Synthesis and evaluation of alpha-fucosidase inhibitory activity of 5a-carba-alpha-L-fucopyranose and alpha-DL-fucopyranosylamine.

5a-Carba-alpha-L-fucopyranose and -alpha-DL-fucopyranosylamine were synthesized in conventional manner starting from 2,3,4-tri-O-acetyl-6-bromo-6-deoxy-5a-carba-beta-D- and -DL-glucopyranosyl bromides, respectively, and assayed for inhibitory activity against alpha-fucosidase (bovine kidney). Although the former proved to be only a moderate inhibitor (Ki = 4.3 x 10(-5) M), the latter could be shown to possess strong inhibitory potential (Ki = 2.3 x 10(-7) M). Diastereoisomeric imino-linked 5a'-carbadisaccharides were synthesized by coupling of the racemic 5a-carba-alpha-fucopyranosylamine and 1,6:3,4-dianhydro-2-azido-2-deoxy-beta-D-galactopyranose, in order to estimate approximately the inhibitory activity of individual optical antipodes of 5a-carba-alpha-fucopyranosylamine.