Abstract
The analysis of the S3 binding region of the Hepatitis C Virus NS3 serine protease allowed replacing the P3 amino acid of a-ketoacid tripeptide inhibitors with an amphiphilic capping group. The binding mode of α-ketoacid (8) (IC50 = 1 μM) and the role of the amphiphilic group in non-covalent phenethylamide inhibitor (15) (IC50 = 21 μM) will be discussed.
Keywords: hcv, ns3/ns4a protease, dipeptide inhibitors