ASPARTYL PROTEASES Meaning and
Definition
-
Aspartyl proteases are a class of enzymes that play a crucial role in the breakdown of proteins within cells. They are characterized by their ability to cleave peptide bonds within the protein substrate using aspartic acid residues located at their active sites.
These proteases are part of the larger group of hydrolases, enzymes that catalyze the hydrolysis of bonds through the addition of water molecules. Aspartyl proteases achieve their catalytic function by utilizing two aspartic acid residues, one from each of the two subunits that make up their structure. These residues serve as acid-base catalysts, facilitating the cleavage of peptide bonds.
Examples of aspartyl proteases include pepsin, renin, and HIV-1 protease. Pepsin is primarily found in the stomach and is responsible for the initial digestion of proteins. Renin is produced in the kidney and has a vital role in regulating blood pressure and fluid balance. HIV-1 protease, on the other hand, is an enzyme produced by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and is a target for antiretroviral therapy due to its crucial role in viral maturation.
Due to their involvement in essential biological processes and their potential as therapeutic targets in various diseases, aspartyl proteases have received significant attention in both academic and pharmaceutical research. Understanding their structure, mechanism, and regulation can offer valuable insights into protein degradation and aid in the development of novel treatments for various health conditions.
Common Misspellings for ASPARTYL PROTEASES
- zspartyl proteases
- sspartyl proteases
- wspartyl proteases
- qspartyl proteases
- aapartyl proteases
- azpartyl proteases
- axpartyl proteases
- adpartyl proteases
- aepartyl proteases
- awpartyl proteases
- asoartyl proteases
- aslartyl proteases
- as-artyl proteases
- as0artyl proteases
- aspzrtyl proteases
- aspsrtyl proteases
- aspwrtyl proteases
- aspqrtyl proteases
- aspaetyl proteases
- aspadtyl proteases
Etymology of ASPARTYL PROTEASES
The word "aspartyl proteases" consists of two main components: "aspartyl" and "proteases".
1. Aspartyl: The term "aspartyl" is derived from the amino acid called "aspartic acid". Aspartic acid was first isolated and identified from asparagus juice, hence the name "aspartic acid". The word "aspartic" is derived from the Latin word "asparagus", meaning "asparagus". The suffix "-yl" indicates the amino acid is a derivative of aspartic acid.
2. Proteases: The term "proteases" is derived from the word "protease", which originated from the word "proteolytic". "Proteolytic" is formed from the Greek words "proteios", meaning "pertaining to protein", and "lysis", meaning "to loosen" or "to split".
Infographic
Add the infographic to your website:
