Essential Functional Interplay of the Catalytic Groups in Acid Phosphatase

The cooperative interplay between the functional devices of a preorganized active site is fundamental to enzyme catalysis. An in-depth understanding of this phenomenon is central to elucidating the remarkable efficiency of natural enzymes and provides an essential benchmark for enzyme design and engineering. Here, we study the functional interconnectedness of the catalytic nucleophile (His18) in an acid phosphatase by analyzing the consequences of its replacement with aspartate. We present crystallographic, biochemical, and computational evidence for a conserved mechanistic pathway via a phospho-enzyme intermediate on Asp18. Linear free-energy relationships for phosphoryl transfer from phosphomonoester substrates to His18/Asp18 provide evidence for the cooperative interplay between the nucleophilic and general-acid catalytic groups in the wild-type enzyme, and its substantial loss in the H18D variant. As an isolated factor of phosphatase efficiency, the advantage of a histidine compared to an aspartate nucleophile is ∼10⁴-fold. Cooperativity with the catalytic acid adds ≥10²-fold to that advantage. Empirical valence bond simulations of phosphoryl transfer from glucose 1-phosphate to His and Asp in the enzyme explain the loss of activity of the Asp18 enzyme through a combination of impaired substrate positioning in the Michaelis complex, as well as a shift from early to late protonation of the leaving group in the H18D variant. The evidence presented furthermore suggests that the cooperative nature of catalysis distinguishes the enzymatic reaction from the corresponding reaction in solution and is enabled by the electrostatic preorganization of the active site. Our results reveal sophisticated discrimination in multifunctional catalysis of a highly proficient phosphatase active site.

Biosynthesis of the Fungal Organophosphonate Fosfonochlorin Involves an Iron(II) and 2-(Oxo)glutarate Dependent Oxacyclase

The fungal metabolite Fosfonochlorin features a chloroacetyl moiety that is unusual within known phosphonate natural product biochemistry. Putative biosynthetic genes encoding Fosfonochlorin in Fusarium and Talaromyces spp. were investigated through reactions of encoded enzymes with synthetic substrates and isotope labelling studies. We show that early biosynthetic steps for Fosfonochlorin involves the reduction of phosphonoacetaldehyde to form 2-hydroxyethylphosphonic acid, followed by oxidative intramolecular cyclization of the resulting alcohol to form ( S )-epoxyethylphosphonic acid. The latter reaction is catalyzed by FfnD, a rare example of a non-heme iron / 2-(oxo)glutarate dependent oxacyclase. In contrast, FfnD behaves as a more typical oxygenase with ethylphosphonic acid, producing ( S )-1-hydroxyethylphosphonic acid. FfnD thus represents a new example of a ferryl generating enzyme that can suppress the typical oxygen rebound reaction that follows abstraction of a substrate hydrogen by a ferryl oxygen, thereby directing the substrate radical towards a fate other than hydroxylation.

Overall Retention of Methyl Stereochemistry during B12-Dependent Radical SAM Methyl Transfer in Fosfomycin Biosynthesis

Methylcobalamin-dependent radical S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) enzymes methylate non-nucleophilic atoms in a range of substrates. The mechanism of the methyl transfer from cobalt to the receiving atom is still mostly unresolved. Here we determine the stereochemical course of this process at the methyl group during the biosynthesis of the clinically used antibiotic fosfomycin. In vitro reaction of the methyltransferase Fom3 using SAM labeled with 1H, 2H, and 3H in a stereochemically defined manner, followed by chemoenzymatic conversion of the Fom3 product to acetate and subsequent stereochemical analysis, shows that the overall reaction occurs with retention of configuration. This outcome is consistent with a double-inversion process, first in the SN2 reaction of cob(I)alamin with SAM to form methylcobalamin and again in a radical transfer of the methyl group from methylcobalamin to the substrate. The methods developed during this study allow high-yield in situ generation of labeled SAM and recombinant expression and purification of the malate synthase needed for chiral methyl analysis. These methods facilitate the broader use of in vitro chiral methyl analysis techniques to investigate the mechanisms of other novel enzymes.

C-H Bond Cleavage Is Rate-Limiting for Oxidative C-P Bond Cleavage by the Mixed Valence Diiron-Dependent Oxygenase PhnZ

PhnZ utilizes a mixed valence diiron(II/III) cofactor and O₂ to oxidatively cleave the carbon-phosphorus bond of (R)-2-amino-1-hydroxyethylphosphonic acid to form glycine and orthophosphate. The active site residues Y24 and E27 are proposed to mediate induced-fit recognition of the substrate and access of O₂ to one of the active site Fe ions. H62 is proposed to deprotonate the C1-hydroxyl of the substrate during catalysis. Kinetic isotope effects (KIEs), pH-rate dependence, and site-directed mutagenesis were used to probe the rate-determining transition state and the roles of these three active site residues. Primary deuterium KIE values of 5.5 ± 0.3 for ^D(V) and 2.2 ± 0.4 for ^D(V/K) were measured with (R)-2-amino[1-²H₁]-1-hydroxyethylphosphonic acid, indicating that cleavage of the C1-H bond of the substrate is rate-limiting. This step is also rate-limiting for PhnZ Y24F, as shown by a significant deuterium KIE value of 2.3 ± 0.1 for ^D(V). In contrast, a different reaction step appears to be rate-limiting for the PhnZ E27A and H62A variants, which exhibited ^D(V) values near unity. A solvent KIE of 2.2 ± 0.3 for ^D₂O(V) is observed for PhnZ. Significant solvent KIE values are also observed for the PhnZ Y24F and E27A variants. In contrast, the PhnZ H62A variant does not show a significant solvent KIE, suggesting that H62 is mediating proton transfer in the transition state. A proton inventory study with PhnZ indicates that 1.5 ± 0.6 protons are in flight in the rate-determining step. Overall, the rate-determining transition state for oxidative C-P bond cleavage by PhnZ is proposed to involve C-H bond cleavage that is coupled to deprotonation of the substrate C1-hydroxyl by H62.

