Synthesis and evaluation of glucosamine-6-phosphate analogues as activators of glmS riboswitch

The glmS riboswitch is a ribozyme found in numerous Gram-positive bacteria and responds to the cellular concentrations of glucosamine 6-phosphate (GlcN6P). Given the importance of GlcN6P for cell wall biosynthesis, the glmS riboswitch has become a new drug target for the development of antibiotics. Herein, we describe the efficient synthesis of three GlcN6P analogues and their evaluation on inducing self-cleavage of the glmS riboswitch from Bacillus subtilis. Our results provide valuable information for further elucidation of the structure–activity relationships and drug design for glmS riboswitch antibiotics.