ALLM (Calpain Inhibitor)

ALLM (Calpain Inhibitor) is a cell-permeable, peptide aldehyde inhibitor of calpain I (K_i = 120 nM) and calpain II (K_i = 230 nM). ALLM acts as a very potent inhibitor of cathepsin L (K_i = 0.6 nM) and the strongest inhibitor of cathepsin B (K_i = 100 nM) amongst the peptide aldehydes. This compound inhibits the processing of malaria aspartic hemoglobinases plasmepsins I and II in vitro. ALLM also inhibits other neutral cysteine proteases, and activation-induced programmed cell death. It restores defective immune responses in HIV+ donors. ALLM blocks nitric oxide production by activated macrophages by interfering with transcription of the inducible nitric oxide synthase gene. ALLM also acts as a weak inhibitor of proteasome.