Proteases

Protease is the name given to a class of enzymes that catalyze protein catabolism by hydrolysis of the peptide bonds linking amino acids together. Proteases have evolved to perform these reactions by numerous different mechanisms and are found in animals, plants, bacteria, archaea, and viruses, highlighting the important role that they play in all forms of life on Earth. Proteases are involved in protein processing, regulation of protein function, apoptosis, viral pathogenesis, digestion, photosynthesis, and numerous other vital processes.

Proteases also offer a valuable target in many therapeutic settings, including Alzheimer’s, cancer, and viral infection. In fact, one of the most widely-used classes of anti-viral therapeutics is protease inhibitors, which are used to treat both HIV and HCV infections.

BPS offers a wide selection of protease products in addition to  protease screening and profiling services.