Design, Synthesis and Evaluation of AdSS Bisubstrate Inhibitors.

Many cancers lack the expression of methylthioadenosine phosphorylase (MTAP). These cancers require adenylosuccinate synthetase (AdSS) for nucleic acid synthesis. By inhibiting adenylosuccinate synthetase, we potentially have a new therapeutic agent. Bisubstrate inhibitors were synthesized and evaluated against purified AdSS. The best activity was obtained with adenosine bearing a four-carbon linker that connects the N-formyl-N-hydroxy moiety to the 6-position of the purine nucleoside.