title: Bacterial proteases: targets for diagnostics and therapy.
abstract: Proteases are essential for the proliferation and growth of bacteria, and are also known to contribute to bacterial virulence. This makes them interesting candidates as diagnostic and therapeutic targets for infectious diseases. In this review, the authors discuss the most recent developments and potential applications for bacterial proteases in the diagnosis and treatment of bacterial infections. Current and future bacterial protease targets are described and their limitations outlined.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Erasmus MC, 's-Gravendijkwal 230, 3015 CE, Rotterdam, The Netherlands, w.kaman@erasmusmc.nl.
authors.forename: W E
authors.initials: WE
authors.lastname: Kaman
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Hays
authors.forename: H P
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Endtz
authors.forename: F J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Bikker
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001419:Bacteria / Q000201:enzymology*; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D010447:Peptide Hydrolases / Q000378:metabolism; D037521:Virulence Factors / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D037521:Virulence Factors; D010447:Peptide Hydrolases