Synthesis of Imidazole and Histidine-Derived Cross-Linkers as Analogues of GOLD and Desmosine

Amino acid derivatives with a central cationic heterocyclic core (e.g., imidazolium) are biologically relevant cross-linkers of proteins and advanced glycation end (AGE) products. Here, imidazolium-containing cross-linkers were synthesized from imidazole or histidine by N-alkylation employing aspartate- and glutamate-derived mesylates as key step. Biological investigations were carried out to probe the biocompatibility of these compounds.