Functional proteomic profiling reveals KLK13 and TMPRSS11D as active proteases in the lower female reproductive tract.

ABSTRACT: Background: Cervical-vaginal fluid (CVF) hydrates the mucosa of the lower female reproductive tract and is known to contain numerous proteases. The low pH of CVF (4.5 or below in healthy women of reproductive age) is a uniquely human attribute and poses a challenge for the proteolytic functioning of the proteases identified in this complex biological fluid. Despite the abundance of certain proteases in CVF, the proteolytic activity and function of proteases in CVF is not well characterized. Methods: In the present study, we employed fluorogenic substrate screening to investigate the influence of pH and inhibitory compounds on the proteolytic activity in CVF. Activity-based probe (ABP) proteomics has evolved as a powerful tool to investigate active proteases within complex pro

SUBMITTER: Muytjens CMJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6329257 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature