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Abstract: Nowadays identification of novel non-peptide β-secretase (BACE-1, hereinafter) inhibitors with low cytotoxicity and good blood–brain barrier (BBB) property holds common interest of drug discovery for Alzheimer’s disease. Twenty SPECS compounds were tested in BACE-1 FRET assays and methylthiazoletetrazolium (MTT) cytotoxicity experiment. Two compounds: 2 and 15 demonstrated IC50 values of 0.53 and 9.4μM. In addition, 2 showed least toxic effect to the neuroblastoma cells. The results from both in silico and in vitro studies provided new pharmacophoric entities for chemical synthesis and optimization on the current discovered BACE-1 small molecule inhibitors. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This Letter describes an efficient approach by integrating virtual screening with bioassay technology for finding small organic inhibitors targeting β-secretase (BACE-1). Fifteen hits with inhibitory potencies ranging from 2.8 to 118μM (IC50) against β-secretase were successfully identified. Compound 12 with IC50 of 2.8μM is the most potent hit against BACE-1. Docking simulation from gold 3.0 suggests putative binding mode of 12 in BACE-1 and potential key pharmacophore groups for further designing of non-peptide compounds as more powerful inhibitors against BACE-1. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]