Synthesis of (3S,4S,5S)-trihydroxylpiperidine derivatives as enzyme stabilizers to improve therapeutic enzyme activity in Fabry patient cell lines

A series of 3S,4S,5S-trihydroxylated piperidines bearing structural diversity at C-2 or C-6 positions has been synthesized and tested to determine their ability to stabilize the activity of recombinant human α-Galactosidase A (rh-α-Gal A). Hit molecules were identified by rapid inhibitory activity screening, and then further investigated for their ability to protect this enzyme from thermo-induced denaturation and enhance its activity in Fabry patient cell lines. Our study resulted in the identification of a new class of small molecules as enzyme stabilizers for the potential treatment of Fabry disease. Of these, stabilizer 21 was the most effective, showing a 12-fold increase in rh-α-Gal A activity in Fabry disease cell lines.