Involvement of Kallikrein-Related Peptidases in Normal and Pathologic Processes.

ABSTRACT: Human kallikrein-related peptidases (KLKs) are a subgroup of serine proteases that participate in proteolytic pathways and control protein levels in normal physiology as well as in several pathological conditions. Their complex network of stimulatory and inhibitory interactions may induce inflammatory and immune responses and contribute to the neoplastic phenotype through the regulation of several cellular processes, such as proliferation, survival, migration, and invasion. This family of proteases, which includes one of the most useful cancer biomarkers, kallikrein-related peptidase 3 or PSA, also has a protective effect against cancer promoting apoptosis or counteracting angiogenesis and cell proliferation. Therefore, they represent attractive therapeutic targets and may have important a

SUBMITTER: Stefanini AC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4689925 | biostudies-literature | 2015

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature