A novel inhibitor of mammalian collagenase.

N-[[[(5-chloro-2-benzothiazolyl)thiolphenyllacetyll-L-cysteine (WY-45,368) is a potent inhibitor of human skin fibroblast collagenase. Kinetic data show that the inhibition is competitive, with a Ki of 3.5 microM. WY-45,368 inhibits neither of two other metalloproteinases, thermolysin and angiotensin converting enzyme, nor does it inhibit clostridial collagenase--thus indicating specificity for mammalian collagenase.