Serine protease

Serine proteases are enzymes that belong to a subfamily of peptidases (cleaved proteins and peptides). In the active centre of the serine proteases (this also applies to some other enzymes), 3 amino acids, aspartic acid, histidine and, in essential function, serine (name-giving), are arranged in a special formation. This formation is called the catalytic triad. In this special formation the cleavage of a substrate can take place in peptidases.

Serine peptidases include the digestive enzymes trypsin, chymotrypsin, elastase, plasmin and thrombin. A specific inhibition of serine proteases is achieved by serpines. Many enzymes of the coagulation system are serine proteases and serine protease inhibitors.

Serine belongs to the amino acids that are stored in the active centre of numerous enzymes (serine enzymes).