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Rehman SU, Ullah N, Zhang Z, Zhen Y, Din AU, Cui H, Wang M. Recent insights into the functions and mechanisms of antisense RNA: emerging applications in cancer therapy and precision medicine. Front Chem 2024; 11:1335330. [PMID: 38274897 PMCID: PMC10809404 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2023.1335330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
The antisense RNA molecule is a unique DNA transcript consisting of 19-23 nucleotides, characterized by its complementary nature to mRNA. These antisense RNAs play a crucial role in regulating gene expression at various stages, including replication, transcription, and translation. Additionally, artificial antisense RNAs have demonstrated their ability to effectively modulate gene expression in host cells. Consequently, there has been a substantial increase in research dedicated to investigating the roles of antisense RNAs. These molecules have been found to be influential in various cellular processes, such as X-chromosome inactivation and imprinted silencing in healthy cells. However, it is important to recognize that in cancer cells; aberrantly expressed antisense RNAs can trigger the epigenetic silencing of tumor suppressor genes. Moreover, the presence of deletion-induced aberrant antisense RNAs can lead to the development of diseases through epigenetic silencing. One area of drug development worth mentioning is antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs), and a prime example of an oncogenic trans-acting long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) is HOTAIR (HOX transcript antisense RNA). NATs (noncoding antisense transcripts) are dysregulated in many cancers, and researchers are just beginning to unravel their roles as crucial regulators of cancer's hallmarks, as well as their potential for cancer therapy. In this review, we summarize the emerging roles and mechanisms of antisense RNA and explore their application in cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shahab Ur Rehman
- College of Animals Science and Technology Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Numan Ullah
- College of Animals Science and Technology Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Zhenbin Zhang
- College of Animals Science and Technology Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Yongkang Zhen
- College of Animals Nutrition Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Aziz-Ud Din
- Department of Human Genetics, Hazara University Mansehra, Mansehra, Pakistan
| | - Hengmi Cui
- College of Animals Science and Technology Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- Institute of Epigenetics and Epigenomics Yangzhou University, College of Animal Nutrition Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Mengzhi Wang
- College of Animals Science and Technology Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- College of Animals Nutrition Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
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Stuardo-Parada A, López-Muñoz R, Villarroel-Espindola F, Figueroa CD, Ehrenfeld P. Minireview: functional roles of tissue kallikrein, kinins, and kallikrein-related peptidases in lung cancer. Med Oncol 2023; 40:224. [PMID: 37405520 DOI: 10.1007/s12032-023-02090-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 06/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/06/2023]
Abstract
Despite campaigns and improvements in detection and treatment, lung cancer continues to increase worldwide and represents a major public health problem. One approach to treating patients suffering from lung cancer is to target surface receptors overexpressed on tumor cells, such as GPCR-family kinin receptors, and proteases that control tumor progression, such as kallikrein-related peptidases (KLKs). These proteases have been visualized in recent years due to their contribution to the progression of cancers, such as prostate and ovarian cancer, facilitating the invasive and metastatic capacity of tumor cells in these tissues. In fact, KLK3 is the specific prostate antigen, the only tissue-specific biomarker used to diagnose this malignancy. In lung cancer to date, evidence indicates that KLK5, KLK6, KLK8, KLK11, and KLK14 are the major peptidases regulated and involved in its progression. The expression levels of KLKs in this neoplasm are modulated by the secretome of the different cell types present in the tumor microenvironment, the cancer subtype and the tumor stage, among others. Considering the multiple functions of kinin receptors and KLKs, this review highlights their roles, even considering the SARS-CoV-2 effects. Since lung cancer is often diagnosed in advanced stages, our efforts should focus on early diagnosis, validating for example specific KLKs, especially in high-risk populations such as smokers and people exposed to carcinogenic fumes, oil fields, and contaminated workplaces, unexplored fields to investigate. Furthermore, their modulation could be considered as a promising approach in lung cancer therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Stuardo-Parada
- Laboratory of Cellular Pathology, Institute of Anatomy, Histology and Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
- Center for Interdisciplinary Studies on Nervous System (CISNe), Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
| | - Rodrigo López-Muñoz
- Center for Interdisciplinary Studies on Nervous System (CISNe), Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
- Institute of Pharmacology and Morphophysiology, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
| | | | - Carlos D Figueroa
- Laboratory of Cellular Pathology, Institute of Anatomy, Histology and Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
- Center for Interdisciplinary Studies on Nervous System (CISNe), Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
| | - Pamela Ehrenfeld
- Laboratory of Cellular Pathology, Institute of Anatomy, Histology and Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile.
- Center for Interdisciplinary Studies on Nervous System (CISNe), Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile.
