title: The thermolysin family (M4) of enzymes: therapeutic and biotechnological potential.
abstract: Zinc containing peptidases are widely distributed in nature and have important roles in many physiological processes. M4 family comprises numerous zinc-dependent metallopeptidases that hydrolyze peptide bonds. A large number of these enzymes are implicated as virulence factors of the microorganisms that produce them and are therefore potential drug targets. Some enzymes of the family are able to function at the extremes of temperatures, and some function in organic solvents. Thereby enzymes of the thermolysin family have an innovative potential for biotechnological applications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tromsø, N-9037 Tromsø, Norway. adekoya@fagmed.uit.no
authors.forename: Olayiwola A
authors.initials: OA
authors.lastname: Adekoya
authors.forename: Ingebrigt
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Sylte
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000188:drug therapy; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D020134:Catalytic Domain; D015195:Drug Design; D055808:Drug Discovery; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008666:Metalloendopeptidases / Q000378:metabolism; D015394:Molecular Structure; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary; D013379:Substrate Specificity; D013696:Temperature; D013820:Thermolysin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015032:Zinc / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D008666:Metalloendopeptidases; C043859:pseudolysin, Pseudomonas aeruginosa; D013820:Thermolysin; D015032:Zinc