Synthesis of (2S,3R,4R)-3,4-dihydroxyarginine and its inhibitory activity against nitric oxide synthase

A synthesis of (2S,3R,4R)-3,4-dihydroxyarginine, a metabolic intermediate of streptothricin, was accomplished. The (3R,4R)-dihydroxy groups were constructed by asymmetric syn-dihydroxylation of (E)-alkene, which was obtained by cross-metathesis of allylamine and l-vinylglycine derivatives. The synthesis of (2S,3S,4S)-3,4-dihydroxyarginine was also achieved in the same manner. The (2S,3R,4R)-3,4-dihydroxyarginine exhibited inhibitory activity against inducible nitric oxide synthase, unlike (2S,3S,4S)-3,4-dihydroxyarginine.