Abstract

FUNCTIONAL AND INDUSTRIAL DIVERSITY OF PROTEASES: A FUTURE PERSPECTIVE

Anchal Pal, Nandani Saraswat, Jyoti Rawat, Jharna Deep, Ajay Kumar and Vinod Kumar Gupta*

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Abstract

Proteases are biodegradable enzymes have significantly aided in the development of eco- friendly, clean, and green technologies, largely replacing harsh chemicals. A wide variety of enzymes can break the bonds between amino acids in proteins. These enzymes are important for many body functions, such as sending signals between cells, fighting infections, and controlling cell death. Based on where they act on the substrate, they are classified into two types; endopeptidase and exopeptidases. Both classes exhibit different subtypes along with their features and specificity. Proteolytic degradation by these enzymes is essential for maintain homeostasis and recycling amino acids. In the recent years, proteases have gained increasing attention due to its wide ranging industrial and biological applications. They are used in the food and beverage industry, pharmaceutical, detergents, leather processing, and waste management. This review highlights the classification of proteases, their role in protein degradation, their evolving applications in different sectors, emphasizing their importance in both natural and engineered system.

Keywords: Proteases, biodegradable enzyme, endopeptidases, exopeptidases, protein degradation.