S. Nishikawa et al., Crystal structure and conformation of beta-substituted (Z)- and (E)-6-styrylpurines as conformer models, J AGR FOOD, 48(11), 2000, pp. 5302-5306
Crystal structures of conformationally restricted (Z)- and (E)-6-styrylpuri
nes with the beta -substituents involving hydrogen, chlorine, and bromine a
toms as well as a methylthio group were studied as conformer models of NG-a
denines in relation to active conformation of cytokinins. X-ray crystallogr
aphic analyses confirmed that all of the trans-isomers exist in an anti con
formation, whereas the cis-isomers except the (E)-methylthio derivative ado
pt a syn conformation. The derivative with a bulky beta -substituent was fo
und to be in an anti conformation in contrast to the other cis-isomers. The
preferred anti conformation and potent cytokinin activity of the trans-iso
mers supports the anti-transoid form as the most plausible active conformat
ion of N-6-adenines. In addition, it is likely that the syn-cisoid form of
N-6-adenines is also involved in receptor binding, by considering both the
preferred syn conformation of the cis-isomers and their moderate activity,
although it does not play a major role compared to the anti-transoid form.