- #1
- 4,215
- 61
I guess proteases have a very broad spectrum of substrates while glycosidases are very specific? Is that correct?
Proteases and Glycosidases: Specificity and Substrate Diversity?
- Thread starter Monique
- Start date
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Discussion Overview
The discussion revolves around the specificity and substrate diversity of proteases and glycosidases, exploring their roles in biological processes, particularly in the context of lysosomal storage diseases. The scope includes conceptual clarifications and technical explanations regarding enzyme activity and substrate interactions.
Discussion Character
- Conceptual clarification, Debate/contested
Main Points Raised
- Some participants propose that proteases have a broad spectrum of substrates, while glycosidases are more specific.
- Others clarify that glycosidases are involved in the degradation of sugars, whereas proteases break down proteins.
- A participant suggests that lysosomal storage diseases are primarily caused by deficiencies in glycosidase enzymes, hypothesizing that glycosidases may work on one enzyme per substrate, unlike proteases.
- Another participant notes that proteases can also exhibit specificity based on the amino acid side chains in peptides, indicating a potential complexity in their activity.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Participants express differing views on the specificity of proteases versus glycosidases, with no consensus reached regarding the implications of these differences in the context of lysosomal storage diseases.
Contextual Notes
There are limitations in the discussion regarding the definitions and mechanisms of action for both enzyme types, as well as the specific relationship between enzyme deficiencies and lysosomal storage diseases, which remain unresolved.
- #2
rockind78
- 78
- 0
Well according to my sources, a glycosidase is active in the degredation of sugars, while proteases break down proteins.
http://cancerweb.ncl.ac.uk/cgi-bin/omd?query=glycosidase
http://cancerweb.ncl.ac.uk/cgi-bin/omd?query=protease
http://cancerweb.ncl.ac.uk/cgi-bin/omd?query=glycosidase
http://cancerweb.ncl.ac.uk/cgi-bin/omd?query=protease
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- #3
- 4,215
- 61
You are right, but what I was getting at is that lysosomal storage disease are mainly caused by deficiencies in glycosidase enzymes and not proteases. I thought that the reason for that would be that glycosidases work 1 enzyme 1 substrate, while proteases are more generally active. If you are deficient in a proteases, other proteases would still be able to digest the accumulating substrate. I guess?
- #4
rockind78
- 78
- 0
Sorry,
I totally misread your question there.
I am not familiar with the lysosomal storage disease or glycosidases so much either, but I do know that proteases contain the potential to be quite specific based on the amino acid side chains that are contained within the peptide. Don't know if that helps at all, but hopefully it does.
I totally misread your question there.
I am not familiar with the lysosomal storage disease or glycosidases so much either, but I do know that proteases contain the potential to be quite specific based on the amino acid side chains that are contained within the peptide. Don't know if that helps at all, but hopefully it does.
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