HEPATITIS C PROTEASE EXOSITE FOR INHIBITOR DESIGN

摘要

This invention relates to a novel method of hepatitis C protease inhibition through interaction with a novel exosite remote from the active site but overlapping with P4'-P6'region of the extended substrate binding site. In particular, the present invention provides a description of a region of the enzyme and structure activity relationships of peptides with affinity for this exosite. Ligands binding in the exosite are competitive with larger substrates such as the physiological substrate. As such, exploitation of the exosite represents a therapeutic for the hepatitis C disease.