An Oxidative Pathway for Microbial Utilization of Methylphosphonic Acid as a Phosphate Source

Methylphosphonic acid is synthesized by marine bacteria and is a prominent component of dissolved organic phosphorus. Consequently, methylphosphonic acid also serves as a source of inorganic phosphate (Pi) for marine bacteria that are starved of this nutrient. Conversion of methylphosphonic acid into Pi is currently only known to occur through the carbon-phosphorus lyase pathway, yielding methane as a byproduct. In this work, we describe an oxidative pathway for the catabolism of methylphosphonic acid in Gimesia maris DSM8797. G. maris can use methylphosphonic acid as Pi sources despite lacking a phn operon encoding a carbon-phosphorus lyase pathway. Instead, the genome contains a locus encoding homologues of the non-heme Fe(II) dependent oxygenases HF130PhnY* and HF130PhnZ, which were previously shown to convert 2-aminoethylphosphonic acid into glycine and Pi. GmPhnY* and GmPhnZ1 were produced in E. coli and purified for characterization in vitro. The substrate specificities of the enzymes were evaluated with a panel of synthetic phosphonates. Via ³¹P NMR spectroscopy, it is demonstrated that the GmPhnY* converts methylphosphonic acid to hydroxymethylphosphonic acid, which in turn is oxidized by GmPhnZ1 to produce formic acid and Pi. In contrast, 2-aminoethylphosphonic acid is not a substrate for GmPhnY* and is therefore not a substrate for this pathway. These results thus reveal a new metabolic fate for methylphosphonic acid.

C-Methylation Catalyzed by Fom3, a Cobalamin-Dependent Radical S-adenosyl-l-methionine Enzyme in Fosfomycin Biosynthesis, Proceeds with Inversion of Configuration

Fom3, a cobalamin-dependent radical S-adenosyl-l-methionine (SAM) methyltransferase, catalyzes C-methylation at the C2 position of cytidylylated 2-hydroxyethylphosphonate (HEP-CMP) to afford cytidylylated 2-hydroxypropylphosphonate (HPP-CMP) in fosfomycin biosynthesis. In this study, the Fom3 reaction product HPP-CMP was reanalyzed by chiral ligand exchange chromatography to confirm its stereochemistry. The Fom3 methylation product was found to be ( S)-HPP-CMP only, indicating that the stereochemistry of the C-methylation catalyzed by Fom3 is ( S)-selective. In addition, Fom3 reaction was performed with ( S)-[2-²H₁]HEP-CMP and ( R)-[2-²H₁]HEP-CMP to elucidate the stereoselectivity during the abstraction of the hydrogen atom from C2 of HEP-CMP. Liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry analysis of the 5'-deoxyadenosine produced showed that the ²H atom of ( R)-[2-²H₁]HEP-CMP was incorporated into 5'-deoxyadenosine but that from ( S)-[2-²H₁]HEP-CMP was not. Retention of the ²H atom of ( S)-[2-²H₁]HEP-CMP in HPP-CMP was also observed. These results indicate that the 5'-deoxyadenosyl radical stereoselectively abstracts the pro-R hydrogen atom at the C2 position of HEP-CMP and the substrate radical intermediate reacts with the methyl group on cobalamin that is located on the opposite side of the substrate from SAM. Consequently, it was clarified that the C-methylation catalyzed by Fom3 proceeds with inversion of configuration.

The α-hydroxyphosphonate-phosphate rearrangement of a noncyclic substrate - some new observations

Racemic ethyl hydrogen (1-hydroxy-2-methylsulfanyl-1-phenylethyl)phosphonate was resolved with (R)-1-phenylethylamine. The (R)-configuration of the (-)-enantiomer was determined by chemical correlation. Esterification of the (-)-enantiomer with a substituted diazomethane derived from 3-hydroxy-1,3,5(10)-estratrien-17-one delivered two epimeric phosphonates separated by HPLC. Methylation with methyl fluorosulfate at the sulfur atom and treatment with a strong base induced an α-hydroxyphosphonate-phosphate rearrangement with formation of dimethyl sulphide and two enantiomerically pure enol phosphates. Their oily nature interfered with a single crystal X-ray structure analysis to determine the stereochemistry at the phosphorus atom.

