Chitinase Inhibition by Chitobiose and Chitotriose Thiazolines

A good imitation: Di‐ and trisaccharide analogues of the oxazoline intermediate formed during enzymatic hydrolysis of chitin were found to be potent inhibitors of chitinase A. The high affinity and enzymatic stability of a readily synthesized thioamide trisaccharide (two molecules of which are shown in the enzyme active site), and the mechanism‐based mode of inhibition, make this analogue a promising candidate for broad‐spectrum chitinase inhibition.