Trypanocidal activity of peptidyl vinyl ester derivatives selective for inhibition of mammalian proteasome trypsin-like activity

► Vinyl ester tripeptide proteasome inhibitors display trypanocidal activity. ► Peptidyl vinyl esters inhibit the chymotrypsin-like activity of Trypanosoma brucei proteasome. ► Peptidyl vinyl esters are candidates for rational anti-trypanosomal drug development.