An Overview of Asparaginase Enzyme Features: An Anticancer Enzyme with High Potency

Introduction: One of the important findings in the pharmaceutical and medical industry is the use of the asparaginazase enzyme as an anticancer drug. The asparaginase enzyme, hydrolyzing the amino acid of asparagine, reduces this amino acid in the blood and causes the death of cancer cells. Today, the enzyme is used to treat various types of leukemia, particularly acute lymphoblastic leukemia, lymphosarcoma and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Despite the widespread use of asparaginase in the pharmaceutical and medical industries, there are major problems with the use of this enzyme, including immune system stimulation, response to the enzyme and the enzyme's glutaminase activity.  It has been shown to be part of the side effects due to the glutaminase present in asparaginase. Extensive research is under way to find new sources of enzyme-producing with fewer immunological properties and side effects, and has brought hopes in this direction. In Iran, research has also been conducted over recent years to find new sources of enzyme production with new features and less side effects, and it is hoped that this research will reach the clinical and industrial stage. This paper is a review of the mechanism of enzyme activity, enzyme applications in various industries, sources of asparaginase production, and how it is produced and purified. Conclusion: Future studies can introduce new asparaginase with potential benefits for patients. However, the search for new sources of enzyme-producing microorganisms with higher therapeutic potential is still ongoing around the world.