астаноспермин

Glucosidases catalyze the cleavage of individual glucosyl residues from various glycoconjugates, including complex carbohydrates and glycoproteins. Castanospermine is an inhibitor of both α- and β-glucosidases, inhibiting lysosomal and neutral α-glucosidases with K_i values of 0.1 and 10 μM, respectively, and lysosomal and cytosolic β-glucosidases with K_i values of 7 and 40 μM, respectively. It is effective both in vitro and in vivo. Through its effects on glucosidases, castanospermine blocks N-linked glycosylation during post-translational modification of proteins, affecting protein trafficking and cell functions that are dependent on glycosylation, including angiogenesis. Castanospermine also interferes with viral replication and infection that is dependent on glucosidase activity.

White Crystalline Solid

The seeds of Castanospermum australe yield this simple alkaloid. It forms colourless crystals from EtOH and is dextrorotatory with a specific rotation of [α]D25 +79.7° (c 0.93, H20). Castano spermine has been characterized as the crystalline methiodide, m.p. 11O-112°C.

Castanospermine is a plant alkaloid shown to be a potent inhibitor of lysosomal a-or beta- glucosidase. It also inhibits mammalian glucosidase 1 and beta-mannosidase from sweet almonds and fungal beta-xylosidase.

Potent inhibitor of α - and β -glucosidases, especially glucosidase l (required for glucoprotein processing by transfer of mannose and glucose from asparagine-linked lipids). Inhibits HIV syncytium formation and replication.