The use of cleavage site specific antibodies to delineate protein processing and breakdown pathways

The hydrolysis of peptide bonds is an integral part of most physiological a nd pathological processes, yet knowledge is often lacking as to which pepti de bonds are cleaved, in which protein substrates, in which order, and by w hich proteolytic enzymes. An increase in our understanding of these process es will enhance understanding of the pathogenesis underlying many diseases and might aid in the recognition of new targets for therapeutic interventio n. This article reviews the development, design, and use of antibodies for the detection of specific peptide bond cleavage events, and describes how t he application of such antibodies can increase our understanding of the rol es played by proteolytic enzymes in physiology and pathology.