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pyrH-encoded UMP-kinase directly participates in pyrimidine-specific modulation of promoter activity in Escherichia coli.

The carAB operon of the enterics Escherichia coli K-12 and Salmonella typhimurium LT2, encoding the sole carbamoylphosphate synthetase (CPSase) of these organisms, is transcribed from two promoters in tandem, carP1 upstream and carP2 downstream, repressed respectively by pyrimidines and arginine. We present evidence that the pyrH gene product (the hexameric UMP-kinase) directly participates in the pyrimidine-specific control of carP1 activity. Indeed, we have isolated in E. coli a particular type of pyrH mutation (pyrH41) that retains a quasi-normal UMP-kinase activity, but yet is impaired in the pyrimidine-specific repression of the P1 promoter of the carAB operon of E. coli and of S. typhimurium. Moreover, the pyrimidine-dependent inhibition of in vivo Dam methylase modification of adenine -106 upstream of the carP1 promoter is altered in this pyrH mutant. The recessive pyrH41 allele bears a single C-G to A-T transversion that converts alanine 94 into glutamic acid (A94E). Although overexpression of pyrH41 results in UMP-kinase levels far above that of a wild-type strain, pyrimidine-specific repression of the carAB operon is not restored under these conditions. Similarly, overexpression of the UMP-CMP-kinase gene of Dictyostelium discoideum in the pyrH41 mutant does not restore pyrimidine-mediated control of carP1 promoter activity, in spite of the elevated UMP-kinase activity measured in such transformants. These results indicate that besides its catalytic function in the de novo pyrimidine biosynthesis, E. coli UMP-kinase fulfils an additional, but previously unrecognized role in the regulation of the carAB operon. UMP-kinase might function as the real sensor of the internal pyrimidine nucleotide pool and act in concert with the integration host factor (IHF) and aminopeptidase A (PepA alias CarP and XerB) in the elaboration of the complex nucleoprotein structure required for pyrimidine-specific repression of carP1 promoter activity.

Adenine↗

Pyrimidine metabolism in Giardia lamblia trophozoites.

The pyrimidine metabolism of Giardia lamblia trophozoites (Portland I strain) was studied using whole trophozoites and trophozoite homogenates. Pyrimidines and pyrimidine nucleosides were readily incorporated into nucleic acids. Orotic and aspartic acid incorporations were below the level of detection. Enzymes of the pyrimidine salvage pathway (i.e., thymidine and uridine phosphorylases and thymidine and uridine kinases) were detected in trophozoite homogenates, but the activities of de novo pyrimidine synthesis enzymes (i.e., carbamoyl-phosphate synthase, aspartate transcarbamoylase, dihydroorotase and dihydroorotate dehydrogenase) were below the level of detection in these same homogenates. The evidence presented supports the conclusion that G. lamblia trophozoites appear incapable of synthesizing pyrimidines de novo but are capable of salvaging preformed pyrimidines and pyrimidine nucleosides from the growth medium and the enzymes of this pyrimidine salvage pathway are not organelle associated.

Animals↗

Urinary pyrimidine analysis in healthy newborns, infants, children, adults and patients with congenital metabolic diseases.

BACKGROUND: In previous reports, the reference range for urinary pyrimidine was determined on the basis of a small number of samples, with data for only a few patients being reported. In the present study, we measured urinary pyrimidine compounds in 25 healthy newborns, 33 healthy infants, 130 healthy children and 166 healthy adults. In addition, we also analyzed urinary pyrimidine compounds in various patients with abnormal pyrimidine metabolism, such as congenital pyrimidine metabolism disorders and urea cycle disorders. METHODS: We analyzed urines by high-performance liquid chromatography with column switching. Analyses were performed with both a reverse-phase column and an anion-exchange column. The columns were connected by a column switch, with all systems being controlled automatically by a computerized system controller. RESULTS: The excretion of pyrimidine compounds in patients with abnormal pyrimidine metabolism (containing heterozygotes) was out of our reference ranges. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that urinary pyrimidine analysis is a useful index for the diagnosis of pyrimidine metabolism disorders, urea cycle disorders and these heterozygotes. Based on this large-group analysis of healthy individuals, we were able to determine the reference ranges of urinary orotic acid, dihydrouracil and uracil for each age group.

