Thomas J. Prins

Structure-Based Design of Ketone-Containing, Tripeptidyl Human Rhinovirus 3C Protease Inhibitors

Tripeptide-derived molecules incorporating C-terminal ketone electrophiles were evaluated as reversible inhibitors of the cysteine-containing human rhinovirus 3C protease (3CP). An optimized example of such compounds displayed potent 3CP inhibition activity (K = 0.0045 microM) and in vitro antiviral properties (EC50=0.34 microM) when tested against HRV serotype-14.

Structure-based design of irreversible, tripeptidyl human rhinovirus 3C protease inhibitors containing N-methyl amino acids.

Tripeptide-derived molecules incorporating N-methyl amino acid residues and C-terminal Michael acceptor moieties were evaluated as irreversible inhibitors of the cysteine-containing human rhinovirus 3C protease (3CP). Such compounds displayed good 3CP inhibition activity (k(obs)/[I] up to 610,000 M(-1) s(-1)) and potent in vitro antiviral properties (EC50 approaching 0.03 microM) when tested against HRV serotype-14.

Benzothiophene containing Rho kinase inhibitors: Efficacy in an animal model of glaucoma

We identified a new benzothiophene containing Rho kinase inhibitor scaffold in an ultra high-throughput enzymatic activity screen. SAR studies, driven by a novel label-free cellular impedance assay, were used to derive 39, which substantially reduced intraocular pressure in a monkey model of glaucoma-associated ocular hypertension.

Design and synthesis of irreversible depsipeptidyl human rhinovirus 3C protease inhibitors.

Novel tripeptidyl C-terminal Michael acceptors with an ester replacement of the P(2)-P(3) amide bond were investigated as irreversible inhibitors of the human rhinovirus (HRV) 3C protease (3CP). When screened against HRV serotype-14 the best compound was shown to have very good 3CP inhibition (k(obs)/[I]=270,000M(-1)s(-1)) and potent in vitro antiviral activity (EC(50)=7.0nM).