Peptidyl β-homo-aspartals: Specific inhibitors of interleukin-1β converting enzyme and its homologues (caspases)

Inhibition of interleukin-1β converting enzyme (ICE), apopain, papain, thrombin and trypsin with substrate like peptidyl L- and D-α-aldehydes and their L-β-homo-aldehyde analogues was investigated. The L-β-homo-aspartals appear to be specific inhibitors for ICE and its homologues; the other enzymes were not inhibited with such L-β-homo aldehydes. Papain shows tolerance for D-residues at P1 depending on their chiral stability.