Biochemistry
Proteolysis
Definition
Proteolysis is the hydrolytic cleavage of peptide bonds within proteins and peptides, catalyzed by enzymes called proteases. This process is a major challenge in peptide therapeutics because endogenous proteases rapidly degrade administered peptides, limiting their bioavailability and duration of action. Strategies to resist proteolysis include D-amino acid substitution, cyclization, PEGylation, and non-natural amino acid incorporation.