Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Merck Research Laboratories, PO Box 4, West Point, PA 19486, USA. craig_coburn@merck.com
Abstract:
A series of beta-site amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme (BACE-1) inhibitors containing a psi(CH2NH) reduced amide bond were synthesized. Incorporation of this reduced amide isostere as a non-cleavable peptide surrogate afforded inhibitors possessing low nanomolar potencies in both an enzymatic and cell-based assay.