An overview of the serpin superfamily.

ABSTRACT: Serpins are a broadly distributed family of protease inhibitors that use a conformational change to inhibit target enzymes. They are central in controlling many important proteolytic cascades, including the mammalian coagulation pathways. Serpins are conformationally labile and many of the disease-linked mutations of serpins result in misfolding or in pathogenic, inactive polymers.

SUBMITTER: Law RH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1779521 | biostudies-literature | 2006

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature