Design and Synthesis of Inhibitors Targeting the Aspartic Proteases HIV-1 PR and BACE-1

This thesis describes the synthesis of molecules designed for inhibition of two aspartic proteases, viral HIV-1 PR and human BACE-1. It also reports on the structure activity relationships of the targeted enzyme inhibitors. It is estimated that currently 33 million people are infected with HIV, the causative agent of AIDS. The virus targets T-lymphocytes and macrophages of the human immune system. The HIV-1 PR plays an important role in the viral replication, and by inhibiting the enzyme the disease progression can be slowed down or even halted. Herein is reported the design and synthesis of a series of HIV-1 PR inhibitors with novel P2 substituents of which several inhibit the enzyme in the nanomolar range. The aim of the second work was to further develop the inhibitors by the introduction of fluorine. Several attempts were performed to fluorinate different P2-substituents. Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is neurodegenerative, progressive and fatal disorder of the brain. It is associated with accumulation of plaques and tangles that cause impairment and functional decline of brain tissue which result in loss of memory and cognition. The plaques are mainly constituted of amyloid-β peptides that are generated in two steps from the amyloid precursor protein (APP). The cleavage sequence is initiated by the aspartic protease BACE-1, which makes the enzyme a key target in the effort of finding a therapy that aim to slow down the progression of AD. Herein are enclosed the development of two series of potent BACE-1 inhibitors. In the first work a synthetic strategy was developed to truncate a previously reported hydroxyethylene core structure in order to generate more drug-like inhibitors. This generated a series of truncated inhibitors where two amide bonds have been replaced with an ether - or alternatively a secondary amine linkage. A number of these inhibitors show potency against BACE-1. In the second part of the work the aim was investigate the effect of alterations in the P1 position. Five scaffolds with new P1 substituents were designed, synthesized and coupled with two different P2-P3 substituents. This resulted in a series of potent inhibitors that inhibit BACE-1 in the nanomolar range.At the time of the doctoral defense, the following papers were unpublished and had a status as follows: Paper 1: Submitted. Paper 2: Submitted. Paper 3: Manuscript