Total synthesis of lactacystin and salinosporamide A

Lactacystin and salinosporamide A are fascinating molecules with regard to both their chemical structures and biological activities. These naturally occurring compounds are potent and selective proteasome inhibitors. The molecular structures are characterized by their densely functionalized gamma-lactam cores. The structure and biological properties of these two compounds are attracting the attention of many chemists as challenging synthetic targets. We discuss their synthetic strategies in this review.