Adolescent↗

Control of pyrimidine synthesis in Pseudomonas fragi.

AIMS: To study the regulation of the de novo pyrimidine biosynthetic enzymes in the food-spoilage agent Pseudomonas fragi ATCC 4973. METHODS AND RESULTS: The de novo pyrimidine biosynthetic enzymes were measured in extracts of Ps. fragi ATCC 4973 cells and of cells from auxotrophs deficient for dihydroorotase or OMP decarboxylase activity. Pyrimidine biosynthetic enzyme activities in ATCC 4973 were influenced by pyrimidine supplementation to the culture medium. The pyrimidine limitation of each auxotroph elevated the de novo enzyme activities, indicating that this pathway may be repressible by a pyrimidine-related compound. Aspartate transcarbamoylase activity in ATCC 4973 was inhibited in vitro by pyrophosphate and purine or pyrimidine nucleotides. CONCLUSIONS: Pyrimidine synthesis in Ps. fragi appeared to be controlled at the transcriptional level and at the level of activity for aspartate transcarbamoylase. Its transcriptional regulation seemed to be more highly controlled than what was observed in the closely related species Pseudomonas putida and Pseudomonas fluorescens. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This study demonstrates that pyrimidine synthesis is regulated in Ps. fragi. This could prove useful to future studies examining its biological control and its taxonomic assignment.

Aspartate Carbamoyltransferase↗

Effect of high-protein diet on pyrimidine synthesis and response to PALA in mouse tissues.

BACKGROUND: High-protein diets have been found to protect mice from the lethal effects of cytotoxic pyrimidine analogues and to reduce the toxicity of the antipyrimidine fluorouracil (5-FU), but the biochemical explanation for these effects is not known. PALA potentiates the chemotherapeutic efficacy of 5-FU, and each of the two agents can produce dose-limiting intestinal toxic effects. We have shown that intraperitoneal infusion of ammonium chloride stimulates intestinal de novo pyrimidine synthesis. This stimulation with excess ammonia, which can also result from high-protein intake, is dependent on the presence of carbamoyl phosphate synthetase I, an enzyme in the liver and intestine but not in most tumors. These findings suggest that a high-protein diet can stimulate pyrimidine synthesis in the liver and intestine but leave it unchanged in tumor tissue. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine whether varying dietary protein causes pharmacologically relevant and preferential changes in de novo pyrimidine synthesis. METHODS: Mice were fed diets containing 18%, 35%, or 50% casein. Dietary effects on de novo pyrimidine synthesis were measured in the intestine, liver, and B16 mouse melanoma in mice treated with PALA and in untreated mice. De novo synthesis was measured by infusion of [15N]alanine into intact animals, determination of 15N incorporation into uracil by use of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, and calculation of the fraction of the uracil nucleotide pool formed by de novo synthesis. RESULTS: In mice on a 50% casein diet (high protein), de novo pyrimidine synthesis increased substantially in the liver and intestine, compared with synthesis in mice receiving 18% casein. Increase in pyrimidine synthesis in B16 tumor tissue was negligible. The high-protein diet protected the intestine and liver from depletion of uracil nucleotide pools by PALA, and toxicity in tumor-free animals was reduced, as determined by mortality after PALA treatment. Sensitivity of the B16 tumor to the biochemical and cytotoxic effects of PALA was not diminished. CONCLUSIONS: We propose that the basis for these effects of a high-protein diet is the generation of excess carbamoyl phosphate in tissues containing carbamoyl phosphate synthetase I. This carbamoyl phosphate can stimulate de novo pyrimidine synthesis and compete with drugs that interact with enzymes of the de novo pathway, thereby selectively protecting the liver and intestine. IMPLICATIONS: These data provide a biochemical explanation for reported effects of high-protein diet on toxicity of antipyrimidines like 5-FU. Studies are underway to determine if stimulation of pyrimidine synthesis by excess ammonia improves therapy with 5-FU alone or combined with PALA.

Animals↗

5-(1-Substituted) alkyl pyrimidine nucleosides as antiviral (herpes) agents.

