Chirality holds the key for potent inhibition of the botulinum neurotoxin serotype a protease.

ABSTRACT: Botulinum neurotoxin serotype A (BoNT/A) is the most toxic protein known to man and also a bioterrorism agent. As defined by our previous research targeting the etiological agent responsible for BoNT/A intoxication, a protease, we now report on the asymmetric synthesis of four new BoNT/A inhibitors; the most potent of this series is roughly 2-fold more active than the best small molecule inhibitor currently known.

SUBMITTER: Stowe GN 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2821465 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature