The present invention concerns alkyl aryl carbonyl compounds that possess anti-infective
activity. The compounds of the invention can be used to target specific nuclear
localization signal, thereby blocking importation of specific proteins or molecular
complex into the nucleus of a cell. The invention encompasses methods of use of
such compounds for treatment or prevention of infectious diseases, such as parasitic
and viral diseases, including, for example, malaria and acquired immunodeficiency
syndrome. The use of the compounds to detect certain specific protein structures
which are present in nuclear localization sequences is also taught.