The treatment of viral diseases remains one of the major challenges to modern medicine. During the past two decades there has been increased recognition of the consequences of serious viral illnesses that are not controlled by vaccination. These illnesses include human immunodeficiency virus, human herpes viruses, and viruses that cause hepatitis. There are now eight pathogens recognized in the herpes virus family that cause infections in humans. Infections by the herpes viruses are opportunistic and often life-threatening, leading to significant morbidity and mortality in the increasing number of chronically immune compromised individuals such as AIDS patients, cancer patients and transplant recipients on immunosuppressive therapy. Nearly all individuals with AIDS are infected with one or more of the herpes viruses. Antiviral therapy with guanosine nucleoside analogs acyclovir and ganciclovir has had a major impact on diseases caused by herpes simplex virus type-1 and type-2 (HSV-1, HSV-2), Varicella zoster virus (VZV), and human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) but development of resistant virus strains and the absence of any effective treatment for other members of the herpes family provide a stimulus for increased search of new agents effective against various herpes viruses. Pyrimidine nucleosides have taken up an important role in the therapy of virus infection. Significant progress in the study of anti-herpes nucleosides has been made by the advent of 5-substituted pyrimidine nucleosides such as 5-iodo-, 5-ethyl-, 5-(2-chloroethyl)-, and (E)-5-(2-bromovinyl)- derivatives of 2'-deoxyuridine. These are highly specific inhibitors of HSV-1, HSV-2, and/or VZV infections. However, Epstein Barr virus (EBV) and HCMV are much less sensitive to these agents. In 5-substituted pyrimidine nucleosides the nature of substituents, particularly at the C-5 position, has been found to be an important determinant of anti-herpes activity. Structural requirements at the C-2 carbon of the 5-substituent of pyrimidine nucleosides have been well established for anti-herpes activity. However, there is little qualitative or mechanistic knowledge of the derivatives with substitution at the C-1 carbon of the 5-substituent of pyrimidine nucleosides. During the last few years of our research, we have investigated a variety of C-1 functionalized substituents at the 5-position of the pyrimidine nucleosides to determine their usefulness as antiviral (herpes) agents. In the 5-(1-substituted) group of pyrimidine nucleosides, we demonstrated that novel substituents present at the C-1 carbon of the 5-side chain of the pyrimidine nucleosides are important determinants of potent and broad spectrum antiviral (herpes) activity including EBV and HCMV. In this article the work on design, synthesis and structure activity relationships of several 5-[(1-substituted) alkyl (or vinyl)] pyrimidine nucleoside derivatives as potential inhibitors of herpes viruses is reviewed.

Animals↗

Pyrimidine synthesis by intracellular Toxoplasma gondii.

Pyrimidine biosynthesis was studied in actively dividing, intracellular Toxoplasma gondii, in mutant Chinese hamster ovary cells blocked in pyrimidine biosynthesis to eliminate any contribution by the host cell. The parasite grew normally in these cells even though pyrimidines were not supplied in the medium. Uninfected, mutant cultures showed negligible pyrimidine synthesis. However, mutant cultures infected wit T. gondii efficiently incorporated 14C from glucose or aspartic acid into the pyrimidine bases of nucleic acids. Thus T. gondii is capable of de novo pyrimidine biosynthesis. The parasite may also be able to use pyrimidines of the host cell, because of pyrazofurin, an antimetabolite that blocks pyrimidine biosynthesis, markedly inhibited only a mutant parasite defective in the salvage of pyrimidines.

Amides↗

Synthesis, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, ulcerogenic index and antibacterial activities of novel 2-methylthio-3-substituted-5,6,7,8-tetrahydrobenzo (b) thieno[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4(3H)-ones.

