The kallikrein world: an update on the human tissue kallikreins

Biol Chem. 2006 Jun;387(6):643-52. doi: 10.1515/BC.2006.083.

Abstract

Human tissue kallikreins (hKs) are attracting increased attention owing to their association with various forms of cancer and other diseases. Human tissue kallikrein genes represent the largest contiguous group of proteases within the human genome. There are many areas of kallikrein research that need to be further explored, including their tissue expression patterns, their regulation, identification of specific substrates, their participation in proteolytic cascades, and their clinical applicability as cancer biomarkers and therapeutic targets. In this review, we briefly describe the current status of kallikrein research and identify future avenues that will enhance our understanding of their function and involvement in human diseases.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Hormones / physiology
  • Humans
  • Neoplasms / etiology
  • Signal Transduction
  • Tissue Kallikreins / analysis
  • Tissue Kallikreins / genetics*
  • Tissue Kallikreins / physiology

Substances

  • Hormones
  • Tissue Kallikreins