Compositions and methods for modulating the activity of epstein-barr nuclear antigen 1

Abstract

The present invention embraces compounds that modulate the activity of Epstein-Barr Nuclear Antigen 1 (EBNA1) protein and use thereof in methods for treating latent Epstein-Barr virus infection.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A compound of Formula I 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein
 X is O or NH; and 
 R 1  is a substituted or unsubstituted phenyl, pyridyl or thiazole group. 
 
     
     
         2 . A compound of Formula II 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein
 R 2  is ═O or 2H; 
 R 3  is CR 4 , a substituted or unsubstituted pyridyl group, a pyrimidinyl group, a phenylmorpholine group; an oxazole group, or 
 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         R 4  is a substituted or unsubstituted phenyl group; and 
         R 5  and R 6  are independently a halogen group, a substituted or unsubstituted lower alkyl group, or substituted or unsubstituted methoxy group, with the proviso that when R 2  is ═O and R 5  is H, R 6  is not Cl, C(CH 3 ) 3 , or CF 3 . 
       
     
     
         3 . A compound of Formula III 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         wherein R 7  is a substituted or unsubstituted phenyl, pyridyl, or pyrimidinyl group. 
       
     
     
         4 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of  claim 1  in admixture with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 
     
     
         5 . A method for modulating the activity of Epstein-Barr Nuclear Antigen 1 (EBNA1) protein comprising contacting an EBNA1 protein with an effective amount of a compound of  claim 1  so that the activity of the EBNA1 protein is modulated. 
     
     
         6 . A method for treating a latent Epstein-Barr virus infection comprising administering to a subject in need of treatment a pharmaceutical composition of  claim 4  so that the subject's latent Epstein-Barr virus infection is treated. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the latent Epstein-Barr virus infection is associated with cancer. 
     
     
         8 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of  claim 2  in admixture with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 
     
     
         9 . A method for modulating the activity of Epstein-Barr Nuclear Antigen 1 (EBNA1) protein comprising contacting an EBNA1 protein with an effective amount of a compound of  claim 2  so that the activity of the EBNA1 protein is modulated. 
     
     
         10 . A method for treating a latent Epstein-Barr virus infection comprising administering to a subject in need of treatment a pharmaceutical composition of  claim 8  so that the subject's latent Epstein-Barr virus infection is treated. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the latent Epstein-Barr virus infection is associated with cancer. 
     
     
         12 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of  claim 3  in admixture with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.