A variety of novel 2-methylthio-3-substituted-5,6,7,8-tetrahydrobenzo (b) thieno[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4(3H)-ones have been synthesized by reacting (2-methylthio-4-oxo-3H-5,6,7,8-tetrahydrobenzo (b) thieno[2,3-d]pyrimidin-3-yl)dithiocarbamic acid methyl ester (5) with a variety of amines. The starting material dithiocarbamate (5) was synthesized from 2-amino-3-carbethoxy-4,5,6,7-tetrahydrobenzo (b) thiophene (1) by a novel innovative route. The title compounds were investigated for analgesic, anti-inflammatory, ulcerogenicity index and antibacterial activities. While the test compounds exhibited significant activity, the compounds 1-methyl-3-(2-methylthio-4-oxo-3H-5,6,7,8-tetrahydrobenzo (b) thieno[2,3-d]pyrimidin-3-yl)thiourea (A1), 1-dimethyl-3-(2-methylthio-4-oxo-3H-5,6,7,8-tetrahydrobenzo (b) thieno[2,3-d]pyrimidin-3-yl)thiourea (A2), 1-diethyl-3-(2-methylthio-4-oxo-3H-5,6,7,8-tetrahydrobenzo (b) thieno[2,3-d]pyrimidin-3-yl)thiourea (A3) and 1-pyrrolidinyl-3-(2-methylthio-4-oxo-3H-5,6,7,8-tetrahydrobenzo (b) thieno[2,3-d]pyrimidin-3-yl)thiourea (A4) showed more potent analgesic activity and the compounds 1-dimethyl-3-(2-methylthio-4-oxo-3H-5,6,7,8-tetrahydrobenzo (b) thieno[2,3-d]pyrimidin-3-yl)thiourea (A2), 1-diethyl-3-(2-methylthio-4-oxo-3H-5,6,7,8-tetrahydrobenzo (b) thieno-[2,3-d]pyrimidin-3-yl)thiourea (A3) and 1-pyrrolidinyl-3-(2-methylthio-4-oxo-3H-5,6,7,8-tetrahydrobenzo (b) thieno[2,3-d] pyrimidin-3-yl)thiourea (A4) showed more potent anti-inflammatory activity than the reference standard diclofenac sodium.

Analgesics↗

Synthesis and biological activity of 6-azacadeguomycin and certain 3,4,6-trisubstituted pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine ribonucleosides.

Several 3,4,6-trisubstituted pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine ribonucleosides were prepared and tested for their biological activity. High-temperature glycosylation of 3,6-dibromoallopurinol with 1-O-acetyl-2,3,5-tri-O-benzoyl-D-ribofuranose in the presence of BF3 X OEt2, followed by ammonolysis, provided 6-amino-3-bromo-1-beta-D-ribofuranosylpyrazolo-[3,4-d]pyrimidin-4(5H)-on e. Similar glycosylation of either 3-bromo-4(5H)-oxopyrazolo [3,4-d]pyrimidin-6-yl methyl sulfoxide or 6-amino-3-bromopyrazolo [3,4-d]pyrimidin-4(5H)-one, and subsequent ammonolysis, also gave 7a. The structural assignment of 7a was on the basis of spectral studies, as well as its conversion to the reported guanosine analogue 1d. Application of this glycosylation procedure to 6-(methylthio)-4(5H)-oxopyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine-3-carboxamide gave the corresponding N-1 glycosyl derivative. Dethiation and debenzoylation of 16a provided an alternate route to the recently reported 3-carbamoylallopurinol ribonucleoside thus confirming the structural assignment of 16a and the nucleosides derived therefrom. Oxidation of 16a and subsequent ammonolysis afforded 6-amino-1-beta-D-ribofuranosyl-4(5H)-oxopyrazolo[3, 4-d]pyrimidine-3-carboxamide. Alkaline treatment of 15a gave 6-azacadeguomycin. Acetylation of 15a, followed by dehydration with phosgene, provided the versatile intermediate 6-amino-1-(2,3,5-tri-O-acetyl-beta-D-ribofuranosyl)-4(5H)-oxopyrazolo [3, 4-d]pyrimidine-3-carbonitrile. Deacetylation of 19 gave 6-amino-1-beta-D-ribofuranosyl-4(5H)-oxopyrazolo[3, 4-d]pyrimidine-3-carbonitrile. Reaction of 19 with H2S gave 6-amino-1-beta-D-ribofuranosyl-4(5H)-oxopyrazolo[3, 4-d]pyrimidine-3-thiocarboxamide. All of these compounds were tested in vitro against certain viruses and tumor cells. Among these compounds, the guanosine analogues 7a and 20a showed significant activity against measles in vitro and were found to exhibit moderate antitumor activity in vitro against L1210 and P388 leukemia. 6-Azacadeguomycin and all other compounds were inactive against the viruses and tumor cells tested in vitro.