Preparation of Phosphonic Acid Analogues of Proline and Proline Analogues and Their Biological Evaluation as δ1-Pyrroline-5-carboxylate Reductase Inhibitors

Racemic 1-hydroxy-3-butenyl-, 3-chloro-1-hydroxypropyl-, and 3-bromo-1-hydroxypropylphosphonate and the corresponding (S)-enantiomers obtained by lipase-catalyzed resolution of the respective racemic chloroacetates were subjected to functional group manipulations. These comprised ozonolysis, Mitsunobu reactions with hydrazoic acid and N-hydroxyphthalimide, alkylation of hydrazine derivative, removal of phthaloyl group followed by intramolecular substitution, and global deprotection to deliver the racemates and (R)-enantiomers (ee 92-99% by chiral high-performance liquid chromatography) of pyrrolidin-2-yl-, oxazolidin-3-yl-, oxazolidin-5-yl-, pyrazolidin-3-yl-, and 1,2-oxazinan-3-ylphosphonic acids. These phosphonic acids were evaluated as analogues of proline and proline analogues for the ability to inhibit γ-glutamyl kinase, δ¹-pyrroline-5-carboxylate synthetase, and δ¹-pyrroline-5-carboxylate reductase. Only the latter enzyme was inhibited by two of them at concentrations exceeding 1 mM.

Stereochemical Course of Methyl Transfer by Cobalamin-Dependent Radical SAM Methyltransferase in Fosfomycin Biosynthesis

The methyl groups of [ methyl-( S)]- and [ methyl-( R)]-[ methyl-D,T]-l-methionine fed to Streptomyces fradiae were incorporated into fosfomycin, which was chemically degraded to chiral AcONa. The enzymatic test gave the ( S)-configuration for the chiral AcONa derived from methionine with the ( S)-[D,T]methyl group ( F = 31.7) and ( R) for the one derived from methionine with the ( R)-[D,T]methyl group ( F = 83.0). The radical SAM methyltransferase transfers the methyl group of MeCbl to HEP-CMP with inversion of configuration.

On the rearrangement of N-aryl-N-Boc-phosphoramidates to N-Boc-protected o-aminoarylphosphonates

Abstract

Various arylamines were converted in two steps to N-Boc-N-arylphosphoramidates. LiTMP and LDA induced directed ortho-metalation at temperatures from −78 to 0 °C. The ensuing [1,3]-migration of the phosphorus atom with its substituents from the nitrogen to the ortho-carbanionic carbon atom gave N-Boc-protected o-aminoarylphosphonates. The nature of the substituent of 3-substituted phenylphosphoramidates strongly influenced the regioselectivity of phosphonate formation. A crossover experiment with a deuterated phosphoramidate proved the intramolecular course of the rearrangement. Three representative N-Boc-o-aminoarylphosphonates were deprotected to access the corresponding o-aminoarylphosphonic acids.

Graphical Abstract

Improved Synthesis of Racemate and Enantiomers of Taniguchi Lactone and Conversion of Their C–C Double Bonds into Triple Bonds

cis-2-Butene-1,4-diol was heated with triethyl orthoacetate and p-hydroquinone as catalyst at 170 °C to give racemic Taniguchi lactone. It was converted into diastereomeric amides with (S)-1-phenylethylamine for stereoisomer resolution. The double bonds of (±)-, (R)- and (S)-Taniguchi lactones were brominated and dehydrobrominated in two steps, using at first DBU and then LDA, to deliver the triple bonds.

Chemical Synthesis of (RP)- and (SP)-[16O,17O,18O]Phosphoenol Pyruvate

Enzymes and chirality are intimately associated. For their mechanisms to be studied, chiral substrates are needed as probes. Here, we report a concise synthesis of (R_P)- and (S_P)-[¹⁶O,¹⁷O,¹⁸O]phosphoenol pyruvate starting from enantiomerically pure (R)-2-chloro-1-phenylethanol, which was transformed into ¹⁸O-labeled 3-methyl-1-phenylbutane-1,3-diol. The diol was reacted with tris(dimethylamino)phosphane and consecutively with H₂¹⁷O to yield a mixture of cyclic H-phosphonates labeled with ¹⁷O and ¹⁸O. They were silylated and subjected to a Perkow reaction with ethyl 3-chloropyruvate. Two protected-[¹⁶O,¹⁷O,¹⁸O]phosphoenol pyruvates were formed and finally globally deprotected. Their configuration was reassessed by a known enzymatic test in combination with conversion of the formed d-glucose-6-phosphate into mixtures of labeled methyl d-glucose-4,6-phosphates, which were analyzed by ³¹P NMR spectroscopy. The enzymatic test supported the configuration assigned to labeled stereogenic phosphorus atoms on the basis of synthesis.

Phosphonodifluoropyruvate is a mechanism-based inhibitor of phosphonopyruvate decarboxylase from Bacteroides fragilis

Bacteroides fragilis, a human pathogen, helps in the formation of intra-abdominal abscesses and is involved in 90% of anaerobic peritoneal infections. Phosphonopyruvate decarboxylase (PnPDC), a thiamin diphosphate (ThDP)-dependent enzyme, plays a key role in the formation of 2-aminoethylphosphonate, a component of the cell wall of B. fragilis. As such PnPDC is a possible target for therapeutic intervention in this, and other phosphonate producing organisms. However, the enzyme is of more general interest as it appears to be an evolutionary forerunner to the decarboxylase family of ThDP-dependent enzymes. To date, PnPDC has proved difficult to crystallize and no X-ray structures are available. In the past we have shown that ThDP-dependent enzymes will often crystallize if the cofactor has been irreversibly inactivated. To explore this possibility, and the utility of inhibitors of phosphonate biosynthesis as potential antibiotics, we synthesized phosphonodifluoropyruvate (PnDFP) as a prospective mechanism-based inhibitor of PnPDC. Here we provide evidence that PnDFP indeed inactivates the enzyme, that the inactivation is irreversible, and is accompanied by release of fluoride ion, i.e., PnDFP bears all the hallmarks of a mechanism-based inhibitor. Unfortunately, the enzyme remains refractive to crystallization.

