FACILE SYNTHESIS OF (R)N-2-HYDROXYACYL-L-CYSTEINE DERIVATIVES - (R)N-2-HYDROXYACYL TRANSFER FROM ENZYMATICALLY-SYNTHESIZED (R)S-2-HYDROXYACYLGLUTATHIONE DERIVATIVES TO L-CYSTEINE

N-(R)-2-Hydroxyacyl-L-cysteine derivatives were conveniently synthesiz ed by the reaction of the corresponding S-(R)-2-hydroxyacyl-glutathion e with cysteine. The (R)2-hydroxyacyl group was transferred from the S -glutathionyl moiety to S-cysteinyl, forming the corresponding (R)S-2- hydroxyacylcysteine; this rearranged to the (R)N-hydroxyacylcysteine. These compounds have anti-proliferative activity associated with the i nhibition of de novo pyrimidine synthesis.