A model for compounds active against human rhinovirus-14 based on X-ray crystallography data.

A number of (oxazolinylphenyl)isoxazoles have been synthesized and tested against human rhinovirus-14 (HRV-14). Several of the more active compounds have been examined by X-ray crystallography and their orientation in the compound binding site on the capsid protein of HRV-14 has been determined. Based on the minimum inhibitory concentration against HRV-14 and the X-ray conformation of the compounds, a model has been developed which distinguishes between the space-filling properties of the active and inactive compounds in this series. The model was generated by overlaying composite structures and comparing the van der Waals generated volume maps. The results of this study indicate that inactive compounds display areas of excessive bulk particularly around the phenyl ring, while the active compounds occupy space below the pore area of the compound binding site.