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Enhanced metabolism of fucose through fucosidase overexpression is a signature of some cancer types, thus suggesting that fucosidase-targetted ligands could play the role of drug-delivery vectors. Herein, we describe the synthesis of a new series of pyrrolidine-ferrocene conjugates, consisting of a L- fuco-configured dihydroxypyrrolidine as the fucosidase ligand armed with a cytotoxic ferrocenylamine moeity. Three-dimensional structures of several of these fucosidase inhibitors reveal transition-state-mimicking 3 E conformations. Elaboration with the ferrocenyl moiety results in sub-micromolar inhibitors of both bovine and bacterial fucosidases, with the 3D structure of the latter revealing electron density indicative of highly mobile alkylferrocene compounds. The best compounds show a strong antiproliferative effect, with up to 100 % inhibition of the proliferation of MDA-MB-231 cancer cells at 50 μ M. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The synthesis of a series of aryl-substituted cyclic sugar imines was performed via a tandem nucleophilic addition/substitution reaction. The so-obtained ketimines displayed fucosidase inhibitory activities (IC50 =46–556μM). Their reduced counterparts were prepared and assayed after addition of sodium borohydride to the enzymatic assay stock solution. The pyrrolidines strongly inhibit fucosidase (IC50 =0.65–150μM). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Polyhydroxy 4-azaspiro[2.4]heptane derivatives (spirocyclopropyl iminosugars) were prepared in four to six steps from readily available protected aldoses. The key step of the reaction sequence involves a titanium-mediated aminocyclopropanation of glycononitriles with subsequent cyclization. Five new polyhydroxypyrrolidines so-obtained have been evaluated for their ability to inhibit 16 glycosidases. One of them exhibits selective inhibition of α-l-fucosidase from bovine kidney (K i =1.6μM, competitive). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Nitrogen-in-the-ring analogues of l-fucose and l-rhamnose were prepared, which feature a spirocyclopropyl moiety in place of the methyl group of the natural sugar. The synthetic route involved a titanium-mediated aminocyclopropanation of a glycononitrile as the key step. Four new spirocyclopropyl iminosugar analogues were generated, which displayed some activity towards l-fucosidase and l-rhamnosidase. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]