Synthesis and activity of gamma-(L-gamma-azaglutamyl)-S-(p-bromobenzyl)-L-cysteinylglycine: a metabolically stable inhibitor of glyoxalase I

Bioorg Med Chem Lett. 1999 Mar 22;9(6):853-6. doi: 10.1016/s0960-894x(99)00097-9.

Abstract

The inhibition of glyoxalase I enzyme to increase cellular levels of methylglyoxal has been developed as a rationale for the production of anticancer agents. Synthesis of a peptidomimetic analog of the previously prepared potent glyoxalase inhibitor, S-(p-bromobenzyl)glutathione (PBBG), was accomplished by inserting a urea linkage, NH-CO-NH, to replace the gamma-glutamyl peptide bond. Thus, the target compound, gamma-(L-gamma-azaglutamyl)-S-(p-bromobenzyl)-L-cysteinylglycine 6, was a potent inhibitor of glyoxalase I with almost no loss of activity when compared to PBBG. However, unlike PBBG, 6 was completely resistant to enzymatic degradation by kidney homogenate or by purified gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase enzyme.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Aza Compounds / chemical synthesis*
  • Chromatography, Thin Layer
  • Glutathione / analogs & derivatives*
  • Glutathione / chemical synthesis
  • Glutathione / pharmacology
  • Kidney / metabolism
  • Lactoylglutathione Lyase / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Mice
  • Models, Chemical
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Aza Compounds
  • gamma-(gamma-azaglutamyl)cysteinylglycine
  • S-(4-bromobenzyl)glutathione
  • Lactoylglutathione Lyase
  • Glutathione