Castro HC, Zingali RB, Albuquerque MG, Pujol-Luz M, Rodrigues CR. Snake venom thrombin-like enzymes: from reptilase to now.
Cell Mol Life Sci 2004;
61:843-56. [PMID:
15095007 PMCID:
PMC11138602 DOI:
10.1007/s00018-003-3325-z]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 138] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The snake venom thrombin-like enzymes (SVTLEs) comprise a number of serine proteases functionally and structurally related to thrombin. Until recently, only nine complete sequences of this subgroup of the serine protease family were known. Over the past 5 years, the primary structure of several SVTLEs has been characterized, and now this family includes several members. Of particular interest is their possible use in pathologies such as thrombosis. The aim of the present review is to summarize the state of the art concerning the evolutionary, structural and biological features of the SVTLEs.
Collapse