Structure-Guided Design, Synthesis, and Characterization of Next-Generation Meprin β Inhibitors.

The metalloproteinase meprin β emerged as a current drug target for the treatment of a number of disorders, among those fibrosis, inflammatory bowel disease and Morbus Alzheimer. A major obstacle in the development of metalloprotease inhibitors is target selectivity to avoid side effects by blocking related enzymes with physiological functions. Here, we describe the structure-guided design of a novel series of compounds, based on previously reported highly active meprin β inhibitors.