Structure–activity studies of heparan mimetic polyanions for anti-prion therapies

Polysulfated molecules, as the family of heparan mimetics (HMs) and pentosan polysulfate, are considered among the more promising drugs used in experimental models of prion diseases. Regardless of their therapeutic potential, structure–function studies on these polyanions are still missing. Here, we report the syntheses of a library of HMs of different molecular sizes, containing various sulfation and carboxylation levels, and substituted or not by different hydrophobic cores. The HMs capacities to inhibit the accumulation of PrPres in chronically infected cells (ScGT1-7) and their PrPc binding abilities were examined. Our results showed that an optimal size and sulfation degree are needed for optimum activity, that incorporation of hydrophobic moieties increases compounds efficacy and that the presence of carboxymethyl moieties decreases it. These structural features should be considered on the modelling of polyanionic compounds for optimum anti-prion activities and for advancing in the understanding the mechanisms involved in their biological actions.