Planta Med 2008; 74(7): 699-711
DOI: 10.1055/s-2008-1074530
Review
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Occurrence and Properties of Proteases in Plant Latices

André Domsalla1 , Matthias F. Melzig1
  • 1Institute of Pharmacy, Free University Berlin, Berlin, Germany
Further Information

Publication History

Received: February 18, 2008 Revised: March 14, 2008

Accepted: March 18, 2008

Publication Date:
21 May 2008 (online)

Abstract

Proteases appear to play key roles in the regulation of biological processes in plants, such as the recognition of pathogens and pests and the induction of effective defence responses. On the other side these enzymes are able to activate protease-activated receptors (PARs) and in that way to act as agents with pharmacological and toxicological significance. An important source of plant proteases used in traditional medicine and industry is latex. Over 110 latices of different plant families are known to contain at least one proteolytic enzyme. Most of them belong to the cysteine or serine endopeptidases family and only one to the aspartatic endopeptidases family. This review focuses on the characterization of proteases found in latices of several plant families (Apocynaceae, Asclepiadaceae, Asteraceae, Caricaceae, Convolvulaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Moraceae), and summarizes the known chemical and biological properties of the isolated proteases as well as their importance in pharmacology and toxicology.

Abbreviations

Ac-Phe-Arg-pNA: N-acetyl-phenylalanine-arginine-p-nitroanilide

APMSF: p-amidinomethanesulfonylfluoride

CGN: carboxybenzoxyglycine p-nitrophenyl ester

DEAE-sepharose: diethylaminoethyl-sepharose

DEPC: diethyl pyrocarbonate

DFP: diisopropyl fluorophosphate

E-64: trans-epoxysuccinyl-L-leucylamido-(4-guanidino)butane

IAA: iodoacetamide

PAR: protease-activated receptor

PCMB: p-chloromercury benzoate

PFLNA: L-pyroglutamyl-L-phenylalanyl-L-leucine-p-nitroanilide

PMSF: phenylmethanesulfonyl fluoride

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Prof. Dr. Matthias F. Melzig

Institute of Pharmacy

Free University Berlin

Königin-Luise-Str. 2 +4

14195 Berlin

Germany

Phone: +49-30-838-51451

Fax: +49-30-838-51461

Email: matthias.melzig@fu-berlin.de