Structure-based design of highly selective β-secretase inhibitors: synthesis, biological evaluation, and protein-ligand X-ray crystal structure

The structure-based design, synthesis, and X-ray structure of protein-ligand complexes of exceptionally potent and selective β-secretase inhibitors are described. The inhibitors are designed specifically to interact with S(1)' active site residues to provide selectivity over memapsin 1 and cathepsin D. Inhibitor 5 has exhibited exceedingly potent inhibitory activity (K(i) = 17 pM) and high selectivity over BACE 2 (>7000-fold) and cathepsin D (>250000-fold). A protein-ligand crystal structure revealed important molecular insight into these selectivities. These interactions may serve as an important guide to design selectivity over the physiologically important aspartic acid proteases.