Ficain

Ficain (EC 3.4.22.3 debricin, higueroxyl delabarre), also spelled ficin, is an enzyme derived from figs latex.[1][2] It is of a family of proteases known as the cysteine endopeptidases, a group that also includes papain derived from papaya latex, bromelase (bromelain) extracted from pineapple stem, calpain, caspases, cathepsin B, and chymopapain. It is one of the most commonly used for differentiating many blood group antigens: For example, it destroys M, N, S, Duffy a, and Duffy b, and enhances some other antigens including antigens from the Rh, Kidd, Lewis, I, and P1 systems.

Ficain
Identifiers
EC number3.4.22.3
CAS number9001-33-6
Databases
IntEnzIntEnz view
BRENDABRENDA entry
ExPASyNiceZyme view
KEGGKEGG entry
MetaCycmetabolic pathway
PRIAMprofile
PDB structuresRCSB PDB PDBe PDBsum

It is a common occurrence when eating the skins or the white pulp directly inside the skin of a fig to get a burning or itching sensation. This is due to the ficin in the latex (sap) of the fruit, particularly if it is unripened.

Commonly used ficin is a mixture of several isoforms from the latex of the common fig. Ficin is in the MEROPS family C1.

References
  1. Liener IE, Friedenson B (1970). "Ficin". Methods Enzymol. 19: 261–273. doi:10.1016/0076-6879(70)19020-3.
  2. Brocklehurst K, Willenbrock F, Salih E (1987). "Cysteine proteinases". In Neuberger A, Brocklehurst K (eds.). New Comprehensive Biochemistry: Hydrolytic Enzymes. Amsterdam: Elsevier. pp. 39–158.
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