METHYL ALPHA-GLYCOSIDE OF N-THIOACETYL-D-NEURAMINIC ACID - A POTENTIAL INHIBITOR OF INFLUENZA-A VIRUS - A H-1-NMR STUDY

The binding of influenza A virus hemagglutinin to its cell surface rec eptor, alpha-linked 5-N-acetylneuraminic acid (sialic acid), was studi ed in solution. The effect of structural modifications introduced into the N-acetyl group of the sialic acid on the binding was monitored by determining the dissociation constants by proton nuclear magnetic res onance (H-1 NMR) spectroscopy. Methyl alpha-glycoside of N-thioacetyln euraminic acid showed high, whereas the corresponding N-methylcarbamoy lneuraminic acid exhibited relatively low binding affinity towards the hemagglutinin.