Preparation of Nonradioactive Standards and a Precursor for a Hypoxia 18F PET Tracer Derived from 1-(β-d-Galactopyranosyl)-2-nitroimidazole

Acetyl-protected 1-(β-d-galactopyranosyl)-2-nitroimidazole was converted to a potential precursor for a fluorine-18 labeled hypoxia tumor marker. Two nonradioactive standards, the 6′-deoxy-6′-fluorogalactosyl and the 4′-deoxy-4′-fluoroglucosyl analogue were also prepared. These 2-nitroimidazole nucleosides were prepared by a modified Vorbrüggen coupling.

A Methylidene Group in the Phosphonic Acid Analogue of Phenylalanine Reverses the Enantiopreference of Binding to Phenylalanine Ammonia-Lyases

Aromatic amino acid ammonia‐lyases and aromatic amino acid 2,3‐aminomutases contain the post‐translationally formed prosthetic 3,5‐dihydro‐4‐methylidene‐5H‐imidazol‐5‐one (MIO) group. MIO enzymes catalyze the stereoselective synthesis of α‐ or β‐amino acid enantiomers, making these chemical processes environmentally friendly and affordable. Characterization of novel inhibitors enables structural understanding of enzyme mechanism and recognizes promising herbicide candidates as well. The present study found that both enantiomers of the aminophosphonic acid analogue of the natural substrate phenylalanine and a novel derivative bearing a methylidene at the β‐position inhibited phenylalanine ammonia‐lyases (PAL), representing MIO enzymes. X‐ray methods unambiguously determined the absolute configuration of all tested enantiomers during their synthesis. Enzyme kinetic measurements revealed the enantiomer of the methylidene‐substituted substrate analogue as being a mirror image relation to the natural l‐phenylalanine as the strongest inhibitor. Isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) confirmed the binding constants and provided a detailed analysis of the thermodynamic driving forces of ligand binding. Molecular docking suggested that binding of the (R)‐ and (S)‐enantiomers is possible by a mirror image packing.

Towards the biodegradation pathway of fosfomycin

Three functionalised propylphosphonic acids were synthesised to study C-P bond cleavage in R. huakuii PMY1. (R)-1-Hydroxy-2-oxopropylphosphonic acid [(R)-5] was prepared by chiral resolution of (±)-dimethyl 1-hydroxy-2-methylallyllphosphonate [(±)-12], followed by ozonolysis and deprotection. The N-(l-alanyl)-substituted (1R,2R)-2-amino-1-hydroxypropylphosphonic acid 10, a potential precursor for 2-oxopropylphosphonic acid (5) in cells, was obtained by coupling the aminophosphonic acid with benzotriazole-activated Z-l-alanine and hydrogenolytic deprotection. (1R*,2R*)-1,2-Dihydroxy-3,3,3-trifluoropropylphosphonic acid, a potential inhibitor of C-P bond cleavage after conversion into its 2-oxo derivative in the cell, was accessed from trifluoroacetaldehyde hydrate via hydroxypropanenitrile 21, which was silylated and reduced to the aldehyde (±)-23. Diastereoselective addition of diethyl trimethylsilyl phosphite furnished diastereomeric α-siloxyphosphonates. The less polar one was converted to the desired racemic phosphonic acid (±)-(1R*,2R*)-9 as its ammonium salt.

Hepatitis E virus in wild rabbits and European brown hares in Germany

Recently, a change of hepatitis E from being a typical travel-associated disease to an autochthonous zoonosis in Germany was observed. An increasing number of autochthonous infections with the hepatitis E Virus (HEV) have been recognized in developed countries. Venison from wild boar is already known to be a potential source of infection, if not prepared properly by the consumer. In Germany, certain wild animals are known to be a reservoir for HEV. However, current information is missing about European brown hares (Lepus europaeus) and wild rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). Thus, a total of 833 hunting-harvested animals (European brown hares n = 669; wild rabbits n = 164) were tested for the occurrence of HEV RNA and HEV antibodies. For this, liver and blood specimens were taken after hunts in six German federal states. HEV antibodies were found by ELISA in 2.2% (624/14) of European brown hares, but no HEV RNA was detectable by nested real-time RT-PCR. In contrast, a seroprevalence of 37.3% (126/47) was observed for wild rabbits, and 17.1% (164/28) of the samples were HEV RNA positive. Genomic analysis revealed that these partial sequences clustered within the rabbit clade of HEV-3 genotype. In addition, one rabbit sequence segregated into subtype 3g of HEV-3. Highest seroprevalences for hares and rabbits were detected in the federal states of Bavaria and of Schleswig-Holstein, respectively. Comparing urban, rural and insular areas, the highest seroprevalence was shown for wild rabbits in rural areas and for European brown hares on the northern island Fehmarn. This study provides evidence that European brown hares and wild rabbits from Germany can be infected with HEV. The different prevalences indicate that wild rabbits are a potential reservoir for HEV in Germany, whereas European brown hares seem to be only of minor importance for the epidemiology of HEV.

Synthesis and preclinical characterization of 1-(6'-deoxy-6'-[18F]fluoro-β-d-allofuranosyl)-2-nitroimidazole (β-6'-[18F]FAZAL) as a positron emission tomography radiotracer to assess tumor hypoxia

Positron emission tomography (PET) using fluorine-18 (¹⁸F)-labeled 2-nitroimidazole radiotracers has proven useful for assessment of tumor oxygenation. However, the passive diffusion-driven cellular uptake of currently available radiotracers results in slow kinetics and low tumor-to-background ratios. With the aim to develop a compound that is actively transported into cells, 1-(6'-deoxy-6'-[¹⁸F]fluoro-β-d-allofuranosyl)-2-nitroimidazole (β-[¹⁸F]1), a putative nucleoside transporter substrate, was synthetized by nucleophilic [¹⁸F]fluoride substitution of an acetyl protected labeling precursor with a tosylate leaving group (β-6) in a final radiochemical yield of 12±8% (n=10, based on [¹⁸F]fluoride starting activity) in a total synthesis time of 60min with a specific activity at end of synthesis of 218±58GBq/μmol (n=10). Both radiolabeling precursor β-6 and unlabeled reference compound β-1 were prepared in multistep syntheses starting from 1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-α-d-allofuranose. In vitro experiments demonstrated an interaction of β-1 with SLC29A1 and SLC28A1/2/3 nucleoside transporter as well as hypoxia specific retention of β-[¹⁸F]1 in tumor cell lines. In biodistribution studies in healthy mice β-[¹⁸F]1 showed homogenous tissue distribution and excellent metabolic stability, which was unaffected by tissue oxygenation. PET studies in tumor bearing mice showed tumor-to-muscle ratios of 2.13±0.22 (n=4) at 2h after administration of β-[¹⁸F]1. In ex vivo autoradiography experiments β-[¹⁸F]1 distribution closely matched staining with the hypoxia marker pimonidazole. In conclusion, β-[¹⁸F]1 shows potential as PET hypoxia radiotracer which merits further investigation.

[18F]Fluoro-azomycin-2´-deoxy-β-d-ribofuranoside - A new imaging agent for tumor hypoxia in comparison with [18F]FAZA

INTRODUCTION

Radiolabeled 2-nitroimidazoles (azomycins) are a prominent class of biomarkers for PET imaging of hypoxia. [¹⁸F]Fluoro-azomycin-α-arabinoside ([¹⁸F]FAZA) - already in clinical use - may be seen as α-configuration nucleoside, but enters cells only via diffusion and is not transported by cellular nucleoside transporters. To enhance image contrast in comparison to [¹⁸F]FAZA our objective was to ¹⁸F-radiolabel an azomycin-2´-deoxyriboside with β-configuration ([¹⁸F]FAZDR, [¹⁸F]-β-8) to mimic nucleosides more closely and comparatively evaluate it versus [¹⁸F]FAZA.

METHODS

Precursor and cold standards for [¹⁸F]FAZDR were synthesized from methyl 2-deoxy-d-ribofuranosides α- and β-1 in 6 steps yielding precursors α- and β-5. β-5 was radiolabeled in a GE TRACERlab FX_F-N synthesizer in DMSO and deprotected with NH₄OH to give [¹⁸F]FAZDR ([¹⁸F]-β-8). [¹⁸F]FAZA or [¹⁸F]FAZDR was injected in BALB/c mice bearing CT26 colon carcinoma xenografts, PET scans (10min) were performed after 1, 2 and 3h post injection (p.i.). On a subset of mice injected with [¹⁸F]FAZDR, we analyzed biodistribution.

RESULTS

[¹⁸F]FAZDR was obtained in non-corrected yields of 10.9±2.4% (9.1±2.2GBq, n=4) 60min EOB, with radiochemical purity >98% and specific activity >50GBq/μmol. Small animal PET imaging showed a decrease in uptake over time for both [¹⁸F]FAZDR (1h p.i.: 0.56±0.22% ID/cc, 3h: 0.17±0.08% ID/cc, n=9) and [¹⁸F]FAZA (1h: 1.95±0.59% ID/cc, 3h: 0.87±0.55% ID/cc), whereas T/M ratios were significantly higher for [¹⁸F]FAZDR at 1h (2.76) compared to [¹⁸F]FAZA (1.69, P<0.001), 3h p.i. ratios showed no significant difference. Moreover, [¹⁸F]FAZDR showed an inverse correlation between tracer uptake in carcinomas and oxygen breathing, while muscle tissue uptake was not affected by switching from air to oxygen.

CONCLUSIONS

First PET imaging results with [¹⁸F]FAZDR showed advantages over [¹⁸F]FAZA regarding higher tumor contrast at earlier time points p.i. Availability of precursor and cold fluoro standard together with high output radiosynthesis will allow for a more detailed quantitative evaluation of [¹⁸F]FAZDR, especially with regard to mechanistic studies whether active transport processes are involved, compared to passive diffusion as observed for [¹⁸F]FAZA.

