Abstract

MELO, Eduardo Borges de  and  CARVALHO, Ivone. a and b-glucosidases as molecular targets for drug development. Quím. Nova [online]. 2006, vol.29, n.4, pp. 840-843. ISSN 0100-4042.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0100-40422006000400036.

Glucosidases are involved in key steps in the processing of oligosaccharides by cleaving O-glucose residues. Since they catalyze breaking and transfer reactions of glucosidic groups for the normal growth and development of all the cells, defects or genetic deficiencies in these enzymes are associated with serious disorders of the carbohydrate metabolism. Thus, glucosidases represent important targets to develop inhibitors, owing to their potential activities against viruses, tumoral growth and metastasis, diabetes, Gaucher's disease and other syndromes associated with the lisosomal storage of glucoesphingolipids, and osteoarthritis. This paper presents a description of the biochemical pathways and mechanisms of a and b-glucosidases, and the currently available drugs capable to inhibit these enzymes.

Keywords : a and b-glucosidases; diabetes and Gaucher's diseases; HIV.