Abstract: A method of delivering a drug to a hepatocyte includes a step in which a carboxamidine group-containing compound is provided to a hepatocyte having a transporter that transports the compound across the plasma membrane of the hepatocyte, wherein the transport of the compound is substantially not inhibited by ribavirin. Further contemplated methods include a method of inhibiting growth of a virus of a family of flaviviridae in a cell containing system, in which contemplated compounds are presented to a cell in the cell containing system.

Abstract: Substituted isothiazole compounds and compositions are provided, wherein particularly preferred compositions and methods are directed towards inhibition of various protein kinases (especially MEK and/or ERK). Consequently, particularly preferred methods include treatment of diseases associated with abnormality in MEK and/or ERK function.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical compositions comprise a nucleotide analog with a phosphonate group at a concentration effective to act as a substrate and/or inhibitor of a viral polymerase, and especially of the HCV RNA dependent RNA polymerase.

Abstract: A drug is modified by covalently coupling a blocking group to the drug via a nitrogen atom in the blocking group. The blocking group in the modified drug prevents metabolic conversion and sequestration of the drug in non-target cells, and the blocking group is enzymatically removed in the target cell. Particularly contemplated advantages of presented compounds and methods include reduction of cytotoxicity by inhibition of metabolic conversion to potentially cytotoxic metabolites, reduction of dosages of drugs by reduction of sequestration into non-target cells, and increase of selectivity of a drug.

Abstract: Nucleosides, novel nucleoside analog compounds and their novel prodrug forms are disclosed. The novel compounds, prodrugs, or pharmaceutically acceptable esters or salts thereof may be used in pharmaceutical compositions, and such compositions may be used to treat an infection, an infestation, a neoplasm, or an autoimmune disease. The novel compounds may also be used to modulate aspects of the immune system, including modulation of Type 1 and Type 2 activity.

Abstract: A polymerase inhibitor has first moiety coupled to a second moiety via an optional linker in which the first moiety binds to an initiation nucleotide binding site of a polymerase and forms at least two hydrogen bonds with an RNA template strand that is associated with the polymerase, and in which the second moiety comprised a compound that binds to a site proximal to the nucleotide binding site of the polymerase and thereby increases the affinity of the polymerase inhibitor to the polymerase.

Abstract: The invention relates to the purification, crystallization of and structure of hepatitis C virus (HCV) NS5B RNA-dependent RNA polymerase. Also, crystallization conditions for NS5B are provided. Further, the atomic coordinates for the NS5B protein are disclosed. Examples of its use for the determination of the three-dimensional atomic structures of HCV NS5B or HCV NS5B in complex with substrates or substrate analogs or inhibitors are also provided.

Abstract: A purine nucleoside analog includes a pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidine or a pyrimido[4,5-d]pyrimidine and further has a sugar moiety that is optionally modified at the C2′, C3′, C4′ and/or C5′ position. Particularly contemplated compounds also include prodrug forms of the purine nucleoside analogs, and both purine nucleoside analogs and the corresponding prodrugs are employed in the reduction of growth of neoplastic cells.

Abstract: Conformationally restricted 2′, 4′-bridged nucleoside analogues are described herein. The compounds can be prepared by cyclization at C2′ and C4′ of nucleosides through a linker or linking molecule. These novel nucleosides have a desired, locked sugar pucker and are potentially useful as pharmaceutical ingredients, and especially for use in treatment of HCV.

Abstract: The invention relates to the purification, crystallization of and structure of hepatitis C virus (HCV) NS5B RNA-dependent RNA polymerase. Also, crystallization conditions for NS5B are provided. Further, the atomic coordinates for the NS5B protein are disclosed. Examples of its use for the determination of the three-dimensional atomic structures of HCV NS5B or HCV NS5B in complex with substrates or substrate analogs or inhibitors are also provided.

Abstract: This invention provides efficient HCV replicase complexes comprising novel RNA template and primer pair. Assay systems are also provided, which use such complexes, for detecting replicase activity, quantitatively studying the kinetics and mechanism of HCV NS5B-catalyzed nucleotide incorporation, and identifying inhibitors of HCV replicase. The assay systems use small and well-defined synthetic RNAs which allow efficient assembly of all catalytic components in the quaternary complex for HCV NS5B-directed RNA replication. Specific template-primer requirements for efficient RNA synthesis by HCV NS5B replicase are provided for use in assay systems.

Abstract: Methods for generation of nucleoside libraries are provided in which nucleosides or nucleoside precursors (e.g., a sugar or a base) are coupled to a solid phase and sequentially reacted with various substrates.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine nucleoside analogs having substituents at the C4′ and C5′ positions of the ribofuranose moiety are presented. Contemplated compositions exhibit, among other things, anti-cancer and immunomodulating effects at reduced cytotoxicity.

Abstract: A chimeric bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) that depends on a hepatitis C virus (HCV). The invention further relates to using the chimeric, infectious virus to screen for HCV NS3 inhibitor compounds in cell culture models or in animal models of viral infection.

Abstract: The present invention relates to identification of the features of an RNA template that provide for efficient “copy-back” self-priming activity of hepatitis C virus replicase. This activity can be used to screen for anti-HCV replicase compounds, or to characterize the biological relevance of lead compounds that have already been identified. The specific features of the optimal RNA templates can be used for developing a system to characterize HCV NS5B polymerase mechanistically and kinetically, and for designing small RNA molecules to co-crystallize with HCV NS5B polymerase.

Abstract: This invention relates to nucleic acids encoding HCV/GBV-B constructs and chimeric, infectious HCV/GBV-B viruses that comprise a non-structural (NS) protein function of hepatitis C virus (HCV). The invention further relates to methods for using the nucleic acid constructs and chimeric, infectious viruses to screen for HCV inhibitors in cell culture models or in animal models of viral infection.

Abstract: The present invention relates to identification of a novel, de novo priming activity of hepatitis C virus replicase. This activity can be used to screen for anti-HCV replicase compounds, or to characterize the biological relevance of lead compounds that have already been identified.