Total synthesis of miraziridine A and identification of its major reaction site for cathepsin B

The synthesis of miraziridine A, a pentapeptide derivative isolated from marine sponge, and its truncated analogs has been achieved. To construct the backbone of miraziridine A, a side-chain-unprotected vinylogous arginine was condensed with an aziridine-containing fragment prepared by a conventional solid-phase procedure. An analog lacking the vinylogous arginine site showed comparable inhibitory activity with miraziridine A, whereas an analog lacking the aziridine site showed remarkably weak inhibitory activity for cathepsin B.