The role of serine proteases in the pathogenesis of bacterial infections

An increasing resistance of pathogenic bacterial species has been considered as one of the major health problems worldwide. The discovery of novel protein targets and development of effective anti-bacterial therapeutics is of high need since for some extremely resistant pathogens we are simply left unarmed. One of new promising therapeutic strategy is the application of specific inhibitors targeting bacterial serine proteases. Pathogenic microorganisms secrete abroad range of hydrolases, including serine proteases which lead to activation of various virulence factors. Herein, we review the specific bacteria serine proteases which have an influence on pathogenicity of bacterial infection as well as we introduce the reader with a brief history of the subject.