Structural and functional comparison of proteolytic enzymes from plant latex and snake venoms.

Abstract

This work describes classification, functions, location, inhibition, activation, and therapeutic applications of proteases from snake venoms and vegetables. Snake venoms and vegetables can present toxins that unchain necrosis or proteolysis due to the direct cytotoxic action of venom proteases. These proteases are potential tools in the development of drugs for the prevention and treatment of several illnesses. We report herein mainly fibrinogenolytic metallo proteases and serine proteases ("thrombin-like"). These enzymes are extensively used in the treatment and prevention of thrombotic disorders, since they serve as defibrinogenating agents. The therapeutic uses of fibrin(ogen)olytic metallo proteases hold promise for clinical application due to potential in reversing the effects of thrombosis; this has been shown to be an alternative approach to the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disorders, which are among the most prominent causes of mortality around the world. Plant proteases can be utilized for many cellular and molecular activities, in antibacterial and anticancer therapies, and in the treatment of snakebites, inhibiting snake venom activities such as blood-clotting, defibrinogenation, and fibrin(ogen)olytic and hemorrhagic actions. These toxins also display potential for clinical use in the treatment of hemostatic disorders.

• Authors: Júnia de O Costa, Kelly C Fonseca, Mário S Garrote-Filho, Cleine C Cunha, Mariana V de Freitas, Heliane S Silva, Renata B Araújo, Nilson Penha-Silva, Fábio de Oliveira
• Journal: Biochimie (Biochimie) Vol. 92 Issue 12 Pg. 1760-5 (Dec 2010) ISSN: 1638-6183 [Electronic] France
• PMID: 20868725 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Review)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Latex
• Plant Proteins
• Snake Venoms
• Metalloproteases
• Peptide Hydrolases
• Plasminogen Activators

Topics

• Animals
• Latex (chemistry)
• Metalloproteases (chemistry, metabolism)
• Molecular Structure
• Peptide Hydrolases (chemistry, metabolism)
• Plant Proteins (chemistry, metabolism)
• Plants (enzymology)
• Plasminogen Activators (chemistry, metabolism)
• Snake Venoms (enzymology)
• Structure-Activity Relationship