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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2017 May 5.
Published in final edited form as: Eur J Pharmacol. 2015 May 7;778:44–55. doi: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2015.04.045

Table 3.

Structural/biochemical features of human mast cell proteases

Protease Gene Class Activity Structure Inhibition
β-Tryptases TPSAB1 and TPSB2 Serine Tryptic Inactive pro-monomer or heparin-bound, active tetramer Serpin-resistant
α-Tryptase TPSAB1 Serine Tryptic (weak) Inactive pro-monomer or heparin-bound tetramer Serpin-resistant
δ-Tryptase TPSD1 Serine Probably inactive Truncated; likely monomeric Not known
γ-Tryptase TPSG1 Serine Tryptic Membrane-bound Serpin-sensitive in soluble form; unknown in transmembrane form
Mastin Pseudo-gene Serine - - -
Chymase CMA1 Serine Chymotryptic, leu-ase Monomeric, heparin-binding Remains active bound to α2-macroglobulin
Cathepsin G CTSG Serine Chymotryptic, tryptic, leu-ase, met-ase Monomeric, heparin-binding Inactivated by serpins
Cathepsin C CTSC Thiol/cysteine Dipeptidyl amino-peptidase Tetrameric Sensitive to cystatins
Carboxy-peptidase A3 CPA3 Zn++ metallo Exopeptidase (aromatic, neutral) Can complex with heparin and chymase ?