Cathepsin K in the bone microenvironment: link between obesity and prostate cancer?

Biochem Soc Trans. 2007 Aug;35(Pt 4):701-3. doi: 10.1042/BST0350701.

Abstract

The skeleton is the most common site of metastasis in patients with advanced prostate cancer. Despite many advances in targeting skeletal metastases, the mechanisms behind the attraction of prostate cancer cells to the bone are not known. Osteoclast cathepsin K, due to its ability to effectively degrade bone matrix collagen I, has been implicated in colonization and growth of prostate tumours in the bone. Identification of new cathepsin K substrates in the bone microenvironment and the recent findings demonstrating its involvement in obesity and inflammation suggest additional roles for this enzyme in skeletal metastases of prostate cancer.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Bone Neoplasms / pathology
  • Bone Neoplasms / secondary
  • Bone and Bones / physiology*
  • Cathepsin K
  • Cathepsins / physiology*
  • Cell Movement / physiology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Obesity / metabolism
  • Obesity / pathology*
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / pathology*

Substances

  • Cathepsins
  • CTSK protein, human
  • Cathepsin K