any enzyme that catalyzes the splitting of proteins into smaller peptide fractions and amino acids by a process known as proteolysis (同)peptidase, proteinase, proteolytic_enzyme
a sweetish crystalline amino acid involved in the synthesis by the body of cysteine
any of various brown and yellow finches of parts of Europe
Crystal structure of bovine chymotrypsin. The catalytic residues are shown as yellow sticks. Rendered from PDB 1CBW.
Identifiers
EC no.
3.4.21.-
Databases
IntEnz
IntEnz view
BRENDA
BRENDA entry
ExPASy
NiceZyme view
KEGG
KEGG entry
MetaCyc
metabolic pathway
PRIAM
profile
PDB structures
RCSB PDB PDBe PDBsum
Search
PMC
articles
PubMed
articles
NCBI
proteins
Crystal structure of Trypsin, a typical serine protease.
Serine proteases (or serine endopeptidases) are enzymes that cleave peptide bonds in proteins. Serine serves as the nucleophilic amino acid at the (enzyme's) active site.[1]
They are found ubiquitously in both eukaryotes and prokaryotes. Serine proteases fall into two broad categories based on their structure: chymotrypsin-like (trypsin-like) or subtilisin-like.[2]
Classification
The MEROPS protease classification system counts 16 superfamilies (as of 2013) each containing many families. Each superfamily uses the catalytic triad or dyad in a different protein fold and so represent convergent evolution of the catalytic mechanism. The majority belong to the S1 family of the PA clan (superfamily) of proteases.
For superfamilies, P: superfamily, containing a mixture of nucleophile class families, S: purely serine proteases. superfamily. Within each superfamily, families are designated by their catalytic nucleophile, (S: serine proteases).
Hinge motion in disordered activation domain in Trypsinogen (PDB ID: 2PTN). The hinges predicted using PACKMAN Hinge prediction[3] are colored in blue (residues 23:28) and red (residues 175:182). The green colored region is the active site. Motion is generated using hdANM[4].
Families of serine proteases
Super- family
Families
Examples
SB
S8, S53
Subtilisin (Bacillus licheniformis)
SC
S9, S10, S15, S28, S33, S37
Prolyl oligopeptidase (Sus scrofa)
SE
S11, S12, S13
D-Ala-D-Ala peptidase C (Escherichia coli)
SF
S24, S26
Signal peptidase I (Escherichia coli)
SH
S21, S73, S77, S78, S80
Cytomegalovirus assemblin (human herpesvirus 5)
SJ
S16, S50, S69
Lon-A peptidase (Escherichia coli)
SK
S14, S41, S49
Clp protease (Escherichia coli)
SO
S74
Phage K1F endosialidase CIMCD self-cleaving protein (Enterobacteria phage K1F)
Serine proteases are characterised by a distinctive structure, consisting of two beta-barrel domains that converge at the catalytic active site. These enzymes can be further categorised based on their substrate specificity as either trypsin-like, chymotrypsin-like or elastase-like.[5]
Trypsin-like
Trypsin-like proteases cleave peptide bonds following a positively charged amino acid (lysine or arginine).[6]
This specificity is driven by the residue which lies at the base of the enzyme's S1 pocket (generally a negatively charged aspartic acid or glutamic acid).
Chymotrypsin-like
The S1 pocket of chymotrypsin-like enzymes is more hydrophobic than in trypsin-like proteases. This results in a specificity for medium to large sized hydrophobic residues, such as tyrosine, phenylalanine and tryptophan.
Thrombin-like
These include thrombin, tissue activating plasminogen and plasmin. They have been found to have roles in coagulation and digestion as well as in the pathophysiology of neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's induced dementia. Many highly-toxic thrombin-like serine protease isoforms are found in snake venoms.[7]
Elastase-like
Elastase-like proteases have a much smaller S1 cleft than either trypsin- or chymotrypsin-like proteases. Consequently, residues such as alanine, glycine and valine tend to be preferred.
Subtilisin-like
Subtilisin is a serine protease in prokaryotes. Subtilisin is evolutionarily unrelated to the chymotrypsin-clan, but shares the same catalytic mechanism utilising a catalytic triad, to create a nucleophilic serine. This is the classic example used to illustrate convergent evolution, since the same mechanism evolved twice independently during evolution.
