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Notes: ABSTRACT Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune demyelinating disease of the central nervous system. A complex genetic etiology is thought to underlie susceptibility to this disease. The present study was designed to analyze whether differences in genes that encode myelin proteins influence susceptibility to MS. We performed linkage analysis of MS to markers in chromosomal regions that include the genes encoding myelin basic protein (MBP), proteolipid protein (PLP), myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG), oligodendrocyte myelin glycoprotein (OMGP), and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) in a well-characterized population of 65 multiplex MS families consisting of 399 total individuals, 169 affected with MS and 102 affected sibpairs. Physical mapping data permitted placement of MAG and PLP genes on the Genethon genetic map; all other genes were mapped on the Genethon genetic map by linkage analysis. For each gene, at least one marker within the gene and/or two tightly linked flanking markers were analyzed. Marker data analysis employed a combination of genetic trait model-dependent (parametric) and model-independent linkage methods. Results indicate that MAG, MBP, OMGP, and PLP genes do not have a significant genetic effect on susceptibility to MS in this population. As MOG resides within the MHC, a potential role of the MOG gene could not be excluded.

Notes: Abstract The last two decades have seen clinical and molecular delineation of the different forms of neurofibromatosis. Differentiation of these forms is not just an academic exercise: their natural history, management and genetic counselling are quite different. Of the numerical classifications of neurofibromatosis proposed in the past, only neurofibromatosis type 1 (Nf1) and neurofibromatosis type 2 (Nf2) are now well delineated clinically and have been shown to be distinct at the molecular level. For both forms of neurofibromatosis, patients with clinical generalised disease have been demonstrated to be mosaic at the molecular level, and features of segmental or mosaic Nf1 and Nf2 have been delineated. Other reported forms of neurofibromatosis are rarer; they include Watson syndrome, hereditary spinal neurofibromatosis, familial intestinal neurofibromatosis, autosomal dominant café-au-lait spots alone, autosomal dominant neurofibromas alone, and schwannomatosis, the latter believed to be a variant of Nf2. Further delineation is neeeded for individuals having overlapping features of Noonan's syndrome and neurofibromatosis (the so-called Noonan/neurofibromatosis syndrome) and the syndrome of “multiple naevi, multiple schwannomas and multiple vaginal leiomyomas”. In this article we review the forms of neurofibromatosis which we believe are true clinical entities. Particular attention is given to the neurological manifestations of neurofibromatosis.

Notes: Abstract The etiology of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) is usually explained as a combination of peripheral insulin resistance and impaired beta-cell function. Phosphofructo-1-kinase (PFK1) is a rate limiting enzyme in glycolysis, and its muscle subtype (PFK1-M) deficiency leads to an autosomal recessively inherited disorder known as glycogenosis type VII or Tarui’s disease. It was evaluated whether PFK1-M deficiency leads to NIDDM in humans. A core family of four was evaluated for PFK1-M deficiency by DNA- and enzyme-activity-analyses. All members underwent oral and intravenous glucose tolerance test (oGTT/ivgtt), as well as an insulin sensitivity test (IST) using octreotide. Results: Father (46 years, BMI 22.4 kg/m2) and older son (19 years, BMI 17.8 kg/m5) showed homozygous PFK1-M deficiency, while mother (47 years, BMI 28.4 kg/m5) and younger son (13 years, BMI 16.5 kg/m5) were shown to be heterozygously PFK1-M-deficient on enzyme activity levels. DNA analysis revealed an exon 5-missense-mutation at one allele of all four members, and an exon 22-frameshift-mutation at the other allele of the two homozygously affected individuals. By oGTT the father showed impaired glucose tolerance, and the mother clinical diabetes. By ivGTT both parents and the older son had a decreased first phase insulin secretion, and a diminished glucose disappearance rate. The IST showed marked insulin resistance in both parents and the older son, and moderate resistance in the younger son, previously not described. Conclusion: PFK1-M-deficiency leads to a metabolic state typical for early NIDDM in homozygously affected humans, especially concerning insulin resistance and loss of first phase beta-cell insulin secretion, and may contribute to the manifestation of NIDDM in a subgroup of patients.

Notes: Zusammenfassung Der Großteil der Fälle von Alzheimer-Krankheit (AK) hat eine multifaktorielle Ätiologie. Das bedeutet, bisher nicht genauer bekannte Umwelteinflüsse und genetische Faktoren spielen bei der Entwicklung der Krankheit eine wesentliche Rolle. Von seiten der Genetik unterscheidet man bei der AK gegenwärtig genetische Risikofaktroren und Mutationen. Der einzige bisher gesicherte genetische Risikofaktor ist das Allel ɛ4 des Gens für Apolipoprotein E auf Chromosom 19. Dieses Allel erhöht die Wahrscheinlichkeit, an der AK zu erkranken, ist jedoch weder eine notwendige noch eine hinreichende Bedingung. Neben den häufigen Formen mit multifaktorieller Ätiologie kommen seltene Varianten der Krankheit vor, die nach Mendelschen Regeln vererbt werden. Bisher sind 3 Gene bekannt, die bei diesen seltenen, in der Regel früh auftretenden und autosomal dominant vererbten Formen mutiert sein können. Am häufigsten findet sich bei den autosomal-dominanten Fällen eine Mutation im Gen präsenilin 1 auf Chromosom 14, seltener liegen Mutationen im Gen präsenilin 2 auf Chromosom 1 und im Gen des Amyloid- Vorläuferproteins auf Chromosom 21 vor. In diesem Beitrag geben wir eine Übersicht über gegenwärtige Befunde zur Genetik der AK und diskutieren die Bedeutung dieses Wissens für Patienten und deren Verwandte.

Notes: Zusammenfassung Die Schizophrenie gehört zu den genetisch komplexen Erkrankungen, die keinem monogenen Erbgang folgen und bei denen auch nichtfamiliäre Umgebungsfaktoren eine wichtige Rolle spielen. Dabei wird intrafamiliär ein heterogener, quantitativ variierender Phänotyp übertragen, der zunehmend genauer charakterisiert werden kann. Keines der bekannten Gene mit vermuteter pathophysiologischer Relevanz spielt nach den bisherigen Erkenntnissen eine substantielle Rolle. In den vergangenen drei Jahren ist es aber erstmals durch Kopplungsuntersuchungen gelungen, mehrere replizierbare Kandidatenregionen (derzeit sieben) auf dem Genom zu identifizieren, in denen vermutlich Suszeptibilitätsgene für Schizophrenie liegen. Keines dieser Gene wurde jedoch bislang identifiziert. Mit diesen Befunden ist eine polygene Übertragung der Schizophrenie sehr wahrscheinlich geworden. Verschiedene Techniken zur Eingrenzung der Kandidatenregionen werden derzeit erfolgreich angewandt.

Notes: Abstract Recently intronic and exonic mutations in the Tau gene have been found to be associated with familial neurodegenerative syndromes characterized not only by a predominantly frontotemporal dementia but also by the presence of neurological signs consistent with the dysfunction of multiple subcortical neuronal circuitries. Among families, the symptomatology appears to vary in quality and severity in relation to the specific Tau gene mutation and often may include parkinsonism, supranuclear palsies, and/or myoclonus, in addition to dementia. We carried out molecular genetic and neuropathological studies on two patients from a French family presenting, early in their fifth decade, a cognitive impairment and supranuclear palsy followed by an akinetic rigid syndrome and dementia. The proband died severely demented 7 years after the onset of the symptoms; currently, his brother is still alive although his disease is progressing. In both patients, we found a Tau gene mutation in exon 10 at codon 279, resulting in an asparagine to lysine substitution (N279K). Neuropathologically, widespread neuronal and glial tau accumulation in the cortex, basal ganglia, brain stem nuclei as well as in the white matter were the hallmark of the disease. These deposits were shown by immunohistochemistry and immunoelectron microscopy, using a battery of antibodies to phosphorylation-dependent and phosphorylation-independent epitopes present in multiple tau regions. In the neocortex, tau-immunopositive glial cells were more numerous than immunopositive neurons; the deeper cortical layers as well as the white matter adjacent to the cortex contained the largest amount of immunolabeled glial cells. In contrast, some brain stem nuclei contained more neurons with tau deposits than immunolabeled glial cells. The correlation of clinical, neuropathological and molecular genetic findings emphasize the phenotypic heterogeneitiy of diseases caused by Tau gene mutations. Furthermore, to test the effect of the N279K mutation and compare it with the effect of the P301L exon 10 mutation on alternative splicing of Tau exon 10, we used an exon amplification assay. Our results suggest that the N279K mutation affects splicing similar to the intronic mutations, allowing exon 10 to be incorporated more frequently in the Tau transcript.

Notes: Abstract  Acute leukemia is more common in males at almost every age, and this fact remains unexplained. A study was carried out in northeast peninsular Malaysia, where the population is predominantly Malay, to examine whether there was a difference in ABO blood group distribution between males and females with acute leukemia (AL). The ABO blood groups of 109 male and 79 female patients with AL (98 ALL, 90 AML) were compared with those of 1019 controls. In the control population, 39.7% were group O. Among males with AL, 39.4% were group O, whereas among females with AL, the proportion was 24.1% (p=0.03). The same trend to a lower proportion of group O among females was seen if the group was divided into adult/pediatric or lymphoblastic/myeloblastic groups, though these differences were not statistically significant. If these findings can be confirmed, they suggest the presence of a "sex-responsive" gene near to the ABO gene locus on chromosome 9, which relatively protects group O women against AL, at least in our population. The existence of such a gene might also partly explain why acute leukemia, and possibly other childhood cancers, are more common in males.

Notes: Abstract The human T cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) Tax is a phosphoprotein, however, the contribution of phosphorylation to Tax activity is unknown. Previous studies have shown that phosphorylation of Tax occurs on serine residue(s), within one tryptic fragment, in response to 4β-phorbol-12β-myristate-13α-acetate, in both mouse and human cells. Studies were conducted in multiple cell lines to identify the specific phosphorylated serines as a prelude to functional analysis. The phosphorylation pattern of Tax was found to be different in 293T and COS-7 cells in comparison with MT-4 and Px-1 cells. However, one tryptic fragment remained consistent in comigration analyses among all cell lines. Using selected Tax serine mutants a tryptic fragment containing a serine at residue 113 believed to be the site of phosphorylation of Tax did not comigrate with the common phosphorylated tryptic fragment. Analysis of selected Tax mutants for ability totrans-activate the cytomegalovirus promoter demonstrated mutation of serine 77 to alanine reducedtrans-activation by 90% compared to wild-type Tax. However, examination of the phosphorylation pattern of the serine 77 mutant demonstrated that it is not the site of phosphorylation. These studies demonstrate the importance of using relevant cell lines to characterize the role of phosphorylation in protein function.

Notes: Zusammenfassung Rhabdomyosarkome stellen eine heterogene Gruppe von ganz verschiedenartigen, histogenetisch wohl nicht zusammengehörenden Tumoren dar. Nach der heute verwendeten „Internationalen Klassifikation” der Rhabdomyosarkome werden neben der Unterteilung in embryonalen und alveoläre Rhabdomyossarkome auch Subtypen des embryonalen RMS identifiziert (botryoider und leiomyomatöser Subtyp), die durch eine günstigere Prognose und durch die Notwendigkeit einer weniger aggressive Therapie gekennzeichnet sind. Durch Einsatz von verschiedenen histologischen und immunhistochemischen Färbungen ist die Identifizierung der verschiedenen Typen der RMS heute möglich und auch zwingend notwendig, da die einzelnen Entitäten nach ganz unterschiedlichen Therapieprotokollen behandelt werden. Der Nachweis typischer molekulargenetischer Veränderungen kann in der Unterscheidung insbesondere von embryonalen und alveolären RMS hilfreich sein. In der Regel ist die Abgrenzung zwischen diesen beiden Entitäten auch an konventionell gefärbten Schnittpräparaten möglich. Die Identifizierung von alveolären RMS mit einer t(1;13)-Translokation könnte in Zukunft eine große Bedeutung haben, da diese genetische Veränderung möglicherweise mit einer günstigeren Prognose assoziert sein könnte als die t(2;13)-Translokation.

