Peptidomimetic inhibitors of cathepsin D and plasmepsins I and II

A compound of the formula IV:

• ##STR47## where X=CWNR, NRCW, S(0).sub.n NR, NRS(O).sub.n, P(0) (Q)NR, NRP(O) (Q), OCWNR, SCWNR;
• W=0, S, NR;
• n=0, 1, 2;
• Q=R, OR, N(R).sub.2 ;
• Y=NRCW, NRS(0) n, NRP(O)(Q);
• Z=CRR', NR, O, S;
• A=an optionally substituted bridging group which is saturated or unsaturated and having 2-15 atoms comprised of any stable combination of C, N, O, or S;
• R=hydrogen, alkoxycarbonyl, aralkoxycarbonyl, alkylcarbonyl, cycloalkylcarbonyl, cycloalkylalkoxycarbonyl, cycloalkylalkanoyl, aralkanoyl, aroyl, aryloxycarbonyl, aryloxycarbonylalkyl, aryloxyalkanoyl, heterocyclylcarbonyl, heterocyclyloxycarbonyl, heterocyclylalkanoyl, heterocyclylalkoxycarbonyl, heteroaralkanoyl, heteroaralkoxycarbonyl, heteroaryloxycarbonyl, heteroaroyl, alkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, aryloxyalkyl, heteroaryloxyalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, aminocarbonyl, aminoalkanoyl, mono- and di-substituted aminocarbonyl and mono- and di-substituted aminoalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, alkylthioalkyl, mono- and di-substituted aminoalkanoyl radicals wherein the substituents are selected from alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heteroaryl, heteroaralkyl, heterocycloalkyl, heterocycloalkylalkyl radicals, or where said aminoalkanoyl radical is di-substituted, said substituents along with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached form a heterocycloalkyl or heteroaryl radical;
• and
• R', R.sub.2 =H, halo, optionally substituted lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, lower alkylthio, mono- or di-lower alkyl amino;
• with the proviso that when X=CONR and Y=NRCO, there is no more than one amide group, CONR or NRCO, in the bridging portion of A.