Catalytic mechanism
The main player in the catalytic mechanism in the serine proteases is the catalytic triad. The triad is located in the active site of the enzyme, where catalysis occurs, and is preserved in all superfamilies of serine protease enzymes. The triad is a coordinated structure consisting of three amino acids: His 57, Ser 195 (hence the name "serine protease") and Asp 102. These three key amino acids each play an essential role in the cleaving ability of the proteases. While the amino acid members of the triad are located far from one another on the sequence of the protein, due to folding, they will be very close to one another in the heart of the enzyme. The particular geometry of the triad members are highly characteristic to their specific function: it was shown that the position of just four points of the triad characterize the function of the containing enzyme.[8]
In the event of catalysis, an ordered mechanism occurs in which several intermediates are generated. The catalysis of the peptide cleavage can be seen as a ping-pong catalysis, in which a substrate binds (in this case, the polypeptide being cleaved), a product is released (the N-terminus "half" of the peptide), another substrate binds (in this case, water), and another product is released (the C-terminus "half" of the peptide).
Each amino acid in the triad performs a specific task in this process:
The serine has an -OH group that is able to act as a nucleophile, attacking the carbonyl carbon of the scissile peptide bond of the substrate.
A pair of electrons on the histidine nitrogen has the ability to accept the hydrogen from the serine -OH group, thus coordinating the attack of the peptide bond.
The carboxyl group on the aspartic acid in turn hydrogen bonds with the histidine, making the nitrogen atom mentioned above much more electronegative.
The whole reaction can be summarized as follows:
The polypeptide substrate binds to the surface of the serine protease enzyme such that the scissile bond is inserted into the active site of the enzyme, with the carbonyl carbon of this bond positioned near the nucleophilic serine.
The serine -OH attacks the carbonyl carbon, and the nitrogen of the histidine accepts the hydrogen from the -OH of the [serine] and a pair of electrons from the double bond of the carbonyl oxygen moves to the oxygen. As a result, a tetrahedral intermediate is generated.
The bond joining the nitrogen and the carbon in the peptide bond is now broken. The covalent electrons creating this bond move to attack the hydrogen of the histidine, breaking the connection. The electrons that previously moved from the carbonyl oxygen double bond move back from the negative oxygen to recreate the bond, generating an acyl-enzyme intermediate.
Now, water comes into the reaction. Water replaces the N-terminus of the cleaved peptide, and attacks the carbonyl carbon. Once again, the electrons from the double bond move to the oxygen making it negative, as the bond between the oxygen of the water and the carbon is formed. This is coordinated by the nitrogen of the histidine, which accepts a proton from the water. Overall, this generates another tetrahedral intermediate.
In a final reaction, the bond formed in the first step between the serine and the carbonyl carbon moves to attack the hydrogen that the histidine just acquired. The now electron-deficient carbonyl carbon re-forms the double bond with the oxygen. As a result, the C-terminus of the peptide is now ejected.
Additional stabilizing effects
It was discovered that additional amino acids of the protease, Gly 193 and Ser 195, are involved in creating what is called an oxyanion hole. Both Gly 193 and Ser 195 can donate backbone hydrogens for hydrogen bonding.
When the tetrahedral intermediate of step 1 and step 3 are generated, the negative oxygen ion, having accepted the electrons from the carbonyl double bond, fits perfectly into the oxyanion hole. In effect, serine proteases preferentially bind the transition state and the overall structure is favored, lowering the activation energy of the reaction. This "preferential binding" is responsible for much of the catalytic efficiency of the enzyme.
Regulation of serine protease activity
Host organisms must ensure that the activity of serine proteases is adequately regulated. This is achieved by a requirement for initial protease activation, and the secretion of inhibitors.
Zymogen activation
Zymogens are the usually inactive precursors of an enzyme. If the digestive enzymes were active when synthesized, they would immediately start chewing up the synthesizing organs and tissues. Acute pancreatitis is such a condition, in which there is premature activation of the digestive enzymes in the pancreas, resulting in self-digestion (autolysis). It also complicates postmortem investigations, as the pancreas often digests itself before it can be assessed visually.
Zymogens are large, inactive structures, which have the ability to break apart or change into the smaller activated enzymes. The difference between zymogens and the activated enzymes lies in the fact that the active site for catalysis of the zymogens is distorted. As a result, the substrate polypeptide cannot bind effectively, and proteolysis does not occur. Only after activation, during which the conformation and structure of the zymogen change and the active site is opened, can proteolysis occur.