Phosphonate–phosphinate rearrangement

LiTMP metalated dimethyl N-Boc-phosphoramidates derived from 1-phenylethylamine and 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalen-1-ylamine highly selectively at the CH₃O group to generate short-lived oxymethyllithiums. These isomerized to diastereomeric hydroxymethylphosphonamidates (phosphate–phosphonate rearrangement). However, s-BuLi converted the dimethyl N-Boc-phosphoramidate derived from 1-phenylethylamine to the N-Boc α-aminophosphonate preferentially. Only s-BuLi deprotonated dimethyl hydroxymethylphosphonamidates at the benzylic position and dimethyl N-Boc α-aminophosphonates at the CH₃O group to induce phosphonate–phosphinate rearrangements. In the former case, the migration of the phosphorus substituent from the nitrogen to the carbon atom followed a retentive course with some racemization because of the involvement of a benzyllithium as an intermediate.

The Stereochemical Course of the α-Hydroxyphosphonate-Phosphate Rearrangement

The phosphonate–phosphate rearrangement is an isomerisation of α-hydroxyphosphonates bearing electron-withdrawing substituents at the α-carbon atom. We studied the stereochemical course of this rearrangement with respect to phosphorus. A set of four diastereomeric α-hydroxyphosphonates was prepared by a Pudovik reaction from two diastereomeric cyclic phosphites. The hydroxyphosphonates were separated and rearranged with Et₃N as base. In analogy to trichlorphon, which was the first reported compound undergoing this rearrangement. All four hydroxyphosphonates could be rearranged to 2,2-dichlorovinyl phosphates. Single-crystal X-ray structure analyses of the α-hydroxyphosphonates and the corresponding phosphates allowed us to show that the rearrangement proceeds with retention of configuration on the phosphorus atom.

Determination of absolute configuration of the phosphonic acid moiety of fosfazinomycins

Fosfazinomycins A and B produced by Streptomyces lavendofoliae share the same phosphonate moiety with one chiral centre of unknown configuration which was determined by synthesising both enantiomers of 2-hydroxy-2-phosphonoacetic acid methyl ester. A chiral cyclic phosphite was reacted with methyl glyoxylate in a Pudovik reaction to give a pair of diastereomeric α-hydroxyphosphonates, which were separated by HPLC. The configurations at C-2 were assigned on the basis of single crystal X-ray structure analysis. Deprotection of these diastereomers furnished the enantiomeric α-hydroxyphosphonic acids, of which the (S)-configured had the same sign of optical rotation as the phosphonic acid moiety of the two fosfazinomycins.

Crystal structure of PhnZ in complex with substrate reveals a di-iron oxygenase mechanism for catabolism of organophosphonates

The enzymes PhnY and PhnZ comprise an oxidative catabolic pathway that enables marine bacteria to use 2-aminoethylphosphonic acid as a source of inorganic phosphate. PhnZ is notable for catalyzing the oxidative cleavage of a carbon-phosphorus bond using Fe(II) and dioxygen, despite belonging to a large family of hydrolytic enzymes, the HD-phosphohydrolase superfamily. We have determined high-resolution structures of PhnZ bound to its substrate, (R)-2-amino-1-hydroxyethylphosphonate (2.1 Å), and a buffer additive, l-tartrate (1.7 Å). The structures reveal PhnZ to have an active site containing two Fe ions coordinated by four histidines and two aspartates that is strikingly similar to the carbon-carbon bond cleaving enzyme, myo-inositol-oxygenase. The exception is Y24, which forms a transient ligand interaction at the dioxygen binding site of Fe2. Site-directed mutagenesis and kinetic analysis with substrate analogs revealed the roles of key active site residues. A fifth histidine that is conserved in the PhnZ subclade, H62, specifically interacts with the substrate 1-hydroxyl. The structures also revealed that Y24 and E27 mediate a unique induced-fit mechanism whereby E27 specifically recognizes the 2-amino group of the bound substrate and toggles the release of Y24 from the active site, thereby creating space for molecular oxygen to bind to Fe2. Structural comparisons of PhnZ reveal an evolutionary connection between Fe(II)-dependent hydrolysis of phosphate esters and oxidative carbon-phosphorus or carbon-carbon bond cleavage, thus uniting the diverse chemistries that are found in the HD superfamily.

On the Configurational Stability of Chiral Heteroatom-Substituted [D1]Methylpalladium Complexes as Intermediates of Stille and Suzuki-Miyaura Cross-Coupling Reactions

Enantiomerically pure (S)-tributylstannyl[D1]methanol and (R)- and (S)-tributylstannyl[D1]methyl benzoates were Stille-coupled with bromobenzene and benzoyl chloride in 1,4-dioxane and toluene using [(Ph3P)4Pd] or [(Ph3P)2PdCl2] either alone or in combination with CuCN as cocatalyst at temperatures up to 80 °C. The products were found to be enantiomerically pure. (R)- and (S)-N-(tributylstannyl[D1]methyl)phthalimides gave enantiomerically pure products with benzoyl chloride, but with bromobenzene protected phenyl[D1]methylamines gave products of only 52-69 % ee depending on the solvent used. Tributyl(thio[D1]methyl)stannanes could not be Stille-coupled with benzoyl chloride or with bromobenzene. Similarly, dimethyl phenyl[D1]methylboronate underwent a Suzuki-Miyaura coupling with bromobenzene to give phenyl[D1]methylsilane with 99 % ee. All couplings followed a retentive course and, except in one case, the intermediate [XCHDPdL n ] complexes were found to be microscopically configurationally stable.

