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@article{191590,
        author = {Mukhtiyar Ahmed Mir},
        title = {Proteases and Protease Inhibitors: A Comprehensive Review of Biological Roles and Therapeutic Advances},
        journal = {International Journal of Innovative Research in Technology},
        year = {2026},
        volume = {12},
        number = {8},
        pages = {7041-7047},
        issn = {2349-6002},
        url = {https://ijirt.org/article?manuscript=191590},
        abstract = {Protease inhibitors (PIs) are widely distributed across living systems and occur in a broad range of organisms, including bacteria, plants, and animals. In plants, these small proteins are predominantly localized in storage tissues such as roots and seeds, although they are also present in aerial parts. Their primary biological role is defence, particularly against phytophagous insects and pathogenic microorganisms.
Mutations affecting protease inhibitors are associated with several hereditary and acquired disorders, including emphysema, epilepsy, neurotic edema, AIDS, and Netherton syndrome. Owing to their strong insecticidal and pest-deterrent properties, protease inhibitors represent one of the most important classes of bioactive compounds and have been extensively exploited as bioinsecticides, notably through the development of transgenic plants.
Proteases play critical roles in cellular signalling pathways and are implicated in the pathogenesis of numerous diseases, ranging from cardiovascular disorders to cancer, thereby serving as valuable diagnostic and therapeutic targets. They are also involved in host defence mechanisms against viruses, parasites, and other pathogens. Inhibitors targeting well-characterized proteases, such as angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and HIV protease, have achieved substantial clinical success. This highlights the broad therapeutic potential of protease inhibitors, which is briefly reviewed here.},
        keywords = {Protease Inhibitors, Therapeutics, Target Proteases, Review},
        month = {January},
        }