Marine toxins pose a threat to public health and the seafood industry. One such toxin, isolated from oysters near New Zealand, is gymnodimine 1.Proposed is a total synthesis of this compound featuring a potential biosynthetic pathway - an intramolecular macrocyclization via a Diels- Alder reaction. Macrocyclization via the Diels-Alder reaction is a potentially useful method in organic synthesis, but has been little studied. The proposed synthesis should provide ample quantities of the Diels-Alder precursor, and an opportunity to study this transformation in detail. In addition, chemical synthesis would provide authentic material for the study of the heretofore undefined pharmacology of this neurotoxin. Moreover, chemical synthesis can provide structural analogues for potential use in the treatment of humans afflicted by this toxin.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Type
Postdoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F32)
Project #
3F32NS010736-02S1
Application #
6292660
Study Section
Medicinal Chemistry Study Section (MCHA)
Program Officer
Kitt, Cheryl A
Project Start
1999-09-01
Project End
Budget Start
1999-09-01
Budget End
2000-08-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2000
Total Cost
$5,544
Indirect Cost
Name
Harvard University
Department
Chemistry
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
071723621
City
Cambridge
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
02138