Compounds and Methods Used to Treat Infectious Diseases

Abstract

The present invention concerns alkyl aryl carbonyl compounds that possess anti-infective activity. The compounds of the invention can be used to target specific nuclear localization signal, thereby blocking importation of specific proteins or molecular complex into the nucleus of a cell. The invention encompasses methods of use of such compounds for treatment or prevention of infectious diseases, such as parasitic and viral diseases, including, for example, malaria and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. The use of the compounds to detect certain specific protein structures which are present in nuclear localization sequences is also taught.

1 . A method for inactivating a nuclear localization signal of a protein comprising contacting the protein with a compound that is capable of stable reversible binding with basic amino acid residues of the nuclear localization signal of the protein. 
     
     
         2 - 25 . (canceled)