Current Pharmaceutical Design - Volume 13, Issue 4, 2007

Proteases have been known for many years as protein-degrading enzymes. However, this view has dramatically changed and proteases are now considered as extremely important signalling molecules, involved in numerous vital processes. Their activity requires strict regulation and regulation defects can lead to pathologies, often associated with excessive proteolysis. The number of diseases, where proteases were i Read More

Metallocarboxypeptidases (MCPs) are commonly regarded as exopeptidases that actively participate in the digestion of proteins and peptides. In the recent years, however, novel MCPs comprising a wide range of physiological roles have been found in different mammalian extra-pancreatic tissues and fluids. Among them, CPU, also known as thrombinactivatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI), has been shown to cleave C-termina Read More

This review provides an overview of the biochemistry and activation of inflammatory caspases, and focuses on their therapeutic potential as disease targets in pathologies such as sepsis, Crohn's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, traumatic brain injury and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). We summarize the proof-of-principal evidence obtained by studies in several corresponding experimental disease models confirming the Read More

The general view on cysteine cathepsins, which were long believed to be primarily involved in intracellular protein turnover, has dramatically changed in last 10 to 15 years. The discovery of new cathepsins, such as cathepsins K, V, X, F and O, and their tissue distribution suggested that at least some of them are involved in very specific cellular processes. Moreover, gene ablation experiments revealed that cathepsins play Read More

Influenza A virus (IAV) is one of the most common infectious pathogens in humans. Since IVA genome does not have the processing protease for the viral membrane fusion glycoprotein precursors, entry of this virus into cells is determined primarily by host cellular, trypsin-type, processing proteases that proteolytically activate the fusion glycoprotein precursors of IAV. At least five different processing proteases have been id Read More

The development of dendritic architecture with well-defined size, shape and controlled exterior functionality holds promise in pharmaceutical applications such as drug delivery, solubilization, DNA transfection and diagnosis. Highly branched, monodisperse, stable molecular level and low polydispersity with micelle-like behavior possessing nano-scale container property distinguish these structures as inimitable and optimu Read More

Primary chronic venous disease (CVD) is a common condition that can cause significant morbidity for sufferers and considerable burden on health care systems. Prolonged venous hypertension in conjunction with valvular incompetence and venous reflux is responsible for the diverse clinical manifestations of CVD and links all theories regarding CVD pathogenesis. Recent data suggest that valve damage may be acquired rath Read More