Z-FA-FMK is an irreversible inhibitor of cysteine proteases, such as cathepsin B, L, and S, that do not require a P1 Asp residue. The compound has also inhibitited papain and cruzain. Z-FA-FMK has been shown to selectively inhibit effector caspase-2, caspase-3, caspase-6, and caspase-7 without affecting initiator caspase-8 and caspase-10 while showing minimal toxicity to normal mammalian cells in vitro. Due to Z-FA-FMK's effector caspase specificity, the compound has been recorded to inhibit some forms of caspase mediated apoptosis. The compound has been observed to be an effective in time dependent inactivation of cathepsin B isozymes from a number of tissues. Studies show Cathepsin B-like activity plays a role in the cascade of proteolytic cartilage destruction. Z-FA-FMK is an inhibitor of cathepsin H.