L-asparaginase: a promising chemotherapeutic agent

Crit Rev Biotechnol. 2007 Jan-Mar;27(1):45-62. doi: 10.1080/07388550601173926.

Abstract

This article comprises detailed information about L-asparaginase, encompassing topics such as microbial and plant sources of L-asparaginase, treatment with L-asparaginase, mechanism of action of L-asparaginase, production, purification, properties, expression and characteristics of l-asparaginase along with information about studies on the structure of L-asparaginase. Although L-asparaginase has been reviewed by Savitri and Azmi (2003), our effort has been to include recent and updated information about the enzyme covering new aspects such as structural modification and immobilization of L-asparaginase, recombinant L-asparaginase, resistance to L-asparaginase, methods of assay of L-asparagine and L-asparaginase activity using the biosensor approach, L-asparaginase activity in soil and the factors affecting it. Also, side-effects of L-asparaginase treatment in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) have been discussed in the current review. L-asparaginase has been and is still one of the most widely studied therapeutic enzymes by researchers and scientists worldwide.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Actinobacteria / enzymology
  • Actinobacteria / genetics
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Asparaginase / adverse effects
  • Asparaginase / analysis
  • Asparaginase / chemistry
  • Asparaginase / genetics
  • Asparaginase / isolation & purification
  • Asparaginase / pharmacology*
  • Asparaginase / therapeutic use
  • Bacteria / enzymology
  • Bacteria / genetics
  • Humans
  • Plants / enzymology
  • Plants / genetics
  • Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / drug therapy*
  • Recombinant Proteins / chemistry
  • Recombinant Proteins / pharmacology
  • Recombinant Proteins / therapeutic use
  • Rhodotorula / chemistry
  • Rhodotorula / enzymology

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Asparaginase