Notes: Abstract The purpose of our study was to describe the prevalence and the clinical spectrum of monosomy 22q11.2 in a population of patients with pulmonary atresia and ventricular septal defect. We examined all 44 patients with this conotruncal cardiac malformation who presented to our institution from January 1994 until December 1997. The type of collateral lung perfusion was recorded including anomalies of the pulmonary arteries as well as facial and immunological abnormalities. Molecular-cytogenetic testing for a 22q11.2 microdeletion was performed using the probes D22S75 and cHKAD26. Statistical differences were evaluated with the Fisher's Exact Test. Monosomy 22q11.2 was present in ten children (23%) with major aortopulmonary collateral arteries (group 1). The remaining 13 children (29%) with major aortopulmonary collateral arteries (group 2) and all 21 children (48%) with ductus arteriosus (group 3) were negative for this microdeletion. All children in group 1 had facial anomalies, six had mild immunological abnormalities including decreased CD 4+ or CD 8+ cells. Anomalies of the pulmonary vascular bed were significantly more frequent in children of group 1 (9/10) than in children of group 2 (4/13) or group 3 (0/21). Due to these pulmonary vascular anomalies, corrective surgery had been accomplished in fewer children with monosomy 22q11.2 (none in group 1) as compared to 7/13 children in group 2 and 14/21 children in group 3. Conclusion In children with pulmonary atresia and ventricular septal defect, monosomy 22q11.2 is preferentially associated with major aortopulmonary collateral arteries. Due to the higher incidence of pulmonary arterial abnormalities, successful surgical repair will require a different therapeutic approach in most patients with this microdeletion.

Notes: Abstract The fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe provides a simple eukaryotic model for the study of cytokinesis. S. pombe cells are rod-shaped, grow mainly by elongation at their tips, and divide by binary fission after forming a centrally placed division septum. Analysis of mutants has begun to shed light upon how septum formation and cytokinesis are regulated both spatially and temporally. Some of the proteins involved in these events have been functionally conserved throughout eukaryotic evolution, suggesting that aspects of this control will be common to all eukaryotic cells.

Notes: Abstract Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurological disorder characterised by degeneration of upper and lower motor neurons. Whilst the primary pathogenic trigger is unknown in most cases, evidence is mounting to implicate a role for glutamate-mediated neurotoxicity in the disorder. Recent studies have shown reduced levels of the mainly astroglial glutamate transporter EAAT2 in ALS motor cortex and spinal cord and multiple abnormal EAAT2 mRNA species in ALS brain tissue. One cause of the low EAAT2 levels may be that point mutations in the EAAT2 gene, EAAT2, result in an abnormal unstable protein. To test this hypothesis we analysed EAAT2 in 128 sporadic and 23 familial European ALS cases. No variants within the coding sequence of EAAT2 to affect the protein sequence nor in the consensus splice sites of the flanking intronic sequences were found in any cases, similar to findings in other reports. Frequent polymorphisms within the flanking intronic sequences of both exons 2 and 4 were seen but at similar frequencies in controls. Mechanisms other than mutations within the coding region of EAAT2 must therefore be responsible for the low levels of EAAT2 seen in most cases of ALS.

Notes: Abstract Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are complex disorders. While the exact etiology of these diseases remains unknown, recent progress in the epidemiology and genetics of IBD has clearly demonstrated both environmental and genetic factors to play a role in the development of the disease, and it is expected that some risk factors are common for both Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). The environmental factor(s) are associated with the Western way of life in the second half of the twentieth century. Cigarette smoking is presently the best known environmental factor. However, the effect of tobacco is opposite in CD and UC. A familial history of IBD is the most important risk factor for developing the disease, suggesting a genetic predisposition to IBD. This hypothesis has recently been confirmed by the localization of at least two susceptibility loci on chromosomes 12 and 16. These genes seem to play a role in both CD and UC. They must now to be identified.

Notes: Abstract  The genetic studies of syndromic craniosynostoses lead to the characterisation of genes that regulate the correct development of the bones of the skull. From these studies, it appears that FGF/FGFR signalling has a crucial role in this problem. Numerous mutations affecting the genes coding for FGFR1, 2 or 3 are responsible for these syndromes. It is interesting to note that some identical mutations produced various different phenotypes, suggesting that other genes modulate the phenotypic expressivity. The other involved genes in these syndromes code for such proteins as Msx2 or Twist that interact in the cellular pathways responsible for FGF action. From these genetic studies, it is now important to establish the role of these proteins during the development of the skull. Msx2 plays a repressive role in osteogenesis, whereas FGFRs act as promoting proteins. In the near future, it will be very important to improve our understanding of these phenomena in order to test specific treatments to prevent the development of such syndromes.

Notes: Abstract Alzheimer’s disease (AD) has a significant genetic background manifested as autosomal dominant inheritance in some early-onset families and as familial risk in late-onset cases. Three genes responsible for early-onset autosomal dominant AD have been identified, and one gene, apolipoprotein E, has been confirmed as a susceptibility gene for late-onset forms of the disorder. These findings raise the possibility of genetic testing, either for early diagnosis or prediction. For early-onset autosomal dominant AD genetic testing will have a limited but useful role in confirming diagnosis in established cases and in predictive counselling for relatives; a situation analogous to that for Huntington’s disease. For late-onset AD significant problems remain to be overcome before the advances in molecular genetics have a direct clinical application

Notes: Abstract Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) gene defects may play a role in the development of maternally inherited diabetes mellitus and deafness (MIDD). A family from Southern Italy who showed maternal transmission of type 2 diabetes mellitus with three individuals affected is described. A 10.4 kb deletion and mutations at nucleotide positions (np) 3243, 7445 and 11778 in the mtDNA of six relatives were sought. The mitochondrial np 3243 mutation of the tRNA Leu (UUR) gene was identified in a boy affected by optic atrophy and mental retardation, as well as in his diabetic mother. No other mutations or deletions were found. Our study points out the variable phenotypic expression of the np 3243 mtDNA mutation. This may suggest the presence of other mitochondrial or nuclear mutations required to modulate the phenotype. A clinical and metabolic follow-up of all family members was necessary to understand the role of the np 3243 mutation, especially in one child affected by optic atrophy and mental retardation. Further studies will be aimed at investigating the prevalence of mutations and deletions of mtDNA in type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Notes: Abstract  The self-incompatibility in yellow passion fruit was previously described as homomorphic sporophytic with monofactorial inheritance. Five progenies were obtained by bud-selfing. The plants of these progenies were selfed, reciprocally crossed within each progeny and crossed with known incompatible phenotypes to identify their phenotypic group. Fruit set was evaluated at the 7th day after pollination. Two progenies consisted of two self-incompatible groups, the other three formed three suck groups. The groups were identified as S1, S2, S3, S4, S5 and S6. The results provide evidence that the self-incompatibility of passion fruit is controlled by two loci, the S-gene and another, whose expression needs to be investigated.

Notes: Abstract  We report the sequences of 17 primer pairs of microsatellite loci, which we have cloned and sequenced from two genomic libraries of peach [Prunus persica (L) Batsch] ‘Redhaven’, enriched for AC/GT and AG/CT repeats respectively. For ten of these microsatellite loci we were able to demonstrate Mendelian inheritance in a segregating back-cross population; the remainder did not segregate. The polymorphism of the microsatellites was evaluated in a panel of ten peach genotypes, including true-to-type peaches, nectarines and one canning-peach. Fifteen microsatellites (88%) were polymorphic showing 2–4 alleles each. The mean heterozygosity, averaged over all loci, was 0.32 and significantly higher than that reported in the literature for isozymes and molecular markers, such as RFLPs and RAPDs. We have also assayed the cross-species transportability and found that ten microsatellite (59%) gave apparently correct amplification in all Prunus species surveyed, namely P. domestica (European plum), P. salicina (Japanese plum), P. armeniaca (apricot), P. dulcis (almond), P. persica var. vulgaris (peach), P. persica var. laevis (nectarine), P. avium (sweet cherry) and P. cerasus (sour cherry), with three of them also being amplified in Malus (apple). The remaining microsatellites gave less-extensive amplification. Because of their appreciable polymorphism and wide cross-species transportability, most of these new markers can be integrated into the linkage maps which are currently being constructed in peach, as well as in other stone fruit crops, such as almond, apricot, cherry and plum.

Notes: Abstract  Six almond progenies, each the product of a cross between a self-compatible and a self-incompatible parent, were analysed for stylar ribonucleases. Proteins were extracted and separated using non-equilibrium pH gradient electrofocusing (NEPHGE), and the gels were stained for ribonuclease activity. Most seedlings showed either two principal bands, interpreted as corresponding to two incompatibility alleles, or a single band. The seedlings were also bagged in the field at flowering time to determine fruit set after selfing, and some were also examined for the growth of pollen-tubes in selfed styles using UV fluorescence microscopy. With very few exceptions, those seedlings showing single-banded zymograms were found to be self-compatible according to field and microscope studies, and those with two bands were found to be self-incompatible. We conclude that the allele for self-compatibility in almond does not code for ribonuclease activity and that the ribonuclease isoenzyme assay is a convenient technique for predicting self-compatibility in segregating progenies. A novel band in two derivatives of ’Ferrastar’ was ascribed to a new incompatibility allele, S 10 .

Notes: Abstract  A fundamental requirement of task regulation in social groups is that it must allow colony flexibility. We tested assumptions of three task regulation models for how honeybee colonies respond to graded changes in need for a specific task, pollen foraging. We gradually changed colony pollen stores and measured behavioral and genotypic changes in the foraging population. Colonies did not respond in a graded manner, but in six of seven cases showed a stepwise change in foraging activity as pollen storage levels moved beyond a set point. Changes in colony performance resulted from changes in recruitment of new foragers to pollen collection, rather than from changes in individual foraging effort. Where we were able to track genotypic variation, increases in pollen foraging were accompanied by a corresponding increase in the genotypic diversity of pollen foragers. Our data support previous findings that genotypic variation plays an important role in task regulation. However, the stepwise change in colony behavior suggests that colony foraging flexibility is best explained by an integrated model incorporating genotypic variation in task choice, but in which colony response is amplified by social interactions.

Notes: Abstract Background: The discovery of a cadre of breast cancer susceptibility genes has resulted in an increase in the number of women seeking information about prophylactic breast surgery, but virtually no large-scale prospective databases exist to assist women considering prophylactic mastectomy. Methods: The authors constructed a National Prophylactic Mastectomy Registry comprised of a volunteer population of 817 women from 43 states who have undergone prophylactic mastectomy. Results: In the registry, 370 women had undergone bilateral prophylactic mastectomy. Twenty-one (5%) women expressed regrets about the procedure. The median follow-up was 14.6 years (mean 14.8 years; range 0.2–51 years). Those with regrets were subsetted into those with major (n=10) or minor (n=7) regrets. Regrets were more common in those women with whom discussion about prophylactic mastectomy was initiated by a physician (19/255), compared with patients who initiated the discussion themselves (2/108;P〈.05). Conclusions: The overall satisfaction rate of 95% reported here may be explained by the voluntary nature of this registry. The most important factor that predicts an unfavorable outcome following bilateral prophylactic mastectomy is a physician-initiated discussion.

