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The first total synthesis of (–)-merrillianin (1), which is a natural sesquiterpene with a tri- fused structure having a cyclopentane ring and five- and seven-membered lactone parts, is demonstrated. This asymmetric total synthesis enabled the absolute stereo structure determination of naturally occurring (–)-1.

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The Golgi apparatus is responsible for transporting, processing, and sorting numerous proteins in the cell, including cell surface-expressed receptor tyrosine kinases (RTK). The small-molecule compound M-COPA [2-methylcoprophilinamide (AMF-26)] disrupts the Golgi apparatus by inhibiting the activation of Arf1, resulting in suppression of tumor growth. Here, we report an evaluation of M-COPA activity against RTK-addicted cancers, focusing specifically on human gastric cancer (GC) cells with or without MET amplification. As expected, the MET-addicted cell line MKN45 exhibited a better response to M-COPA than cell lines without MET amplification. Upon M-COPA treatment, cell surface expression of MET was downregulated with a concurrent accumulation of its precursor form. M-COPA also reduced levels of the phosphorylated form of MET along with the downstream signaling molecules Akt and S6. Similar results were obtained in additional GC cell lines with amplification of MET or the FGF receptor FGFR2. MKN45 murine xenograft experiments demonstrated the antitumor activity of M-COPA in vivo. Taken together, our results offer an initial preclinical proof of concept for the use of M-COPA as a candidate treatment option for MET-addicted GC, with broader implications for targeting the Golgi apparatus as a novel cancer therapeutic approach. Cancer Res; 76(13); 3895–903. ©2016 AACR.

The antibodies used in this study.

Supplemental Materials and Methods for "Authentication of cell lines"

Dose-dependent effects on cell surface expression and processing of MET protein, and phosphorylation status of downstream signaling molecules.

The effect of M-COPA on cell surface expression of BCRP1 and P-glycoprotein (MDR1).

Effect of M-COPA on cell surface expression of EGFR in MET-unamplified GC cell lines.

Effect of M-COPA on cell surface expression and phosphorylation status of HER3 in MKN-45 cells.

The first total synthesis of (+)-tanzawaic acid B, a natural polyketide bearing a pentadienoic ester and octalin moiety, has been accomplished. The synthetic improvement from previous synthetic conditions facilitated our gram-scale synthesis of the chiral octalin that possesses seven stereogenic centers and that is the core skeleton of almost all of the tanzawaic acid family.

SUMMARYMost gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) develop due to gain-of-function mutations in the tyrosine kinase,KIT. We recently showed that mutant KIT mislocalizes to the Golgi area and initiates uncontrolled signaling. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying its Golgi retention remain unknown. Here, we show that protein kinase D2 (PKD2) is activated by the mutant, which causes KIT’s Golgi retention. In PKD2-inhibited cells, KIT migrates from the Golgi region to lysosomes and subsequently undergoes degradation. Importantly, delocalized KIT is unable to trigger downstream activation. In the Golgi area, KIT activates the PKD2-phosphatidylinositol 4-kinaseIIIβ (PKD2-PI4KIIIβ) pathway through phospholipase γ2 (PLCγ2) to generate a PI4P-rich membrane domain, where the AP1-GGA1 complex is aberrantly recruited. Disruption of any factors in this cascade results in KIT release from the Golgi region, indicating that these PKD2-related pathways are responsible for the Golgi retention of KIT. Our findings unveil the molecular mechanisms underlying KIT mislocalization and provide evidence for a new strategy for inhibition of oncogenic signaling.

The first total synthesis of (+)-tanzawaic acid B, a natural polyketide bearing a pentadienoic ester and octalin moiety, has been accomplished. The synthetic improvement from previous synthetic conditions facilitated our gram-scale synthesis of the chiral octalin that possesses seven stereogenic centers and that is the core skeleton of almost all of the tanzawaic acid family.