Zymogen
Enzyme
Notes
Trypsinogen
trypsin
When trypsinogen enters the small intestine from the pancreas, enteropeptidase secretions from the duodenal mucosa cleave the lysine 15 - isoleucine 16 peptide bond of the zymogen. As a result, the zymogen trypsinogen breaks down into trypsin. Recall that trypsin is also responsible for cleaving lysine peptide bonds, and thus, once a small amount of trypsin is generated, it participates in cleavage of its own zymogen, generating even more trypsin. The process of trypsin activation can thus be called autocatalytic.
Chymotrypsinogen
chymotrypsin
After the Arg 15 - Ile 16 bond in the chymotrypsinogen zymogen is cleaved by trypsin, the newly generated structure called a pi-chymotrypsin undergoes autolysis (self digestion), yielding active chymotrypsin.
Proelastase
elastase
It is activated by cleavage through trypsin.
As can be seen, trypsinogen activation to trypsin is essential, because it activates its own reaction, as well as the reaction of both chymotrypsin and elastase. Therefore, it is essential that this activation does not occur prematurely. There are several protective measures taken by the organism to prevent self-digestion:
The activation of trypsinogen by trypsin is relatively slow
The zymogens are stored in zymogen granules, capsules that have walls that are thought to be resistant to proteolysis.
Inhibition
There are certain inhibitors that resemble the tetrahedral intermediate, and thus fill up the active site, preventing the enzyme from working properly. Trypsin, a powerful digestive enzyme, is generated in the pancreas. Inhibitors prevent self-digestion of the pancreas itself.
Serine proteases are paired with serine protease inhibitors, which turn off their activity when they are no longer needed.[9][self-published source?]
Serine proteases are inhibited by a diverse group of inhibitors, including synthetic chemical inhibitors for research or therapeutic purposes, and also natural proteinaceous inhibitors. One family of natural inhibitors called "serpins" (abbreviated from serine protease inhibitors) can form a covalent bond with the serine protease, inhibiting its function. The best-studied serpins are antithrombin and alpha 1-antitrypsin, studied for their role in coagulation/thrombosis and emphysema/A1AT, respectively.
Artificial irreversible small molecule inhibitors include AEBSF and PMSF.
A family of arthropod serine peptidase inhibitors, called pacifastin, has been identified in locusts and crayfish, and may function in the arthropod immune system.[10]
Role in disease
Mutations may lead to decreased or increased activity of enzymes. This may have different consequences, depending on the normal function of the serine protease. For example, mutations in protein C can lead to protein C deficiency and predisposing to thrombosis. Also, some proteases play a vital role in host cell-virus fusion activation by priming virus's Spike protein to show the protein named "fusion protein" (TMPRSS2 activate SARS-CoV-2 fusion). Exogenous snake venom serine proteases cause a vast array of coagulopathies when injected in a host due to the lack of regulation of their activity.[7]
Diagnostic use
Determination of serine protease levels may be useful in the context of particular diseases.
Coagulation factor levels may be required in the diagnosis of hemorrhagic or thrombotic conditions.
Fecal elastase is employed to determine the exocrine activity of the pancreas, e.g., in cystic fibrosis or chronic pancreatitis.
Serum prostate-specific antigen is used in prostate cancer screening, risk stratification, and post-treatment monitoring.
Serine protease, as released by mast cells, is an important diagnostic marker for type 1 hypersensitivity reactions (e.g. anaphylaxis). More useful than e.g. histamine due to the longer half-life, meaning it remains in the system for a clinically useful length of time.
Antimicrobial effect
Due to their catalytic activity, some serine proteases possess potent antimicrobial properties. Several in vitro studies have demonstrated the efficacy of some proteases in reducing virulence by cleaving viral surface proteins. Viral entry into host cells is mediated by the interaction of these surface proteins with the host cell. When these proteins are fragmented or inactivated on the viral surface, the viral entry is impaired, leading to a reduction in infectivity of a broad spectrum of pathologically relevant microorganisms like Influenza, hRSV and others.[11][12]
See also
Serine hydrolase
Protease
cysteine-
threonine-
aspartic-
metallo-
PA clan
Convergent evolution
Proteolysis
Catalytic triad
The Proteolysis Map
Proteases in angiogenesis
Intramembrane proteases
Protease inhibitor (pharmacology)
Protease inhibitor (biology)
TopFIND - database of protease specificity, substrates, products and inhibitors
MEROPS - Database of protease evolutionary groups
References
^
Hedstrom L (December 2002). "Serine protease mechanism and specificity". Chemical Reviews. 102 (12): 4501–4524. doi:10.1021/cr000033x. PMID 12475199.
