Analysis Note

Leupeptin gives multiple peaks on HPLC due to equilibria among three forms in solution. Purity determined using three main peaks. Majority of contaminating peptide is racemized leupeptin.

Biochem/physiol Actions

Inhibitor of serine and cysteine proteases. Inhibits plasmin, trypsin, papain, calpain, and cathepsin B. Does not inhibit pepsin, cathepsins A and D, thrombin, or α-chymotrypsin. Effective concentration 10-100 µM. There have been numerous studies using leupeptin to protect against hearing loss caused by acoustic overstimulation or the ototoxic antibiotic gentamicin. (Loss of cochlear hair cells is believed to be mediated by calpain.)

Packaging

5, 25, 100 mg in glass bottle