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Described are the synthesis and application of α-t-butyldimethylsilyl-α-methoxyacetaldehyde as a formal methoxyvinyl cation equivalent. Addition of Grignard reagents to the title aldehyde, followed by treatment of the intermediate β-hydroxysilanes with KH, gives good yields of large Z -methoxyvinylated products. Assuming a Peterson-like elimination mechanism, one can infer that the Grignard addition proceeds with high syn selectivity. These results are consistent with a chelation control model involving coordination to the α-methoxy group in the title aldehyde rather than an alternative stereoelectronic Felkin-Anh-type model. It must be noted that a steric Felkin-Anh model also accounts for the observed stereochemistry. All told, the title reagent can be employed to efficiently append a Z -configured methoxyvinyl group to an appropriate R-M species, in two steps.

In this issue of Chemistry & Biology, Arrendale and coworkers demonstrate a new prodrug strategy for intracellular delivery of an α, α-(difluoromethylene)phosphonate phosphoserine mimic. The deprotected pseudo-phosphopeptide releases the pro-apoptotic FOXO3a-transcription factor from its 14-3-3-adaptor protein complex, resulting in leukemic cell death., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

This overview focuses on the (alpha,alpha-difluoromethylene)phosphonate mimic of phosphoserine (pCF(2)Ser) and its application to the study of kinase-mediated signal transduction-pathways of great interest to drug development. The most versatile modes of access to these chemical biological tools are discussed, organized by method of PCF(2)-C bond formation. The pCF(2)-Ser mimic may be site-specifically incorporated into peptides (SPPS) and proteins (expressed protein ligation). This isopolar, dianionic pSer mimic results in a "constitutive phosphorylation" phenotype and is seen to support native protein-protein interactions that depend on serine phosphorylation. Signal transduction pathways studied with this chemical biological approach include the regulation of p53 tumor suppressor protein activity and of melatonin production. Given these successes, the future is bright for the use of such "teflon phospho-amino acid mimics" to map kinase-based signaling pathways.

This report presents an overview of the family of naturally occurring 'vinylic' amino acids, namely those that feature a C-C double bond directly attached to the α-carbon, along the side chain. Strategies that have been brought to bear on the stereocontrolled synthesis of these olefinic amino acids are surveyed. The mechanistic diversity by which such 'vinylic triggers' can be actuated in a PLP (pyridoxal phosphate) enzyme active site is then highlighted by discussions of vinylglycine (VG), its substituted congeners, particularly AVG [4E-(2'-aminoethoxy)vinylglycine], and a naturally occurring VG-progenitor, SMM (S-methylmethionine).

We report a new continuous spectrophotometric assay for human cystathionine beta-synthase (hCBS). This assay relies upon the finding that hCBS will take cysteamine in place of L-homocysteine, thereby producing thialysine. Thialysine is, in turn, decarboxylated by lysine decarboxylase, releasing CO2 that is monitored by the sequential action of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase and L-malate dehydrogenase. The decrease in absorbance at 340 nm is monitored as reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide is consumed. Using this four-enzyme couple, we find that Km(app) = 1.2+/-0.2 mM for L-serine and 5.6+/-2.2 mM for cysteamine, with kcat = 1.3+/-0.1s(-1) for the formation of thialysine by hCBS. For comparison purposes, the same hCBS reaction was monitored via a radioactive single time point assay using 14C-(C-1)-labeled L-serine and cysteamine as substrates, counting the thialysine product, following ion exchange chromatography. This assay yielded Km(app) = 2.2+/-0.5 mM for L-serine and 6.6+/-2.2 for cysteamine, with kcat = 2.5+/-0.4 s(-1). These numbers indicate that, although it possesses a shortened carbon chain and lacks a carboxyl group, cysteamine displays a catalytic efficiency (kcat/Km) with hCBS that is within an order of magnitude of that observed with its natural thiol cosubstrate, L-homocysteine.

An in situ enzymatic screening (ISES) approach to rapid catalyst evaluation recently pointed to Ni(0) as a new candidate transition metal for intramolecular allylic amination. This led to further exploration of chiral bidentate phosphine ligands for such transformations. Herein, a variety of P,N-ligands are examined for this Ni(0)-chemistry, using a model reaction leading into the vinylglycinol scaffold. On the one hand, an N , N -bis(2-diphenylphosphinoethyl)alkylamine ('PNP') ligand proved to be the fastest ligand yet seen for this Ni(0)-transformation. On the other, phosphinooxazoline (PHOX) ligands of the Pfaltz-Helmchen-Williams variety gave the highest enantioselectivities (up to 51% ee) among P,N-ligands examined.

N-Trifluoroacetyl α-vinyl amino esters are smoothly converted to the corresponding α-chlorovinyl or α-bromovinyl amino esters through the agency of phenyselenyl chloride or phenylselenyl bromide, respectively, followed by oxidation and pyrolysis. Exclusively the (E)-extemal halovinyl isomer and the internal halovinyl isomer are observed. The amino protecting group is a critical determinant of the reaction course (alkene addition vs. 5-exo-trig-like cyclization).

Horseradish peroxidase conjugates are inactivated by reaction with plastic enzyme immunoassay reaction vessels (Gilford Cuvette Paks). The loss of enzyme activity is prevented by Tween.