[(3)H]metyrapol and 4-[(131)i]iodometomidate label overlapping, but not identical, binding sites on rat adrenal membranes

Metyrapone, metyrapol, and etomidate are competitive inhibitors of 11-deoxycorticosterone hydroxylation by 11β-hydroxylase. [(3)H]Metyrapol and 4-[(131)I]iodometomidate bind with high affinity to membranes prepared from bovine and rat adrenals. Here we report inhibitory potencies of several compounds structurally related to one or both of these adrenostatic drugs, against the binding of both radioligands to rat adrenal membranes. While derivatives of etomidate inhibited the binding of both radioligands with similar potencies, derivatives of metyrapone inhibited the binding of 4-[(131)I]iodometomidate about 10 times weaker than the binding of [(3)H]metyrapol. By X-ray structure analysis the absolute configuration of (+)-1-(2-fluorophenyl)-2-methyl-2-(pyridin-3-yl)-1-propanol [(+)-11, a derivative of metyrapol] was established as (R). We introduce 1-(2-fluorophenyl)-2-methyl-2-(pyridin-3-yl)-1-propanone (9; Ki = 6 nM), 2-(1-imidazolyl)-2-methyl-1-phenyl-1-propanone (13; 2 nM), and (R)-(+)-[1-(4-iodophenyl)ethyl]-1H-imidazole (34; 4 nM) as new high affinity ligands for the metyrapol binding site on 11β-hydroxylase and discuss our results in relation to a proposed active site model of 11β-hydroxylase.

On the preparation and determination of configurational stability of chiral thio- and bromo[D1]methyllithiums

Thio- and bromo[D₁]methyllithiums (ee 99%) were generated from the respective stannanes by tin–lithium exchange at temperatures ranging from 0 to −95 °C. Thio[D₁]methyllithiums 6 were found to be microscopically configurationally labile on the time scale of the thiophosphate-α-mercaptophosphonate rearrangement even at −95 °C. Thio[D₁]methyllithiums 13a and 13b underwent a thia-[2,3]-Wittig rearrangement down to −95 °C and 13b only down to −50 °C. The former were microscopically configurationally stable below −95 °C, and the latter racemized completely at −50 °C. Chiral bromo[D₁]methyllithiums are chemically unstable at −78 °C but microscopically configurationally stable at the time scale of their addition to benzaldehyde and acetophenone.

Preparation of nucleosides derived from 2-nitroimidazole and D-arabinose, D-ribose, and D-galactose by the Vorbrüggen method and their conversion to potential precursors for tracers to image hypoxia

2-Nitroimidazole was silylated using hexaethyldisilazane and then reacted with 1-O-acetyl derivatives of D-arabinose, D-ribose, and D-galactose in acetonitrile at mild temperatures (-20 °C to rt), catalyzed by triethylsilyl triflate (Vorbrüggen conditions). The α-anomer was formed in the former case and the β-anomers in the latter two cases (highly) selectively. When D-arabinose and D-ribose were silylated with tert-butyldiphenylsilyl chloride in pyridine at the hydroxyl groups at C-5 and acetylated at the other ones in a one-pot reaction, mixtures of anomeric 1-O-acetyl derivatives were obtained. These were coupled by the Vorbrüggen method and then deblocked at C-5 and tosylated to give precursors for tracers to image hypoxia in four steps without using Hg(CN)(2) necessary for other methods. The Vorbrüggen conditions enable a shorter route to azomycin nucleoside analogues than the previous coupling procedures.

Studies on the biodegradation of fosfomycin: synthesis of 13C-labeled intermediates, feeding experiments with Rhizobium huakuii PMY1, and isolation of labeled amino acids from cell mass by HPLC

Racemic (1R*,2R*)-1,2-dihydroxy-[1-(13)C(1)]propylphosphonic acid and 1-hydroxy-[1-(13)C(1)]acetone were synthesized and fed to R. huakuii PMY1. Alanine and a mixture of valine and methionine were isolated as their N-acetyl derivatives from the cell hydrolysate by reversed-phase HPLC and analyzed by NMR spectroscopy. It was found that the carbon atoms of the respective carboxyl groups were highly (13)C-labeled (up to 65 %). Hydroxyacetone is therefore considered an obligatory intermediate of the biodegradation of fosfomycin by R. huakuii PMY1.