Ridaifen (RID)-B is an analog derived from tamoxifen (TAM). TAM has an antitumor effect by acting as an antagonist to estrogen receptor (ER). However, TAM is known to also induces apoptosis in cancer cells that do not have ER. We clarified that RID-B induces cell death at a lower concentration than TAM, and causes ER-independent apoptosis and autophagy. Based on the results of previous studies, we assumed that RID-B had a unique target different from ER and examined structural activity correlation to determine what kinds of structural features are related to RID-B activity. As a result, we found there was activity even without one of phenyl groups (Ar3) in RID-B and revealed that two pyrrolidine side chains peculiar to RID-B are related to the action. Furthermore, analogs with shorter alkyl side chains induced autophagy, but analogs with certain length of alkyl side chains induced apoptosis. Also, although there is no doubt that RID-B induces apoptosis by causing mitochondrial injury, our results suggested that such injury induced mitochondria-selective autophagy. We revealed that RID-B induce mitophagy and that this mitophagy is a defense mechanism against RID-B. Our results suggest that autophagy was induced against apoptosis caused by mitochondrial dysfunction in RID-B, so the combination of autophagy inhibitor and anticancer-drug can be effective for cancer treatment.

Breast cancer susceptibility gene 1 (BRCA1)-associated protein 2 (BRAP2) is a novel protein that binds to BRCA1 and is located in the cytoplasm. BRAP2 has been demonstrated to bind to regulators of the Ras-Raf-MEK and PI3K/Akt pathways, both of which are involved in carcinogenesis. This suggests that BRAP2 may be capable of regulating both pathways. In the present study, the role of BRAP2 in both pathways was clarified during apoptosis and cell proliferation in a leukemia cell line. A BRAP2-deficient leukemia cell line was generated using CRISPR/Cas9, the BRAP2-deficient and parental cells were treated with a Ras, pan-Raf or PI3K inhibitor, and the changes in signal transduction, apoptosis and cell proliferation were evaluated. BRAP2 knockout attenuated the inhibition of signal transduction of the Ras-Raf-MEK and PI3K/Akt pathways by the Ras, pan-Raf or PI3K inhibitor. BRAP2 deletion also suppressed the cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of the Ras and pan-Raf inhibitors. However, the loss of BRAP2 did not suppress the cytotoxicity of the PI3K inhibitor but did suppress the PI3K inhibitor-induced inhibition of cell proliferation. The present results indicated that BRAP2 induces apoptosis and the inhibition of cell proliferation via regulating the Ras-Raf-MEK and PI3K/Akt pathways. In leukemia cells, because the Ras-Raf-MEK and PI3K/Akt pathways are activated aberrantly, the simultaneous inhibition of both pathways is desired. The current results indicated that enhancement of the function of BRAP2 may represent a new target in leukemia treatment.

FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) in hematopoietic cells binds to its ligand at the plasma membrane (PM), then transduces growth signals. FLT3 gene alterations that lead the kinase to assume its permanently active form, such as internal tandem duplication (ITD) and D835Y substitution, are found in 30–40% of acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) patients. Thus, drugs for molecular targeting of FLT3 mutants have been developed for the treatment of AML. Several groups have reported that compared with wild-type FLT3 (FLT3-wt), FLT3 mutants are retained in organelles, resulting in low levels of PM localization of the receptor. However, the precise subcellular localization of mutant FLT3 remains unclear, and the relationship between oncogenic signaling and the mislocalization is not completely understood. In this study, we show that in cell lines established from leukemia patients, endogenous FLT3-ITD but not FLT3-wt clearly accumulates in the perinuclear region. Our co-immunofluorescence assays demonstrate that Golgi markers are co-localized with the perinuclear region, indicating that FLT3-ITD mainly localizes to the Golgi region in AML cells. FLT3-ITD biosynthetically traffics to the Golgi apparatus and remains there in a manner dependent on its tyrosine kinase activity. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors, such as quizartinib (AC220) and midostaurin (PKC412), markedly decrease FLT3-ITD retention and increase PM levels of the mutant. FLT3-ITD activates downstream in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and the Golgi apparatus during its biosynthetic trafficking. Results of our trafficking inhibitor treatment assays show that FLT3-ITD in the ER activates STAT5, whereas that in the Golgi can cause the activation of AKT and ERK. We provide evidence that FLT3-ITD signals from the early secretory compartments before reaching the PM in AML cells.

An efficient and practical method for the synthesis of (9R,14R,17R)-FE399, a novel antitumor bicyclic depsipeptide, was developed. A 2-methyl-6-nitrobenzoic anhydride (MNBA)-mediated dehydration condensation reaction was effectively employed for the formation of the 16-membered macrocyclic depsipeptide moiety of FE399. FE399 was found to exist as an inseparable equilibrium mixture of conformational isomers; the mixture was quantitatively transformed into the corresponding S-benzyl product and isolated as a single isomer. Thus, we could confirm that the molecular structure of FE399 obtained by this method is identical to that of the natural product.

