Z-O-tert-butyl-L-tyrosine 4-nitrobenzyl ester

Enzymes can be tailored for optimal performance in industrial applications by directing their evolution in vitro. This approach is particularly attractive for engineering industrial enzymes. We have created an efficient para-nitrobenzyl esterase over six generations of random point mutagenesis and recombination coupled with screening for improved variants. The best clones identified after four generations of sequential random mutagenesis and two generations of random recombination display more than 150 times the p-nitrobenzyl esterase activity of wild type towards loracarbef-p-nitrobenzyl ester in 15% dimethylformamide. Although the contributions of individual effective amino acid substitutions to enhanced activity are small (< 2-fold increases), the accumulation of multiple mutations by directed evolution allows significant improvement of the biocatalyst for reactions on substrates and under conditions not already optimized in nature. The positions of the effective amino acid substitutions have been identified in a pNB esterase structural model. None appear to interact directly with the antibiotic substrate, further underscoring the difficulty of predicting their effects in a 'rational' design effort.

Alpha-carboxy-4-nitrobenzyl phosphate 4 and its derived monomethyl phosphate ester 5 were synthesized and purified by anion-exchange chromatography. A gradient of LiCl was necessary for elution of the anion-exchange column to avoid unexpected thermal decarboxylation that occurred during vacuum evaporation when the volatile triethylammonium bicarbonate buffer was used. Photolysis of each compound was accompanied by decarboxylation, and 4 released inorganic phosphate with near-100% stoichiometry. Time-resolved infrared spectroscopy of the photolysis reaction, coupled with density functional theory calculations of vibrational frequencies, enabled us to infer a mechanism for the photolytic pathway, although there was some evidence for a second pathway also being operative. In contrast to the results for 4, photolysis of 5 appeared to release little or no monomethyl phosphate.

Glycyrrhizic Acid (GL) is the major bioactive triterpene glycoside of licorice root (Glycyrrhiza Radix) extracts possessing a wide range of pharmacological properties (anti-inflammatory, anti-ulcer, anti-allergic, anti-dote, anti-oxidant, anti-tumor, anti-viral etc.). Official sources of GL are Glycyrrhiza glabra L. and Gl. uralensis Fish. (Leguminosae). The content of GL in licorice root is 2-24% of the dry weight. GL is one of the leading natural compounds for clinical trials of chronic active viral hepatitis and HIV infections (preparation Stronger Neo-Minophagen C, SNMC), and its monoammonium salt (glycyram, tussilinar) is used as an anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic remedy. The synthetic transformations of GL on carboxyl and hydroxyl groups were carried out to produce new bioactive derivatives for medicine. GL esters were produced containing fragments of bioactive acids (4-nitrobenzoic, cinnamic, salycilic, acetylsalycilic, nicotinic, isonicotinic). Bioactive amides of GL were synthesized using chloroanhydride technique and N,N'-diciclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC) method. The synthesis of acylthioureids and semicarbazones was carried out via the reaction of triacylisothiocianate of penta-O-acetyl-GL with primary amines and hydrazines. The chain of transformations of trichloranhydride of penta-O-acetyl-GL was made with the introduction of diazoketone groups in the molecule. A new group of GL derivatives to be triterpene glycopeptides was prepared by the activated esters method (N-hydrohysuccinimide-DCC or N-hydroxybenzotriazol-DCC) using alkyl (methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, tert-butyl) or benzyl (4-nitrobenzyl) esters of amino acids. The glycyrrhizyl analogs of the known immunostimulator, N-acetyl-muramoyldipeptide (MDP), were synthesized using Reagent Woodward K. A series of ureids and carbamates of GL was synthesized containing 5-amino-5-desoxy-D-xylopyranose units. The synthesis of 4-nitro-4-desoxy-glycosides, modified analogs of GL, was carried out by the oxidative splitting of the carbohydrate part of GL with NaIO(4). Triterpene 2-desoxy-D-glycosides, analogs of GL, were prepared by the glycal method in the presence of iodine-containing promoters or sulfonic acid cation-exchange resin KU-2-8 (H+) and LiBr. New anti-inflammatory and anti-ulcer agents were found among GL derivatives such as esters, amides, ureids, carbamates, thioureids and glycopeptides. GL glycopeptides are of interest as immunomodulators. Some of the chemically modified GL derivatives (salts, amides, glycopeptides) were potent HIV-1 and HIV-2 inhibitors in vitro. Preparation niglizin (penta-O-nicotinate of GL) was studied clinically as an anti-inflammatory agent and is of interest for studies as hepatoprotector and HIV inhibitor.