Development of GlcNAc-inspired iminocyclitiols as potent and selective N-acetyl-beta-hexosaminidase inhibitors.

Human N-acetyl-beta-hexosaminidase (Hex) isozymes are considered to be important targets for drug discovery. They are directly linked to osteoarthritis because Hex is the predominant glycosidase released by chondrocytes to degrade glycosaminoglycan. Hex is also associated with lysosomal storage disorders.