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Moreira-Pais A, Nogueira-Ferreira R, Reis S, Aveiro S, Barros A, Melo T, Matos B, Duarte JA, Seixas F, Domingues P, Amado F, Fardilha M, Oliveira PA, Ferreira R, Vitorino R. Tracking Prostate Carcinogenesis over Time through Urine Proteome Profiling in an Animal Model: An Exploratory Approach. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23147560. [PMID: 35886909 PMCID: PMC9315930 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23147560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2022] [Revised: 06/26/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the most lethal diseases in men, which justifies the search for new diagnostic tools. The aim of the present study was to gain new insights into the progression of prostate carcinogenesis by analyzing the urine proteome. To this end, urine from healthy animals and animals with prostate adenocarcinoma was analyzed at two time points: 27 and 54 weeks. After 54 weeks, the incidence of pre-neoplastic and neoplastic lesions in the PCa animals was 100%. GeLC-MS/MS and subsequent bioinformatics analyses revealed several proteins involved in prostate carcinogenesis. Increased levels of retinol-binding protein 4 and decreased levels of cadherin-2 appear to be characteristic of early stages of the disease, whereas increased levels of enolase-1 and T-kininogen 2 and decreased levels of isocitrate dehydrogenase 2 describe more advanced stages. With increasing age, urinary levels of clusterin and corticosteroid-binding globulin increased and neprilysin levels decreased, all of which appear to play a role in prostate hyperplasia or carcinogenesis. The present exploratory analysis can be considered as a starting point for studies targeting specific human urine proteins for early detection of age-related maladaptive changes in the prostate that may lead to cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Moreira-Pais
- LAQV-REQUIMTE, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal; (A.M.-P.); (S.R.); (T.M.); (P.D.); (F.A.); (R.F.)
- Laboratory for Integrative and Translational Research in Population Health (ITR), Research Center in Physical Activity, Health and Leisure (CIAFEL), Faculty of Sports, University of Porto (FADEUP), 4200-450 Porto, Portugal;
- Centre for Research and Technology of Agro Environmental and Biological Sciences (CITAB), Inov4Agro, University of Trás-Os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), Quinta de Prados, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal;
| | - Rita Nogueira-Ferreira
- UnIC@RISE, Department of Surgery and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto, Alameda Professor Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal; (R.N.-F.); (A.B.)
| | - Stephanie Reis
- LAQV-REQUIMTE, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal; (A.M.-P.); (S.R.); (T.M.); (P.D.); (F.A.); (R.F.)
| | - Susana Aveiro
- GreenCoLab-Green Ocean Association, University of Algarve, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal;
| | - António Barros
- UnIC@RISE, Department of Surgery and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto, Alameda Professor Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal; (R.N.-F.); (A.B.)
| | - Tânia Melo
- LAQV-REQUIMTE, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal; (A.M.-P.); (S.R.); (T.M.); (P.D.); (F.A.); (R.F.)
- CESAM-Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Department of Chemistry, Santiago University Campus, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Bárbara Matos
- Institute of Biomedicine—iBiMED, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal; (B.M.); (M.F.)
- Cancer Biology and Epigenetics Group, IPO Porto Research Center (CI-IPOP), Portuguese Institute of Oncology of Porto (IPO Porto), 4200-072 Porto, Portugal
| | - José Alberto Duarte
- Laboratory for Integrative and Translational Research in Population Health (ITR), Research Center in Physical Activity, Health and Leisure (CIAFEL), Faculty of Sports, University of Porto (FADEUP), 4200-450 Porto, Portugal;
- TOXRUN—Toxicology Research Unit, University Institute of Health Sciences, CESPU, CRL, Avenida Central de Gandra 1317, 4585-116 Gandra, Portugal
| | - Fernanda Seixas
- Animal and Veterinary Research Center (CECAV), University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal;
| | - Pedro Domingues
- LAQV-REQUIMTE, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal; (A.M.-P.); (S.R.); (T.M.); (P.D.); (F.A.); (R.F.)
| | - Francisco Amado
- LAQV-REQUIMTE, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal; (A.M.-P.); (S.R.); (T.M.); (P.D.); (F.A.); (R.F.)
| | - Margarida Fardilha
- Institute of Biomedicine—iBiMED, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal; (B.M.); (M.F.)
| | - Paula A. Oliveira
- Centre for Research and Technology of Agro Environmental and Biological Sciences (CITAB), Inov4Agro, University of Trás-Os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), Quinta de Prados, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal;
| | - Rita Ferreira
- LAQV-REQUIMTE, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal; (A.M.-P.); (S.R.); (T.M.); (P.D.); (F.A.); (R.F.)
| | - Rui Vitorino
- UnIC@RISE, Department of Surgery and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto, Alameda Professor Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal; (R.N.-F.); (A.B.)