An efficient and practical method for the synthesis of (9R,14R,17R)-FE399, a novel antitumor bicyclic depsipeptide, was developed. A 2-methyl-6-nitrobenzoic anhydride (MNBA)-mediated dehydration condensation reaction was effectively employed for the formation of the 16-membered macrocyclic depsipeptide moiety of FE399. FE399 was found to exist as an inseparable equilibrium mixture of conformational isomers; the mixture was quantitatively transformed into the corresponding S-benzyl product and isolated as a single isomer. Thus, we could confirm that the molecular structure of FE399 obtained by this method is identical to that of the natural product.

The first total synthesis of violaceoid A, a cytotoxic agent, and the asymmetric total synthesis of (-)- and (+)-violaceoid B are reported. The precursor was accessed by desymmetrization of a substituted quinol moiety, and the racemic secondary alcohol was kinetically resolved using a chiral nucleophilic catalyst. The asymmetric synthesis of (-)- and (+)-violaceoid B elucidated the absolute configuration of the naturally occurring violaceoid B. Synthetic violaceoid A inhibited the growth of human breast cancer cell lines MCF-7 and Hs 578T at concentrations of less than 100 μM, while ( S)- and ( R)-violaceoid B were inactive.

Most gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs) are caused by constitutively active mutations in Kit tyrosine kinase. The drug imatinib, a specific Kit inhibitor, improves the prognosis of metastatic GIST patients, but these patients become resistant to the drug by acquiring secondary mutations in the Kit kinase domain. We recently reported that a Kit mutant causes oncogenic signals only on the Golgi apparatus in GISTs. In this study, we show that in GIST, 2-methylcoprophilinamide (M-COPA, also known as "AMF-26"), an inhibitor of biosynthetic protein trafficking from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to the Golgi, suppresses Kit autophosphorylation at Y703/Y721/Y730/Y936, resulting in blockade of oncogenic signalling. Results of our M-COPA treatment assay show that Kit Y703/Y730/Y936 in the ER are dephosphorylated by protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs), thus the ER-retained Kit is unable to activate downstream molecules. ER-localized Kit Y721 is not phosphorylated, but not due to PTPs. Importantly, M-COPA can inhibit the activation of the Kit kinase domain mutant, resulting in suppression of imatinib-resistant GIST proliferation. Our study demonstrates that Kit autophosphorylation is spatio-temporally regulated and may offer a new strategy for treating imatinib-resistant GISTs.

In this paper, we report the first total synthesis of (+)-coprophilin, an anticoccidial agent, by constructing the chiral linear precursor via a Mukaiyama–Evans aldol reaction and a stereoselective intramolecular Diels–Alder reaction. The proposed method can be used to provide large amounts of (+)-coprophilin, which exhibits a 3,4,5,6,7-pentasubstituted Δ1,2-octalin core structure.

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) were demonstrated to provide survival benefit in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) harboring activating mutations of EGFR; however, emergence of acquired resistance to EGFR-TKIs has been shown to cause poor outcome. To overcome the TKI resistance, drugs with different mode of action are required. We previously reported that M-COPA (2-methylcoprophilinamide), a Golgi disruptor, suppressed the growth of gastric cancers overexpressing receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) such as hepatocyte growth factor receptor (MET) via downregulating their cell surface expression. In this study, we examined the antitumor effect of M-COPA on NSCLC cells with TKI resistance. As a result, M-COPA effectively downregulated cell surface EGFR and its downstream signals, and finally exerted in vivo antitumor effect in NSCLC cells harboring secondary (T790M/del19) and tertiary (C797S/T790M/del19) mutated EGFR, which exhibit acquired resistance to first- and third generation EGFR-TKIs, respectively. M-COPA also downregulated MET expression potentially involved in the acquired resistance to EGFR-TKIs via bypassing the EGFR pathway blockade. These results provide the first evidence that targeting the Golgi apparatus might be a promising therapeutic strategy to overcome the vicious cycle of TKI resistance in EGFR-mutated NSCLC cells via downregulating cell surface RTK expression.

An efficient acylative kinetic resolution of racemic aromatic β-hydroxy esters with cyclohexanecarboxylic anhydride was achieved using newly designed (R)-N-methylbenzoguanidine ((R)-NMBG) derivatives. A series of (R)-NMBG derivatives was synthesized by modifying the original (R)-NMBG catalyst with the introduction of branched N-substituents containing a stereogenic center, and their catalytic performance was evaluated. (R,R)-N-(1-(β-1-Naphthyl)ethyl)benzoguanidine [(R,R)-NβNpEtBG] was found to function as an efficient acyl transfer catalyst for the reaction of a broad variety of substrates, regardless of the substituent type and substitution pattern.

