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West Nile virus (WNV) is a member of the flavivirus genus belonging to the Flaviviridae family. The viral serine protease NS2B/NS3 has been considered an attractive target for the development of anti-WNV agents. Although several NS2B/NS3 protease inhibitors have been described so far, most of them are reversible inhibitors. Herein, we present a series of α-aminoalkylphosphonate diphenyl esters and their peptidyl derivatives as potent inhibitors of the NS2B/NS3 protease. The most potent inhibitor identified was Cbz-Lys-Arg-(4-GuPhe)P(OPh)2 displaying Ki and k2/Ki values of 0.4 µM and 28 265 M−1s−1, respectively, with no significant inhibition of trypsin, cathepsin G, and HAT protease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Two novel synthetic methods for the preparation of bis(trifluoroethyl) esters of α-aminophosphonic acids are presented. Preliminary results on the application of the compounds synthesized as inhibitors of serine proteases are also reported. Structures originating from α-aminoalkylphosphonate diaryl esters represent a novel class of serine protease inactivators. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]