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Published on: August 25, 2018
Human tissue kallikreins: a road under construction.
Nashmil Emami1, Eleftherios P Diamandis
1Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Summary
The human kallikrein gene family, a large group of proteases, plays roles in various physiological functions. Dysregulation of kallikrein activity is linked to diseases, making them potential therapeutic targets.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Genetics
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- The human kallikrein gene family, located on chromosome 19q13.4, comprises 15 proteases.
- Thirteen kallikreins are identified as biomarkers for carcinomas and non-neoplastic diseases.
- Kallikreins are involved in diverse physiological processes like skin desquamation and blood pressure regulation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the regulatory mechanisms of kallikreins.
- To understand the functional roles of kallikreins in health and disease.
- To investigate kallikreins as potential therapeutic targets.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of gene expression patterns.
- Biochemical assays to study proteolytic activity.
- Investigation of regulatory pathways including transcription, translation, and post-translation.
Main Results:
- Kallikrein activity is regulated at multiple levels.
- Proteolytic cascades mediated by kallikreins can interact with other proteases.
- Uncontrolled kallikrein activity is associated with pathological conditions.
Conclusions:
- Kallikreins exhibit complex regulatory networks.
- Understanding kallikrein function is crucial for disease insights.
- Kallikreins represent promising targets for novel therapeutic strategies.
