Apoptosis is an innate mechanism by which a multicellular organisms eliminates unwanted, damaged and potentially harmful cells. During apoptosis inflammation of the surrounding tissues is prevented. Defects in an apoptotic signaling can lead to numerous pathological conditions. Apoptosis is mediated through two main pathways, the extrinsic or the death receptor …
Plasma glutamate carboxypeptidase (PGCP) is a metalloproteinase. It is able to hydrolyze dipeptides into free amino acids. The enzyme is involved in the release of hormone thyroxin (T4) from Thyroglobulin (Tg), as suggested by thyroid gland studies. Prediction from the primary structure of human PGCP suggests the presence of five …
Cysteine peptidases have been demonstrated to be important virulence factors of protozoan parasites, including Trypanosoma cruzi. With genome sequence determination the existence of several novel families of cysteine peptidases can be envisioned in this parasite. We focused on two families, metacaspases from the clan CD and autophagins (or Atg4 proteases) …