Background KIT tyrosine kinase is expressed in mast cells, interstitial cells of Cajal, and hematopoietic cells. Permanently active KIT mutations lead these host cells to tumorigenesis, and to such diseases as mast cell leukemia (MCL), gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST), and acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Recently, we reported that in MCL, KIT with mutations (D816V, human; D814Y, mouse) traffics to endolysosomes (EL), where it can then initiate oncogenic signaling. On the other hand, KIT mutants including KITD814Y in GIST accumulate on the Golgi, and from there, activate downstream. KIT mutations, such as N822K, have been found in 30% of core binding factor-AML (CBF-AML) patients. However, how the mutants are tyrosine-phosphorylated and where they activate downstream molecules remain unknown. Moreover, it is unclear whether a KIT mutant other than KITD816V in MCL is able to signal on EL. Methods We used leukemia cell lines, such as Kasumi-1 (KITN822K, AML), SKNO-1 (KITN822K, AML), and HMC-1.1 (KITV560G, MCL), to explore how KIT transduces signals in these cells and to examine the signal platform for the mutants using immunofluorescence microscopy and inhibition of intracellular trafficking. Results In AML cell lines, KITN822K aberrantly localizes to EL. After biosynthesis, KIT traffics to the cell surface via the Golgi and immediately migrates to EL through endocytosis in a manner dependent on its kinase activity. However, results of phosphorylation imaging show that KIT is preferentially activated on the Golgi. Indeed, blockade of KITN822K migration to the Golgi with BFA/M-COPA inhibits the activation of KIT downstream molecules, such as AKT, ERK, and STAT5, indicating that KIT signaling occurs on the Golgi. Moreover, lipid rafts in the Golgi play a role in KIT signaling. Interestingly, KITV560G in HMC-1.1 migrates and activates downstream in a similar manner to KITN822K in Kasumi-1. Conclusions In AML, KITN822K mislocalizes to EL. Our findings, however, suggest that the mutant transduces phosphorylation signals on lipid rafts of the Golgi in leukemia cells. Unexpectedly, the KITV560G signal platform in MCL is similar to that of KITN822K in AML. These observations provide new insights into the pathogenic role of KIT mutants as well as that of other mutant molecules. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12964-019-0426-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

The Golgi apparatus plays an essential role in the transport, processing, and sorting of cell surface proteins. We previously demonstrated that a Golgi disrupting agent, 2-methylcoprophilinamide (M-COPA), exhibited antitumor effect in human cancer cells in vitro and in vivo; however, in vivo antitumor efficacy of M-COPA did not simply reflect its in vitro efficacy, probably due to the lack of microenvironmental features of tumor tissues in the monolayer culture conditions. To bridge the gap between in vitro and in vivo efficacies, we exploited 3-dimensional (3D) spheroid culture models, which can recapitulate physiological characteristics of tumor tissues; i.e., nutrient/oxygen gradient, cell-cell interaction and cell-extracellular matrix (ECM) interaction, if cancer cells synthesize their own ECM molecules. Interestingly, human gastric cancer MKN1 cells displayed hypersensitivity to M-COPA under the 3D culture conditions compared to those in the monolayer culture conditions. Especially, we found that M-COPA caused loss of spheroid integrity. We previously demonstrated that M-COPA exerted antitumor effects via inhibiting intracellular transport of receptor tyrosine kinases onto the cell surface. Therefore, we examined the involvement of cell adhesion molecules in the antitumor effect of M-COPA. As a result, we found that specific integrins, which serve as cell surface receptors responsible for cell-ECM adhesion, were overexpressed and their downstream signaling molecules such as Src, Akt and MEK/ERK were highly phosphorylated in the cells under the 3D culture conditions compared to those under the monolayer culture conditions. Upon exposure to M-COPA, cell surface expression of these integrins was efficiently decreased and the downstream signaling molecules were dephosphorylated along with loss of spheroid integrity. Moreover, expression knockdown or neutralizing antibody of the integrins clearly suppressed sphere formation of MKN1 cells. These results suggest that M-COPA exerted in vivo antitumor effects via targeting specific integrins that mediate cell-matrix adhesion and its downstream intracellular signaling pathway observed in 3D spheroid culture models. Citation Format: Yoshimi Ohashi, Kazuma Takeuchi, Mutsumi Okamura, Akinobu Akatsuka, Isamu Shiina, Kentaro Yoshimatsu, Shingo Dan. Potential antitumor effects of a Golgi disrupting agent, M-COPA, via targeting cell-extracellular matrix interaction under the spheroid culture conditions [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 1299.

