Enzymatic properties of human kallikrein-related peptidase 12 (KLK12).
Human kallikrein-related peptidase 12 (KLK12) is a new member of the human tissue kallikrein family. Preliminary studies suggest that KLK12 is differentially expressed in breast cancer and may have potential use as a cancer biomarker. It has been predicted that KLK12 is a secreted serine protease. However, the enzymatic properties of this protein have not been reported so far. Here, we report the production of recombinant KLK12 and analyses of its enzymatic characteristics, including zymogen activation, substrate specificity, and regulation of its activity. KLK12 is secreted as an inactive pro-enzyme, which is able to autoactivate to gain enzymatic activity. Through screening of a panel of fluorogenic and chromogenic peptide substrates, we establish that active KLK12 possesses trypsin-like activity, cleaving peptide bonds after both arginine and lysine. Active KLK12 quickly loses its activity due to autodegradation, and its activity can also be rapidly inhibited by zinc ions and by alpha2-antiplasmin through covalent complex formation. Furthermore, we demonstrate that KLK12 is able to activate KLK11 zymogen in vitro. Our results indicate that KLK12 may participate in enzymatic cascades involving other kallikreins.
Memari
Nader
N
Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto M5G 1X5, ON, Canada.
Jiang
Weiping
W
Diamandis
Eleftherios P
EP
Luo
Liu-Ying
LY
D001120:Arginine / Q000378:metabolism; D004789:Enzyme Activation; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007610:Kallikreins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism*; D007700:Kinetics; D008239:Lysine / Q000378:metabolism; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D013379:Substrate Specificity; D015032:Zinc / Q000494:pharmacology; D000979:alpha-2-Antiplasmin / Q000494:pharmacology
D000979:alpha-2-Antiplasmin; D001120:Arginine; C497170:KLK12 protein, human; D007610:Kallikreins; D015032:Zinc; D008239:Lysine