Concise report on study of proteinase inhibitors and their utilization in practice (from 1986 – July 2007)

Abstract

Proteinase inhibitors (PIs) are widely distributed in plants, microorganisms and mammalian species; they are known to play pivotal roles in regulating proteinase activities in these species. Accordingly, PIs are important molecular tools for many research disciplines. Studies of the correlation of PI structures and functions have lead to understanding of their inhibitory actions against physiological important proteases. There are potential therapeutic applications for such studies for diseases relating to excessive activities of proteases. Our studies on PIs in Viet nam have been begun since 1986, focusing on the following topics: Quantitative analysis of proteinase inhibitory activity (PIA) in wild type and cultivated plants; tracing of PIs in the process of seed development and the distribution of PIs in different parts of seed; establishment of the procedure for isolation of the selected PIs; the procedure for using PIs preparations in medical and agricultural practice; characterization of the isolated PIs, study of their structure; investigation of their potential therapeutic and agricultural applications; clinical trial studies for the selected PIs preparations. This paper is a brief summary of our 56 works published in the national and international journals as well as at the symposia and conferences