MLCK inhibitor peptide 18 is a selective cell permeable inhibitor of myosin light chain kinase with an IC50 of 50 nM. MLCK inhibitor peptide 18 displays 4000-fold selectivity over CaM kinase II and does not inhibit PKA. In vitro and in vivo treatment with the MLCK inhibitor peptide 18 attenuates the increased epithelial monolayer permeability and occludin endocytosis caused by intestinal anoxia/reoxygenation (A/R) injury.
