EPSP synthase inhibitor design II. The importance of the 3-phosphate group for ligand binding at the shikimate-3-phosphate site & the identification of 3-malonate ethers as novel 3-phosphate mimics.

Studies using alternate substrates, inhibitor product mimics and new derivatives of 4,5-dideoxy-shikimate-3-phosphate (ddS3P) are reported which indicate that the 3-phosphate group contributes significantly to substrate and inhibitor recognition at the shikimate 3-phosphate (S3P) site and that 3-malonate ethers will function as suitable 3-phosphate replacements for substrate and inhibitor binding to the S3P site of this enzyme.