Cyclic Peptide Natural Product Inspired Inhibitors of the Free-Living Amoeba .

is a pathogenic free-living amoeba (pFLA) that can cause infection of the central nervous system (CNS), called amoebic encephalitis (BAE), as well as cutaneous and systemic diseases. Patients infected with have a high mortality rate due to a lack of effective treatments. A nonoptimized antimicrobial drug regimen is typically recommended; however, it has poor antiparasitic activity and can cause various and severe side effects.

Discovery and Development of Cyclic Peptide Proteasome Stimulators.

The proteasome degrades proteins, which is essential for cellular homeostasis. Ubiquitin independent proteolysis degrades highly disordered and misfolded proteins. A decline of proteasomal activity has been associated with multiple neurodegenerative diseases due to the accumulation of misfolded proteins.