Several carboxylate derivatives with variation at the P1' residue were
synthesized and evaluated as stromelysin (MMP-3) inhibitors. Compound
s containing a biphenyl moiety at P1' were found to be potent inhibito
rs of MMP-3. An X-ray crystal structure of the most potent compound, c
arboxylate 19, revealed an important interaction between the inhibitor
's biphenyl and histidine 224 in the S1' pocket of MMP-3. (C) 1997 Els
evier Science Ltd.