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L2884

Sigma-Aldrich

Leupeptin

powder, ≥90% (HPLC)

Synonym(s):

Leupeptin hemisulfate salt, Acetyl-Leu-Leu-Arg-al, N-Acetyl-L-leucyl-L-leucyl-L-argininal hemisulfate salt

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About This Item

Linear Formula:
C20H38N6O4 · 1/2H2SO4
CAS Number:
Molecular Weight:
475.59
MDL number:
UNSPSC Code:
12352202
PubChem Substance ID:
NACRES:
NA.77

product name

Leupeptin, microbial, ≥90% (HPLC)

biological source

microbial

Quality Level

Assay

≥90% (HPLC)

form

powder

solubility

H2O: 10 mM (Solutions are stable for a week at 4 °C. Stock solutions are stable up to 6 months at −20 °C.)
H2O: 50 mg/mL

storage temp.

−20°C

SMILES string

OS(O)(=O)=O.CC(C)C[C@H](NC(C)=O)C(=O)N[C@@H](CC(C)C)C(=O)N[C@@H](CCCNC(N)=N)C=O.CC(C)C[C@H](NC(C)=O)C(=O)N[C@@H](CC(C)C)C(=O)N[C@@H](CCCNC(N)=N)C=O

InChI

1S/2C20H38N6O4.H2O4S/c2*1-12(2)9-16(24-14(5)28)19(30)26-17(10-13(3)4)18(29)25-15(11-27)7-6-8-23-20(21)22;1-5(2,3)4/h2*11-13,15-17H,6-10H2,1-5H3,(H,24,28)(H,25,29)(H,26,30)(H4,21,22,23);(H2,1,2,3,4)/t2*15-,16-,17-;/m00./s1

InChI key

CIPMKIHUGVGQTG-VFFZMTJFSA-N

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General description

Leupeptin, or N-acetyl-L-leucyl-L-leucyl-L-argininal, is a naturally occurring tripeptide that acts particularly as a serine protease inhibitor and as a cysteine protease inhibitor. Its mechanism of action involves structurally similar covalent binding reactions:
  • In the active site of serine proteases, leupeptin forms a covalent hemiacetal adduct between the aldehyde group of leupeptin and the hydroxyl group of a serine residue in the enzyme active site.
  • In the active site of cysteine proteases, the electrophilic (aldehyde) carbon of leupeptin forms a comparable bond with the sulfur atom of a cysteine residue in the enzyme active site.

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.)

Analysis Note

Leupeptin gives multiple peaks on HPLC because of the formation of tautomeric isomers in solution. Majority of contaminating peptide is racemized leupeptin.

Storage Class Code

11 - Combustible Solids

WGK

WGK 3

Flash Point(F)

Not applicable

Flash Point(C)

Not applicable

Personal Protective Equipment

dust mask type N95 (US), Eyeshields, Gloves

Certificates of Analysis (COA)

Search for Certificates of Analysis (COA) by entering the products Lot/Batch Number. Lot and Batch Numbers can be found on a product’s label following the words ‘Lot’ or ‘Batch’.

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