Fluorescent nitrile-based inhibitors of cysteine cathepsins.

Cysteine cathepsins play an important role in many (patho)physiological conditions. Among them, cathepsins L, S, K and B are subjects of several drug discovery programs. Besides their role as drug targets, cysteine cathepsins are additionally considered to be possible biomarkers for inflammation and cancer. Herein, we describe the design, synthesis, biological evaluation and spectral properties of fluorescently labeled dipeptide- and azadipeptide nitriles.