Structure-activity correlation between natural glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and mimics: A biomimetic concept for the design and synthesis of more efficient GPx mimics

Among the organoselenium compounds that mimic the action of the natural enz yme glutathione peroxidase (GPx), there are certain basic differences in th e activity, substrate specificity and mechanism. These differences arise ma inly from the nature of the substituents near the reaction center, and stab ility and reactivity of the intermediates. As an attempt to draw some gener al concepts for the development of new mimics, a structure - activity corre lation between natural GPx and some existing mimics is described.