Substrates and inhibitors for prenyl cysteine methyltransferase enzymes

Abstract

Compounds of the formula: ##STR1## in which: R.sup.1 is alkyl of 1 to 3 carbon atoms; R.sup.2 is --COX; wherein X is hydroxy, methyl, amino, thio, H--N--(alkyl of 1 to 3 carbon atoms), N--(alkyl of 1 to 3 carbon atoms).sub.2, or halogen; R.sup.3 is a straight or branched chain alkyl of 10 to 25 carbon atoms, or a straight or branched chain alkene including polyunsaturated alkenes of 10 to 25 carbon atoms; and the alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, ammonium, and substituted ammonium salts thereof when R.sup.2 is --COOH, are substrates and/or inhibitors specifically for prenyl cysteine methyltransferase enzymes which catalyze the methyl transfer from S-adenosylmethionine to the C-termini of proteins and peptides with prenylated cysteine residus at their C-termini. The compounds, as substrates, are particularly suitable for use in assays for qualitatively or quantitatively detecting the farnesyl cysteine methyltransferase enzymes.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.