Notes: ABSTRACT We compared the parental age at birth of patients with Alzheimer disease (AD) with that of cognitively healthy control subjects. Within 206 carefully diagnosed AD patients, two groups were distinguished according to the likelihood of carrying a major gene for AD (MGAD). This likelihood was calculated by applying a Bayesian approach which incorporates data on aggregation of the disease, age at onset, and "censoring" ages within the family. All AD patients were ranked by MGAD probability. According to the sample's quartiles, two subgroups were defined representing the 52 individuals with the lowest and the 52 with the highest MGAD probability. Age at onset of dementia, education, and apolipoprotein E ε  4 allele frequencies were not statistically different between the two groups. Fathers of patients with a low MGAD probability were significantly older (35.7±8.1 years) than fathers of both other groups (high MGAD probability 31.3±6.9 years, P =0.004; controls 32.6±6.8 years, P =0.04, n=50). The differences for mothers were less pronounced and not statistically significant. These findings suggest that increased paternal age is a risk factor for AD in the absence of a major gene, whereas increased maternal age and AD are associated only weakly and independently of genetic disposition.

Notes: Abstract  Autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease (ARPKD) is a rare inherited disorder which usually becomes clinically manifest in early childhood, although the spectrum of ARPKD is much more variable than generally known. Presentation of ARPKD at later ages and survival into adulthood have been observed in many cases. The responsible gene has been mapped to chromosome 6p. Thus there is no evidence of genetic heterogeneity. The most important indication for DNA diagnosis is the prenatal diagnosis in families with at least one affected child. The critical region has been narrowed with the use of recombinant families of about 4 cM. Several possible candidate genes have been excluded.

Notes: Zusammenfassung Die Aufdeckung der genetischen Grundlagen von Störungen der Geschlechtsentwicklung hat neue Möglichkeiten nicht nur in der Erklärung dieser Erkrankungen, sondern auch für die Diagnostik und den klinischen Umgang mit betroffenen Individuen eröffnet. Am Beispiel der Androgenresistenz können die Erfolge, aber auch die Grenzen molekulargenetischer Untersuchungen aufgezeigt werden. Die Suche nach den zugrundeliegenden genetischen Veränderungen im Androgenrezeptorgen ist heute technisch auch zur Analyse größerer Patientenzahlen anwendbar. Der Nachweis von Mutationen kann mit hoher Sensitivität und Spezifität in großen Genabschnitten durchgeführt werden. Während größere Gendefekte mit einem völligen Funktionsverlust des Rezeptors einhergehen, sind Punktmutationen, die zu Veränderungen der Aminosäuresequenz führen, für das große phänotypische Spektrum der Androgenresistenz verantwortlich. Zwar wird das klinische Erscheinungsbild durch Art und Ort der Aminosäuresubstitution mitbestimmt, dennoch kann der Phänotyp auch bei gleicher Mutation sehr variabel sein. Dies ist mit großer Wahrscheinlichkeit auf zelluläre Regulationsmechanismen zurückzuführen, in deren Wirkungskette der Androgenrezeptor nur ein Glied, wenn auch ein wichtiges, darstellt. Daher müssen molekulargenetische Befunde immer in Zusammenhang mit den anamnestischen, klinischen und laborchemischen Parametern gesehen werden. Ziel wissenschaftlicher Untersuchungen ist es, die zellulären Mechanismen der Androgenwirkung weiter aufzuklären, um diese Erkenntnisse dann möglicherweise in die therapeutischen Entscheidungen bei Patienten mit Androgenresistenz einfließen zu lassen.

Notes: Abstract Non-pustular psoriasis consists of two disease subtypes, type I and type II, which demonstrate distinct characteristics. Firstly the disease presents in different decades of life, in type I before the age of 40 years and later in type II. Secondly, contrasting frequencies of HLA alleles are found: type I patients express predominantly HLA-Cw6, -B57, and -DR7, whereas in type II patients HLA-Cw2 is overrepresented. Finally, familial inheritance is found in type I but not in type II psoriasis. The study of concomitant diseases in psoriasis contributes to deciphering the distinct patterns of the disease. Defence against invading microorganisms seems better developed in psoriatics than in controls. This evolutionary benefit may have caused the overall high incidence of psoriasis of 2%. Psoriasis is a multifactorial and heterogenetically inherited disease. The heterogeneity is evident by the diversity of genetically linked markers. The multifactorial component results from the observation of external trigger mechanisms, such as the Koebner phenomenon, stress and the intake of certain drugs. Twin studies have shown that environmental factors contribute to the onset of the disease. In type I psoriasis, special extended haplotypes such as EH57.1 (HLA-Cw6-B57-DRB1*0701-DQA1*0201-DQBl*0303) and EH65.1 (HLA-Cw8-B65-DRB1*0102-DQB1*0501) have been found to be increased. The application of microsatellite techniques has identified distinct positions on several chromosomes at which putative psoriasis genes may be located. Disease susceptibility genes are thought to be present on chromosomes 4q, 6p, 16q, 17q and 20p. Moreover, on chromosome 1q, genes regulating epidermal differentiation have been identified. Linkage to this area has been proposed. Furthermore, psoriasis gene loci on chromosomes 2, 8 and 20 have been suggested.

Notes: ABSTRACT Despite several lines of evidence indicating a strong genetic influence in the etiology of idiopathic epilepsies, progress in the mapping and identification of human epilepsy genes has been limited until recently. In addition to the localisation and/or isolation of several genes causing progressive epilepsies associated with cerebral degeneration, at least seven human genomic regions (6p, 8q, 10q, 15q, 16p, 19q, 20q) are now known to harbour genes implicated in idiopathic epilepsies. In the case of nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsy, mutations in a nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunit gene have been identified. Systematic studies of rare epileptic disorders inherited as monogenic Mendelian traits, as well as studies on more complex polygenic idiopathic epilepsies, are still needed in order to identify all the epilepsy genes. This will allow better diagnosis and genetic counseling in families of affected individuals, a better understanding of both the pathophysiology of epilepsies and normal brain functioning, and the design of new pharmacological and genetic therapies.

Notes: Abstract Evidence for genetic factors in schizophrenia is reviewed with regard to family, twin and adoption studies, and recent advances in molecular genetic technology are applied to explore possible gene loci susceptible to schizophrenia. Application of neuropsychological and neuroimaging methodologies are also reviewed with an aim to develop criteria for defining phenotypes for genetic studies.

Notes: Abstract To quantify the risk of febrile seizures (FS) in relatives of children with FS and to predict the risk of FS in siblings, we calculated cumulative risks of FS in first degree relatives of 129 children with FS. The study was conducted as a prospective follow up study of FS recurrences at the outpatient clinic of the Sophia Children's Hospital in Rotterdam. Thirteen parents and 12 siblings had experienced FS, accounting for a 6-year cumulative risk of 7%. The risk of FS was increased in relatives of children with recurrent FS (12%). The risk of FS in siblings (10%) in our study was more than twice the average risk in a similar population (4%). A positive FS history in a parent, young age at onset in the proband, and recurrences in the proband were selected in a multivariable prediction model. If two or more of these risk factors were present, the risk of West European siblings to develop FS was 46% (hazard ratio 5.4). Conclusion The cumulative risk of FS in siblings of children with FS is increased. The age attained risk of FS can be estimated using a practical model incorporating three readily available risk factors.

Notes: Abstract Honey bee foragers were tested for their proboscis extension response (PER) to water and varying solutions of sucrose. Returning pollen and nectar foragers were collected at the entrance of a colony and were assayed in the laboratory. Pollen foragers had a significantly higher probability of responding to water and to lower concentrations of sucrose. Bees derived from artificially selected high- and low-pollen-hoarding strains were also tested using the proboscis extension assay. Returning foragers were captured and tested for PERs to 30% sucrose. Results demonstrated a genotypic effect on PERs of returning foragers. The PERs of departing high- and low-strain foragers were consistent with those of returning foragers. The PERs were related to nectar and water reward perception of foragers. High strain bees were more likely to return with loads of water and lower concentrations of sucrose than foragers from the low pollen strain. Low-strain bees were more likely to return empty. We identified a previously mapped genomic region that contains a variable quantitative trait locus that appears to influence sucrose response thresholds. These studies demonstrate a gene-brain-behavior pathway that can be altered as a consequence of colony-level selection for quantities of stored food.

Notes: Abstract Several crossing studies with diabetic BB rats have shown that in addition to the lymphopenia (Iddm1) and the MHC class II genes of the RT1u haplotype (Iddm2) there are further non-MHC genes essential for diabetes development. Because diabetes-resistant inbred rat strains may be homozygous for one of the diabetogenic non-MHC genes, masking the expression of diabetogenic genes and leading to an underestimation of the number of diabetogenic genes, we crossed wild and diabetic BB/OK rats. The F1 hybrids were backcrossed onto diabetic female (BC1W-F, n=97) and male BB/OK rats (BC1W-M, n=98) transferred to a specified-pathogen-free environment and studied for the frequency and age at onset of diabetes up to an age of 30 weeks. Comparing the results of these BC1 W hybrids with similarly derived hybrids using diabetes-resistant DA rats (BC1DA-F, n=113; BC1DA-M, n=216), the diabetes frequency in total was comparable indicating the action of three recessive genes. The percentage of diabetics in Iddm1 and Iddm2 homozygotes confirmed the existence of the third gene, Iddm3, but there were some sex differences; significantly more male than female BC1W-F and significantly more BC1DA-M than BC1DA-F males were diabetic. Regarding the age at onset, the BC1W-F hybrids manifested not only significantly earlier, but also more uniformly than BC1DA-F and BC1-M hybrids.

Notes: Abstract Recently, hepatocyte nuclear factor-1α (HNF-1α, which is encoded by the TCF1 gene) mutations were reported in a subset of patients with maturity onset diabetes of the young (MODY3). We studied the contribution of TCF1 to genetic susceptibility to common non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (type 2) in Japanese subjects by investigating allelic association with type 2 diabetes use of three markers. We also studied the frequency of the G191D mutation, the only mutation of TCF1 reported so far in late-onset type 2 diabetes. A total of 356 subjects were studied. There were no significant differences in allele frequency of the three markers between patients with type 2 diabetes and control subjects. A G191D mutation was not found in the subjects studied, giving a frequency of less than 0.4% in common type 2 diabetes. The lack of association of type 2 diabetes with three markers in and near TCF1 suggests that mutations in TCF1 derived from a limited number of founders are not a major cause of common type 2 diabetes even in the genetically homogeneous Japanese population. The data also indicate that the G191D mutation in TCF1 plays little, if any, role in susceptibility to common type 2 diabetes in the Japanese.

Notes: Abstract  The processes of megasporogenesis and early megagametogenesis were cytologically investigated in Cupressus sempervirens L. in order to elucidate, at the cellular level, the origin of the megagametophyte. After pollination, sporogenous tissue developed in the chalazal region of the nucellus, but only one megaspore mother cell differentiated and divided meiotically without cell-wall formation. This led to the development of a cell with four nuclei which directly functioned as a megaspore. The C. sempervirens megagametophyte is thus tetrasporic, in contrast to the majority of conifers where the megagametophyte is monosporic. The consequenses of this observation are discussed from a genetics point of view.

Notes: Abstract  We have isolated and sequenced 263 microsatellite-containing clones from two small insert libraries of Actinidia chinensis enriched for (AC/GT) and (AG/CT) repeats, respectively. Primer pairs were designed for 203 microsatellite loci and successfully amplified from both plasmid and A. chinensis genomic DNA. In this paper we report the sequences of 40 primer pairs for which we have demonstrated Mendelian segregation in the progeny from controlled crosses. The polymorphism of ten microsatellites of each type was evaluated in four diploid and six tetraploid genotypes of A. chinensis. All microsatellites proved to be polymorphic, the number of alleles per locus detected in polyacrylamide sequencing gels ranging from 9 to 17. The high degree of polymorphism in Actinidia renders these markers useful either for mapping in A. chinensis or for fingerprinting cultivars of both domesticated kiwifruit species (A. chinensis and A. deliciosa). While most primer pairs produced single amplification products, about 20% generated banding patterns consistent with the amplification of two different loci. This supports the hypothesis that diploid species of Actinidia (2n=2x=58) are polyploid in origin with a basic chromosome number x=14/15 and that chromosome duplication may have occurred during the evolution of the genus. Finally, we have assayed the cross-species transportability of primer pairs designed from A. chinensis sequences and have found extensive cross-species amplification within the genus Actinidia; 75% of primer pairs gave successful amplification in the eight species assayed (A. arguta, A. rufa, A. polygama, A. chrysantha, A. callosa, A. hemsleyana, A. eriantha, and A. deliciosa), which are representative of the four sections into which the genus is currently split.

