Salivary protease inhibitors with non anti-hemostatic functions

Abstract

Arthropod saliva regulates proteolysis in the sites of bite(s). Secreted salivary inhibitors target different proteolytic enzymes (proteases) that have a pivotal role in vertebrate hemostasis, immunity and inflammation. The aim of this chapter is to give an overview of the salivary protease inhibitors that affect the latter two physiological procedures. Functional studies, mainly in ticks, have demonstrated many potent arthropod salivary inhibitors of cysteine proteases (cathepsins) and serine proteases (elastase and tryptase). Emphasis is given to the function of these inhibitors and more specifically to the mechanism by which they facilitate hematophagy.