Proteasers

Proteasers is a seldom-used term that denotes enzymes responsible for proteolysis, commonly known as proteases. In mainstream biochemistry, the preferred term is protease, and proteaser is usually regarded as a nonstandard spelling or historic usage. The word may appear in older literature, some educational materials, or marketing contexts, but its meaning remains the same: an enzyme that cleaves peptide bonds in proteins.

Taxonomy and mechanism: Proteases are categorized by their catalytic mechanism: serine, cysteine, aspartic, metallo-, and threonine proteases. They may act as endopeptidases, cutting within a protein, or exopeptidases, removing terminal residues. They require specific conditions such as pH and metal ions, and they can be inhibited by protease inhibitors.

Biological roles: Proteases are essential in digestion (pepsin, pancreatic enzymes), protein turnover, cell signaling, immune function, and blood coagulation. Examples include trypsin (serine protease), pepsin (aspartic protease), and matrix metalloproteinases (metallo proteases).

Industrial and medical uses: Industrial uses include detergent formulations and processing of food. Medical uses include enzyme replacement therapy and investigational protease inhibitors in antiviral or cancer therapy. Allergic reactions and sensitization can occur with exposure to proteases in occupational settings or with certain enzyme preparations.

See also: protease, proteolysis, enzyme.