Structure-based design of a parallel synthetic array directed toward the discovery of irreversible inhibitors of human rhinovirus 3C protease.

Utilizing the tools of parallel synthesis and structure-based design, a new class of Michael acceptor-containing, irreversible inhibitors of human rhinovirus 3C protease (HRV 3CP) was discovered. These inhibitors are shown to inhibit HRV-14 3CP with rates of inactivation ranging from 886 to 31 400 M(-1) sec(-1). These inhibitors exhibit antiviral activity when tested against HRV-14 infected H1-HeLa cells, with EC(50) values ranging from 1.