Abstract
Cell-surface complex carbohydrates as glycoconjugates mediate cell-to-cell communication, cell-cell recognition and the “social behavior” of cells. Glycosidases and glycosyltransferases are responsible for the control of these functions by the metabolism of cell-surface carbohydrates. On the one hand the inhibitors of these enzymes contribute to the investigations of several important biochemical processes through the better understanding of the mechanism of action of these enzymes, while on the other hand they are of pharmaceutical interest in the treatment of metabolic diseases associated with changes in the levels of these enzymes, or caused by these enzymes from other species.
The present article discusses the progress in the synthesis, biochemistry and pharmacology of the natural glycosidase inhibitors with the structural relationship to carbohydrates.
