AI designs proteases that cut specific proteins

On 15 October 2026, Ars Technica reported that researchers used AI protein-design tools to develop proteases that cut other proteins in a targeted way. The approach keeps the catalytic core of two classes of proteases and replaces the rest, designing enzymes that can cut a specific protein in half. The researchers validated the enzymes by cutting a protein linked to neurological disease. The report notes that proteases catalyse peptide-bond cleavage, while the half-life of a peptide bond itself is estimated at hundreds of years, indicating a notable role for such enzymes in accelerating peptide-bond cleavage. Progress remains at the validation stage, and the report does not mention follow-up applications or clinical plans.

Written by AI from the reports · updated 2 d ago