5-Bromo-DL-tryptophan and Protected Intermediates for Peptide Synthesis

The five bromotryptophans

The five regioisomeric bromotryptophans (BrTrps) play an important role in the life of sponges and lower marine invertebrates. These bromo-amino acids, which are formed by post-translational modifications, are not found in nature in their free state, but rather are involved in more complex structures. Any of the BrTrps can be part of a peptide, a cyclic peptide, an indole alkaloid, an ergot alkaloid, a macrocycle and others. The present review covers the synthesis, physical and spectroscopic properties of the five BrTrps. It also describes the many exiting pharmacological and biological activities played by the BrTrps and by various secondary metabolites containing brominated tryptophan moieties. Of special interest are cyclic peptides containing the 2-BrTrp unit, which were isolated from marine sponges e.g. konbamide, orbiculamide A, the various keramamides, jaspamide eusynstyelamide and more. Important families of non-cyclic peptides containing the 6-BrTrp, include the styelins, the conotoxins, the cathelicidins and several constrained macrocyclic peptides. Many marine secondary BrTrp-containing, non-peptidic metabolites also display a remarkable spectrum of bioactivities, which can be harnessed for therapeutic and other purposes. Examples are: barettin, bromotryptanthrin, tetraacetyl clionamide, cyclocinamide A, clavicipitic acid, various brominated beta-carbolines. In this review we have presented the various synthetic routes leading to the preparation of the five BrTrps and many of its derivatives. Also, we have introduced the reader to many synthetic routes leading to BrTrp-containing non-peptidic natural products. Although the functional role of the various compounds in the human body is only poorly understood, its effects were extensively studied. Almost all of these compounds exhibit important therapeutic properties e.g. antifungal, antimicrobial, antihelmintic, insecticidal ichthyotoxic and anticancer activity. In the present review attempts have been made to provide synopsis, synthesis and symbiosis of chemical and biological actions, which may provide future guidance and facilitate further research in this area.

Enantiospecific Synthesis of (R)-4-Amino-5-oxo-1,3,4,5-tetrahydrobenz[cd]indole, an Advanced Intermediate Containing the Tricyclic Core of the Ergots

We report a new strategy for the enantiospecific synthesis of (R)-4-amino-5-oxo-1,3,4,5-tetrahydrobenz[cd]indole. This compound is an advanced intermediate which contains the tricyclic core of many of the tetracyclic ergot alkaloids. Our method involves the initial synthesis of D-4-bromotryptophan from the coupling of an indolyllithium species with a masked serinal. The alpha-amino position was protected with an N-trityl group, ensuring the enantiomeric integrity of this position during the ensuing organometallic cyclization reaction. Stabilization of the tricycle was accomplished by protecting the indole nitrogen with a BOC group or by reducing the alpha-amino ketone to the corresponding beta-amino alcohol.