DIARYLETHER INHIBITORS OF FARNESYL-PROTEIN TRANSFERASE

The design and synthesis of simple nonpeptide inhibitors of farnesyl-protein transferase (FTase) are described. Cysteine-derived diarylether frameworks are appropriate structural replacements for the C-terminal tetrapeptide portion of the Ras protein, and possess in vitro potency against FTase. Inhibitory activity is dependent on the ring-substitution pattern, and does not require the presence of a C-terminal carboxylate group. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.