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 are involved in protein processing, regulation of protein function, apoptosis, viral pathogenesis, digestion, photosynthesis, and numerous other vital processes. Proteases 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.