Various optically active 2-hydroxyamide derivatives are produced based on the kinetic resolution of racemic 2-hydroxyamides with a diphenylacetyl component and (R)-benzotetramisole [(R)-BTM], a chiral acyl-transfer catalyst, via asymmetric esterification and acylation. It was revealed that a tertiary amide can be used with this novel protocol to achieve high selectivity [22 examples; s-value reaching over 250]. The resulting chiral compounds could be transformed into other useful structures while maintaining their chirality.

The asymmetric total synthesis of a newly proposed structure of (3S,16E,20E,23S)-(+)-eushearilide was achieved primarily through an asymmetric Mukaiyama aldol reaction, Schlosser-modified Wittig reaction and 2-methyl-6-nitrobenzoic anhydride-mediated macrolactonization. Based on detailed spectroscopic analyses, the obtained synthetic compound was found to be identical to natural eushearilide. Therefore, we were able to determine the true structure of eushearilide. Moreover, the synthetic compound was found to exhibit significant in vitro antifungal activity against various fungi and bacteria.

Ridaifen-G (RID-G), a tamoxifen analog that we previously synthesized, has potent growth inhibitory activity against various cancer cell lines. Tamoxifen is an anticancer drug known to act on an estrogen receptor (ER) and other proteins. However, our previous studies interestingly suggested that the mechanism of action of RID-G was different from that of tamoxifen. In order to investigate the molecular mode of action of RID-G, we developed a novel chemical genetic approach that combined a phage display screen with a statistical analysis of drug potency and gene expression profiles in thirty-nine cancer cell lines. Application of this method to RID-G revealed that three proteins, calmodulin (CaM), heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoproteins A2/B1 (hnRNP A2/B1), and zinc finger protein 638 (ZNF638) were the candidates of direct targets of RID-G. Moreover, cell lines susceptible to RID-G show similar expression profiles of RID-G target genes. These results suggest that RID-G involves CaM, hnRNP A2/B1, and ZNF638 in its growth inhibitory activity.

An asymmetric total synthesis of the proposed structure of (16Z,20E)-eushearilide, a novel 24-membered macrolide, was achieved via an enantioselective aldol reaction and 2-methyl-6-nitrobenzoic anhydride-mediated macrolactonization. The obtained synthetic compounds were not identical to the natural product. The newly proposed most likely structure of eushearilide, (±)-(16E,20E)-eushearilide, was determined on the basis of detailed NMR analysis, and (3R,16E,20E,23R)-(−)-eushearilide was successfully synthesized. A comparison of the optical rotation of (3R,16E,20E,23R)-(−)-eushearilide with that of the natural product confirmed that the true structure of naturally occurring eushearilide is the (3S,16E,20E,23S)-(+)-form.

Ridaifen-F (RID-F) potently inhibits proteolytic activities of the 20S proteasome but poorly inhibits those of the 26S proteasome. Here, we report preparation of several conjugates in which various peptides are connected to RID-F. Conjugates with peptides consisting of seven amino acid residues significantly inhibited the 26S proteasome. Particularly, RID-F conjugated to an octaarginine peptide (R8, a so-called cell-penetrating peptide) inhibited intracellular proteasome activities and induced cell death in drug-resistant KMS-11 myeloma cells. RID-F conjugated to hydrophobic peptides also inhibited the 26S proteasome but failed to induce cell death, suggesting poor penetration into cells. We infer that the R8 peptide has dual functions: (1) rapid penetration of conjugates into the cell increases intracellular drug concentrations sufficient for exhibition of its effect, and (2) recognition of the conjugates by the 26S proteasome stimulates drug entry into the catalytic chamber. In the presence of ATPγS, RID-F conjugates containing R8 inhibited the 26S proteasome more potently than in the presence of ATP, suggesting efficient entry of drugs into the catalytic chamber in a similar fashion to the substrate. Taken together with docking simulations of RID-F conjugate interactions with proteasome active sites, the second function of R8 peptide is plausible. Thus, the conjugation of nonpeptidic proteasome inhibitors to a cell-penetrating peptide could represent a viable strategy for overcoming the drug-resistance of tumor cells.

