Proteases or peptidases are an imperative class of hydrolytic enzymes capable of hydrolyzing large proteins into smaller peptides. The cold-adapted proteases show higher catalytic capacity in low temperatures as well as stability in alkaline conditions and appear as strong contenders for various applications in special industries. In the past few decades, the interest in cold-adapted microorganisms producing cold-adapted proteases has increased at an exciting rate, and many of them have emerged as important biotechnological and industrial candidates. Industrial proteases are largely supplied from various types of microorganisms than plant or animal sources. Among diverse microbial sources, psychrophiles and psychrotrophs inhabiting permanently or partially cold environments have appeared as rich sources of cold-adapted proteases. The present review focuses on recent sources of cold-adapted protease producers along with the molecular adaptation of psychrotrophs and psychrophiles. The recent knowledge on production, kinetic properties, purification, and substrate specificity of cold-adapted proteases has been summarized. Recent advances in cold-adapted protease gene cloning and structural studies are also described. Moreover, the prospective applications of cold-adapted proteases are discussed which can help in evaluating their industrial potential.

中文翻译：

---

来自嗜冷菌和嗜冷菌的冷适应蛋白酶的适应、生产和生物技术潜力：最近的概述。

蛋白酶或肽酶是一类能够将大蛋白质水解成较小肽的水解酶。冷适应蛋白酶在低温下表现出更高的催化能力以及在碱性条件下的稳定性，是特殊行业各种应用的有力竞争者。在过去的几十年中，对产生冷适应蛋白酶的冷适应微生物的兴趣以令人兴奋的速度增加，其中许多已成为重要的生物技术和工业候选者。工业蛋白酶主要由各种类型的微生物提供，而不是植物或动物来源。在多种微生物来源中，长期或部分寒冷环境中栖息的嗜冷菌和嗜冷菌已成为适应冷的蛋白酶的丰富来源。本综述重点关注冷适应蛋白酶生产者的最新来源以及嗜冷菌和嗜冷菌的分子适应。总结了冷适应蛋白酶的生产、动力学特性、纯化和底物特异性的最新知识。还描述了冷适应蛋白酶基因克隆和结构研究的最新进展。此外，还讨论了冷适应蛋白酶的潜在应用，这有助于评估它们的工业潜力。还描述了冷适应蛋白酶基因克隆和结构研究的最新进展。此外，还讨论了冷适应蛋白酶的潜在应用，这有助于评估它们的工业潜力。还描述了冷适应蛋白酶基因克隆和结构研究的最新进展。此外，还讨论了冷适应蛋白酶的潜在应用，这有助于评估它们的工业潜力。