Target intelligence / Profile preview

Calpain

Molecular classification
Enzyme, Cysteine protease
01

Overview

Calpains are a family of intracellular, calcium-dependent, non-lysosomal cysteine proteases. They are ubiquitously expressed in mammals and many other organisms, playing key roles in various cellular processes by mediating limited proteolysis of specific substrates. The calpain system includes the calpain proteases themselves, a small regulatory subunit (CAPNS1/CAPN4), and an endogenous inhibitor called calpastatin. Dysregulation or overactivation has been implicated as an aggravating factor in various diseases including neurodegeneration after trauma/stroke/myocardial infarction due to excessive substrate cleavage following abnormal increases in intracellular Ca²⁺ levels.

Other names
Calcium-activated neutral proteaseCANPμ-Calpainm-CalpainCalpain ICalpain II
02

Mechanism of action

Calpain inhibitors (being developed) aim to reduce excessive proteolysis following calcium dysregulation.

03

Biological functions

Cytoskeleton remodelingSignal transductionApoptosisCell cycle control
04

Disease associations

Neurodegenerative diseaseCardiovascular diseaseStrokeIschemiaMyocardial infarction
05

Safety considerations

Potential for off-target effects due to broad substrate specificity.Inhibition of calpain activity may have unintended consequences on normal cellular function.

Beyond the preview

Go deeper on Calpain.

Explore the evidence, development activity, and competitive landscape with Gosset’s full data platform.

Drug pipeline

Full profile access

Explore the programs pursuing this target and their development progress.

  • Drug candidates
  • Developers
  • Development stage

Clinical trials

Full profile access

Follow the clinical studies evaluating therapies directed at this target.

  • Trial design
  • Status
  • Readouts

Competitive landscape

Full profile access

Compare approaches across drug candidates, modalities, and indications.

  • Programs
  • Modalities
  • Indications

Literature & evidence

Full profile access

Investigate the research and source evidence behind target biology and development.

  • Publications
  • Sources
  • Analysis

Patents

Full profile access

Explore patent activity around therapies and technologies addressing this target.

  • Patents
  • Assignees
  • Technologies

Research & analysis

Full profile access

Connect target biology, drug development, and emerging evidence in your research.

  • Biology
  • Development news
  • Analysis

Bring the full picture into focus.

See how Gosset can support your research on Calpain.

Explore the full profile

Gosset Free

Get started with Gosset.

Enter your work email and we’ll be in touch with next steps.

Work email preferred.

Book a call