title: Cathepsin D activity in human ovarian tissues and ovarian carcinoma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study determined levels of cathepsin D activity in tissue components of normal human ovary to establish a basis for comparison with human ovarian adenocarcinomas.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cathepsin D activity per mg tissue, per microgram protein, and per microgram DNA was determined in human ovarian tissues (cortex, follicle, corpus luteum, corpus albicans) from patients of various ages and during the menstrual cycle. Levels of cathepsin D activity were also determined in ovarian adenocarcinomas and other pathologic tissues.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Cathepsin D levels (per mg tissue) were significantly greater (P < .001) in ovarian follicle and corpus luteum compared with cortex. Although there was not a clear correlation between enzyme activity in the cortex and day of the menstrual cycle or patient age, levels of enzyme activity appeared to decrease with each parameter. Cathepsin D levels per mg tissue in ovarian adenocarcinoma were 40% higher than in postmenopausal ovarian cortex, but the difference was not statistically significant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The diversity of cathepsin D levels in normal ovarian tissue compartments indicates that specific tissues must be used in comparisons with ovarian tumors.
authors.affiliation: Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Ohio, USA.
authors.forename: D I
authors.initials: DI
authors.lastname: Hradek
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kessel
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Husseinzadeh
authors.forename: B C
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Moulton
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000737:chemistry*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D002402:Cathepsin D / Q000032:analysis* / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000032:analysis* / Q000502:physiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry*; D010053:Ovary / Q000737:chemistry*; D011379:Prognosis
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D002402:Cathepsin D