Question

Does our blood have proteases and nucleases?

Answer 1

Proteases appear naturally in all organisms. These enzymes have a role in a wide range of physiological events, from simple protein digestion to highly regulated cascades (e.g., the blood-clotting cascade, the complement system, apoptotic pathways, and the invertebrate prophenoloxidase-activating cascade). Proteases found in blood serum (thrombin, plasmin, Hageman factor, etc.) play a key part in blood clotting, clot lysis, and immune system function. Other proteases found in leucocytes include elastase and cathepsin G, which serve a variety of roles in metabolic regulation. Blood contains nucleases such as deoxyribonucleases and ribonucleases, which aid in the breakdown of exogenous deoxyribonucleic acid and ribonucleic acid that circulate in the blood.