- Institute of Biomedicine—iBiMED, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal; (B.M.); (M.F.)
- Correspondence:
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Srinivasan S, Kryza T, Batra J, Clements J. Remodelling of the tumour microenvironment by the kallikrein-related peptidases. Nat Rev Cancer 2022; 22:223-238. [PMID: 35102281 DOI: 10.1038/s41568-021-00436-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Kallikrein-related peptidases (KLKs) are critical regulators of the tumour microenvironment. KLKs are proteolytic enzymes regulating multiple functions of bioactive molecules including hormones and growth factors, membrane receptors and the extracellular matrix architecture involved in cancer progression and metastasis. Perturbations of the proteolytic cascade generated by these peptidases, and their downstream signalling actions, underlie tumour emergence or blockade of tumour growth. Recent studies have also revealed their role in tumour immune suppression and resistance to cancer therapy. Here, we present an overview of the complex biology of the KLK family and its context-dependent nature in cancer, and discuss the different therapeutic strategies available to potentially target these proteases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Srilakshmi Srinivasan
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Australian Prostate Cancer Research Centre-Queensland, Translational Research Institute, Woolloongabba, Queensland, Australia
| | - Thomas Kryza
- Australian Prostate Cancer Research Centre-Queensland, Translational Research Institute, Woolloongabba, Queensland, Australia
- Mater Research Institute, The University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Jyotsna Batra
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Australian Prostate Cancer Research Centre-Queensland, Translational Research Institute, Woolloongabba, Queensland, Australia
- Centre for Genomics and Personalised Medicine, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Judith Clements
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
- Australian Prostate Cancer Research Centre-Queensland, Translational Research Institute, Woolloongabba, Queensland, Australia.
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Chang JS, Kim N, Kim JY, Do SI, Cho Y, Kim HS, Kim YB. Kallikrein 5 overexpression is associated with poor prognosis in uterine cervical cancer. J Gynecol Oncol 2021; 31:e78. [PMID: 33078588 PMCID: PMC7593226 DOI: 10.3802/jgo.2020.31.e78] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2020] [Revised: 06/01/2020] [Accepted: 06/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective Kallikrein 5 (KLK5), which is frequently observed in normal cervico-vaginal fluid, is known to be related to prognosis in several solid tumors. We investigated the prognostic significance of KLK5 in uterine cervical cancer using tumor tissue microarray and immunohistochemistry staining. Methods We analyzed samples of 165 patients with uterine cervical cancer who received definitive radiation therapy between 2004 and 2012. We divided patients into two groups stratified by their KLK5 activity by immunohistochemistry staining: negative/weak (0–1+) (n=120 patients) and moderate/strong (2–3+) group (n=45 patients). Patient and tumor characteristics, patterns of failure, and survival outcomes were compared. Univariable and multivariable analyses were performed to identify prognostic factors. Results Patients with KLK5 2–3+ were younger (median: 52 vs. 60 years) and had frequent paraaortic lymph node involvement (40.0% vs. 18.3%) than those with KLK5 0–1+. With a median follow-up of 60.8 (interquartile range, 47.5–77.9) months, patients with KLK5 2–3+ had inferior 5-year locoregional recurrence-free survival and distant metastasis-free survival of 61.7% (vs. 77.5% in KLK5 0–1+ group) and 59.4% (vs. 72.8% in the KLK5 0–1+ group), respectively (all p<0.05). KLK5 2–3+ expression retained its significance after adjusting for other well-known prognostic factors of tumor size and stage in multivariable analysis. Conclusions KLK5 overexpression is associated with the aggressiveness of cervical cancer and may underlie the diminished response to conventional treatments. Therefore, KLK5 could be a reliable prognostic factor in cervical cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jee Suk Chang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Yonsei Cancer Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Nalee Kim
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Ji Ye Kim
- Department of Pathology, Ilsan Paik Hospital, Inje University, Goyang, Korea
| | - Sung Im Do
- Department of Pathology, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Yeona Cho
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hyun Soo Kim
- Department of Pathology and Translational Genomics, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
| | - Yong Bae Kim
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Yonsei Cancer Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
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Li M, Srp J, Mareš M, Wlodawer A, Gustchina A. Structural studies of complexes of kallikrein 4 with wild-type and mutated forms of the Kunitz-type inhibitor BbKI. Acta Crystallogr D Struct Biol 2021; 77:1084-1098. [PMID: 34342281 PMCID: PMC8329858 DOI: 10.1107/s2059798321006483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Structures of BbKI, a recombinant Kunitz-type serine protease inhibitor from Bauhinia bauhinioides, complexed with human kallikrein 4 (KLK4) were determined at medium-to-high resolution in four crystal forms (space groups P3121, P6522, P21 and P61). Although the fold of the protein was virtually identical in all of the crystals, some significant differences were observed in the conformation of Arg64 of BbKI, the residue that occupies the S1 pocket in KLK4. Whereas this residue exhibited two orientations in the highest resolution structure (P3121), making either a canonical trypsin-like interaction with Asp189 of