Notes: Abstract  The large size and the long generation time of fruit trees generally reduce the possibilities of obtaining genetic information on the transmission and heritability of useful agronomic traits in these species. However, from breeding work carried out with fruit trees, an important amount of data is now available, although large differences are apparent among the different species. There is not much information known about almond compared to what is available on other Prunus fruit species, but more data have been accumulated on it than on most of the other nut trees, thus making almond special among all the temperate fruit and nut species. Only five qualitative traits have been described in almond, with an additional two also possibly qualitative. Heritabilities have been estimated for an important number of quantitative traits, mainly phenological times and fruit characters. Important information is available on molecular markers, including enzymes, RFLPs, RAPDs and other recently developed markers. Linkages, however, have only been established among molecular markers, allowing accurate genetic maps to be built but not yet enabling agronomical characters to be located in these maps, probably because the latter have not been sufficiently studied. The effectiveness of the application of genetic maps in plant breeding will depend on the accuracy of the study of different agronomic traits and their expression, implying more field work and recognition of this work. Ultimately, any new fruit cultivar has to be grown in the field and has to allow the grower to make a profit.

Notes: Abstract Every recruitment system in social insects requires some individuals that serve as scouts, foragers that search independently for food sources. It is not well understood which factors influence whether an individual becomes a scout or a recruit, nor how the division of labor between the two forager groups is regulated. It is shown here for honeybees (Apis mellifera), using two different molecular techniques, that there is a genetically based difference in the probability that individuals will scout independently for food. In contrast to earlier suggestions, experimental tests showed that the age of a bee does not seem to influence its probability of becoming a scout or a recruit. Furthermore, scout bees do not search opportunistically for either pollen or nectar but, rather, individuals have preferences that are genetically based. These findings are discussed in the framework of foraging regulation by specialization in honeybees and the adaptive significance of polyandry.

Notes: Abstract Neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses (NCLs) are among the most common neurodegenerative diseases in childhood but rarely present in adulthood. The main symptoms are psychomotor deterioration, visual failure, epilepsy and motor disturbances. The NCLs are morphologically characterized by the accumulation of lipopigments within numerous cell types and loss of neurons. Pathogenesis is unknown. The current clinical classification recognizes six classic types of NCL and several atypical forms. Electrophysiological and neuroradiological findings may be of diagnostic significance, but disease recognition rests on the demonstration of a typical ultrastructural pattern. Genetic studies have demonstrated that several different genetic loci are involved in the pathogenesis of NCL, but the molecular mechanisms underlying neuronal death and lipopigment accumulation are not understood.

Notes: Abstract The present study uses a behavioral genetic design to investigate the genetic and environmental influences on variation in adolescent body mass index (BMI) and to determine whether the relative influences of genetic and environmental factors on variation in BMI are similar across racial groups and sexes. Data for the present study come from the National Longitudinal Study on Adolescent Health (Add Health), a large, nationally representative study of adolescent health and health-related behaviors. The Add Health sample contains a subset of sibling pairs that differs in levels of genetic relatedness, making it well suited for behavioral genetics analyses. The present study examines whether genetic and environmental influences on adolescent BMI are the same for males and females and for Black and White adolescents. Results indicate that genetic factors contribute substantially to individual differences in adolescent BMI, explaining between 45 and 85% of the variance in BMI. Furthermore, based on an analysis of opposite-sex sibling pairs, the genes that influence variation in adolescent BMI are similar for males and females. However, the relative importance of genetic and environmental influences on variation in BMI differs for males and females and for Blacks and Whites. Although parameter estimates could be constrained to be equal for Black and White males, they could not be constrained to be equal for Black and White females. Moreover, the best-fitting model for Black females was an ADE model, for White females it was an ACE model, and for males it was an AE model. Thus, shared environmental influences are significant for White female adolescents, but not for Black females or males. Likewise, nonadditive genetic influences are indicated for Black females, but not for White females or males. Implications of these results are discussed.

Notes: Abstract Non-spin glasses possess a number of specific features which, in structural and dynamic aspects, are close to conditions necessary for neural networks to function. In a disordered network there exists a plurality of structural parameters and a number of two-level states defined by double-well potentials. Their characteristics are specified by the conditions of glass formation, i.e. by genesis. The thermodynamic description of glass as a self-organizing system (that does not require introducing an interacting potential model) leads to an unambiguous conclusion that its frequency spectrum is predetermined by the structure, which is characterized by zero-point entropy. Glass is a natural system of oscillators which form a disordered network. In this sense, glass conforms to a known model of a disordered neural network formed by interconnected oscillators. If one assumes that in living organisms the structure of a neural network (the brain) is inherited according to a genetic mechanism, the quickness of learning and recognition of patterns, the stability of associative memory and other capabilities have to be inherited genetically. The more ordered a neural network formed by distinguishable neurons, the better its capabilities.

Notes: Abstract We first recall the observational and theoretical facts that constitute the so-called 3He problem. We then review the chemical anomalies that could be related to the destruction of 3He in red giants stars. We show how a simple consistent mechanism can lead to the destruction of 3He in low mass stars and simultaneously account for the low 12C/13C ratios and low lithium abundances observed in giant stars of different populations. This process should both naturally account for the recent measurements of 3He/H in galactic HII regions and allow for high values of 3He observed in some planetary nebulae. We propose a simple statistical estimation of the fraction of stars that may be affected by this process.

Notes: To get informations on both the structure and dynamics of hydrogen chelates 1 of heteroaromatic systems, a great variety of quinazoline-2-acetonitrile chelates were synthesized (see 2-4). Similarly to the situation of the corresponding H-chelates in the pyrimidine-2-acetonitrile series, the investigation of these new derivatives 2-4 by NMR spectroscopic methods (DNMR, COSY, NOESY, ROESY, EXSY, HMQC, HMBC) confirms the presence of an equilibrium of the two possible H-chelate structures (two ‘rotamers’ I and II, i.e., (E)/(Z) isomers; see Scheme). The corresponding equilibria I ⇌ II were determined by complete 1H-NMR signal assignment at low temperatures (after freezing the rotational processes). In addition, the tautomer equilibria A ⇌ B (relative energies of the two minima of the nonsymmetrical double-well potential) for both ‘rotamers’ are ascertained by H,H and C,H couplings. The results are an important basis for the interpretation of both the UV/VIS absorptions and the dependence of fluorescence and fluorescence quantum yields on temperature.

Notes: Stereoselective reactions of phthalimido-substituted radicals derived from (±)-threonine with different radical traps are reported (Scheme 3, Table 1). A strong influence of the nature of the radical trap on the stereoselectivity was noticed. Small nucleophilic radical traps gave preferentially the syn products. The observed selectivities are explained with the A1,3 strain model and depend on steric and electronic effects (Fig. 2). Reactions with electrophilic radical traps such as diphenyl diselenide gave the anti diastereoisomers with moderate stereocontrol, presumably due to stereoelectronic effects. The same stereochemical outcome, i.e., preferential formation of the anti products, was observed for the reactions of the related N-phthaloyliminium ion (Scheme 5, Table 2). The stereochemistry of the ionic reaction is rationalized by a Felkin-Anh model (Fig. 3).

Notes: The cyclopalladation of 1,1′-azonaphthalene (= di(naphthalen-1-yl)diazene; 2) with bis(hexafluoroacetyl-acetonato)palladium(II) (3; [Pd(hfa)2]) yields the ortho-palladated complex (1,1,1,5,5,5-hexafluoropentane-2,4-dionato-κ2O,O′)[1-(naphthalen-1-ylazo-κN2)naphthalen-2-yl-κC2]palladium(II) (4) as well as the peri-palladated complex (1,1,1,5,5,5-hexafluoropentane-2,4-dionato-κ2O,O′)[8-(naphthalen-1-ylazo-κN2)naphthalen-1-yl-κC1]-palladium(II) (5); their structures were corroborated by X-ray analyses. The formation of the novel peri-metallated product 5 containing a six-membered palladacycle strongly depends upon the reaction conditions.

Notes: The photoisomerization behavior of three mono[(E)-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)prop-2-enoyl]spermidines, 1, 2, and 3, and three bis[(E)-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)prop-2-enoyl]spermidines, 4, 5, and 6, are investigated. The synthetic product (E)-1 could be almost quantitatively (〉 96%) converted into its isomer (Z)-1 under UV light irradiation. In the cases of (E)-2 and (E)-3, a mixture of (E)/(Z) ca. 1:2 was obtained, when the same conditions were applied. The comparison of their UV spectra provides the possible explanation for these different behaviors. Furthermore, it was noticed that the (Z) → (E) isomerization of the C=C bond took place during the purification by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC), and the (E)/(Z)-mixture is thus inseparable. The same feature could be observed during the isolation of the (Z,Z)-N,N′-bis[3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)prop-2-enoyl]-spermidines, (Z,Z)-4, (Z,Z)-5, and (Z,Z)-6. Nevertheless, the fractions of (Z,Z)-5 and (Z,Z)-6 were in almost pure state collected, and their 1-NMR spectra are presented.

Notes: The synthesis, absolute configuration, and olfactive evaluation of (-)-(E)-α-trans-bergamotenone (= (-)-(1′S,6′R,E)-5-(2′,6′-dimethylbicyclo[3.1.1]hept-2′-en-6′-yl)pent-3-en-2-one; (-)-1), as well as its homologue (-)-19 are reperted. The previously arbitrarily attributed absolute configuration of 1 and of (-)-α-trans-bergamotene (= (-)-(1 S,6R)-2,6-dimethyl-6-(4-methylpent-3-enyl)bicyclo[3.1. 1]hept-2-ene; (-)-2), together with those of the structurally related aldehydes (-)-3a,b and alcohols (-)-4a,b, have been rigorously assigned.

Notes: (-)-(R)-4,4,4,4′,4′,4′-Hexafluorovaline hydrochloride ((R)-5) of 98% ee is prepared from β,β-bis(trifluoromethyl)acrylic acid (= benzyl 4,4,4-trifluoro-3-(trifluoromethyl)but-2-enoate; 1) in 4 steps with an overall yield of 9.6%. Key step is the separation of the TsOH salts of the diastereoisomers obtained by anti-Michael addition of (+)-(R)-1-phenylethylamine (2) to 1 (→ (R,R)-3). In contrast to the published (S)-chirality, the X-ray structure analysis of (R,S)-6 reveals, that (R)-chirality has to be assigned to the levorotatory (-)-4,4,4,4′,4′,4′-hexafluorovaline hydrochloride.

Notes: The synthesis and characterization of tripodal dodecadentate ligands with salicylamide and bipyridine binding sites for iron(II) and iron(III) are presented.

