Optically active tetrahydro-beta-carbolines were synthesized via an ( R)-BINOL-phosphoric acid-catalyzed asymmetric Pictet-Spengler reaction of N-benzyltryptamine with a series of aromatic and aliphatic aldehydes. The tetrahydro-beta-carbolines were obtained in yields ranging from 77% to 97% and with ee values up to 87%. The triphenylsilyl-substituted BINOL-phosphoric acid proved to be the catalyst of choice for the reaction with aromatic aldehydes. For the aliphatic aldehydes, 3,5-bistrifluoromethylphenyl-substituted BINOL-phosphoric acid was identified as the best catalyst.

Galectin-7 is a soluble unglycosylated lectin that is able to bind specifically to β-galactosides. It has been described to be involved in apoptosis, proliferation and differentiation, but also in cell adhesion and migration. Several disorders and diseases are discussed by covering the aforementioned biological processes. Structural features of galectin-7 are discussed as well as targeting the protein intracellularly or extracellularly. The exact molecular mechanisms that lie behind many biological processes involving galectin-7 are not known. It is therefore useful to come up with chemical probes or tools in order to obtain knowledge of the physiological processes. The objective of this review is to summarize the roles and functions of galectin-7 in the human body, providing reasons why it is necessary to design inhibitors for galectin-7, to give the reader structural insights and describe its current inhibitors.

SEWGOBIND, N. V.; WANNER, M. J.; INGEMANN, S.; DE GELDER, R.; VAN MAARSEVEEN, J. H.; HIEMSTRA*, H.; J. Org. Chem. 73 (2008) 16, 6405-6408; Inst. Mol. Sci., Univ. Amsterdam, NL-1018 WS Amsterdam, Neth.; Eng.) -Jannicke 52-161