Y. Komori et T. Nikai, CHEMISTRY AND BIOCHEMISTRY OF KALLIKREIN-LIKE ENZYME FROM SNAKE-VENOMS, Journal of toxicology. Toxin reviews, 17(3), 1998, pp. 261-277
The chemical and physiological properties of various kallikrein-like (
kinin-releasing) enzymes from Viperidae and Crotalidae snake venoms ha
ve been compared. These enzymes act on plasma kininogen to release the
potent vasodepressors bradykinin and/or kallidin. Moreover, they hydr
olyze the vasopressor angiotensin II and its precursor angiotensin I.
Although fibrinogen clotting ability is absent from kallikrein-like en
zymes, most of these enzymes degrade the peptide chains of fibrinogen.
Considerable sequence homology occurs between kallikrein-like enzymes
and thrombin-like enzymes, however physiological substrate specificit
ies of the two enzymes differ. Similarities and differences in the str
ucture and function of these enzymes is discussed.