Journal of Medicinal Chemistry 1994-04-01

Synthesis of L-thiocitrulline, L-homothiocitrulline, and S-methyl-L-thiocitrulline: a new class of potent nitric oxide synthase inhibitors.

K Narayanan, O W Griffith

Index: J. Med. Chem. 37 , 885, (1994)

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Abstract

Nitric oxide synthase catalyzes the NADPH- and O2-dependent conversion of L-arginine to L-citrulline and nitric oxide. L-Thiocitrulline, L-homothiocitrulline, and S-methyl-L-thiocitrulline, novel citrulline analogs, have been synthesized and are shown to be potent inhibitors of both the constitutive brain and the inducible smooth muscle isoforms of nitric oxide synthase. Although many N omega-monosubstituted arginine derivatives inhibit nitric oxide synthase, inhibitory citrulline derivatives have not previously been reported. S-Methyl-L-thiocitrulline is significantly more potent than N omega-methyl-L-arginine, the prototypic nitric oxide synthase inhibitor.