KLK4 or an alternate interaction, only a single alternate orientation was observed in the other three structures. A neighboring disulfide, Cys191-Cys220, was partially or fully broken in all KLK4 structures. Four variants of BbKI in which Arg64 was replaced by Met, Phe, Ala and Asp were expressed and crystallized, and their structures were determined in complex with KLK4. Structures of the Phe and Met variants complexed with bovine trypsin and of the Phe variant complexed with α-chymotrypsin were also determined. Although the inhibitory potency of these variant forms of BbKI was lowered by up to four orders of magnitude, only small changes were seen in the vicinity of the mutated residues. Therefore, a totality of subtle differences in KLK4-BbKI interactions within the fully extended interface in the structures of these variants might be responsible for the observed effect. Screening of the BbKI variants against a panel of serine proteases revealed an altered pattern of inhibitory specificity, which was shifted towards that of chymotrypsin-like proteases for the hydrophobic Phe and Met P1 substitutions. This work reports the first structures of plant Kunitz inhibitors with S1-family serine proteases other than trypsin, as well as new insights into the specificity of inhibition of medically relevant kallikreins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mi Li
- Center for Structural Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
- Basic Science Program, Leidos Biomedical Research, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Jaroslav Srp
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, 166 10 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Michael Mareš
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, 166 10 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Alexander Wlodawer
- Center for Structural Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Alla Gustchina
- Center for Structural Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
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Li M, Srp J, Gustchina A, Dauter Z, Mares M, Wlodawer A. Crystal structures of the complex of a kallikrein inhibitor from Bauhinia bauhinioides with trypsin and modeling of kallikrein complexes. Acta Crystallogr D Struct Biol 2019; 75:56-69. [PMID: 30644845 PMCID: PMC6333282 DOI: 10.1107/s2059798318016492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2018] [Accepted: 11/19/2018] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Structures of a recombinant Kunitz-type serine protease inhibitor from Bauhinia bauhinioides (BbKI) complexed with bovine trypsin were determined in two crystal forms. The crystal structure with the L55R mutant of BbKI was determined in space group P64 at 1.94 Å resolution and that with native BbKI in the monoclinic space group P21 at 3.95 Å resolution. The asymmetric unit of the latter crystals contained 44 independent complexes, thus representing one of the largest numbers of independent objects deposited in the Protein Data Bank. Additionally, the structure of the complex with native BbKI was determined at 2.0 Å resolution from P64 crystals isomorphous to those of the mutant. Since BbKI has previously been found to be a potent inhibitor of the trypsin-like plasma kallikrein, it was also tested against several tissue kallikreins. It was found that BbKI is a potent inhibitor of human tissue kallikrein 4 (KLK4) and the chymotrypsin-like human tissue kallikrein 7 (KLK7). Structures of BbKI complexed with the catalytic domain of human plasma kallikrein were modeled, as well as those with KLK4 and KLK7, and the structures were analyzed in order to identify the interactions that are responsible for inhibitory potency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mi Li
- Macromolecular Crystallography Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
- Basic Science Program, Leidos Biomedical Research, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Jaroslav Srp
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, 166 10 Prague, Czech Republic
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Charles University, 128 40 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Alla Gustchina
- Macromolecular Crystallography Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Zbigniew Dauter
- Synchrotron Radiation Research Section, Macromolecular Crystallography Laboratory, NCI, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, IL 60439, USA
| | - Michael Mares
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, 166 10 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Alexander Wlodawer
- Macromolecular Crystallography Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
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Kallikreins - The melting pot of activity and function. Biochimie 2015; 122:270-82. [PMID: 26408415 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2015.09.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2015] [Accepted: 09/21/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The human tissue kallikrein and kallikrein-related peptidases (KLKs), encoded by the largest contiguous cluster of protease genes in the human genome, are secreted serine proteases with diverse expression patterns and physiological roles. Because of the broad spectrum of processes that are modulated by kallikreins, these proteases are the subject of extensive investigations. This review brings together basic information about the biochemical properties affecting enzymatic activity, with highlights on post-translational modifications, especially glycosylation. Additionally, we present the current state of knowledge regarding the physiological functions of KLKs in major human organs and outline recent discoveries pertinent to the involvement of kallikreins in cell signaling and in viral infections. Despite the current depth of knowledge of these enzymes, many questions regarding the roles of kallikreins in health and disease remain unanswered.
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