Animals↗

Synthesis of 5-chloroformycin A, 5-chloro-2'-deoxyformycin A and certain related 5,7-disubstituted 3-beta-D-ribofuranosylpyrazolo[4,3-d] pyrimidines from formycin A.

A facile synthesis of 7-amino-5-chloro-3-beta-D-ribofuranosylpyrazolo [4,3-d]pyrimidine (5-chloroformycin A, 6), 7-amino-5-chloro-3-(2-deoxy-beta-D-erythro-pentofuranosyl) pyrazolo [4,3-d]-pyrimidine (5-chloro-2'-deoxyformycin A, 13) and certain related 5,7-disubstituted pyrazolo[4,3-d]pyrimidine ribonucleosides is described starting with formycin A. Thiation of tri-O-acetyloxoformycin B (4b) with phosphorus pentasulfide, followed 3-beta-D-ribofuranosyl-7-thioxopyrazolo[4,3-d] pyrimidin-5(1H,4H,6H)-one (3b) in excellent yield. Chlorination of 4b with either phosphorus oxychloride or phenyl phosphonicdichloride furnished the key intermediate 5,7-dichloro-3-(2,3, 5-tri-O-acetyl-beta-D-ribofuranosyl)pyrazolo[4,3-d]pyrimidine (5a), which on deacetylation afforded 5,7-dichloro-3-beta-D-ribofuranosylpyrazolo [4,3-d]pyrimidine (5b). Ammonolysis of 5a with liquid ammonia gave 6, whereas with MeOH/NH3, a mixture of 6 and 7-methoxy-5-chloro-3-beta-D-ribofuranosylpyrazolo[4,3-d]pyrimidine (7) was obtained. Reaction of 6 with lithium azide and subsequent hydrogenation afforded 5-aminoformycin A (10). Treatment of 5a with thiourea gave 5-chloro-3-(2,3,5-tri-O-acetyl-beta-D-ribofuranosyl) pyrazolo[4,3-d]pyrimidine-7(1H,6H)-thione (8a), which on further reaction with sodium hydrosulfide furnished 3-beta-D-ribofuranosylpyrazolo [4,3-d]pyrimidine-5,7(1H,4H,6H)-dithione (11). The four-step deoxygenation procedure using phenoxythiocarbonylation of the 2'-hydroxy group of the 3', 5'-protected 6 gave 5-chloro-2'-deoxyformycin A (13).

Antibiotics, Antineoplastic↗

Metabolism of pyrimidine analogues and their nucleosides.

The pyrimidine antimetabolite drugs consist of base and nucleoside analogues of the naturally occurring pyrimidines uracil, thymine and cytosine. As is typical of antimetabolites, these drugs have a strong structural similarity to endogenous nucleic acid precursors. The structural differences are usually substitutions at one of the carbons in the pyrimidine ring itself or substitutions at on of the hydrogens attached to the ring of the pyrimidine or sugar (ribose or deoxyribose). Despite the differences noted above, these analogues, can still be taken up into cells and then metabolized via anabolic or catabolic pathways used by endogenous pyrimidines. Cytotoxicity results when the antimetabolite either is incorporated in place of the naturally occurring pyrimidine metabolite into a key molecule (such as RNA or DNA) or competes with the naturally occurring pyrimidine metabolite for a critical enzyme. There are four pyrimidine antimetabolites that are currently used extensively in clinical oncology. These include the fluoropyrimidines fluorouracil and fluorodeoxyuridine, and the cytosine analogues, cytosine arabinoside and azacytidine.

Animals↗

ESR study of electron transfer reactions between gamma-irradiated pyrimidines, adriamycin and oxygen.

