The social amoeba Dictyostelium expresses a hypoxia inducible factor-α (HIFα)-type prolyl 4-hydroxylase (P4H1) and an α-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase (Gnt1) that sequentially modify proline-143 of Skp1, a subunit of the SCF (Skp1/Cullin/F-box protein)-class of E3 ubiquitin-ligases. Prior genetic studies have implicated Skp1 and its modification by these enzymes in O2-regulation of development, suggesting the existence of an ancient O2-sensing mechanism related to modification of the transcription factor HIFα by animal prolyl 4-hydroxylases (PHDs). To better understand the role of Skp1 in P4H1-dependent O2-signaling, biochemical and biophysical studies were conducted to characterize the reaction product and the basis of Skp1 substrate selection by P4H1 and Gnt1. 1H-NMR demonstrated formation of 4(trans)-hydroxyproline as previously found for HIFα, and highly purified P4H1 was inhibited by Krebs cycle intermediates and other compounds that affect animal P4Hs. However, in contrast to hydroxylation of HIFα by PHDs, P4H1 depended on features of full-length Skp1, based on truncation, mutagenesis, and competitive inhibition studies. These features are conserved during animal evolution, as even mammalian Skp1, which lacks the target proline, became a good substrate upon its restoration. P4H1 recognition may depend on features conserved for SCF complex formation as heterodimerization with an F-box protein blocked Skp1 hydroxylation. The hydroxyproline-capping enzyme Gnt1 exhibited similar requirements for Skp1 as a substrate. These and other findings support a model in which the protist P4H1 conditionally hydroxylates Skp1 of E3SCFubiquitin-ligases to control half-lives of multiple targets, rather than the mechanism of animal PHDs where individual proteins are hydroxylated leading to ubiquitination by the evolutionarily-related E3VBCubiquitin-ligases.

The human PXR (pregnane X receptor), a master regulator of drug metabolism, has essential roles in intestinal homeostasis and abrogating inflammation. Existing PXR ligands have substantial off‐target toxicity. Based on prior work that established microbial (indole) metabolites as PXR ligands, we proposed microbial metabolite mimicry as a novel strategy for drug discovery that allows exploiting previously unexplored parts of chemical space. Here, we report functionalized indole derivatives as first‐in‐class non‐cytotoxic PXR agonists as a proof of concept for microbial metabolite mimicry. The lead compound, FKK6 (Felix Kopp Kortagere 6), binds directly to PXR protein in solution, induces PXR‐specific target gene expression in cells, human organoids, and mice. FKK6 significantly represses pro‐inflammatory cytokine production cells and abrogates inflammation in mice expressing the human PXR gene. The development of FKK6 demonstrates for the first time that microbial metabolite mimicry is a viable strategy for drug discovery and opens the door to underexploited regions of chemical space.

Glycosides of hydroxyproline (Hyp) in the plant cell wall matrix were discovered by Lamport and co-workers in the 1960s. Since then, much has been learned about these Hyp-rich glycoproteins. The intent of this review was to compare and contrast some less common structural motifs, in nontraditional roles, to uncover themes. Arabinosylation of short-peptide plant hormones is essential for growth, cell differentiation and defense. In a very recent development, prolyl hydroxylase and arabinosyltransferase activity has been shown to have a direct impact on the growth of root hairs in Arabidopsis thaliana. Pollen allergens of mugwort and ragweed contain proline-rich domains that are hydroxylated and glycosylated and play a structural role. In the case of mugwort, this domain also presents a significant immunogenic epitope. Major crops, including tobacco and maize, have been used to express and produce recombinant proteins of mammalian origin. The risks of plant-imposed glycosylation are discussed. In unicellular eukaryotes, Skp1 (a subunit of the E3(SCF) ubiquitin ligase complex) harbors a key Hyp residue that is modified by a linear pentasaccharide. These modifications may be involved in sensing oxygen levels. A few studies have probed the impact of glycosylation on the structure of Hyp-containing peptides. These have necessarily looked at small, synthetic molecules, since natural peptides and proteins are often isolable in only minuscule amounts and/or are heterogeneous in nature. The characterization of native structural motifs, together with the determination of glycopeptide conformation and properties, holds the key to rationalizing nature's architectural design.

A new type of chiral bimetallic catalyst is disclosed. These chiral bimetallic catalysts are easily formed through mixing a metal Lewis acid and a metal binaphthyl phosphate (MLA/M[P]3) in solution. (1)H and (31)P NMR spectroscopy, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy, matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry, and X-ray crystallographic analysis reveal a bimetallic structure of the Y(Yb)(III)/Y[P]3 complexes with bridging binaphthyl phosphate ligands. The Lewis acidity of these chiral bimetallic catalysts is readily tuned by changing either the metal Lewis acid or the chiral metal phosphate. Through cooperative metal Lewis acid-enamine catalysis, asymmetric three-component aza-Diels-Alder reactions of 5-, 6-, and 7-membered cyclic ketones, unsaturated ketoesters, and arylamines were successfully achieved to afford fused bicyclic dihydropyridines in high yields (up to 94%) with high enantioselectivity (up to 99% enantiomeric excess) and excellent chemoselectivity.

An atom-economical multicomponent cascade reaction of salicylaldehydes, cyclohexanones and arylamines has been developed for the synthesis of three-ring fused chromans. This reaction was achieved through cooperative enamine-metal Lewis acid assisted Brønsted acid catalysis, furnishing the products in excellent yields with good diastereoselectivity.