Arf GTPases and their guanine nucleotide exchange factors (ArfGEFs) are major regulators of membrane traffic and organelle structure in cells. They are associated with a variety of diseases and are thus attractive therapeutic targets for inhibition by small molecules. Several inhibitors of unrelated chemical structures have been discovered, which have shown their potential in dissecting molecular pathways and blocking disease-related functions. However, their specificity across the ArfGEF family has remained elusive. Importantly, inhibitory responses in the context of membranes, which are critical determinants of Arf and ArfGEF cellular functions, have not been investigated. Here, we compare the efficiency and specificity of four structurally distinct ArfGEF inhibitors, Brefeldin A, SecinH3, M-COPA, and NAV-2729, toward six ArfGEFs (human ARNO, EFA6, BIG1, and BRAG2 and Legionella and Rickettsia RalF). Inhibition was assessed by fluorescence kinetics using pure proteins, and its modulation by membranes was determined with lipidated GTPases in the presence of liposomes. Our analysis shows that despite the intra-ArfGEF family resemblance, each inhibitor has a specific inhibitory profile. Notably, M-COPA is a potent pan-ArfGEF inhibitor, and NAV-2729 inhibits all GEFs, the strongest effects being against BRAG2 and Arf1. Furthermore, the presence of the membrane-binding domain in Legionella RalF reveals a strong inhibitory effect of BFA that is not measured on its GEF domain alone. This study demonstrates the value of family-wide assays with incorporation of membranes, and it should enable accurate dissection of Arf pathways by these inhibitors to best guide their use and development as therapeutic agents.

The originally proposed structure of astakolactin was revised, and an asymmetric total synthesis of the newly proposed structure was achieved. The key transformations in the synthesis were a Johnson–Claisen rearrangement, an asymmetric Mukaiyama aldol reaction, and a Mitsunobu-type cyclodehydration. The spectroscopic data and specific rotation of the compound obtained matched well with those reported for naturally occurring astakolactin.

After initially establishing a novel cyclization reaction of ω-hydroxycarboxylic acids (seco-acids) using 4-trifluoromethylbenzoic anhydride (TFBA) and Lewis acid catalysts to form the correspondin...

We report an effective dynamic kinetic resolution (DKR) system of racemic 2-(1H-pyrrol-1-yl)alkanoic acids, which consists of a rapid racemization step via an activating substrate and an enantio-di...

In 1989, the asymmetric Mukaiyama aldol reaction mediated by a Lewis acid consisting of a chiral diamine and Sn(II) triflate was reported. The asymmetric Mukaiyama aldol reaction is now widely used as a versatile tool for the construction of highly advanced, multifunctionalized molecules. In this Personal Account, the history of the development of this powerful methodology and the application of the asymmetric Mukaiyama aldol reaction in the synthesis of natural products are reviewed.

Various optically active 2-hydroxy-γ-butyrolactone derivatives are produced via the kinetic resolution of racemic 2-hydroxy-γ-butyrolactones with diphenylacetic acid using pivalic anhydride and (R)-benzotetramisole ((R)-BTM), a chiral acyl-transfer catalyst. Importantly, the substrate scope of this novel protocol is fairly broad (12 examples, s-value; up to over 1000). In addition, we succeeded in disclosing the reaction mechanism to afford high enantioselectivity using theoretical calculations and expounded on the substituent effects at the C-3 positions in 2-hydroxylactones.

The effect of hydroxyl group on vibrational circular dichroism is addressed. (−)-Menthol is investigated as a representative chiral molecule which has been widely used as a chiral starting material. Free rotation of the hydroxyl group in (−)-menthol allows it to exist in various conformations in solution. The variety of conformations inevitably affects local intermolecular interactions and the resultant efficiency of asymmetric syntheses. However, the precise relationship between the conformations and intermolecular interactions arising from rotation of the hydroxyl group has remained an unsolved issue despite the molecule’s importance. Here, the conformations and interactions are investigated using vibrational circular dichroism (VCD). VCD is quite sensitive to slight differences in the conformation of chiral molecules and their local environment. We examined various conformers in (−)-menthol and compared the VCD spectrum with that of (−)-menthone. It revealed the rotation of the polar hydroxyl group sensitively affects the VCD activity, resulting in the emergence of various patterns in the corresponding VCD spectra, especially in the wavenumber regions at around 1064 cm−1 and 1254 cm−1. Among these regions, the latter one is further investigated to examine the feasibility of applying the sensitive response to the analysis on the local intermolecular environment. It includes solute–solvent interactions via hydroxyl groups, which is important for biomacromolecule structural stability and efficient stereoselective syntheses. As a consequence, distinctive fine structures in the VCD spectra, including an unpredicted band, are observed when varying temperature and concentration. Their possible assignment is also discussed.