Notes: The reaction of CuO'Bu with CO2, and iPr2NH in the presence of PPh3, gives the dialkylcarbamato complex [Cu(O2CNiPr2)(PPh3)2] (1). The CO2/R2NH system (R = Me, Et) in an appropriate organic medium reacts with Ag2O giving the corresponding N,N-dialkylcarbamato complexes of analytical formula [Ag(C2CNR2)] (R = Me, 2; R = Et, 3). The methyl derivative 2 was characterized by X-ray diffraction methods. Crystal data of 2: for [Ag2(O2CNMe2)2], C6H12Ag2N2O4, mol. wt. 391.9; monoclinic, space group P21/c, a = 12.08(1), b = 3.797(2), c = 11.316(7) Å, β = 113.37(6)°, V = 476.3 Å3, Z = 2, Dc = 2.732 g cm-3; μ(MoKα) = 40.64 cm-1, F(000) = 376.0; R = 0.059, Rw = 0.067; g.o.f. 1.27. The structure consists of dinuclear [(Ag2OCNMe2)2] units with slightly distorted linearly two-coordinated Ag-atoms containing bridging carbamato groups to form a substantially planar eight-membered ring with an intra-annular Ag—Ag distance of 2.837(2) Å; the dinuclear units are further joined by Ag—O bonds to form an infinite array. Compound 3, which is presumably dinuclear, as suggested by cryoscopic measurements in benzene, undergoes a structural fission with PPh3, giving the mononuclear triphenylphosphine derivative [Ag(O2CNEt2)(PPh3)2] (4). The amine-catalyzed conversion of Ag2O into Ag2CO3, in the presence of the iPr2NH/CO2 system, is also reported. Cl-Exchange from [AuCl(PPh3)] with [Ag(O2CNEt2)] (3) gives the first N,N-dialkylcarbamato complex of gold, namely [Au(O2CNEt2)(PPh3)] (5), which crystallizes in the monoclinic system: C23H25AuNO2P · 0.5 C7H16, mol. wt. 625.5, space group P21/c; a = 13.212(5), b = 12.25(1), c = 16.795(6) Å, β = 109.09(2)°, V = 2568(2) Å3, Z = 4, Dc, = 1.618 g cm-3; μ(AgKα) = 31.40 cm-1, F(000) = 1236.0; R = 0.058; Rw = 0.064; g.o.f. 2.121. The compound contains two-coordinated Au-atom, namely to the P-atom and to the O-atom of the monodentate carbamato group, the P—Au—O bond angle being 174.7(3)°. The reaction with MeI showed these compounds to react predominantly at the carbamato O-atom giving the corresponding urethanes R2NCO2Me. Evidence was gathered for the transient coordination of CO to Ag in 3.

Notes: The reactions of α-diazo ketones 1a,b with 9H-fluorene-9-thione (2f) in THF at room temperature yielded the symmetrical 1,3-dithiolanes 7a,b, whereas 1b and 2,2,4,4-tetramethylcyclobutane-1,3-dithione (2d) in THF at 60° led to a mixture of two stereoisomeric 1,3-oxathiole derivatives cis- and trans-9a (Scheme 2). With 2-diazo-1,2-diphenylethanone (1c), thio ketones 2a-d as well as 1,3-thiazole-5(4H)-thione 2g reacted to give 1,3-oxathiole derivatives exclusively (Schemes 3 and 4). As the reactions with 1c were more sluggish than those with 1a,b, they were catalyzed either by the addition of LiClO4 or by Rh2(OAc)4. In the case of 2d in THF/LiClO4 at room temperature, a mixture of the monoadduct 4d and the stereoisomeric bis-adducts cis- and trans-9b was formed. Monoadduct 4d could be transformed to cis- and trans-9b by treatment with 1c in the presence of Rh2(OAc)4 (Scheme 4). Xanthione (2e) and 1c in THF at room temperature reacted only when catalyzed with Rh2(OAc)4, and, in contrast to the previous reactions, the benzoyl-substituted thiirane derivative 5a was the sole product (Scheme 4). Both types of reaction were observed with α-diazo amides 1d,e (Schemes 5-7). It is worth mentioning that formation of 1,3-oxathiole or thiirane is not only dependent on the type of the carbonyl compound 2 but also on the α-diazo amide. In the case of 1d and thioxocyclobutanone 2c in THF at room temperature, the primary cycloadduct 12 was the main product. Heating the mixture to 60°, 1,3-oxathiole 10d as well as the spirocyclic thiirane-carboxamide 11b were formed. Thiirane-carboxamides 11d-g were desulfurized with (Me2N)3P in THF at 60°, yielding the corresponding acrylamide derivatives (Scheme 7). All reactions are rationalized by a mechanism via initial formation of acyl-substituted thiocarbonyl ylides which undergo either a 1,5-dipolar electrocyclization to give 1,3-oxathiole derivatives or a 1,3-dipolar electrocyclization to yield thiiranes. Only in the case of the most reactive 9H-fluorene-9-thione (2f) is the thiocarbonyl ylide trapped by a second molecule of 2f to give 1,3-dithiolane derivatives by a 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition.

Notes: The synthesis of a series of chiral enantiomerically pure C2-symmetric binucleating ligands is reported. Ligands of type 1-4, which consist of a phenolic or heterocyclic unit bridging two chiral dihydrooxazole rings. are readily accessible from chiral amino alcohols. Ligands 5a and 5b are composed of a cyclic urea or thiourea unit, respectively, and two 3,4-dihydro-2H-pyrrole rings containing a stereogenic center next to the N-atom. Compounds of this type are readily assembled from ethane-1,2-diamine and an imidothioic ester derived from pyroglutamic acid. These new ligands, which can coordinate two metals in close proximity to each other, are of interest regarding possible applications in asymmetric catalysis.

Notes: Stability constants have been measured for a series of ligands based on a 2,2′-(pyridine-2,6-diyl)bis[1H-benzimidazole] unit which forms dinuclear double-stranded helical complexes with copper(I). Variation of different structural parameters confirms the importance of the coordinate bond, the stacking interactions, and the weakly bridging pyridine units observed by X-ray crystallography. The stabilities of the complexes depend strongly on the solvent, and in MeCN, which is a good solvent for copper(I), the complexes are less stable and assemble in a stepwise manner. The interconversion of the enantiomers may be followed by 1H-NMR and takes place on a millisecond time scale around room temperature. The trends in lability are similar to those found for the stability of the complexes.

Notes: Oligodeoxyribonucleotides containing 7-deaza-2′-deoxy-8-methylguanosine (m8c7Gd; 2b) were prepared. For this purpose, the phosphonate 3a and the phosphoramidite 3b were synthesized and employed in solidphase oligodeoxyribonucleotide synthesis. The structures and the thermodynamic data of duplex formation of oligodeoxyribonucleotides containing 2b were investigated by temperature-dependent CD and UV spectra and compared with those containing 7-deaza-2′-deoxy-7-methylguanosine (m7c7Gd) or 7-deaza-2′-deoxy-guanosine (c7Gd; 2a). In general, compound 2b reduces the duplex stability. In case of the sequence d(m8c7G-C)4 (18), the B → Z transition was facilitated by the incorporation of 2b. Moreover, a single 7-deaza-8-methylguanine residue present in an oligodeoxyribonucleotide tract of guanine residues destabilizes the dG quadruplex significantly. This destabilization is more pronounced than in the case of 7-deazaguanine or 7-deaza-7-methyl-guanine.

Notes: Absolute rate constants and their Arrhenius parameters are obtained for the addition of a cyclic malonyl radical derived from Meldrum's acid to 20 mono- or 1,1-disubstituted alkenes in (±)-propylene oxide and for the addition of the open-chain di(tert-butyl)malonyl radical to six mono- or 1,1-disubstituted alkenes in 1,1,2-trichloro-1,2,2-trifluoroethane by time-resolved electron spin resonance spectroscopy. At room temperature, the radicals add at the unsubstituted C-atoms with rate constants ranging from 1.1. 105 M-1S-1 (acrolein) to 2.4. 106 M-1S-1 (1,1-diphenylethene). The frequency factors are in the narrow ranges of log (A/M-1S-1) = 8.7 ± 0.1 for the cyclic and log (A/M-1S-1) = 8.2 ± 0.2 for the open-chain malonyl species, whereas the activation energies vary from 12.9 kJ/mol (1,1-diphenylethene) to 21.7 kJ/mol (acrylonitrile). They correlate with the alkene ionization potentials and, more weakly, with the reaction enthalpy. No correlation was found between the activation energies and the alkene electron affinities. Hence, the results confirm and quantify the electrophilic nature of malonyl radicals in addition reactions.

Notes: An asymmetric synthesis of (-)-(4R)-dihydroisomyricoidine (28), a 13-membered amino lactam of type A, was performed by a diastereoselective Michael addition between the spermidine derivative 3 and the commercially available optically active ethyl carboxylate 4, and the cyclization of the resulting ω-amino acid 7 using diethyl phosphorocyanidate ((EtO)2POCN), followed by a Wittig reaction to introduce the (Z)-side chain. Some side reactions are also discussed.

Notes: Natural free carboxylic acids from the hadromerid sponge Diacarnus levii (Kelly-Borges and Vacelet) were esterified to yield the new cyclic norditerpene peroxides ent-muqubilin benzyl ester (= (αR,3S,6R)-α,6-dimethyl-6-[(E)-4-methyl-6-(2,6,6-trimethyl-cyclohex-1-en-1-yl)hex-3-enyl]-1,2-dioxan-3-acetic acid benzyl ester; 6, diacarnoate B methyl ester(= (αS,3R,6R)-α,6-dimethyl-6-{2-(4aS,8aS)-3,4,4a,5,6,7,8,8a-octahydro-3-oxo-2,5,5,8a-tetramethylnaphthalen-1-yl)ethyl}-1,2-dioxan-3-acetic acid methyl ester; 9), and deoxydiacarnoate B benzyl ester (= (αS,3R,6R)-α,6-dimethyl-6-{2-[(4aS,8aS)-3,4,4a,5,6,7,8,8a-octahydro-2,5,5,8a-tetramethyl-1-naphthalenyl]ethyl}-1,2-dioxan-3-acetic acid benzyl ester; 10), which were isolated following extensive chromatography. The relative configuration of the peroxide/α-methylacetate moiety of 6, 9, and 10, was directly determined from their NMR spectra. The absolute configurations of the peroxide/α-methylacetate moiety was deduced from comparative 1H-NMR data of the (S)- and (R)-phenylglycine methyl ester derivatives 7 and 8 as well as 11/13 and 12/14, all obtained from a mixture of the precursors of 3, 6, and 10. The absolute configuration at the carbobicyclic moiety of enone 9 and of 10, is identical, as established by chemical interconversion, 9 and 10 belong to the normal labdane series according to empirical CD rules, applied either directly to 9 or to the parent (+)-sclareolide-derived enone 20. In contrast, molar rotation additivity rules suggest the ent-labdane configuration for 9 and 10. The epidioxides 1-3, 6, and 10 proved active in vitro against the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum; especially the previously isolated methyl 3-epinuapapuanoate (2) was active against a chloroquine-resistant strain, and this with a good security index.

Notes: 3-Hydroxy-2-cyanoalk-2-enamides, and 2-cyano-2-(tetrahydrofuran-2-ylidene)- and 2-cyano-2-(tetrahydropyran-2-ylidene)acetamides with N-alkyl and N-aryl substituents have been synthesized in three steps from cyanoacetic acid. Their conformations were investigated by X-ray crystallography and 1H-NMR ROESY spectroscopy at room temperature. The enolic compounds 1-3 adopt an extended conformation stabilized by a strong intramolecular O—H … O=C bond both in the solid state and in (D6)DMSO solution. In contrast, the structure of the cyclic derivatives 5a,b-8a,b is solvent-dependent. In the solid state and in CDCl3 solution, the compounds adopt an extended conformation of type I or III, while, in (D6)DMSO solution, their structures undergo time-dependent (Z)/(E)-isomerization structures (of type II or IV). This observation is compatible with a dipolar transition state of rotation. The kinetics of the isomerization are controlled by the N-substituent, the N-(t-Bu) derivatives 7a and 7b having the highest barrier of rotation around the C=C bond. The whole body of experimental evidence together with the results of molecular-mechanics calculations with I-IV, indicate that, in DMSO, two (E)/(Z)-isomers with two conformations are present, and that they undergo interconversion at room temperature with four different constants. The very fast exchange rates kI,II and kIII,IV in the NMR time-scale might be responsible for the detection of only two isomers.

