Inhibition of (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase by carbodiimides. A structure-activity study.

Nine hydrophobic carbodiimides were synthesized and their chemical reactivities (towards acetic acid) and inhibitory capacities (towards the (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase were measured. No correlation between chemical reactivity and inhibitory efficacy emerges, but a significant effect of molecular bulk on reactivity towards the calcium-protectable carboxyl groups of the ATPase is noted: methyl-substituted compounds inhibit the enzyme in the presence of Ca2+, while aryl- or cyclohexyl-substituted compounds do not inactivate in the presence of Ca2+.