3-Amino-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines have been identified as a novel class of Mycobacterium tuberculosis glutamine synthetase inhibitors. Moreover, these compounds represent the first drug-like inhibitors of this enzyme. A series of compounds exploring structural diversity in the pyridine and phenyl rings have been synthesized and biologically evaluated. Compound 4n was found to be the most potent inhibitor (IC50 = 0.38 +/- 0.02 mu M). This compound was significantly more potent than the known inhibitors, L-methionine-SR-sulfoximine and phosphinothricin. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.