www.wjpps.com Vol 6, Issue 5, 2017. 561 Silpa et al. World Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences OVERVIEW ON L-ASPARAGINASE S. Silpa* 1 , Shiny Bhattacharya 1 and E. Venkatanagaraju 2 Department of Life Sciences, Garden City College of Science and Management Studies, 16th KM, Old Madras Road, Bangalore-560049, Karnataka, India. ABSTRACT L-asparaginase is a potential anti-tumour enzyme that is known for its ability to reduce the amount of L-asparagine necessary for the tumor cells. It has been used against acute lymphoblastic leukemia and lymphosacoma. This review includes methods for isolation and screening of potential microbes for mass production of enzyme. The clinical use of L-asparaginase has been highlighted. Methods of strain improvement that can increase the efficiency of selected strains have also been described. Further sttempts have been also made to describe the various environmental and nutritional paramaeters affecting the enzyme production. The purification methods and also molecular sequencing of L-asparaginase is also discussed. KEYWORDS: Microbial asparaginase, acute lymphoblastic leukemia, screening, production, strain improvement, purification. INTRODUCTION The utilization of microbes and microbial products has found broad technological application in different areas. Oncolytic enzymes have been in great demand since cancer cells are more sensitive to them. These enzymes were reported to dissolve the fibrous coating on cancer cells, allowing the immune system to work. They can also prevent attachment of cancer cells to healthy organs or tissues. One among them is L-asparaginase which is involved in the deamination of asparagine and glutamine. L-asparaginase (EC 3.5.1.1) is a tetramer protein that belongs to a group of homologous amidohydrolases family that catalyze the hydrolysis L-asparaginase (L-Asn) to L-aspartate (L-Asp) and ammonia (NH 3 ), and to a lesser extent the hydrolysis of L-glutamine (L-Gln) to WORLD JOURNAL OF PHARMACY AND PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES SJIF Impact Factor 6.647 Volume 6, Issue 5, 561-601 Review Article ISSN 2278 – 4357 Article Received on 15 March 2017, Revised on 04 April 2017, Accepted on 25 April 2017 DOI: 10.20959/wjpps20175-9203 *Corresponding Author’ S. Silpa Department of Life Sciences, Garden City College of Science and Management Studies, 16th KM, Old Madras Road, Bangalore- 560049, Karnataka, India.