In human, serine proteases exert their activities at various cellular levels and are responsible for the coordination of many physiological functions including digestion, cell cycle, coagulation, immunity, and reproduction. Furthermore, serine proteases are key elements of the inflammation response due to their release from activated leukocytes and mast cells or generation through the coagulation cascade. The dysregulation of serine proteases is thus involved in a wide range of pathologies: thrombin and plasmin in coagulopathies and bleeding disorders, granzymes and neutrophil elastases (NEs) in immune deficiencies, and plasma kallikreins levels in blood pressure disorders like angioedema. In the epidermis, serine proteases, including some kallikrein-related peptidases that we will detail hereafter and matriptase, are involved in various skin disorders. Serine proteases which possess similar structures and catalytic properties are grouped into clans. The four main clans are clan PA represented by chymotrypsin, clan SB by subtilisin, and clans SC and SF which encompass various proteases.

References

1.Soualmia F, El Amri C. Expert Opin Ther Pat. 2018;28(2):93–110.