^
Madala PK, Tyndall JD, Nall T, Fairlie DP (June 2010). "Update 1 of: Proteases universally recognize beta strands in their active sites". Chemical Reviews. 110 (6): PR1–P31. doi:10.1021/cr900368a. PMID 20377171.
^Khade PM, Kumar A, Jernigan RL (January 2020). "Characterizing and Predicting Protein Hinges for Mechanistic Insight". Journal of Molecular Biology. 432 (2): 508–522. doi:10.1016/j.jmb.2019.11.018. PMC 7029793. PMID 31786268.
^Khade PM, Scaramozzino D, Kumar A, Lacidogna G, Carpinteri A, Jernigan RL (November 2021). "hdANM: a new comprehensive dynamics model for protein hinges". Biophysical Journal. 120 (22): 4955–4965. Bibcode:2021BpJ...120.4955K. doi:10.1016/j.bpj.2021.10.017. PMC 8633836. PMID 34687719.
^
Ovaere P, Lippens S, Vandenabeele P, Declercq W (September 2009). "The emerging roles of serine protease cascades in the epidermis". Trends in Biochemical Sciences. 34 (9): 453–463. doi:10.1016/j.tibs.2009.08.001. PMID 19726197.
^
Evnin LB, Vásquez JR, Craik CS (September 1990). "Substrate specificity of trypsin investigated by using a genetic selection". Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 87 (17): 6659–6663. Bibcode:1990PNAS...87.6659E. doi:10.1073/pnas.87.17.6659. JSTOR 2355359. PMC 54596. PMID 2204062.
^ abOliveira AL, Viegas MF, da Silva SL, Soares AM, Ramos MJ, Fernandes PA (2022-06-10). "The chemistry of snake venom and its medicinal potential". Nature Reviews. Chemistry. 6 (7): 451–469. doi:10.1038/s41570-022-00393-7. PMC 9185726. PMID 35702592.
^
Iván G, Szabadka Z, Ordög R, Grolmusz V, Náray-Szabó G (June 2009). "Four spatial points that define enzyme families". Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications. 383 (4): 417–420. CiteSeerX 10.1.1.150.1086. doi:10.1016/j.bbrc.2009.04.022. PMID 19364497.
^"Kimball's Biology Pages, Serine Proteases". Archived from the original on 2005-12-13. Retrieved 2008-06-02.
^Breugelmans B, Simonet G, van Hoef V, Van Soest S, Vanden Broeck J (March 2009). "Pacifastin-related peptides: structural and functional characteristics of a family of serine peptidase inhibitors". Peptides. 30 (3): 622–632. doi:10.1016/j.peptides.2008.07.026. PMID 18775459. S2CID 8797134.
^Lopes, Bruno Rafael Pereira; da Silva, Gabriel Soares; de Lima Menezes, Gabriela; de Oliveira, Juliana; Watanabe, Aripuanã Sakurada Aranha; Porto, Bárbara Nery; da Silva, Roosevelt Alves; Toledo, Karina Alves (2022-05-01). "Serine proteases in neutrophil extracellular traps exhibit anti-Respiratory Syncytial Virus activity". International Immunopharmacology. 106: 108573. doi:10.1016/j.intimp.2022.108573. ISSN 1567-5769.
^Sakai, Kouji; Ami, Yasushi; Tahara, Maino; Kubota, Toru; Anraku, Masaki; Abe, Masako; Nakajima, Noriko; Sekizuka, Tsuyoshi; Shirato, Kazuya; Suzaki, Yuriko; Ainai, Akira; Nakatsu, Yuichiro; Kanou, Kazuhiko; Nakamura, Kazuya; Suzuki, Tadaki (2014-05-15). Dermody, T. S. (ed.). "The Host Protease TMPRSS2 Plays a Major Role in In Vivo Replication of Emerging H7N9 and Seasonal Influenza Viruses". Journal of Virology. 88 (10): 5608–5616. doi:10.1128/JVI.03677-13. ISSN 0022-538X. PMC 4019123. PMID 24600012.
