Low micromolar inhibitors of galectin-3 based on 3'-derivatization of N-acetyllactosamine.
A strategy for generating potential galectin inhibitors was devised based on derivatization at the C-3′ atom in 3′-amino-N-acetyllactosamine by using structural knowledge of the galectin carbohydrate recognition site. A collection of 12 compounds was prepared by N-acylations or N-sulfonylations. Hydrophobic tagging of the O-3 atom in the N-acetylglucosamine residue with a stearic ester allowed rap