Synthesis and characterization of a potent and selective protein tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor, 2-[(4-methylthiopyridin-2-yl)methylsulfinyl]benzimidazole

The synthesis and biological activity of a series of 2-[(4-methylthiopyridin-2-yl)methylsulfinyl]benzimidazoles are described. These compounds have potent inhibitory effects against the protein tyrosine phosphatase activity of CD45. Enzymatic analysis with several phosphatases revealed that compound 5a had high specificity for CD45 compared with serine/threonine phosphatases (PP1, PP2A), tyrosine phosphatases (LAR, PTP1B and PTP-S2) and dual phosphatase (VHR).