About this Research Topic
Phosphonates are compounds containing a direct C-P bond and possess one or more phosphonate moieties (-PO3H2). They are mimics of naturally-occurring phosphates, and their isometric and isoelectronic analogs. This group is also generally used as a bio-isostere of carboxylate in analogues of acids, amino acids and peptides. Phosphon(in)ate groups are also active mimics of transition state of hydrolysis of amides and esters being effective transition-state inhibitors. Thus, these compounds were used for their bioactive properties (drug, pro-drug), for the design of enzyme inhibitors, for bone targeting, for the design of novel antibacterial and anticancer agents, for medical imaging, for diagnostic purposes or as phosphoantigens. On the other hand, bisphosphonates are well-known active drugs against osteoporosis, with rich chemistry and biology. These applications cover a plethora of research fields including chemistry, biology and physics.
This Research Topic focuses on all aspects of design, identification, synthesis and introduction of new potential phosphonate medicines, including novel synthetic and natural compounds. Original Research articles, Reviews and Perspectives are welcome.
We encourage contributions on the following topics (but not restricted to):
• Novel and improved synthetic methods to prepare phosphonate-based drugs and prodrugs
• Phosphonates as structural analogues
• Phosphonates as transition state analogs
• Natural phosphates as novel drug scaffolds
• Phosphonates as enzyme inhibitors and pathological stones inhibitors (e.g. kidney stones)
• Computer-aided drug design of new potential phosphonate medicines
Keywords: organophosphorus, phosphonate, drug targeting, nucleotides, prodrug
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.