Proteolysis

Proteolysis is the directed degradation (digestion) of proteins by cellular enzymes called proteases or by intramolecular digestion.

Additional recommended knowledge

Essential Laboratory Skills Guide

Weighing the right way

Daily Sensitivity Test

Purposes

Proteolysis is used by the cell for several purposes. They include:

• Removal of N-terminal methionine residues after translation.
• Removal of the signal sequence of peptides after their transport through a membrane
• Separation of viral proteins that were translated from a polycistronic mRNA
• Digestion of proteins from foods as a source of amino acids
• Conversion of predecessor-proteins (proenzymes, zymogens, prehormones) into their final structures.
• Degradation of cyclins at different stages of the cell cycle.

Examples

Examples of serine proteases include:

• trypsin
• chymotrypsin
• elastase

Venoms

Certain venoms, such as those produced by poisonous snakes, can also cause proteolysis. These venoms are, in fact, highly-evolved digestive fluids that begin their work outside of the body. Proteolytic venoms cause a wide range of toxic effects^[1], including effects that are:

• cytotoxic (cell-destroying)
• hemotoxic (blood-destroying)
• myotoxic (muscle-destroying)
• hemorrhagic (bleeding)

See also

• Proteasome

References

1. ^ Hayes WK. 2005. Research on Biological Roles and Variation of Snake Venoms. Loma Linda University.