S-2-(Boronoethyl)-L-cysteine

S‑(2‑Boronoethyl)‑L‑cysteine, commonly abbreviated as BEC, is a synthetic small molecule and boronic acid-based arginine analogue. It acts as a potent and specific competitive inhibitor of the enzyme arginase, binding to its active site as a transition state analogue. By inhibiting arginase, BEC increases the availability of L‑arginine for nitric oxide synthase, thereby enhancing nitric oxide-dependent smooth muscle relaxation. This mechanism has been studied in the context of erectile function and vascular biology. BEC does not inhibit nitric oxide synthase directly and is used experimentally to probe physiological relationships between arginase activity and nitric oxide signaling pathways. The compound has also shown anti-inflammatory and protective effects in preclinical models but is not approved for clinical use.[1][3][4][7][9]

Other names

S-[2-(dihydroxyboryl)ethyl]-L-cysteine(2R)-2-amino-3-{[2-(dihydroxyboranyl)ethyl]sulfanyl}propanoic acid(2R)-2-amino-3-{[2-boronoethyl]thio}propanoic acid(2R)-2-amino-3-{[2-boronoethyl]sulfanyl}propanoic acid(2R)-2-amino-3-{[2-(dihydroxyboryl)ethyl]thio}propanoic acid(2R)-2-amino-3-{[2-(dihydroxyboryl)ethyl]sulfanyl}propanoic acidS-(2-(dihydroxyboryl)ethyl)-L-cysteine