not only for the treatment of obesity but also hepatic steatosis and circulating lipid abnormalities that are the leading causes of atherosclerosis.

Synthesis of lactivicin analogues

Abstract Aza analogues of lactivicin (1), a recently discovered novel antibiotic, were prepared by an application of our earlier convenient synthesis of 1 and its derivatives. A 1-unsubstituted pyrazolidinone derivative bearing 2-aminothiazol-4-yl-(Z)-methoxyiminoacetyl group exhibited in vitro antibacterial activity.

Optically Active Antifungal Azoles. V. Synthesis and Antifungal Activity of Stereoisomers of 3-Azolyl-2-(substituted phenyl)-1-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)-2-butanols

The (2S,3S)-, (2R,3S)- and (2S,3R)-stereoisomers of (2R,3R)-3-azolyl-2-(substituted phenyl)-1-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)-2-butanols [(2R,3R)-1a--d] were prepared and evaluated for antifungal activity against Candida albicans in vitro and in vivo to clarify the relationships between stereochemistry and biological activities. The results revealed that the in vitro antifungal activity in each set of the four stereoisomers [(2R,3R)-, (2S,3S)-, (2R,3S)- and (2S,3R)-1a--d] definitely paralleled the in vivo antifungal activity against candidosis in mice, and the order of potency was (2R,3R) >> (2R,3S) > or = (2S,3S) > or = (2S,3R). In addition, the four stereoisomers in each set were assessed for sterol biosynthesis-inhibitory activities in C. albicans and rat liver. The (2R,3R)-isomer was found to exert a strong and selective inhibitory effect on the sterol synthesis in C. albicans as compared with that in rat liver.

A novel glutamate agonist, TAN-950 A, isolated from streptomycetes.

A novel antifungal amino acid antibiotic, TAN-950 A ([S]-2-amino-3-(2,5-dihydro-5-oxo-4-isoxazolyl)propanoic acid), was found to have affinity for three excitatory amino acid (EAA) receptors and to inhibit [3H]alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionic acid ([3H]AMPA), [3H]kainate and [3H]3-(2-carboxypiperazin-4-yl)propyl-1-phosphonic acid ([3H]CPP) binding competitively. It caused excitation of rat hippocampal CA1 neurons in vitro, an effect that was antagonized by an AMPA/kainate antagonist, 6,7-dinitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione (DNQX). Chemical modification of TAN-950 A brought about a large change in its pharmacological activity. Alkylation at the C-3 position of the isoxazolone ring markedly increased the ability to elicite neuronal firing. This agonistic effect was also antagonized by DNQX. The (R) enantiomer of TAN-950 A had increased selectivity for the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor subtype. This selectivity was further enhanced by removal of the methylene group from the amino acid moiety. The most potent NMDA agonistic activity was observed with [R]-2-amino-2-(2,5-dihydro-3-methyl-5-oxo-4-isoxazolyl)acetic acid. These derivatives of TAN-950 A might be useful agents for investigating the pharmacological and physiological roles of EAA receptors.

Novel cyclohexene derivatives as anti-sepsis agents : Synthetic studies and inhibition of NO and cytokine production

In order to develop an anti-sepsis agent, a series of cyclohexene derivatives were synthesized and evaluated for their biological activities. Through modification of the sulfonamide spacer moiety depicted by formula II, it was found that the benzylsulfone derivative 10a had potent inhibitory activity against the production of NO. Further modifications of the phenyl ring, ester moiety, and benzyl position of benzylsulfone derivatives III were carried out. Among these compounds, (R)-(+)-10a and (6R, 1S)-(+)-22a showed strong inhibitory activity not only against NO production but also against inflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in vitro. Furthermore, (R)-(+)-10a and (6R, 1S)-(+)-22a protected mice from LPS-induced lethality in a dose-dependent manner.

Synthesis of 5,6-cis-carbapenems related to C-19393 H2

The synthesis of 6,7-cis-7-(1-hydroxy-1-methylethyl)-3-oxa-1-azabicyclo[4.2.0]octan-8-ones (3a, b), key intermediates for the preparation of the 5,6-cis-carbapenem antibiotic C-19393 H2{sodium (5R, 6R)-3-[(E)-(2-acetamidoethenyl)-(R)-sulphinyl]-6-(1-hydroxy-1-methylethyl)-7-oxo-1-azabicyclo-[3.2.0]hept-2-ene-2-carboxylate}(1a) and its derivatives, was investigated. Sulphenylation of the 3-oxa-1-azabicyclo[4.2.0]octan-8-ones (2a, b), followed by the aldol reaction with acetone, gave the 7-(1-hydroxy-1-methylethyl)-7-sulphenyl derivatives (7a—e). Reductive desulphurization of compounds (7a—e) with an organotin hydride (tri-n-butyltin hydride or triphenyltin hydride) in the presence of a radical initiator gave rise to stereoselective formation of the cis-azetidinones (3a, b). A total synthesis of (±)-C-19393 H2(1a) and its derivatives having other substituents at the C (3) position, (1b—e), starting from (3a, b)via a carbene insertion reaction, is also described.