Notes: A new acylated dimeric secoiridoid glycoside, seemannoside A (2), has been isolated from the aerial parts of Lisianthius seemannii (GRISEB) O. KUNTZE (Gentianaceae). The structure was established by spectroscopic analysis (UV, MS, 1H- and 13C-NMR, and 2D-NMR experiments) and chemical reactions as (E-4′-O-p-coumaroyl)lisianthioside. The structure of the (Z)-isomer (seemannoside B, 3), also present in the plant, was confirmed by LC/UV/1H-NMR analysis. The active principle, 6, responsible for the antifungal activity of the apolar extract against Cladosporium cucumerinum, has been isolated. Its structure has been established by NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallographic analysis as a rare type of aglycone monoterpene dimer.

Notes: Asymmetric Diels-Alder reaction of the pentadienoic and hexadienoic acids 2a,b with the chiral chloronitroso derivative 3 gave the primary adducts 4a,b with good-to-excellent enantioselectivity. Subsequent as- or trans-dihydroxylation and hydrogenolytic cleavage of the N—O bond led to the 5-amino-5-deoxypentono-δ-lactams 13a, 14, 15a, and 16 in the D-ribose, L-arabinose, D-xylose, and L-lyxose series, respectively, and to the 5-amino-5,6-dideoxyhexono-δ-lactams 13b and 15b in the D-allose and D-glucose series, respectively.

Notes: The synthesis of the monomeric building block 13 and its constitutional isomer 12 of a new type of DNA analog, distamycin-NA, is presented (Schemes 1 and 2). This building block consists of a uracil base attached to a thiophene core unit via a biaryl-like axis. Next to the biaryl-like axis on the thiophene chromophore, a carboxy and an amino substituent are located allowing for oligomerization via peptide coupling. The proof of constitution and the conformational preferences about the biaryl-like axis were established by means of X-ray analyses of the corresponding nitro derivatives 10 and 11. Thus, the uracil bases are propeller-twisted relative to the thiophene core, and bidentate H-bonds occur between two uracil bases in the crystals. The two amino-acid building blocks 12 and 13 were coupled to give the dimers 15 and 16 using dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC) in THF/LiCl and DMF, respectively. While the dimer 15 showed no atropisomerism on the NMR time scale at room temperature, its isomer 16 occurred as distinct diastereoisomers due to the hindered rotation around its biaryl-like axis. Variable-temperature 1H-NMR experiments allowed to determine a rotational barrier of 19 ± 1 kcal/mol in 16. The experimental data were complemented by AM1 calculations.

Notes: Heating of a mixture of N,N′-(thiocarbonyl)diimidazole (= 1,1′-(carbonothioyl)bis[1H-imidazole]; 1) and 2,5-dihydro-1,3,4-thiadiazole 2a or 2b gave the 1,3-dithiolanes 4a and 4b, respectively, via a regiospecific 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of the corresponding ‘thiocarbonyl methanides’ 3a,b onto the C=S group of 1 (Schemes 1 and 2). The adamantane derivative 4b was not stable in the presence of 1H-imidazole and during chromatographic workup. The isolated 1,3-dithiole 5 is the product of a base-catalyzed elimination of 1H-imidazole from the initial cycloadduct 4b. The formation of the S,N-acetal 6 can be rationalized by a protonation of the ‘thiocarbonyl ylide’ 3b followed by a nucleophilic addition of 1H-imidazole. With the diazo compounds 8a-e (Scheme 3) 1 underwent a regiospecific 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition to give the corresponding 2,5-dihydro-1,3,4-thiadiazole derivatives 9, which spontaneously eliminated 1H-imidazole to yield (1H-imidazol-1-yl)-1,3,4-thiadiazoles 10. The structures of 10a and 10d were established by X-ray crystallography. In the case of diazodiphenylmethane (8f), the initial cycloadduct 9f decomposed via a ‘twofold extrusion’ of N2 and S to give 1,1′-(2,2-diphenylethenylidene)bis[1H-imidazole] (11; Scheme 3).

Notes: The synthesis of new deoxyribose nucleosides by coupling chloropurines with modified D-ribose derivatives is reported. The methyl 2-deoxy-N-methyl-3-O-(p-toluoyl)-α-D-ribofuranosiduronamide (α-D-8) and the corresponding anomer β-D-8 were synthesized starting from the commercially available 2-deoxy-D-ribose (1) (Scheme 1). Reaction of α-D-8 with the silylated derivative of 2,6-dichloro-9H-purine (9) afforded regioselectively the N9-(2′-deoxyribonucleoside) 10 as anomeric mixture (Scheme 2), whereas β-D-8 did not react. Glycosylation of 9 or of 6-chloro-9H-purine (17) with 1,2-di-O-acetyl-3-deoxy-N-methyl-β-D-ribofuranuronamide (13) yielded only the protected β-D-anomers 14 and 18, respectively (Scheme 3). Subsequent deacetylation and dechlorination afforded the desired nucleosides β-D-11, β-D-12,15, and 16. The 3′-deoxy-2-chloroadenosine derivative 15 showed the highest affinity and selectivity for adenotin binding site vs. A1 and A2A adenosine receptor subtypes.

Notes: (S)-5,5,5,5′,5′,5′-Hexafluoroleucine ((S)-13) of 81 % ee is prepared from hexafluoroacetone (l) and ethyl bromopyruvate (= ethyl 2-oxopropanoate) in 7 steps with an overall yield of 18% (Schemes 1 and 2). Key step in this sequence is the highly enantioselective reduction of the carbonyl group in α-keto ester 4 either by bakers' yeast (91 % ee) or by ‘catecholborane’ 6 utilizing an oxazaborolidine catalyst, yielding hydroxy ester (R)-5 with 99% ee. The absolute configuration was determined by X-ray analysis of the HCl adduct (S,R)-9b of (2S)-N-[(R)- l-phenylethyl]-5,5,5,5′,5′,5′-hexafluoroleucine ethyl ester.

Notes: N-Fmoc-Protected (Fmoc = (9H-fluoren-9-ylmethoxy)carbonyl) β-amino acids are required for an efficient synthesis of β-oligopeptides on solid support. Enantiomerically pure Fmoc-β3-amino acids β3: side chain and NH2 at C(3)(= C(β)) were prepared from Fmoc-protected (S)- and (R)-α-amino acids with aliphatic, aromatic, and functionalized side chains, using the standard or an optimized Arndt-Eistert reaction sequence. Fmoc-β2- Amino acids (β2 side chain at C(2), NH2 at C(3)(= C(β))) configuration bearing the side chain of Ala, Val, Leu, and Phe were synthesized via the Evans' chiral auxiliary methodology. The target β3-heptapeptides 5-8, a β3- pentadecapeptide 9 and a β2-heptapeptide 10 were synthesized on a manual solid-phase synthesis apparatus using conventional solid-phase peptide synthesis procedures (Scheme 3). In the case of β3-peptides, two methods were used to anchor the first β-amino acid: esterification of the ortho-chlorotrityl chloride resin with the first Fmoc-β-amino acid 2 (Method I, Scheme 2) or acylation of the 4-(benzyloxy)benzyl alcohol resin (Wang resin) with the ketene intermediates from the Wolff rearrangement of amino-acid-derived diazo ketone 1 (Method II, Scheme 2). The former technique provided better results, as exemplified by the synthesis of the heptapeptides 5 and 6 (Table 2). The intermediate from the Wolff rearrangement of diazo ketones 1 was also used for sequential peptide-bond formation on solid support (synthesis of the tetrapeptides 11 and 12). The CD spectra of the β2- and β3-peptides 5, 9, and 10 show the typical pattern previously assigned to an (M) 31 helical secondary structure (Fig.). The most intense CD absorption was observed with the pentadecapeptide 9 (strong broad negative Cotton effect at ca. 213 nm); compared to the analogous heptapeptide 5, this corresponds to a 2.5 fold increase in the molar ellipticity per residue!

Notes: On irradiation (350 nm) in the presence of excess 2,3-dimethylbut-2-ene, the newly synthesized title compound 5 affords as main products the unexpected cyclopropylpyrrolidine 10 (50%) and the spiro-oxetane 9 (25%).

Notes: Among seventeen different Lewis acids, TiCl4 was found to be the best catalyst for the [4 + 2] cycloaddition of cyclopentadiene to N,N′-fumaroylbis[(2R)-bornane-10,2-sultam] ((-)-1). Independently of the TiCl4 molar concentration, almost constant and complete (98-89% d.e.) diastereofacial π-selection was achieved in the Diels-Alder addition of (-)-1 to cyclopentadiene, cyclohexadiene, isoprene, and 2,3-dimethylbuta-1,3-diene.

Notes: A new facile synthesis of N,S- and N,Se-acetals starting from aldehydes and primary amines is presented (Schemes 3-5). These acetals are used as precursors for stereoselective radical deuteration and allylation reactions (Schemes 6 and 7, Tables 1 and 2). The stereochemical outcome of the reactions depends on the radical trap and the substituents at the N-atom. Deuterations give always anti products with moderate to high selectivities. The allylation reactions give either syn or anti products with low to moderate selectivities. The observed stereoselectivities can be explained with a model based on minimization of A1,3 strain and are controlled by steric and stereoelectronic effects.

Notes: Based on O-methylasparvenone (1), a N-free 5HT2C antagonist with moderate affinity (pKi = 6.7), derivatives bearing dimethylamino (7), (dimethylamino)methyl (17, 18, 21, and 22), and aminomethyl substituents (26) in place of the benzylic OH group of 1 as well as pyrrolidine- (33) and piperidine-fused derivatives (29, 43, and 45) were synthesized. In contrast to the lead structure 1, these new ligands were active in vivo in the rat. The tricycles 33 and 45 display high affinities for the 5HT2C receptor (pKi = 8).

Notes: Thermal reactions of 1,2,3-trisubstituted aziridines 1 with 1,3-thiazole-5(4H)-thiones 6 in toluene yielded, in general, a mixture of two diastereoisomeric spirocyclic [2+3] cycloadducts. The formation of these products can be explained by a stereoselective electrocyclic ring opening of 1 to give an azomethine ylide 2 as the reactive intermediate, which is trapped immediately by 6 via a stereoselective 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition. Only in the case of trans-dimethyl 1-(4-methoxyphenyl)aziridine-2,3-dicarboxylate (trans-1a), four diastereoisomeric cycloadducts were formed (Scheme 4). This result is rationalized by an isomerization of the intermediate azomethine ylide cis-2a to trans -2a.

Notes: Due to their small mass, adjacent protons (or H-atoms) of molecular systems may exhibit quantum entanglement (or quantum correlations), even at ambient conditions. The considerable thermal disturbance and/or manybody interactions of condensed matter and the associated decoherence effect, however, cause this protonic entanglement to be restricted in space and time. Some aspects of entanglement and decoherence are mentioned. Extending our previous theoretical work, in the present paper the focus is on the possible existence of entangled protons belonging to the H-bonds of adjacent base pairs of B-type DNA. Based on the ‘working hypothesis’ that this effect does really exist, the most probable ‘positions’ for the appearance of protonic entanglement in DNA sequences are qualitatively determined. Furthermore, these ‘positions’ appear to correspond uniquely to dimers of adjacent base pairs of DNA. As a consequence, one can straightforwardly search for an enhanced appearance of such entangled H-bonds in DNA sequences of living organisms, using the existing DNA databases. A quantitative analysis of protein-coding DNA sequences of various organisms has been performed, the results of which provide strong evidence for the existence of the considered effect. The most striking finding may be summarized as follows: Quantum entanglement appears preferably between the third base of a codon and the first base of the following one. Quantitative estimates of this and further obtained results are presented. It is also shown that quantum-chemical considerations of stacking energies cannot account for the results. The new findings provide first evidence for the biological significance of entangled H-bonds.

