blebbistatin

**Blebbistatin** is a small molecule myosin II inhibitor that selectively blocks non-muscle myosin II ATPase activity (IC50 ~0.5-5 μM), with potency against cardiac, skeletal, and smooth muscle myosins but sparing myosin I, V, and X. It binds between the nucleotide pocket and actin-binding cleft in an actin-detached conformation, inhibiting actin-myosin interaction, cell migration, cytokinesis, bleb formation, and muscle contraction. Widely used in research for cardiovascular studies, cell biology, and optical heart mapping, though limited by photo-instability under blue light, fluorescence interference, and cytotoxicity during long-term exposure; derivatives like para-nitroblebbistatin address these issues.[1][4][7][8][16]

Other names

(S)-blebbistatin(-)-blebbistatin(R)-blebbistatin(+)-blebbistatin(±)-blebbistatin