Design and synthesis of 2-acetamidomethyl derivatives of isofagomine as potential inhibitors of human lysosomal beta-hexosaminidases.

As part of a program towards the development of specific inhibitors of human lysosomal beta-hexosaminidase for use as chemical chaperones in therapy of G(M2) gangliosidosis related diseases, the synthesis of 2-acetamidomethyl derivatives of isofagomine has been undertaken. Key event in this synthesis is the conversion of a C-2 substituted gluconolactone derivative into the corresponding lactam, followed by reduction to the corresponding amine. The 1-N-imino-2 acetamidomethyl derivative 5 proved to be a rather selective inhibitor with a K(i) of 2.4 microM for homogenate of human spleen lysosomal beta-hexosaminidase.