Abstract

Reinaldo Barros Geraldo , Paula Campello Costa Lopes , Carlos Rangel Rodrigues ,Russolina Benedeta Zingali , Helena C. Castro

Neuropsin is a serine-protease produced by neurons and glial cells that is directly involved in learning and memory processes. This enzyme presents an important role in brain diseases such as epilepsy and Alzheimer disease. In this work we reviewed several aspects about this enzyme including structure, biological activity and its role in the central nervous system. We also compared neuropsin with other serineproteases such as trypsin, an enzyme found in digestive and brain systems, thrombin, a coagulation cascade enzyme, and Lm-TL of a thrombin-like enzyme present in Lachesis muta venom that affects the prey central nervous system, among others, using bioinformatic tools. The analysis of the structural features of neuropsin and of these enzymes that present different and specific biological activities despite their high homology degree may help on designing selective inhibitor for treating several diseases including brain disorders.