Heterocyclic Peptide Ketoamides

Abstract

A novel class of peptide α-ketoamides useful for selectively inhibiting calpains, selectively inhibiting cysteine proteases, and generally inhibiting all cysteine proteases, having the formula M-AA2-AA1-CO—NH--(CH₂)n--R₃. Processes for the synthesis of peptidyl α-ketoamide derivatives. Compositions and methods for inhibiting cysteine proteases, inhibiting calpains, and treating disease caused by cysteine proteases and calpains are provided.