Serine protease inhibitor
Serine protease inhibitors (serpin) is a group of enzymes that inhibit peptidases (old name: proteases, hence the name). Serine proteases have in common that they cleave proteins at a serine residue. Serpins have in common that they inhibit this group of enzymes. They are part of the larger group of protease inhibitors.Enzymes in the serpin class:
- Alpha 1-antitrypsin (the most important serpin, often simply referred to as protease inhibitor);
- Alpha 1-antichymotrypsin;
- Antithrombin (coagulation);
- Complement 1-inhibitor;
- Neuroserpin (recently discovered);
- Plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (coagulation, fibrinolysis);