Dicaffeoylquinic acid (DCQA) is a natural polyphenolic compound widely distributed in plants such as coffee beans, which possesses a range of pharmacological activities. Herein, is reported studies undertaken towards the first total synthesis of 3,5-DCQA conjugates. Two synthetic routes were investigated. The first route involves a seven step sequence beginning from quinic acid. The overall yield via this synthetic approach was 30%. The key steps involved in the sequence were a regioselective benzylation of the C-3-hydroxyl group followed by silyl protection of the C-1 and C-4 hydroxyl groups. Deprotection of the benzyl group by hydrogenolysis and opening of the lactone afforded the 3,5-diol. Esterification of the 3,5-diol with 3,4-tert-butyldimethylsilyl caffeoyl chloride afforded the di-ester. Removal of the protecting groups afforded 3,5-DCQA. The second route involved selective protection of the C-3-hydroxyl group with silyl followed by benzylation of the C-1 and C-3 hydroxyl groups. Saponification of the lactone ring followed by benzylation of the carboxylic acid gave the benzyl ester. Silyl deprotection afforded the 3,5-diol. The 3,5-diol was subsequently esterified by refluxing in toluene with commercially available Meldrum’s acid. In the final step, the synthesis of 3,5-DCQA was achieved by a Knoevenagel condensation of 3,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde and a malonate ester of quinic acid. An efficient method for the synthesis of possible metabolites of quinic acid conjugates was also described. This protocol employs N-(4-methoxyphenyl)-trifluoroacetimidate glucuronyl as the donor. The key reaction in this sequence was the coupling of N-(4-methoxyphenyl)-trifluoroacetimidate glucuronyl with 4-hydroxy-3-methoxy-benzaldehyde.

Paclitaxel is an anticancer natural product with several biomedical applications produced by Taxus species, with a demand exceeding its supply. We have developed cambial meristematic cells (CMCs) from Taxus cuspidata as high yield source of paclitaxel. The biosynthesis of paclitaxel is predominantly under transcriptional control. Thus, the identification of transcriptional regulators of paclitaxel biosynthesis and their subsequent manipulation may enable further yield enhancement in Taxus CMCs. Previously, Roche 454 sequencing was employed to establish the transcriptome of T. cuspidata CMCs treated with the plant immune activator methyl jasmonate (MeJA). The bioinformatic analysis identified 19 jasmonate related transcription factors (TFs), based on their differential expression. Results of the Arabidopsis thaliana transient assay screen identified two MYB TFs that constitute positive regulators for paclitaxel genes, named MYB3 and MYB4. In this thesis, MYB3 and MYB4 showed in vitro binding to the cis-elements in ten promoters of paclitaxel genes using the electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA). Then, a Taxus CMC protoplasts transient assay demonstrated that the expression of MYB3 and MYB4 trans-activated all tested genes. Further, MYB4 was found to activate the 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA (HMG-CoA) gene, key in the mevalonate pathway and precursor of paclitaxel biosynthesis. MYB3 and MYB4 were capable of auto-regulating their own transcription, constituting an important control point for paclitaxel biosynthesis. A possible mechanism for the early activation of MYB3 and MYB4 after MeJA elicitation is proposed. Finally, preliminary results on the expression of MYB3 and MYB4 in unelicited T. baccata CMC protoplasts indicate that their transient expression was sufficient to increase accumulation of paclitaxel and the precursor, 10-deacetyl baccatin III, highlighting their utility for paclitaxel production.

<p>Juglone is a 1,4-naphthoquinone (1,4-NQ) and the allelochemical responsible for the well-known toxic effects of black walnut (<i>Juglans nigra</i>)<i> </i>and other members of the Juglandaceae. Juglone affects a variety of weed species via a mode of action unlike any commercially available herbicides, and thus has the potential to be used as a new natural product-based herbicide. However, lack of knowledge about its metabolism precludes introducing juglone biosynthesis traits into resistant crops through biotechnology. Herein, we established that juglone is derived from the phylloquinone pathway at the level of the intermediate 1,4-dihydroxy-2-naphthoic acid (DHNA). Phylloquinone is a primary 1,4-NQ made by all plants for photosynthetic electron transport. Despite the fundamental importance of phylloquinone, there are still unanswered questions about the subcellular architecture of the phylloquinone pathway. In chapter 3, we show that <i>o</i>-succinylbenzoate CoA-ligase is localized to both chloroplasts and peroxisomes and that its activity is vital in both organelles. The required dual localization of CoA ligase activity is a theme common to other plant pathways with CoA metabolic steps occurring in peroxisomes and thus leads us to propose a revised model of the phylloquinone pathway. Lastly, given the potential of introducing juglone biosynthesis as part of novel weed management strategies, we investigated the circumstances, costs, and benefits of producing allelochemicals in crops using an evolutionary game theory model. Together, this work (i) shows that the phylloquinone pathway provides crops with the biosynthetic framework to produce juglone, (ii) sheds new light on the phylloquinone pathway architecture, and (iii) reveals the circumstances in which producing an allelochemical will be an evolutionarily stable strategy. We envision these results will assist biotechnological efforts to utilize juglone as a novel, natural product-based herbicide.</p>