To overcome the heterogeneous nature of cancer, the search for potent anti-cancer drug candidates with new modes of action is essential. For that purpose, we prepared forty-eight Ridaifens (RIDs), a novel series of tamoxifen-derivatives. Then, we screened them, searching for novel candidates for a new class of anti-cancer drug using a panel of human cancer cell lines (JFCR39) and by a binding assay to estrogen receptor α (ERα). First, the growth inhibition of the forty-eight RIDs against JFCR39 was evaluated. Forty RIDs showed higher growth-inhibitory activity than that of tamoxifen. The structure-activity relationship (SAR) study revealed that the aminoalkoxyphenyl groups at the C-1 position and the common central ethylenic bond were important in retaining a high level of growth-inhibitory activity. Subsequently, the ERα binding activity of all the RIDs was measured by a competitive binding assay. The SAR study for ERα binding activity indicated that both the phenyl group and the ethyl group at the C-2 position in the ethylenic bond were essential. Based on the screenings, we identified RID-SB1 and RID-SB8, which demonstrated potent tumor growth inhibition but had completely lost ERα binding activity. Furthermore, the COMPARE analysis using JFCR39 suggested that RID-SB1 and RID-SB8 had different molecular modes of action compared to those of the current anti-cancer drugs including tamoxifen. These results indicate that RID-SB1 and RID-SB8 are interesting candidates for novel anti-cancer agents with unique modes of action.

Shiga toxin (Stx) is a main virulence factor of Stx-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) that contributes to diarrhea and hemorrhagic colitis and occasionally to fatal systemic complications. Therefore, the development of an antidote to neutralize Stx toxicity is urgently needed. After internalization into cells, Stx is transferred to the Golgi apparatus via a retrograde vesicular transport system. We report here that 2-methylcoprophilinamide (M-COPA), a compound that induces disassembly of the Golgi apparatus by inactivating ADP-ribosylation factor 1 (Arf1), suppresses Stx-induced apoptosis. M-COPA inhibited transport of Stx from the plasma membrane to the Golgi apparatus and suppressed degradation of anti-apoptotic proteins and the activation of caspases. These findings suggest that inhibition of Stx retrograde transport by M-COPA could be a novel approach to suppress Stx toxicity.

Pyridine-3-carboxylic anhydride (3-PCA) was found to function as an efficient coupling reagent for the preparation of carboxylic esters from various carboxylic acids with alcohols under mild conditions by a simple experimental procedure. This novel condensation reagent 3-PCA was applicable not only for the synthesis of achiral carboxylic esters catalyzed by 4-(dimethylamino)pyridine (DMAP) but also for the production of chiral carboxylic esters by the combination of chiral nucleophilic catalyst, such as tetramisole (=2,3,5,6-tetrahydro-6-phenylimidazo[2,1-b][1,3]thiazole) derivatives. An efficient kinetic resolution of racemic benzylic alcohols with achiral carboxylic acids was achieved by using 3-PCA in the presence of (R)-benzotetramisole ((R)-BTM), and a variety of optically active carboxylic esters were produced with high enantiomeric excesses by this new chiral induction system without using a tertiary amine.

Diphenylacetic anhydride (DPHAA) was found to be a useful reagent for the kinetic resolution of racemic 2-hydroxyalkanoates in the presence of a catalytic amount of (R)-benzotetramisole ((R)-BTM). The combined use of DPHAA and (R)-BTM effectively produced a variety of the optically active 2-hydroxyalkanoates and the corresponding 2-acyloxyalkanoates from racemic 2-hydroxyalkanoates (s-values = 42–177). A fairly broad substrate scope was demonstrated by this novel chiral induction system. We also revealed that the use of only 0.3 equiv of DPHAA is enough to provide the optically active 2-acyloxyalkanoates in good yields and with excellent ee’s by the added use of 0.3 equiv of pivalic anhydride for the kinetic resolution of the racemic 2-hydroxyalkanoates.

