Monosaccharide and disaccharide mimics: New molecular tools for biology and medicine

Intercellular communication is governed by interactions between surface oli gosaccharides and glycoproteins. The biosynthesis of these molecules involv es glycosidations catalyzed by glycosyltransferases and hydrolysis of O-gly cosyl linkages catalyzed by glycosidases. Monosaccharide and disaccharide m imics such as carbasugars, iminosugars and C-linked disaccharides can be gl ycosidase or glycosyltransferase inhibitors. They are leads as new drugs to treat infective diseases and cancer. The preparation of a conduramine, a p entahydroxyindolizidine, and two C-linked disaccharides are outlined.