RECENT INSIGHTS INTO CYSTEINE PROTEASE SPECIFICITY - LESSONS FOR DRUGDESIGN

Cysteine proteases of the papain superfamily are usually considered to possess a relatively broad substrate specificity. However, despite a number of similarities between cysteine proteases, unique and/or restr icted preferences for substrates have been observed in a few cases and differences do exist that can form the basis for the design of more s pecific inhibitors. Recent crystallographic measurements coupled to mu tational analysis have allowed the molecular basis behind several of t hese specificity determinants to be uncovered.