STUDIES ON CEPHEM SULFONES AS MECHANISM-BASED INACTIVATORS OF HUMAN-LEUKOCYTE ELASTASE .4. REACTIONS ENSUING FROM ENZYMATIC BETA-LACTAM CLEAVAGE

Interaction of elastase with 7alpha-methoxycephem sulfones has been in vestigated by a combination of HPLC and H-1 NMR methods. Products aris ing from enzymatic cleavage have been characterized; observed events w ere opening of the beta-lactam ring, decarboxylation of the resulting acid, opening of the dihydrothiazine ring, and expulsion of the C3' le aving group (if present). In the light of obtained results, putative s tructures responsible for inhibition and turnover are proposed and dis cussed.