The eight human “canonical” ribonucleases: Molecular diversity, catalytic properties, and special biological actions of the enzyme proteins

摘要

Humanribonucleases(RNases)aremembersofalargesuperfamilyofrapidlyevolvinghomologousproteins.Uponcompletionofthehumangenome,eightcatalyticallyactiveRNases(numbered1–8)wereidentified.ThesestructurallydistinctRNases,characterizedbytheirvariouscatalyticdifferencesondifferentRNAsubstrates,constituteagenefamilythatappearstobethesolevertebrate‐specificenzymefamily.ApartfromdigestionofdietaryRNA,awidevarietyofbiologicalactions,includingneurotoxicity,angiogenesis,immunosuppressivity,andanti‐pathogenactivity,havebeenrecentlyreportedforalmostallmembersofthefamily.RecentevolutionarystudiessuggestthatRNasesstartedoffinvertebratesashostdefenceorangiogenicproteins...