External links
The MEROPS online database for peptidases and their inhibitors: Serine Peptidase
Serine Proteases site at Saint Louis University (SLU)
Serine+proteases at the US National Library of Medicine Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
v
t
e
Hydrolase: proteases (EC 3.4)
3.4.11-19: Exopeptidase
3.4.11
Aminopeptidase
Alanine
Arginyl
Aspartyl
Cystinyl
Leucyl
Glutamyl
Methionyl
1
2
O
3.4.13
Dipeptidase
1
2
3
3.4.14
Dipeptidyl peptidase
Cathepsin C
Dipeptidyl peptidase-4
Tripeptidyl peptidase
Tripeptidyl peptidase I
Tripeptidyl peptidase II
3.4.15
Angiotensin-converting enzyme
3.4.16
Serine type carboxypeptidases: Cathepsin A
DD-transpeptidase
3.4.17
Metalloexopeptidases
Carboxypeptidase
A
A2
B
C
E
Glutamate II
Other/ungrouped
Metalloexopeptidase
3.4.21-25: Endopeptidase
Serine protease
Cysteine protease
Aspartic acid protease
Metalloendopeptidase
Threonine endopeptidase
Proteasome endopeptidase complex
HslU—HslV peptidase
Other/ungrouped: Amyloid precursor protein secretase
Alternaria alternata is one of the most common saprophytes worldwide that is clinically and epidemiologically associated with severe asthma. Therefore, the identification and characterization of all A. alternata allergens are of major clinical importance. This study describes a new cross-reactive A.
We investigated MBL2 and MASP2 genotypes, serum MBL (mannose-binding lectin) levels and activities of its complexes with associated serine proteases (MASP-1, MASP -2), in relation to complications following cardiac surgery in 195 children. The incidence of SIRS was lower in patients carrying MBL2 A/
Detergent-compatible, organic solvent-tolerant alkaline protease from Bacillus circulans MTCC 7942: Purification and characterization.
Patil U1, Mokashe N1, Chaudhari A2.
Preparative biochemistry & biotechnology.Prep Biochem Biotechnol.2016 Jan 2;46(1):56-64. doi: 10.1080/10826068.2014.979205.
Proteases are now recognized as the most indispensable industrial biocatalyst owing to their diverse microbial sources and innovative applications. In the present investigation, a thermostable, organic solvent-tolerant, alkaline serine protease from Bacillus circulans MTCC 7942, was purified and cha
A Synthetic Serine Protease Inhibitor, Nafamostat Mesilate, Is a Drug Potentially Applicable to the Treatment of Ebola Virus Disease
Nishimura Hidekazu,Yamaya Mutsuo
The Tohoku Journal of Experimental Medicine 237(1), 45-50, 2015
… For replication inside the cell, Ebola virus (EBOV) must undergo the proteolytic processing of its surface glycoprotein in the endosome by proteases including cathepsin B (CatB), followed by the fusion of the viral membrane and host endosome. … Thus, the proteases have been considered as potential targets for drugs against EVD. … A synthetic serine protease inhibitor, nafamostat mesilate (NM), reduced the release of CatB from the rat pancreas. …
Purification and biochemical characterization of a detergent-stable keratinase from a newly thermophilic actinomycete Actinomadura keratinilytica strain Cpt29 isolated from poultry compost(ENZYMOLOGY, PROTEIN ENGINEERING, AND ENZYME TECHNOLOGY)
Habbeche Amina,Saoudi Boudjema,Jaouadi Bassem [他],Haberra Soumaya,Kerouaz Bilal,Boudelaa Mokhtar,Badis Abdelmalek,Ladjama Ali
Journal of bioscience and bioengineering 117(4), 413-421, 2014-04
… The data revealed that the 25 N-terminal residue sequence displayed by KERAK-29 was TQADPPSWGLNNIDRQTAFTKATSI, which showed high homology with those of Streptomyces proteases. … This keratinase was completely inhibited by phenylmethanesulfonyl fluoride (PMSF) and diiodopropyl fluorophosphates (DFP), which suggests that it belongs to the serine protease family. …
Serine proteases are involved in an enormous number of biological processes (Stroud 1974). In every type of organism that scientists examine, they continue to discover new enzymes in this group ...
15.3J: Serine Proteases. The serine proteases are a family of enzymes that cut certain peptide bonds in other proteins. This activity depends on a set of amino acid residues in the active site of the enzyme — one of which is always a serine (thus accounting for their name). In mammals, serine proteases perform many important functions ...
Serine proteases appear to function in tissue remodeling and extracellular matrix degradation required for cell movements in metamorphosis. Evagination of D. melanogaster imaginal discs is blocked by serine protease inhibitors, and the discs release serine proteases ( Pino-Heiss and Schubiger, 1989 ).
Biology