This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. Our goal for this project is to design and synthesize novel peptide and peptidomimetic inhibitors, specifically targeted against proteases central to the pathogenesis of malaria, schistosomiasis and hepatitis A. In the absence of X-ray structure of cysteine protease of our interest, we have simulated the enzyme model based on sequence homology to other cysteine proteases. We have designed and synthesized a wide variety of chemical compounds which include heteroaromatic inhibitors, peptide-based and peptidomimetic inhibitors. Mass spectrometry has played an important role in association with 1NMR, 13C NMR, 19F NMR and 31P NMR in characterizing these lead compounds of diverse chemical nature and background. Mass Spectrometry will remain an integral part of our research in analyzing the next generation of inhibitors.
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