Solid pyrimidine nucleic acid bases (cytosine, thymine, and uracil) were gamma-irradiated (50 KGy) and dissolved in deaerated solutions of adriamycin in water and dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO). Analogous experiments using unirradiated pyrimidines as controls were also performed. In water only gamma-irradiated cytosine showed a reaction with the adriamycin yielding a single ESR peak (g = 2.0033) consistent with the adriamycin semiquinone radical. Since the unirradiated cytosine gave no reaction, the result suggests an electron transfer from cytosine radicals (generated by gamma-radiolysis) to adriamycin. In DMSO the three gamma-irradiated and unirradiated pyrimidines reacted with adriamycin yielding the adriamycin semiquinone radical observed by ESR. These results suggest that in DMSO an electron is transferred to adriamycin from the pyrimidine radicals and from the parent pyrimidine molecules. However, the process is on the order of 10(5) times more efficient for the pyrimidine radicals. Superoxide radicals (O2-.) were formed following addition of oxygen to the deaerated DMSO solutions containing adriamycin semiquinone radicals. O2-. was spin trapped using 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-N-oxide (DMPO). The results show a possible reaction sequence in which an electron transferred to adriamycin, by pyrimidine radicals and parent pyrimidine molecules, is subsequently transferred to dissolved oxygen.

Dimethyl Sulfoxide↗

Severe cytochrome c oxidase inhibition in vivo does not induce a pyrimidine deficiency; neuroprotective action of oral uridine prodrug PN401 requires supraphysiological levels of uridine.

It has been hypothesized that mitochondrial respiratory chain dysfunction leads to a pyrimidine deficiency since the pyrimidine biosynthetic enzyme dihydroorotate dehydrogenase is coupled to the electron transport chain. The uridine prodrug triacetyluridine (PN401) is neuroprotective in several models of neurodegenerative disease involving respiratory chain toxins. Therefore, the therapeutic effects of PN401 might involve the correction of a pyrimidine deficiency secondary to respiratory chain impairment. We infused mice with the cytochrome c oxidase inhibitor azide, which inhibited brain complex IV activity. Chronic infusion of azide for 2 or 14 days induced significant toxicity and mortality but did not cause a pyrimidine deficit in the brain. In contrast, the pyrimidine synthesis inhibitor N-phosphonoacetyl-l-aspartate (PALA) produced a pyrimidine deficit with minimal mortality. Treatment with 6% PN401 decreased mortality and cerebrocortical apoptosis caused by azide. Previously, we found that optimal neuroprotection against mitochondrial complex II inhibition required 4-6% PN401. PN401 at 1, 3, 6 and 10% in chow induced nonlinear increases in plasma uridine with 6% PN401 elevating plasma uridine up to 80 muM, and these higher micromolar uridine levels were also required for neuroprotection in chemical hypoxia models in vitro. Our results indicate that severe complex IV inhibition in vivo does not lead to a pyrimidine deficiency, and therefore the protective effect of PN401 in the azide toxin model is not mediated through the correction of a pyrimidine deficiency. Furthermore, supraphysiological levels of uridine are required to produce optimal protective effects in disorders involving impairment of mitochondrial respiratory complex II or IV.

Acetates↗

Regulation of pyrimidine biosynthesis and its strong coupling to the purine system.

The control of pyrimidine biosynthesis in a yeast mutant deficient for uracil, adenine, and histidine has been studied in vivo. The uracil mutation causes accumulation of ureidosuccinic acid and dihydroorotic acid in the cells. Accumulation is prevented when the pyrimidine nucleotide level in the cell is raised, apparently owing to feedback inhibition in the pyrimidine system. Investigation of the coupling of purine and pyrimidine systems shows that a high level of purine nucleotides can reverse inhibition in the pyrimidine internal feedback loop. Under certan conditions this reversal may affect only the first step of the pyrimidine system so that ureidosuccinic acid is synthesized and the next element of the pyrimidine pathway, dihydroorotic acid, is not synthesized. Other aspects of coupling between the pyrimidine system and other systems are presented.

Adenine↗

Biosynthesis of the pyrimidine moiety of thiamin in Escherichia coli: incorporation of stable isotope-labeled glycines.

