EDTA is an inhibitor of metalloproteases at effective concentrations of 1-10 mM. EDTA acts as a chelator of the zinc ion in the active site of metalloproteases and can also inhibit other metal ion-dependent proteases such as calcium-dependent cysteine proteases. For use as an anticoagulant disodium or tripotassium salts of EDTA are most commonly used. The optimal concentration is 1.5 mg per ml of blood.

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