Fluorescent primuline derivatives inhibit hepatitis C virus NS3-catalyzed RNA unwinding, peptide hydrolysis and viral replicase formation

► Characterized NS3 RNA helicase inhibitors synthesized from the dye primuline. ► Discovered that a subset of primuline derivatives also inhibit the NS3 protease. ► Showed that some primuline derivatives are also potent inhibitors of Dengue virus NS3. ► Found a primuline derivative active against the HCV subgenomic replicon.