Mechanism and substrate recognition of 2-hydroxyethylphosphonate dioxygenase

HEPD belongs to the superfamily of 2-His-1-carboxylate non-heme iron-dependent dioxygenases. It converts 2-hydroxyethylphosphonate (2-HEP) to hydroxymethylphosphonate (HMP) and formate. Previously postulated mechanisms for the reaction catalyzed by HEPD cannot explain its conversion of 1-HEP to acetylphosphate. Alternative mechanisms that involve either phosphite or methylphosphonate as intermediates, which potentially explain all experimental studies including isotope labeling experiments and use of substrate analogues, were investigated. The results of these studies reveal that these alternative mechanisms are not correct. Site-directed mutagenesis studies of Lys16, Arg90, and Tyr98 support roles of these residues in binding of 2-HEP. Mutation of Lys16 to Ala resulted in an inactive enzyme, whereas mutation of Arg90 to Ala or Tyr98 to Phe greatly decreased k_cat/K_m,2-HEP. Furthermore, the latter mutants could not be saturated in O₂. These results suggest that proper binding of 2-HEP is important for O₂ activation and that the enzyme uses a compulsory binding order with 2-HEP binding before O₂. The Y98F mutant produces methylphosphonate as a minor side product providing indirect support for the proposal that the last step during catalysis involves a ferric hydroxide reacting with a methylphosphonate radical.

On the stereochemistry of 2-hydroxyethylphosphonate dioxygenase

Stereochemical investigations have shown that the conversion of 2-hydroxyethylphosphonate to hydroxymethylphosphonate by the enzyme HEPD involves removal of the pro-S hydrogen at C2 and, surprisingly, the loss of stereochemical information at C1. As a result, the mechanisms previously proposed for HEPD must be re-evaluated.

Preparation of enantiopure chiral amino-[D1]methyllithium compounds and determination of their micro- and macroscopic configurational stabilities

Chiral amino-[D(1)]methyllithiums have been tested with regard to their microscopic and macroscopic configurational stabilities. The N-Boc-N-diethoxyphosphinyl-substituted analogue immediately rearranged, showing complete retention of configuration at up to 0 degrees C. The N-Boc-N-PMB-protected analogue enantiomerized at -78 degrees C, but displayed an ee value of 65% at -95 degrees C under macroscopic conditions when quenched with benzaldehyde seconds after its generation. Isocyanomethyllithium proved to be configurationally labile at this temperature and racemized completely, even on the microscopic timescale. Only the non-stabilized N,N-dibenzylaminomethyllithium was found to be virtually macroscopically configurationally stable below -95 degrees C.

Studies on the biodegradation of fosfomycin: growth of Rhizobium huakuii PMY1 on possible intermediates synthesised chemically

The first step of the mineralisation of fosfomycin by R. huakuii PMY1 is hydrolytic ring opening with the formation of (1R,2R)-1,2-dihydroxypropylphosphonic acid. This phosphonic acid and its three stereoisomers were synthesised by chemical means and tested as their ammonium salts for mineralisation as evidenced by release of P(i). Only the (1R,2R)-isomer was degraded. A number of salts of phosphonic acids such as (+/-)-1,2-epoxybutyl-, (+/-)-1,2-dihydroxyethyl-, 2-oxopropyl-, (S)-2-hydroxypropyl-, (+/-)-1-hydroxypropyl- and (+/-)-1-hydroxy-2-oxopropylphosphonic acid were synthesised chemically, but none supported growth. In vitro C-P bond cleavage activity was however detected with the last phosphonic acid. A mechanism involving phosphite had to be discarded as it could not be used as a phosphorus source. R. huakuii PMY1 grew well on (R)- and (S)-lactic acid and hydroxyacetone, but less well on propionic acid and not on acetone or (R)- and (+/-)-1,2-propanediol. The P(i) released from (1R,2R)-1,2-dihydroxypropylphosphonic acid labelled with one oxygen-18 in the PO3H2 group did not stay long enough in the cells to allow complete exchange of 18O for 16O by enzymic turnover.

Preparation of alpha-aminobenzylphosphonic acids with a stereogenic quaternary carbon atom via microscopically configurationally stable alpha-aminobenzyllithiums

The enantiomers of 1-phenylethylamine were phosphorylated with diethyl chlorophosphate/Et(3)N and then Boc-protected (Boc=tert-butoxycarbonyl) at the nitrogen atom. These phosphoramidates were metalated by using sBuLi/N,N,N',N'-tetramethylethylenediamine (TMEDA) to give alpha-aminobenzyllithiums that isomerised to alpha-aminophosphonates in yields of up to 80 % with retention of the configuration at the carbon atom. The intermediate tertiary organolithiums were found to be microscopically configurationally stable from -78 to 0 degrees C in Et(2)O. The protected alpha-aminophosphonates were deblocked by using boiling 6 M HCl or preferably Me(3)SiBr/(allyl)SiMe(3). When the Boc group was replaced by the diethoxyphosphinyl group, the alpha-aminobenzyllithium intermediate partially enantiomerised even at -78 degrees C and rearranged to yield an alpha-aminophosphonate with 50 % ee (ee=enantiomeric excess). Similarly, N-Boc-protected phosphoramidates derived from racemates and/or enantiomers of 1-(1-naphthyl)ethyl-, 1-indanyl- and 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1-naphthylamine or 1-azidoindan- and 1-azido-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene were converted to aminophosphonates in good yields. Deblocking gave alpha-aminophosphonic acids of excellent enantiomeric excess (97-99 %), as determined by means of HPLC on a chiral ion-exchange stationary phase based on quinine carbamate. When racemic Boc-protected diethyl phosphoramidate derived from 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1-naphthylamine was metalated with LiTMP/TMEDA (TMP=2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine), 1-hydroxyethylphosphonamidates resulted. The configuration of the main isomer was determined by means of a single-crystal X-ray structure analysis.