alpha-chymotrypsin and bevirimat

This study discovered that betulinic acid (BA) is a potent proteasome activator that preferentially activates the chymotrypsin-like activity of the proteasome. Chemical modifications can transform BA into proteasome inhibitors. Chemical modifications at the C-3 position of BA resulted in compounds, such as dimethylsuccinyl BA (DSB), with various inhibitory activities against the human 20S proteasome. Interestingly, the proteasomal activation by BA and the inhibitory activity of DSB could be abrogated by introducing a side chain at the C-28 position. In summary, this study discovered a class of small molecules that can either activate or inhibit human proteasome activity depending on side chain modifications.

Topics: Betulinic Acid; Cell Line, Tumor; Chymotrypsin; Enzyme Activation; Humans; Pentacyclic Triterpenes; Protease Inhibitors; Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex; Proteasome Inhibitors; Succinates; Triterpenes