Using microbial metalo-aminopeptidases as targets in human infectious diseases

Several microbial metalo-aminopeptidases are emerging as novel targets for the treatment of human infectious diseases. Some of them are well validated as targets and some are not; some are essential enzymes and others are important for virulence and pathogenesis. For another group, it is not clear if their enzymatic activity is involved in the critical functions that they mediate. But one aspect has been established: they display relevant roles in bacteria and protozoa that could be targeted for therapeutic purposes. This work aims to describe these biological functions for several microbial metalo-aminopeptidases.

Automated summary

Microbial metalo-aminopeptidases are emerging as novel targets for treating human infectious diseases, with some being well validated as targets and others not. While the enzymatic activity and critical functions of some of these enzymes remain unclear, their relevant roles in bacteria and protozoa make them potential targets for therapeutic purposes.