Methods are described for the cleavage, extraction, and subsequent gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric analysis of the pyrimidine moiety of thiamin as 2-methyl-4-amino-5-[(ethylthio)methyl]pyrimidine. The methods are of a general nature and can be applied to any system. Using these methods to evaluate the incorporation of 13C-, 15N-, and 2H-labeled glycines into the pyrimidine moiety of thiamin by Escherichia coli, we established that the nitrogen and carbon atoms of glycine are incorporated as a unit into the pyrimidine. 13C- and 15N-labeled glycines are incorporated at greater than 60% but deuterium from [2-(2)H2]glycine was incorporated at only 18%. A detailed analysis of the mass fragmentation pattern of the pyrimidine derivative has established that the glycine nitrogen atom supplies the N-1 of the pyrimidine and that the C-1 and C-2 of the glycine supplies the C-4 and C-6 of the pyrimidine, respectively. This evidence is consistent with the substitution of a C2 unit between the C-5 and C-4 of the 4-aminoimidazole ribonucleotide precursor during the biosynthesis of the pyrimidine moiety of thiamin in E. coli.

Carbon Isotopes↗

6-Substituted 2,4-diaminopyrido[3,2-d]pyrimidine analogues of piritrexim as inhibitors of dihydrofolate reductase from rat liver, Pneumocystis carinii, and Toxoplasma gondii and as antitumor agents.

The synthesis and biological activity are reported for 21 6-substituted 2,4-diaminopyrido[3,2-d]pyrimidine analogues (4-24) of piritrexim (PTX) as inhibitors of dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) and as antitumor agents. Recombinant DHFR from Pneumocystis carinii (pc) and native DHFR from Toxoplasma gondii (tg) were the target enzymes tested; these organisms are responsible for fatal opportunistic infections in AIDS patients. Rat liver (rl) DHFR served as the mammalian reference enzyme to determine selectivity for the pathogenic DHFR. The synthesis of S9-bridged compounds 4-6 was achieved by aryl displacement of 2,4-diamino-6-chloropyrido[3, 2-d]pyrimidine (27) with thiol nucleophiles. Oxidation of 4-6 with hydrogen peroxide in glacial acetic acid afforded the corresponding sulfone analogues 7-9. The N9-bridged compounds 10-24 were synthesized from their precursor 3-amino-6-(arylamino)-2-pyridinecarbonitriles via a thermal cyclization with chloroformamidine hydrochloride. Unlike the S9-bridged compounds, the arylamino side chains of the N9-bridged analogues were introduced prior to the formation of the 2, 4-diaminopyrido[3,2-d]pyrimidine nucleus. A reversed two-atom-bridged analogue (25) was also synthesized using a synthetic strategy similar to that utilized for compounds 10-24. The IC50 values of these compounds against pcDHFR ranged from 0.0023 x 10(-6) M for 2,4-diamino-6-(N-methyl-3',4'-dimethoxyanilino)pyrido[3, 2-d]pyrimidine (21), which was the most potent, to 90.4 x 10(-6) M for 2,4-diamino-6-(4'-methoxyanilino)pyrido[3,2-d]pyrimidine (12), which was the least potent. The three S9-bridged compounds tested were more potent than the corresponding sulfone-bridged compounds for all three DHFRs. N9-Methylation increased the potency by as much as 17 000-fold (compounds 15 and 21). None of the analogues were selective for pcDHFR. Against tgDHFR the most potent analogue was again 21 with an IC50 value of 0.00088 x 10(-6) M and the least potent was 12 with an IC50 of 2.8 x 10(-6) M. N9-Methylation afforded an increase in potency of up to 770-fold (compound 15 NH vs 21 N-CH3) compared to the corresponding N9-H analogue. In contrast to pcDHFR, several analogues had a greater selectivity ratio for tgDHFR compared to trimetrexate (TMQ) or PTX, most notably 2, 4-diamino-6-[(3',4'- dimethoxyphenyl)thio]pyrido[3,2-d]pyrimidine (4), 2,4-diamino-6-[(2'-methoxyphenyl)sulfonyl]pyrido[3, 2-d]pyrimidine (7), and 2,4-diamino-6-(2', 5'-dimethoxyanilino)pyrido[3,2-d]pyrimidine (14) which combined relatively high potency at 10(-7)-10(-8) M along with selectivity ratios of 3.97, 6.67, and 4.93, respectively. Several analogues synthesized had better selectivity ratios than TMQ or PTX for both pcDHFR and tgDHFR, and the potencies of the N9-methylated compounds were comparable to or greater than that of TMQ or PTX. Selected compounds were evaluated as inhibitors of the growth of a variety of tumor cells in culture. The N9-CH3 analogues were, in general, highly potent with GI50 values in the nanomolar range. The N9-H and S9 analogues were less potent with GI50 values in the millimolar to micromolar range.

