Aromatic inhibitors of dehydroquinate synthase: Synthesis, evaluation and implications for gallic acid biosynthesis

The role of the active site metal in determining binding to 3-dehydroquinat e synthase has been examined. Protocatechuic acid, catechol, and derivative s of these aromatics were synthesized that shared the common element of an ortho dihydroxylated benzene ring. Inhibition constants were determined for each aromatic as well as the variation of this inhibition as a function of whether Co+2 or Zn+2 was the active site metal ion. (C) 2001 Elsevier Scie nce Ltd. All rights reserved.