Selectively guanidinylated derivatives of neamine. Syntheses and inhibition of anthrax lethal factor protease.

A series of mono-, di-, and tri-guanidinylated derivatives of neamine were prepared via selective guanidinylation of neamine. These molecules represent a novel scaffold as inhibitors of anthrax lethal factor zinc metalloprotease. Methods for the synthesis of these compounds are described, and structure–activity relationships among the series are analyzed. In addition, initial findings regarding the mechanism of LF inhibition for these molecules are presented.