Proteases are degradative enzymes, which catalyze the total hydrolysis of
proteins. Advances in analytical techniques have demonstrated that proteases conduct
highly specific and selective modifications of proteins such as the activation of
zymogenic forms of enzymes by limited proteolysis blood clotting and processing and
transport of secretory proteins across the membranes. The main sources of proteases
are animals, plants, and microbes. Proteases from microbial sources are preferred to
enzymes from plant and animal sources since they possess almost all the characteristics
desired for their biotechnological applications. Proteases are further categorized as
serine proteases, Aspartic proteases, cysteine proteases or metalloproteases –
depending on their catalytic mechanisms. Moreover, proteases are also classified based
on their pH –being acidic, neutral or alkaline proteases. Microbial proteases have
numerous applications in different sectors like leather, detergent, food, photographic
industry, etc.
Keywords: Classification, Industrial uses, Proteases, Sources.
