Human kallikrein 4: enzymatic activity, inhibition, and degradation of extracellular matrix proteins.

Human kallikrein 4 (hK4) is a member of the expanded family of human kallikreins, a group of 15 secreted proteases. While this protein has been associated with ovarian and prostate cancer prognosis, only limited functional information exists. Therefore, we have undertaken an investigation of its enzymatic properties regarding substrate preference, degradation of extracellular matrix proteins, and its inhibition by various inhibitors.

Quantification of human tissue kallikreins in the stratum corneum: dependence on age and gender.

Human tissue kallikreins are a family of 15 trypsin or chymotrypsin-like secreted serine proteases (hK1-hK15). hK5, hK6, hK7, hK8, and hK13 have been identified in the stratum corneum (SC), stratum granulosum, and skin appendages. It has been reported that hK5 and hK7 degrade desmosomes/corneodesmosomes, suggesting that kallikreins are responsible for desquamation.

Prognostic implications of the immunohistochemical expression of human kallikreins 5, 6, 10 and 11 in renal cell carcinoma.

Human kallikreins 5, 6, 10 and 11 (hK5, 6, 10 and 11) are expressed by many normal tissues, and it has been suggested that they may represent candidate tumor-diagnostic or -prognostic markers. In patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC), outcome is unpredictable despite the use of conventional prognostic factors. The aim of this study is to evaluate the immunohistochemical expression and the prognostic value of the above kallikreins in RCC.

Human kallikrein 4: quantitative study in tissues and evidence for its secretion into biological fluids.

Background: Human kallikrein 4 (hK4) is a proteolytic enzyme belonging to the tissue kallikrein family of serine proteases. Previous tissue expression studies have demonstrated highest KLK4 mRNA expression in prostatic tissue, but there has been only limited evidence for the presence of hK4 protein in prostate and other tissues and in corresponding biological secretions.

Methods: To investigate the concentrations of hK4 in tissues and biological fluids, we developed a new hK4-specific sandwich-type immunoassay using a monoclonal antibody as the capture reagent.

Cloning, physical mapping and structural characterization of the human alpha(A)-adaptin gene.

Adaptins are major structural components of heterotetrameric protein complexes called adaptors, which are involved in intracellular receptor transport via clathrin-coated vesicles. In mice, one of these adaptins has been shown to be encoded by two genes, alpha(A)-adaptin and alpha(C)-adaptin, the former of which is expressed as two alternatively spliced transcripts. Using positional cloning gene approaches, we were able to identify the human alpha(A)-adaptin gene, which consists of 24 exons spanning over 40 kb on chromosome 19q13.