Leupeptin trifluoroacetate salt is widely used in biochemical and cell biology research as a protease inhibitor. It effectively inhibits serine, cysteine, and threonine proteases, making it valuable in preventing protein degradation during cell lysis and protein extraction processes. This compound is particularly useful in studies involving apoptosis, autophagy, and signal transduction pathways, where it helps maintain protein integrity. Additionally, it is employed in the purification and stabilization of recombinant proteins, ensuring their functionality and structure are preserved. Its application extends to immunohistochemistry and Western blotting, where it enhances the detection of target proteins by minimizing proteolytic activity.