Analysis of vertebrate genome sequences at the turn of the millennium revealed that a vastly larger repertoire of enzymes execute proteolytic cleavage reactions within the pericellular and extracellular environments than was anticipated from biochemical and molecular analysis. Most unexpected was the unveiling of an entire new family of structurally unique multidomain serine proteases that are anchored directly to the plasma membrane. Unlike secreted serine proteases, which function primarily in tissue repair, immunity, and nutrient uptake, these membrane-anchored serine proteases regulate fundamental cellular and developmental processes, including tissue morphogenesis, epithelial barrier function, ion and water transport, cellular iron export, and fertilization. Here the cellular and developmental biology of this fascinating new group of proteases is reviewed. Particularly highlighted is how the study of membrane-anchored serine proteases has expanded our knowledge of the range of physiological processes that require regulated proteolysis at the cell surface.

中文翻译：

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脊椎动物细胞和发育生物学中的膜锚定丝氨酸蛋白酶。

在千禧年之交对脊椎动物基因组序列的分析表明，在细胞周和细胞外环境中执行蛋白水解切割反应的酶库比生化和分子分析所预期的要大得多。最出人意料的是一个全新的结构独特的多域丝氨酸蛋白酶家族的揭幕，这些蛋白酶直接锚定在质膜上。与主要在组织修复、免疫和营养吸收中起作用的分泌型丝氨酸蛋白酶不同，这些膜锚定的丝氨酸蛋白酶调节基本的细胞和发育过程，包括组织形态发生、上皮屏障功能、离子和水转运、细胞铁输出和受精. 这里回顾了这一迷人的新蛋白酶组的细胞和发育生物学。特别强调的是，膜锚定丝氨酸蛋白酶的研究如何扩展了我们对需要在细胞表面进行调节蛋白水解的生理过程范围的了解。