Conophylline
Chemical compound
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Conophylline is a autophagy inducing[1] vinca alkaloid found in plants of the genus Tabernaemontana. Among the many functional groups in this molecule is an epoxide: the compound where that ring is replaced with a double bond is called conophyllidine and this co-occurs in the same plants.
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| IUPAC name
Dimethyl 14,25-diethyl-24,33-dihydroxy-31,32-dimethoxy-12,22-dioxa-1,9,18,29-tetrazadodecacyclo[23.13.1.16,9.02,23.03,21.05,19.06,17.011,13.028,36.030,35.036,39.014,40]tetraconta-3,5(19),16,20,27,30,32,34-octaene-16,27-dicarboxylate | |
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| Properties | |
| C44H50N4O10 | |
| Molar mass | 794.902 g·mol−1 |
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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History
Conophylline and conophyllidine were first reported in 1993 after isolation from the ethanol extract of leaves of Tabernaemontana divaricata. Their structures were confirmed by X-ray crystallography.[2][3] The class of vinca alkaloids to which these compounds belong also contains vincristine and vinblastine, well-known therapeutic agents for human cancers, so they were candidates for a number of biochemical assays to see if they had useful biological activity. By 1996, conophylline it had been reported to inhibit tumours in rats by its action on Ras-expressing cells.[4] This finding did not lead to a useful drug but the molecule continues to be investigated for its biological properties.[5][6][7]
Synthesis
Biosynthesis
As with other Indole alkaloids, the biosynthesis of conophylline and conophyllidine starts from the amino acid tryptophan. This is converted into strictosidine before further elaboration and dimerisation.[8]
Chemical synthesis
Fukuyama and coworkers published a total synthesis of conophylline and conophyllidine in 2011. Their strategy was to couple two indoline-containing fragments using a type of Polonovski reaction. The synthesis was challenging owing to the eleven stereogenic centers which have to be controlled. The final products are chiral, and laevorotary.[9][10]
Natural occurrence
Conophylline and conophyllidine are found in species of the genus Tabernaemontana including Ervatamia microphylla and Tabernaemontana divaricata.[2][11] The latter species is known to produce many other alkaloids including catharanthine, ibogamine and voacristine.[citation needed]