Cathepsin D stimulates DNA synthesis and mitosis in mouse liver in vivo

Effects of a single intraperitoneal injection of cathepsin D (CatD) on DNA synthesis and mitosis in the mouse liver and kidney were investigated. Twenty micrograms of catD induced a significant stimulation of DNA synthesis in the liver, but not in the kidney, in a dose-dependent fashion and with a peak activity at 38 h after the injection. CatD also stimulated liver mitosis, with a peak value at 44 h after the injection.