We have designed and evaluated 45 linear analogues of the natural constrained cyclopeptide TMC-95A.These synthetically less demanding molecules are based on the tripeptide sequence Y-N-W of TMC-95A.Structural variations in the amino acid side chains and termini greatly influenced both the efficiency andselectivity of action on a given type of active site. Inhibition constants were submicromolar (
Ki ![](/images/entities/ap.gif)
300 nM)despite the absence of the entropically favorable constrained conformation that is characteristic of TMC-95A and its cyclic analogues. These linear compounds were readily prepared and reasonably stable in culturemedium and could be optimized to inhibit one, two, or all three proteasome catalytic sites. Cytotoxicityassays performed on a series of human tumor cell lines identified the most potent inhibitors in cells.