Hepatitis C viral IRES inhibition by phenazine and phenazine-like molecules

An in vitro assay based on the expression of Fluci reporter gene under the translational control of HCV IRES was used to evaluate and screen compound libraries. A structure-activity relationship study on a phenazine kit was conducted. Our data suggest that an intact phenazine or phenazine-like core with two distal polar substitutions is crucial for potency. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.