Notes: The title compounds D-10 and L-10 were prepared from 1 in eight steps and in a combined overall yield of 41-49%.

Notes: The reaction of N,N'-dimethyl-2-nitroethene-1,1-diamine (8) with α,ß-unsaturated acyl isothiocyanates 9 affords 3,3-diamino-2-nitroacrylthioamides 10 (Scheme 2) in moderate-to-good yields. Cyclization of 10 under acidic conditions gives 1,3-thiazin-4-one derivatives of type 11. Oxidative cyclization of 10 with diethyl azodicaboxylate leads to 4-nitro-1,2-thiazol-5(2H)-imine derivatives 12.

Notes: The CH2Cl2 extract of Monotes engleri Gilg. (Dipterocarpaceae) showed antifungal activity against the yeast Candida albicans in our bioautographic TLC assays. After a first fractionation of the crude extract, the bioactivity was located in one of the fractions. To perform an efficient targeted isolation of the active compounds, LC/UV/MS and LC/UV/NMR analyses of the crude extract and the active fraction were performed. LC/UV/, LC/MS, and LC/NMR data (1D and 2D) allowed the identification of 1 as (2S)-2,3-dihydro-5,7-dihydroxy-{3-hydroxy-4-[(3-methylbut-2-enyl) oxy]phenyl}-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one, a new prenylated flavanone, named monoteson A. Subsequent isolation of 1 has permitted the determination of its absolute configuration on the basis of CD measurements. Theree other prenylated flavanoes 2-4 were isolated from the same extract. Compound 3 was identified as 2- (3, 5-dihydroxyphenyl) -2,3-dihydro-5, 7-dihydroxy-6, 8-bis (3-methylbut-2-enyl)-4 H-1-benzopyran-4-one, another new natural product, named monotesone B. The structures of 2 and 4 were established as selinone and lonchocarpol A, respectively. The antifungal activity against Candida albicans was determined for all compounds.

Notes: The disubstituted clusters[Ir4(CO)10(μ2-L—L)] with one edge-bridging ligand have a ground-state geometry with all COs terminal (L—L = (MeS)2CHMe, cluster 1) or with three edge-bridging COs (L—L = (Ph2P)2CHMe, cluste 2; L—L =Ph2P(CH2)3PPh2, cluster 3) in the solid state and in solution. A comparative 13C-NMR study of 1-3 shows that their respective ground-state geometries are merely relative minima of energy in the same kinetic profile of successive fluxional processes consisting of a merry-go-round of six COs about a unique trangular face and the rotation of terminal COs about one Ir-atom. The factors affecting the activation energy of the merry-go-round result from the relative bites of the bidentate ligands in the ground-state geometry, as shown by a comparison of the molecular structures of 2 and 3.

Notes: The kinetics of the reaction between pyridoxal 5′-phosphate (PLP) with carbidopa, hydralazine, and isoniazid, in aqueous solution at variable pH and constant ionic strength of 0.1M was studied spectrophotometrically. The rate constants of formation and hydrolysis of the resulting Schiff base, and its stability were determined in a wide range of pH. A comparison is made of the formation rate constants with those of PLP with hydrazine. The reactivity shows the sequence isoniazid 〉 hydrazine 〉 carbidopa 〉 hydralazine in the whole range of pH studied. The Schiff bases studied are more stable than those formed by PLP and hexylamine and as stable as those described for the reactions of PLP with poly(L-lysine) or copolypeptides containing L-lysine.

Notes: The coordination behavior of chiral binucleating ligands of type 1-4 with various transition metals has been investigated. 1H-NMR Titration experiments with zinc(II) salts gave detailed structural information about the structure of the resulting zinc complexes. Ligand 1 forms an unusual C3-symmetric dinuclear zinc complex [Zn2CIL3] (8a) which was characterized by X-ray crystallography. Treatment of complex 8a with various carboxylic acids resulted in ligand-exchange reactions. With ligand 2, a hydroxo-bridged dinuclear copper complex 15 was synthesized and its structure elucidated by X-ray analysis. Solution studies UV and 1H-NMR spectroscopy of the reaction of ligand 3 with ZnII and NII salts revealed the formation of dimeric species of the type [M2X4L2]. Ligand 4 formed well-defined dinuclear complexes with NiII and CuII salts of which the corresponding NiII complex [Ni2(AcO)2(ClO4)2L] (22a) was characterized by crystal-structure analysis.

Notes: Why Pentose- and Not Hexose-Nucleic Acids? Purine-Purine Pairing in homo-DNA: Guanine,Isoguanine, 2,6-Diaminopurine, and XanthineThis paper concludes the series of reports in this journal [1-4] on the chemistry of homo-DNA, the constitutionally simplifie dmodel system of hexopyranosyl-(6′ → 4′)-oligonucleotide systems stidued in our laboratory as potentially natural-nucleic-acid alternatives in the context of a chemical aetiology of nucleic-acid structure. The report describes the synthesis and pairing properties of homo-DNA oligonucleotides which contain as nucleobases exclusively purines, and gives, together with part III of the series [3], a survey of what we know today about purine-purine pairingin homo-DNA. In addition, the paper discusses those aspects of the chemistry of homo-DNA which, we think, influence the way how some of the structural features of DNA (and RNA) are to be interpreted on a qualitative level.Purine-purine pairing occurs in the homo-DNA domain in great variety. Most prominent is a novel tridentate Watson-Crick pair between guanine and isoguanine, as well as one between 2,6-diaminopurine and xanthinone, both giving rise to very stable duplexes containing the all-purine strands in antiparallel orientation. For the guanine-isoguanine pair, constitutional assignment is based on temperature-dependent UV and CD spectroscopy of various guanine- and isoguanine-containg duplexes in comparison with duplexes known to be paired in the reverse guanine is replaced by 7-carbauguanine. Isoguanine and 2,6-diaminopurine also have the capability of self-pariring in the reverse-Hoogsteen mode, as previously observed for adenine and guanine [3]. In this type of pairing, the interchangeably. Fig. 36 provides an overall survey of the relative strength of pairing in all possible purine-purine combinations.Watson-Crick pairing of isoguanine with guanine demands the former to participate in its 3H-tautomeric form; hitherto this specific tautomer had not been considered in the pairing chemistry of isoguanine. Whereas (cumulative) purine-purine pairing in DNA (reverse-Hoogsten or Hoogsteen) seems to occur in triplexes and tetrapalexes only, its occurrence in duplexes in a characteristic feature of homo-DNA chemistry. The occurrence of purine-purine Watson-Crick base pairs is probably a consequence of homo-DNA's quasi-linear ladder structure [1][4]. In a double helix, the distance between the two sugar C-atoms, on which a base pair is anchored, is expected to be constrained by the dimensions of the helix; in a linear duplex, however, there would be no restrictions with regard to base-pair length. Homo-DNA's ladder-like model also allows one to recognize one of the reasons why nucleic-acid duplexes prefer to pair in antiparallel, rather than parallel strand orientation: in homo-DNA duplexes, (averaged) backbone and base pair axes are strongly inclined toward one another [4]; the stronger this inclination, the higher the preference for antiparallel strand orientation is expected to be (Fig. 16).In retrospect, homo-DNA turns out to be one of the first artificial oligonucleotide systems (cf. Footnote 65) to demonstrate in a comprehensive way that informational base pairing involving purines and pyrimidines is not a capability unique to ribofuranosyl systems. Stability and helical shape of pairing complexes are not necessary conditions of one another; it is the potential for extensive conformational cooperativity of hte backbone structure with respect to the constellational demands of base pairing and base stacking that determines whether or nor a given type of base-carrying backbone structure is an informational pairing system. From the viewpoint of the chemical aetiology of nucleic-acid structure, which inspired our investigations on hexopyranosyl-(6′ → 4′)-oligonucleotide systems in the first place, the work on homo-DNA is only an extensive model study, because homo-DNA is not to be considered a potential natural-nucleic-acid altenratie. In retrospect, it seems fortunate that the model study was carried out, because without it we could hardly have comprehended the pairing behavior of the proper nucleic-acid alternatives which we have studied later and which will be discussed in Part VI of this series.The English footnotes to Fig. 1-49 provide an extension of this summary.

Notes: ‘Fully chiral’ dendrimers, containing a stereogenic center at each and every branching point, have been prepared using a chiral core triol with aromatic elongating units (cf. 27) and chiral branch diols (cf. 8, 12, and 24) as building blocks. The biggest dendrimer prepared is of the 4th generation (33: 46 building blocks, 93 stereogenic centers, 1028 possible stereoisomers), and has been obtained by a convergent growth approach in 32 steps starting from the biopolymer poly[(R)-3-hydroxybutanoic acid] (P(3-HB)). All compounds were shown to be monodisperse by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. Spin-lattice relaxation-time (T1) measurements and size-exclusion chromatography show typical features of structurally related achiral dendrimers. The influence of the chiral building blocks on the shape of the whole dendrimer has been investigated by chiroptical measurements: the specific rotation can be considered as average of all chiroptical properties of its constituent chiral units, independent of the solvent, the concentration, and the temperature. On the other hand, regularity in the circular dichroism (CD) spectra is completely lost with variation of the solvent (cf. Fig. 13).

Notes: The first steps, believed to be involved in the highly enantioselective copolymerization of styrene and carbon monoxide to poly[1-oxo-2-phenylpropane-1,3-diyl] with phosphinodihydrooxazole-palladium(II) complexes, were investigated. The insertion of carbon monoxide into [Pd(Me)(P^N)(solvent)] TfO (P^N = (S)-2-[2-(5H-benzo[b]phosphindol-5-yl)phenyl]4-benzyl-4,5-dihydrooxazole (1)) and of styrene into [Pd(Me)(P^N)(solvent)] TfO were highly regioselective (alkyl and acyl substituents trans to N); moreover, the olefin insertion took place with essentially complete enantioface discrimination.

Notes: The [4 + 2] cycloadduct 17 of 2,3-dimethylidene-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1,4-methanonaphthalene and 4-phenyl-4H-1,2,4-triazole-3,5-dione (PTAD) was subjected to a triplet-sensitized di-π-methane rearrangement. Hydrolysis of the resulting urazol 18 gave the hydrocarbon 7. Hydrolysis of 18 at lower base concentrations led to isomeric stable semicarbazides 24 and 25, which were submitted NiO2 or MnO2 oxidation, to give the target compound 7, and oxidation products 26 and 27.

Notes: The difference between the strong inhibition of retaining β-glucosidases by the tetrazole 1 and the weak inhibition by the triazole 3 has been explained by the protonation by the enzymic catalytic acid of N(3) of 1, replaced by CH in 3. One also expects a contribution to the inhibition from the charge-dipole interaction between the enzymic catalytic nucleophile and the azole ring. The extent of this contribution was estimated from the calculated, distance-dependent heats of formation of the acetate-azole complexes. The calculations were validated by comparison of the charge-dipole interaction between phosphate and the inhibitors 1 and 3 in the glycogen phosphorylase b (GPb)-azole-phosphate complexes, as derived from differences in the Ki values for 1 and 3, while the structural invariance of the complexes was demonstrated by X-ray analysis. The difference between the charge-dipole interactions of (dihydrogen) phosphate and 1 or 3 as derived from Δ Ki is 1.1 kcal mol-1, while the calculated difference is 1.3 kcal mol-1. The calculated difference for the interaction of 1 or 3 with acetate, representing the catalytic nucleophile in β-glycosidases, is 2.0 kcal mol-1, while the differences of the binding energies as derived from the Ki values for the inhibition by 1 or 3 of different β-glycosidases range from 2.4 to 5.3 5 kcal mol-1. The calculated difference for 1 and the imidazole 6 is 2.5 kcal mol-1 in favour of 1, whereas the Ki-derived difference is 3.7 kcal mol-1 in favour of 6, equal to the calculated difference between 1 and the protonated imidazole 6. Thus, protonation by the catalytic acid and the charge-dipole interaction with the catalytic nucleophile contribute cooperatively to the binding of inhibitors possessing a trigonal anomeric centre bonded to a heteroatom.

