Edited by Barry HalliwellSPSB2 mediates the proteasomal degradation of iNOS. Inhibitors of SPSB2-iNOS interaction are expected to prolong iNOS lifetime and thereby enhance killing of persistent pathogens. Here, we describe the synthesis and characterization of two redox-stable cyclized peptides containing the DINNN motif required for SPSB2 binding. Both analogues bind with low nanomolar affinity to the iNOS binding site on SPSB, as determined by SPR and 19 F NMR, and efficiently displace full-length iNOS from binding to SPSB2 in macrophage cell lysates. These peptides provide a foundation for future development of redox-stable, potent ligands for SPSB proteins as a potential novel class of anti-infectives.Keywords: anti-infective; cyclic peptide; inducible nitric oxide synthase; redox-stable; SPRY domain of the SOCS-box protein 2 SPSB2 protein plays a key role in modulating the lifetime of iNOS in macrophages during infection [1]. It acts as a negative regulator that recruits an E3 ubiquitin ligase complex that polyubiquitinates iNOS and thereby mediates its proteasomal degradation [1]. SPSB2-deficient macrophages exhibit prolonged iNOS expression, NO production and ultimately enhanced killing of persistent pathogens such as Leishmania major parasites and Mycobacterium tuberculosis, suggesting that inhibitors of the SPSB2-iNOS interaction have potential as a new class of anti-infectives [1].Kuang et al. [1] showed that a linear peptide from the disordered N-terminal region of iNOS, KEEK-DINNNVKKT, bound to SPSB2 with a K D of 13 nM, and that the most important residues mediating this interaction were DINNN, in particular the first, third and fifth residues of this sequence motif. In addition, structural studies by X-ray crystallography revealed that the SPRY domain of SPSB2 binds to Asp184, Asn186 and Asn188 of the DINNN sequence of the VASA peptide, the same motif as in the N-terminal region of iNOS (where the corresponding residues are Asp23, Asn25Abbreviations SPSB2, SPRY domain of the SOCS-box protein 2; iNOS, inducible nitric oxide synthase; SPR, surface plasmon