Proteases

Proteolytic enzymes that belong to the hydrolase family of enzymes (see under enzymes). Proteases hydrolytically cleave the peptide bonds contained in oligo-, polypeptides or proteins (proteolysis). Depending on the substrate, longer-chain protein fragments, short-chain cleavage peptides or free amino acids are formed.

Depending on the degradation mechanism, proteases are released in:

• endopeptidases (enzymes by which peptides or proteins inside the polymeric chains are hydrolytically cleaved): chymotrypsin, elastase, trypsin
• Exopeptidases (enzymes by which peptides or proteins are gradually hydrolytically degraded to amino acids from the chain end.

1. Tedeschi A et al. (2014) Chronic urticaria and coagulation: pathophysiological and clinical aspects. Allergy 69:683-691