Peptidic aldehydes based on α- and β-amino acids: synthesis, inhibition of m-calpain, and anti-cataract properties

Abstract

We present a new synthesis of SJA6017 (a potent m-calpain inhibitor) and its adaptation in order to prepare analogues in which the constituent Leu and Val residues are systematically replaced with their corresponding β-amino acids and/or the N-terminal fluorophenylsulfonyl group is replaced by a water solubilizing N-pyridin-3-ylmethoxycarbonyl group. All compounds have been assayed against m-calpain, and the best inhibitor, SJA6017, has been shown to inhibit the development of opacity in a lens culture system design to mimic cataract.