Synthesis of the trypanosomatid metabolites trypanothione, and N 1-mono- and N 8-mono-glutathionylspermidine

Abstract

The trypanosomatid metabolite trypanothione [N¹,N⁸-bis(glutathionyl)spermidine] and its biosynthetic co-metabolites the isomeric N¹- and N⁸-mono-glutathionylspermidines have been synthesised by a mild route which involves coupling of glycinyl-spermidine derivatives to a functionally protected γ-glutamylcysteine dipeptide.