Fluorinated oligopeptides, especially those having 4,4-difluoro-2-amino
butyric acid at the C terminus, may be effective inhibitors of hepatitis C
virus NS3 protease. Examples of hexapeptides of the invention, optimized
for binding in the S1 specificity pocket of the enzyme, may display
IC.sub.50 s at the sub-micromolar level. Embodiments of tripeptides of the
invention, having a keto-acid group at the C-terminus are, likewise,
potent inhibitors of NS3 protease.
Os oligopeptides fluorinated, especial aqueles que têm o ácido 4,4-difluoro-2-amino butyric no término de C, podem ser inibidores eficazes do protease do vírus NS3 do hepatitis C. Os exemplos dos hexapeptides da invenção, optimized ligando no bolso do specificity S1 do enzyme, podem indicar IC.sub.50 s no nível secundário-micromolar. As incorporações dos tripeptides da invenção, tendo um grupo do keto-acid no C-término são, do mesmo modo, inibidores potent do protease NS3.
