Synthesis and inhibitory properties of a thiomethylmercuric sialic acid with application to the X-ray structure determination of 9-O-acetylsialic acid esterase from influenza C virus Original Research Article

2-α-Thiomethylmercuryl 9-acetamido-9-deoxy-sialoside was prepared and found to inhibit the 9-O-acetylsialic acid esterase from influenza C virus in a competitive manner with a Ki of 4.2±0.5 mM. The inhibitor is being used in the X-ray determination of the crystal structure of the esterase.