A general method for the kinetic resolution of racemic α-arylalkanoic acids with achiral alcohols is described. It was determined that bis(9-phenanthryl)methanol is a suitable nucleophile which reacts with the intermediary mixed anhydrides generated from aromatic anhydrides with α-arylpropanoic acids or β-substituted-α-arylpropanoic acids in the presence of (+)-benzotetramisole to produce the corresponding optically active esters with high ee’s under very mild conditions.

A variety of optically active carboxylic esters are produced by the kinetic resolution of racemic alpha-substituted carboxylic acids using achiral alcohols, aromatic or aliphatic carboxylic anhydrides, and chiral acyl-transfer catalysts. The combination of 4-methoxybenzoic anhydride (PMBA) or pivalic anhydride with the modified benzotetramisole-type catalyst ((S)-beta-Np-BTM) is the most effective for promotion of the enantioselective coupling reaction between racemic carboxylic acids and a novel nucleophile, bis(alpha-naphthyl)methanol, to give the corresponding esters with high ee's. This protocol was successfully applied to the production of nonracemic nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs from racemic compounds utilizing the transacylation process to generate the mixed anhydrides from the acid components with the suitable carboxylic anhydrides.

A variety of optically active 2-hydroxyalkanoates and the corresponding 2-acyloxyalkanoates are produced by the kinetic resolution of racemic 2-hydroxyalkanoates by using achiral 2,2-diarylacetic acid with hindered carboxylic anhydrides as the coupling reagents. The combined use of diphenylacetic acid, pivalic anhydride, and (+)-(R)-benzotetramisole ((R)-BTM) effectively produces (S)-2-hydroxyalkanoates and (R)-2-acyloxyalkanoates from the racemic 2-hydroxyalkanoates (s-values=47-202). This protocol directly provides the desired chiral 2-hydroxyalkanoate derivatives from achiral diarylacetic acid and racemic secondary alcohols that do not include the sec-phenethyl alcohol moiety by using the transacylation process to generate the mixed anhydrides from the acid components with bulky carboxylic anhydrides under the influence of the chiral acyl-transfer catalyst. The transition state that provides the desired (R)-2-acyloxyalkanoate from (R)-2-hydroxyalkanoate included in the racemic mixture is disclosed by DFT calculations, and the structural features of the transition form are also discussed.

Various intermediates for the synthesis of erythronolide A, an aglycon of erythromycin A, are prepared from the corresponding seco-acids using 2-methyl-6-nitrobenzoic anhydride (MNBA) in the presence of 4-(dimethylamino)pyridine (DMAP) with or without triethylamine. The efficiency of the MNBA lactonization is assessed by studying this method and comparing the results with those of the other established macrocyclization protocols. It has been finally concluded that (i) the conformationally appropriate substrate for the monomeric cyclization gave the desired lactone in excellent yield under mild reaction conditions in the presence of MNBA and DMAP, (ii) the highly-strained substrate for the cyclization also afforded the monomeric lactone in relatively good yield at 100°C in toluene, and (iii) the seco-acid having stable linear conformation, which preferred dimerizing more than forming the monomeric lactone, provided the corresponding diolide in high yield with the constant ratio of the monomer to dimeric lactone (approximately 1/5). © 2009 The Japan Chemical Journal Forum and Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Chem Rec 9: 305–320; 2009: Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com) DOI 10.1002/tcr.200900017

The asymmetric aldol reaction of heteroatom-substituted ketene silyl acetals with achiral aldehydes has been developed by the promotion of tin(II) triflate coordinated with a chiral diamine to afford the corresponding aldols having chiral tertiary alcohols at the α-positions. This reaction has been successfully applied to the construction of the basic skeletons of buergerinins F and G starting from achiral materials. (+)-Buergerinin G, a potentially antiphlogistic and febrifuge agent having a unique trioxatricyclo[5.3.1.0 1,5 ]undecane skeleton, is stereoselectively prepared by means of the enantioselective aldol reactions via ten linear steps from crotonaldehyde in 18% overall yield including an effective intramolecular Wacker-type ketalization of the dihydroxy-γ-lactone as a key step. In addition to the former establishment for the synthesis of (+)-buergerinin F, effective divergent methods for the preparation of buergerinins F and G were developed through a unified optically active aldol-type intermediate, which was generated from the tetrasubstituted ketene silyl acetal with crotonaldehyde by the asymmetric Mukaiyama aldol reaction.