Cysteine proteases

Cysteine proteases are a type of enzyme that break down proteins by cutting them at specific points. They use a special amino acid called cysteine in their active site, which plays a key role in the cutting process. These enzymes are involved in many biological functions like digestion, immune response, and cellular regulation. They are found in organisms ranging from bacteria to humans. Because of their precise ability to cleave proteins, cysteine proteases are also used in medicine and research, such as in treatments for diseases or in developing biotechnology tools.