Notes: Described are the preparation of nanocrystals and the synthesis of molecules that may be covalently or noncovalently assembled in solution to yield heterosupermolecules possessing a well-defined heterosupramolecular function. Also described are preparative and synthetic methods that yield organized assemblies of heterosupermolecules possessing an addressable heterosupramolecular function. Finally, the development of these synthetic strategies to permit the covalent and noncovalent assembly and organization of a wide range of condensed phase and molecular components is outlined.

Notes: For a comparison with the corresponding α- and β-hexapeptides H-(Val-Ala-Leu)2-OH (A) and H-(β-HVal-β-HAla-β-HLeu)2-OH (B), we have now prepared the corresponding γ-hexapeptide 1 built from the homochirally similar (S)-4-aminobutanoic acid, (R)-4-amino-5-methylhexanoic acid, and (R)-4-amino-6-methylheptanoic acid. The precursors were prepared either by double Arndt-Eistert homologation of the protected amino acids Boc-Val-OH, Boc-Ala-OH, and Boc-Leu-OH (Schemes 1 and 2), or by the superior route involving olefination/hydrogenation of the corresponding aldehydes (Boc-valinal, Boc-alaninal, and Boc-leucinal; Scheme 3). Conventional peptide-coupling methodology (EDC/HOBt) furnished the γ-hexapeptide 1 (through the intermediate γ-di- and γ-tripeptide derivatives 9-11). Analysis of NMR measurements in (D5)pyridine and CD3OH solution (COSY, TOCSY, HSQC, HMBC, ROESY) reveals that the γ-hexapeptide 1 adopts a right-handed helical structure ((P)-2.61 helix of ca. 5-Å pitch, containing 14-membered H-bonded rings) which is to be compared with the left-handed helix of the corresponding β-peptide B ((M)-31 helix of 5-Å pitch, 14-membered H-bonded rings) and with the familiar right-handed, so-called α-helix of α-peptides ((P)-3.61 helix of 5.4-Å pitch, 13-membered rings). Like the helix sense, the helix dipole reverses when going from α-, (N + → C) to β-(C + → N) to γ-peptides (N + → C). The surprising difference between the natural α-, and the analogous β- and γ-peptides is that the helix stability increases upon homologation of the residues.

Notes: 7-O-Substituted analogs of deaminodeoxycolchinol thiomethyl ether were synthesized and evaluated for their inhibitory effects on tubulin polymerization in vitro. Ketone 9, a key compound in this study, was derived from thiocolchicone 6 by reaction with aniline. Reaction of compound 6 with MeNH2 or BuNH2 gave tetracyclic lactams 7 and 8, respectively. Optically active alcohols 11a and 11b were obtained from racemic 11 by chemical resolution including a separation of the comphanate diastereoisomers 12a and 12b, followed by basic hydrolysis. The (aR,7R)-configuration of 12b was verified by X-ray crystallographic analysis. Almost all racemic and optically active 7-O-acyl or 7-O-aroyl compounds had strong inhibitory effects on the tubulin polymerization reaction, with IC50 values from 1.7 to 5.1 μM. A few agents, such as the lactams 7 and 8, the camphanates 12a and 12b, the cyclohexanecarboxylates 19a and 19b, and, most notably, the (7S)-benzoate 15a, had negligible effects on polymerization, yielding IC50 values greater than 40μM. Ketone 9 showed strong inhibition of tubulin polymerization comparable to that of thiocolchicone (6). Optically active alcohol 11a and acyl esters 13a and 14a with a (7S)-configuration were more active than the (7R)-esters 13b and 14b. However, the esters 15a-17a with a (7S)-configuration were less active than the (7R)-isomers 15b-17b, in which the (7R)-benzoate 15b was at least 15-fold more inhibitory than the (7S)-isomer 15a. For the most part, the agents causing strongest inhibition of polymerization also caused the greatest inhibition of [3H]colchicine binding. NMR and optical rotatory data indicate that, in polar solvents, the equilibrium in esters with a 7-O-aroyl substituent, i.e., 15a,b, 16a,b, and 17a,b, is reversed from (aS) to (aR) or from (aR) to (aS), as compared to nonpolar solvents.

Notes: As a continuation of our previous studies on the synthesis and antiplatelet activity of quinolin-2(1H)-ones with an α-methylidene-γ-butyrolactone substituted at O(8), the O(6)- and N(1)-substituted isomers were synthesized and evaluated for antiplatelet activity against thrombin (Thr)-, arachidonic acid (AA)-, collagen (Col)-, and platelet-activating-factor (PAF)-induced aggregation in washed rabbit platelets. These compounds were synthesized from 6-hydroxyquinolin-2(1H)-one via alkylation and Reformatsky-type condensation (Schemes 1 and 2). All of them were found to inhibit the platelet aggregation perfectly which was induced by AA and Col. 6-Substituted isomers 5b-g exhibited very strong inhibitory activities against AA- and PAF- induced aggregation and are approximately ten times more potent than their 8-substituted counterparts. However, the 1-substituted (11a and 11b) and the 1,6-disubstituted (6) counterparts were relatively inactive. Their effects on the Ca2+-dependent vasoconstriction induced by high K+, and the phasic and tonic vasoconstrictions induced by norepinephrine (NE) in rat aorta were also evaluated. Except 5g, all of them were found to have significant inhibitory activity on the NE-induced phasic and tonic vasoconstrictions. Compounds 6 and 11b also exhibited strong inhibitory activity on high-K+ medium, Ca2+-induced vasoconstriction.

Notes: The photolysis of N-alkylpyridinium halides 9a-e in alkaline H2O gave 6-azabicyclo[3.1.0]hexenol derivatives 10a-e. N-Substituents bearing ether, acetal, and alcohol functions were found to do not adversely influence the photochemical reaction course. The free OH groups of the N-(3-hydroxypropyl) derivative 10d were protected by benzoylation. The ensuing dibenzoate 14 underwent stereocontrolled opening of the aziridine ring on reaction with MeSH/BF3 to give a thioether 15. With benzoic acid in CHCI3, 10d gave the 4-hydroxy-5-aminocyclopent-2-enyl benzoate 11. The meso-2-aminocyclopent-4-ene-1,3-diol 12 was obtained by hydrolysis of 11. On reaction with Boc2O and NaI, the aziridine ring of 14 was converted to a bicyclic compound 17. Hydrolysis of 17 provided the trans-1,3-diol 18, the epimer of 12. Face-selective dihydroxylation of Boc-protected 12 gave a meso-aminocyclopentanetetrol 23 which was characterized upon peracetylation. Dihydroxylation of 15 provided a racemic analogue of epi-mannostatin A (26).

Notes: An alternative synthesis of enantiomerically pure SDZ 220-881 (1a) and SDZ EAB 515 (1b) starting from L-Z-tyrosine is described.

Notes: Bicyclic thiohydantoins were synthesized in a stereoselective manner by reacting (2R)/(2S)-diastereoisomer mixtures of 1,3-thiazolidine-2,4-dicarboxylic acids or their dimethyl diesters with PhNCS. 5,5-Dimethyl-1,3-thiazolidine-2,4-dicarboxylic acid with PhNCS led to a cyclization involving the C=O group at the C(2) center of the thiazolidine ring, while the acid's dimethyl diester gave cyclization involving the C=O group at C(4). In contrast, reactions involving unsubstituted 1,3-thiazolidine-2,4-dicarboxylic acid or its dimethyl diester led to thiohydantoins in which the ring closure had taken place only with the COO group at C(4). Independently of the direction of the ring closure, all reactions produce exclusively products with the (R)-configuration at C(2). The configurational assignments were based on 1H- and 13C-NMR studies, and confirmed by X-ray crystallographic analyses.

Notes: The new, axially chiral bis(4,5-dihydrooxazoles) 4 have been synthesized in a straightforward manner, starting from the substituted, racemic 1,1′-biphenyl-2,2′-dicarboxylic acids 1 and optically active amino alcohols 2. The adducts were resolved by medium-performance liquid chromatography (MPLC; see Scheme 1). Formation of Cu1 complexes of 4 was followed by 1H-NMR spectroscopy. The catalytic behavior of these complexes has been investigated by asymmetric cyclopropanation of styrene with ethyl diazoacetate. Beside the influence of steric factors, a significant electronic effect on asymmetric induction could also be observed (see Scheme 2 and Table).

Notes: The synthesis of the enantiomerically pure, bridgehead-functionalized bicyclo[3.2.1]octanes 11 and 16, containing a conformationally fixed trihydroxypropyl (aminodihydroxypropyl) unit, as well as the X-ray structure of 11 are described. These compounds are of interest as sugar surrogates in the preparation of DNA analogs. Compounds 11 and 16 became available in 10 and 12 steps, respectively, and in an overall yield of 11 and 4% from D-arabinose via a highly stereoselective pinacol coupling as the key step.

Notes: New derivatives of campholenaldehyde (= 2-(2,2,3-trimethylcyclopent-3-enyl)ethanal bearing two cyclopropane moieties were synthesized, and the structure of the stereoisomer responsible for its exceptionally strong, diffusive, and natural sandalwood-oil scent, ((1S,2S)-1-methyl-2-{[1S,3R,5R)-1,2,2-trimethylbicyclo[3.1.0]hex-3-yl]methyl}cyclopropyl)methanol (13a), was elucidated.

Notes: Titanium-dioxide surfaces have been glycosylated with the benzyl-, 4-fluorobenzyl-, and acetyl-protected diazirines 1-3. The modified TiO2 surfaces were characterized by contact-angle measurement, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPES), and time-of-flight secondary-ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS). The main by-products of the glucosidation (mostly azines and trehaloses) were identified. Their physisorption slightly reduces the efficiency of the glucosidation by 1 mM solution of 1 or 2 in CH2Cl2, but this influence is neutralized by repeating the glucosidation, or by using a 100 mM solution of the diazirines. The immobilized, acetylated glucosyl moieties were deacetylated in situ. Calculations based on the XPES peaks of Ti 2p and F 1s for the TiO2 surface modified with 2 indicated 1.5 ± 0.9 immobilized glucosyl moieties per nm2.

Notes: A Chemotaxonomic survey for biologically active compounds from Malaysian Calophyllum species led to the findings of the four new benzoylcoumarins 1a, 2, 3, and 4a (including the unusual prenylated 6-benzoylcoumann 1a), two uncommon coumarins 5 and 6a with a pyran-4-one moiety fused at C(6) and C(7), and compounds 7a, 9, and 10, all isolated from the bark of C. teysmannii var. inophylloide. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic analysis and chemical transformations. X-Ray crystal-structure determination of 2 provided information on the conformational preferences of substituents in this class of coumarins. The syntheses of the cytotoxic calanone (7a) and of some related coumarins are described.

Notes: The heme-thiolate protein chloroperoxidase (CPO) catalyzes the chlorination of activated C—H bonds. A reaction mechanism is proposed for this enzymatic transformation (Scheme 1), and a new iron(III) porphyrinate complex 13 is synthesized containing pentafluorophenyl groups at two meso-positions and a thiophenolato ligand coordinating to the Fe-atom (Schemes 2 and 3). Due to the presence of the electron-withdrawing substituents, the catalyst 13 is appreciably resistant to oxidants (HOCl) and chlorinates, e.g., monochlorodimedone (5), with turnover numbers up to 1530. The redox potential of 13, E0 = - 134 mV, and the Soret band (λmax 448 nm) of the CO adduct of the reduced state of 13 are close to the corresponding values of the enzyme CPO.