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Biomedical subjects

Thomas H Graham

Publications and source records attributed to Thomas H Graham.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

Cellular analysis of disorazole C and structure-activity relationship of analogs of the natural product.

Structure-activity analyses of synthetic disorazole C(1) and eight of its analogs indicate that the presence of a vinyl oxirane moiety or a tetraene sequence is not necessary for potent cytotoxic and antimitotic properties. Using an automated multiparameter fluorescence-based cellular assay to simultaneously probe the effects of disorazole analogs on cellular microtubules, mitotic arrest, and cytotoxicity, we found that disorazole C(1) enhanced the mitotic index and chromatin condensation and arrested cells in the G2/M phase of the cell cycle. All structural analogs and synthesis precursors of disorazole C(1) were at least two orders of magnitude less potent than the parent compound, thus indicating that both the functional group array and the three-dimensional conformation of the parent compound are critical for interaction with the biological target. We conclude that disorazole C(1) is a potent inducer of mitotic arrest and hypothesize that this biological activity may be mediated by microtubule perturbation.

Antimitotic Agents↗

Total synthesis of (-)-disorazole C1.

The antimitotic natural product disorazole C1 was isolated in 1994 from the fermentation broth of the myxobacterium Sorangium cellulosum. We have developed a highly convergent and stereoselective total synthesis of this compound which establishes its relative and absolute configuration. Key features of our synthesis include a highly convergent strategy and selective functional group manipulations that minimize decomposition of the sensitive polyene macrodiolide.

Macrolides↗

Photoactivated tungsten hexacarbonyl-catalyzed conversion of alkynols to glycals.

The photoactivated W(CO)(6)/DABCO/THF system has been used for the formal endo-cyclization of alkynes to pyran rings. We found that the regioselectivity of ring closure depends on the relative configuration of the 3,5-dihydroxy-1-alkynes, as well as, more decisively, on the type of O-protective group. Oxygen substitution at the propargylic carbon slows the rate of alkyne insertion and allows for dihydrofuran formation through exo-cyclization. In contrast, the use of bulky silyl ethers or carbon substituents leads to dihydropyrans through endo-cyclization. Substrates bearing leaving groups such as esters, phenols, or thiophenols at the propargylic site eliminate and thus represent a limitation to the cycloisomerization methodology. Propargyl vinyl ethers will rearrange to give dienals instead of glycals. 1,2-Wittig rearrangement products of dihydropyrans are readily prepared and converted to complex bicyclic building blocks for organic synthesis.

Alcohols↗