Bestatin is a competitive, reversible protease inhibitor derived from Streptomyces olivoreticuli. Inhibits aminopeptidase enzymes, namely Aminopeptidase B, Aminopeptidase M (CD13), and leucine aminopeptidase (LAP3). Inhibition of these proteins by bestatin correlates to apoptosis induction in oncogenic cells. Bestatin is also a potent inhibitor of leukotriene A4 hydrolase (LTA4), potentially allowing investigation of the role of LTA4 in inflammation.
It is being studied for use in the treatment of?acute myelocytic leukemia.