title: Bacterial collagenases - A review.
abstract: Bacterial collagenases are metalloproteinases involved in the degradation of the extracellular matrices of animal cells, due to their ability to digest native collagen. These enzymes are important virulence factors in a variety of pathogenic bacteria. Nonetheless, there is a lack of scientific consensus for a proper and well-defined classification of these enzymes and a vast controversy regarding the correct identification of collagenases. Clostridial collagenases were the first ones to be identified and characterized and are the reference enzymes for comparison of newly discovered collagenolytic enzymes. In this review we present the most recent data regarding bacterial collagenases and overview the functional and structural diversity of bacterial collagenases. An overall picture of the molecular diversity and distribution of these proteins in nature will also be given. Particular aspects of the different proteolytic activities will be contextualized within relevant areas of application, mainly biotechnological processes and therapeutic uses. At last, we will present a new classification guide for bacterial collagenases that will allow the correct and straightforward classification of these enzymes.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Biology and Cesam , University of Aveiro, Campus Universitario de Santiago , Aveiro , Portugal.
authors.forename: Ana Sofia
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Duarte
authors.affiliation: a Department of Biology and Cesam , University of Aveiro, Campus Universitario de Santiago , Aveiro , Portugal.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Correia
authors.affiliation: a Department of Biology and Cesam , University of Aveiro, Campus Universitario de Santiago , Aveiro , Portugal.
authors.forename: Ana Cristina
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Esteves
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001419:Bacteria / Q000145:classification / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D003094:Collagen / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D017364:Collagenases / Q000737:chemistry / Q000145:classification / Q000502:physiology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003358:Cosmetics; D005524:Food Technology; D018093:Gelatinases / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases / Q000378:metabolism; D059748:Proteolysis
chemical_list: D003358:Cosmetics; D003094:Collagen; D017364:Collagenases; D018093:Gelatinases; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases
keywords: Collagen; Dupuytren disease; M9-peptidases; metalloproteinases; microbial collagenases