Glutarimide: a carrier transporting drug through cell membranes.

It is suggested that glutarimide moiety (2,6-piperidinedione) with the intact imide group (OC-NH-CO) and substituted at alpha or beta position in the ring, is acting as the carrier molecule (vector), which transports biologically active substituents (functional groups) through cell membranes. The results obtained from quantum chemical calculations and experimental studies indicate that structural features and physicochemical properties of glutarimide moiety are remarkably similar with those of uracil derivatives. Therefore, glutarimide drug may interact with specific receptors involved in transport of uracil and thymine nucleosides and it may easily cross biological membranes. (c) 2000 Harcourt Publishers Ltd.