Inhibitors database, MEROPS

Prior to the start of any experimental substrate finding activity, databases should be mined. A tremendous amount of information about proteases, substrates, inhibitors, and structures can be retrieved from two searchable databases MEROPS (Rawlings et al., 2006) (http //merops.sanger. ac.uk) and BRENDA (www.brenda-enzymes.de), that serve as good starting points for assay development in many cases. These databases are available to the public and should be consulted as primary sources of information. 

Merops (http //merops.sanger.ac.uk), database of peptidases and their proteinaceous inhibitors. Includes enzyme classification and nomenclature, external links to literature, and the structure of proteins of interest (if known). Enables one to find the gene coding for a given peptidase or to find the best enzyme to digest a chosen substrate. 

Over 90 phylogenetically distinct families of protease inhibitors have been classified by the MEROPS database. We will focus the current discussion on the most abundant and well-characterized groups. 

The MEROPS database of peptidases and inhibitors is an invaluable resource that can be found at http //merops.sanger.ac.uk/... 

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