Tomoyo Hasuda

Isolation, Structure Determination, and Synthesis of Allo‐RA‐V and Neo‐RA‐V, RA‐Series Bicyclic Peptides from Rubia cordifolia L.

Two bicyclic hexapeptides, allo-RA-V (4) and neo-RA-V (5), and one cyclic hexapeptide, O-seco-RA-V (6), were isolated from the roots of Rubia cordifolia L. Their gross structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analysis and X-ray crystallography of compound 5. The absolute stereochemistry of compounds 4 and 5 were established by their total syntheses, and the absolute stereochemistry of compound 6 by chemical correlation with deoxybouvardin (3). Comparison of the 3D structures of highly active RA-VII (1) with less-active compounds 4 and 5 suggests that the orientation of the Tyr-5 and/or Tyr-6 phenyl rings plays a significant role in their biological activity. The isolation of peptides 4-6, along with compound 3, and the comparison of their structures seem to indicate that peptide 6 may be the common precursor to bicyclic peptides 3-5 in the plant.

Fluorination of triptolide and its analogues and their cytotoxicity.

The reaction of triptolide and its analogues with a fluorinating agent, that is, bis(2-methoxyethyl)aminosulfur trifluoride (Deoxo-Fluor) or (diethylamino)sulfur trifluoride (DAST), was studied. One of the fluorinated products, 14beta-dehydroxy-14beta-fluoro triptolide, was found to be more cytotoxic than the parent natural triptolide.

Abietane Diterpenoids and a Sesquiterpene Pyridine Alkaloid from Euonymus lutchuensis

Four new abietane diterpenoids (1-4), a new 9(10→20)-abeo-abietane diterpenoid (5), and a new sesquiterpene pyridine alkaloid (6) were isolated from the roots of Euonymus lutchuensis along with 19 known compounds. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by interpretation of the spectroscopic data.

Goniolandrene A and B from Goniothalamus macrophyllus

Goniothalamus macrophyllus (Blume) Hook. f. & Thoms. is a plant widely distributed in Malaysia. The aim of this study is to identify compounds from the roots of G. macrophyllus. The ground roots were extracted with aqueous methanol and partitioned sequentially with n-hexane, chloroform and butanol. Purification from this extracts afforded six compounds with two new compounds, namely goniolandrene-A (1), -B (2). The absolute configuration of goniolandrene B (2) was established by circular dichrosim. The compounds were cytotoxic against the P388 cells with IC50 values ranging from 0.42 to 160 μM. Goniothalamin (3) exhibited the highest inhibition of 0.42 μM.

Semisynthesis of triptolide analogues: Effect of γ-lactone and C-14 substituents on cytotoxic activities

Triptolide γ-lactone and C-14 analogues were prepared and evaluated cytotoxity against human lung adenocarcinoma epithelial A549 cells and human colon adenocarcinoma HT-29 cells. γ-Lactone substructure and C-14 substituents affected the biological activities significantly.

Aza-cycloisodityrosine analogue of RA-VII, an antitumor bicyclic hexapeptide.

An aza-cycloisodityrosine analogue of RA-VII, 3, was designed and synthesized. The key aza-cycloisodityrosine unit was prepared by copper(II)-acetate-mediated intramolecular phenylamine/arylboronic acid coupling of dipeptide followed by connection with the tetrapeptide segment to afford a hexapeptide. Subsequent macrocyclization of the hexapeptide with EDC · HCl and HOOBt under dilute conditions gave 3. Analogue 3 showed significant cytotoxic activity against human promyelocytic leukemia HL-60 cells and human colon carcinoma HCT-116 cells, but its activity was weaker than that of parent peptide RA-VII (1).

Synthesis of [Tyr-5-Ψ(CH2NMe)-Tyr-6]RA-VII, a reduced peptide bond analogue of RA-VII, an antitumor bicyclic hexapeptide.

A reduced peptide bond analogue of RA-VII, [Tyr-5-Ψ(CH(2)NMe)-Tyr-6]RA-VII (3), was designed and synthesized. The key reduced cycloisodityrosine unit was prepared by reduction of the cycloisodityrosine derived from natural RA-VII, followed by connection with the tetrapeptide segment to afford a hexapeptide. Subsequent macrocyclization of the hexapeptide with FDPP under dilute conditions gave 3. Analogue 3 showed cytotoxic activity against P-388 cells, but its activity was much weaker than that of parent peptide RA-VII.

Production of monoclonal antibodies against antitumor cyclohexapeptide RA-VII from Rubia cordifolia and their characterization

An immunoassay system was established for the estimation of the quantity of an antitumor cyclic hexapeptide RA-VII (1) from Rubia cordifolia L. and R. akane Nakai (Rubiaceae). First, 1 was converted into its hapten, which was then conjugated with a carrier protein to be used as an effective antigen to obtain its monoclonal antibody (MAb). In the resulting conjugate, the molecular ratio between 1 and the carrier protein as assayed by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) was about 5:1. Then, the splenocytes from the mouse immunized with the conjugate were fused with mouse myeloma cells to produce hybridoma, secreting MAb against 1. Two clones were isolated, one producing MAb IgG1 and the other IgM, both having a κ light chain. The sensitivity and cross-reactivity of the thus obtained MAb were also assayed.

Degradation of an antitumour bicyclic hexapeptide RA-VII into cycloisodityrosines

Degradation of an antitumour bicyclic hexapeptide, RA-VII 1, produced protected cycloisodityrosines in an efficient manner through bis(thioamide) intermediate 6.

Monoclonal Antibodies from Rubia cordifolia Against Antitumor Cyclohexapeptide Deoxybouvardin and Their Use in Immunoassay

An immunoassay system was established for the estimation of the quantity of an antitumor cyclohexapeptide, deoxybouvardin (RA-V) from Bouvardia ternifolia (Cav.) Schlecht, Rubia cordifolia L., and R. akane Nakai (Rubiaceae). First, RA-V was converted into a protein conjugate to make it an effective antigen. In the conjugate the molecular ratio between RA-V and the carrier protein was 5.9:1. The splenocytes from the mouse immunized with the conjugate were then fused with mouse myeloma cells to produce hybridoma, secreting monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against RA-V. Two clones were isolated, one producing MAb IgG(1) and the other MAb IgG(2b), both having a κ light chain. The resultant MAbs were evaluated for their sensitivity and cross-reactivity.