![]() Cell death was recognized to involve proteases, as were wasting diseases ( e.g. The extent of that turnover (intracellular protein degradative process) and its importance to the vitality of the cell, however, was unappreciated. That said, it had been known since the pioneering studies of Schoenheimer (1942) ( 16) that there was continuous turnover (synthesis and breakdown) of cellular proteins in eukaryotic cells. In an era when there were great advances and interest in the mechanisms of protein synthesis (the 1950s and 1960s), there was a comparative dearth of information and effort devoted to studies of protein degradation. There was ample new information coming forth in the 1960s and early 1970s on protease structure and function about small (20–35-kDa), secreted proteases (as those cited above), but little to nil was known about cell-associated proteases, cellular functions of proteases, or protein turnover. A degradome database of human proteases ( 14) and the Handbook of Proteolytic Enzymes ( 15) are also valuable resources. A comprehensive database, MEROPS, of the more than 1000 individual proteases is available to all and contains a wealth of information on the characterization and evolutionary relationships of the proteases and the current literature ( ) 3 ( 98). There are many excellent reviews available for individually characterized proteases and for clans and families of proteases, as well as for general insights into functional aspects of proteases ( e.g. Proteases and protein degradation play crucial roles in living systems, and I briefly address future directions in this highly diverse and thriving research area.Ĭarboxypeptidase B was isolated in 1960 ( 11), and bacterial collagenase, now known as part of the matrixin family, matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP-1), was isolated in 1957 ( 12). In addition, metalloproteinases, particularly meprins of the astacin family, will be discussed with regard to structural characteristics, regulation, mechanisms of action, and roles in health and disease. Tabor's invaluable contributions to the JBC and the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB), I endeavor to provide an overview of the extensive history of protease research, highlighting a few discoveries and roles of proteases in vivo. In this review, besides reflecting on Dr. When he began his tenure, the fine structure and kinetics of only a few proteases were known now thousands of proteases have been characterized, and over 600 genes for proteases have been identified in the human genome. ![]() ![]() Herb Tabor served as the JBC's editor-in-chief. The pace of discovery in the protease field accelerated during the 1971–2010 period that Dr. The Journal of Biological Chemistry (JBC) has been a major vehicle for disseminating and recording the discovery and characterization of proteolytic enzymes. ![]()
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