Animals↗

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors. 17. Irreversible inhibitors of the epidermal growth factor receptor: 4-(phenylamino)quinazoline- and 4-(phenylamino)pyrido[3,2-d]pyrimidine-6-acrylamides bearing additional solubilizing functions.

4-Anilinoquinazoline- and 4-anilinopyrido[3,2-d]pyrimidine-6-acrylamides substituted with solubilizing 7-alkylamine or 7-alkoxyamine side chains were prepared by reaction of the corresponding 6-amines with acrylic acid or acrylic acid anhydrides. In the pyrido[3,2-d]pyrimidine series, the intermediate 6-amino-7-alkylamines were prepared from 7-bromo-6-fluoropyrido[3,2-d]pyrimidine via Stille coupling with the appropriate stannane under palladium(0) catalysis. This proved a versatile method for the introduction of cationic solubilizing side chains. The compounds were evaluated for their inhibition of phosphorylation of the isolated EGFR enzyme and for inhibition of EGF-stimulated autophosphorylation of EGFR in A431 cells and of heregulin-stimulated autophosphorylation of erbB2 in MDA-MB 453 cells. Quinazoline analogues with 7-alkoxyamine solubilizing groups were potent irreversible inhibitors of the isolated EGFR enzyme, with IC(50[app]) values from 2 to 4 nM, and potently inhibited both EGFR and erbB2 autophosphorylation in cells. 7-Alkylamino- and 7-alkoxyaminopyrido[3,2-d]pyrimidines were also irreversible inhibitors with equal or superior potency against the isolated enzyme but were less effective in the cellular autophosphorylation assays. Both quinazoline- and pyrido[3,2-d]pyrimidine-6-acrylamides bound at the ATP site alkylating cysteine 773, as shown by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, and had similar rates of absorptive and secretory transport in Caco-2 cells. A comparison of two 7-propoxymorpholide analogues showed that the pyrido[3,2-d]pyrimidine-6-acrylamide had greater amide instability and higher acrylamide reactivity, being converted to glutathione adducts in cells more rapidly than the corresponding quinazoline. This difference may contribute to the observed lower cellular potency of the pyrido[3,2-d]pyrimidine-6-acrylamides. Selected compounds showed high in vivo activity against A431 xenografts on oral dosing, with the quinazolines being superior to the pyrido[3,2-d]pyrimidines. Overall, the quinazolines proved superior to previous analogues in terms of aqueous solubility, potency, and in vivo antitumor activity, and one example (CI 1033) has been selected for clinical evaluation.

Acrylamides↗

Regulation of pyrimidine nucleotide formation in Pseudomonas reptilivora.

AIMS: To study the regulation of de novo pyrimidine biosynthesis in the pathogenic bacterium Pseudomonas reptilivora ATCC 14836. METHODS AND RESULTS: The pyrimidine biosynthetic pathway enzymes were assayed in extracts of Ps. reptilivora ATCC 14836 cells and of cells from an auxotroph lacking aspartate transcarbamoylase activity. Pyrimidine biosynthetic pathway enzyme activities in ATCC 14836 were influenced by the addition of pyrimidine bases to the culture medium with orotic acid addition inducing dihydroorotase activity. Pyrimidine starvation of the transcarbamoylase mutant strain increased its de novo enzyme activities suggesting that the de novo pathway was also subject to repression by a pyrimidine-related compound. Aspartate transcarbamoylase activity in ATCC 14836 was inhibited in vitro by pyrophosphate and ATP. CONCLUSIONS: Regulation of pyrimidine biosynthesis in Ps. reptilivora was observed at the level of enzyme synthesis and at the level of activity for aspartate transcarbamoylase. Its regulation of enzyme synthesis seemed to be more highly controlled than what was observed in the related species Ps. fluorescens. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This investigation found that pyrimidine biosynthesis is controlled in Ps. reptilivora. This could prove helpful to future studies exploring its pathogenicity.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