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Updated: Jan 23, 2026

Detection of Protease Activity by Fluorescent Peptide Zymography
Published on: January 20, 2019
Backbone modifications in peptidic inhibitors of flaviviral proteases
Alexander K M H Jakob1, Tom R Sundermann1, Christian D Klein1
1Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy and Molecular Biotechnology (IPMB), Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 364, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
Abstract:
The NS2B-NS3 protease is a promising target for the development of drugs against dengue virus (DENV), West Nile virus (WNV) and related flaviviruses. We report the systematic variation of the peptide backbone of the two lead compounds Bz-Arg-Lys-d-Phg-NH2 and Bz-Arg-Lys-d-Phg(OBn)-NH2. While inhibitory activity against WNV protease was generally decreased, the inhibitory potency against DENV protease could be conserved and increased in several peptidomimetics, particularly in those containing a (NMe)arginine fragment or an N-terminal α-keto amide. Methylation at the α-position of the C-terminal phenylglycine led to a 6-fold higher potency against DENV protease. Peptidomimetics with modified backbone showed increased resistance against hydrolytic attack by trypsin and α-chymotrypsin.
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