Proteases – the future Therapy

Proteases enzyme present in human body which are responsible for the degradation of the different types of he proteins in the body and a major role in regulation of physiological functions at cellular level and tissue level.

They are proteolytic enzymes which activate, synthesized and controls turnover of all proteins. They regulate conception, birth, growth, maturation, aging, disease and death. They are also responsible in proliferation of insects and agricultural pests that transmit diseases, damage plant cops and spread infections in all types of food source. Genetic and environmental factors can disturb the balance of protease-catalyzed human physiology lead to abnormal tissue damage, disease, disorder and death.

There are 5 classes of peptidase enzyme categorized by their catalytic residue that affects enzymatic hydrolysis:

1. Aspartic
2. Serine
3. Cysteine
4. Metallo
5. Threonine enzyme

1. Serine Protease inhibitor

Sub classified in

I.    Trypsin-like

II.   Elastase-like

III. Chymotrypsin-like

Michel reaction occurs upon substrate binding. The thiolate anion then attacks on the carbonyl carbon of the amide bond. A tetrahedral intermediate is produced which is stabilized by the oxyanion hole.

2. Threonine Protease Inhibitors

Its main Function is degradation of ubiquitin-labelled protein, aiding the removal of damaged proteins and the regulation and turnover of many proteins that control cellular functions.

3. Cysteine Protease Inhibitors

Sub classified in

I.     Papain-like

II.   ICE-like

III. Picornaviral

It works in similar way as serine protease inhibitor.

4. Aspartic Protease Inhibitors

It use 2 catalytic aspartic acid residue to catalyze the hydrolysis of polypeptide   substrate which bind within the active site of the protease.

Applications

Important use in domestic Industry like action of washing powders, cheese manufacture, meat tenderization and processing, backing and as target in plants, insects and animals for new herbicides, pesticides and growth regulators. Treatment of diseases like cancer, viral, fungal infections.