Understanding fibroblast activation protein (FAP): substrates, activities, expression and targeting for cancer therapy.
Fibroblast activation protein (FAP) is best known for its heightened expression in tumour stroma. This atypical serine protease has both dipeptidyl peptidase and endopeptidase activities, cleaving substrates at a post-proline bond. FAP expression is difficult to detect in non-diseased adult organs, but is greatly upregulated in sites of tissue remodelling, which include liver fibrosis, lung fibrosis, atherosclerosis, arthritis, tumours and embryonic tissues. Due to its restricted expression pattern and dual enzymatic activities, FAP is emerging as a unique therapeutic target. However, methods to exploit and target this protease are advancing more rapidly than knowledge of the fundamental biology of FAP. This review highlights this imbalance, emphasising the need to better define the substrate repertoire and expression patterns of FAP to elucidate its role in biological and pathological processes.
Molecular Hepatology, Centenary Institute and Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
Elizabeth J
EJ
Hamson
Fiona M
FM
Keane
Stefan
S
Tholen
Oliver
O
Schilling
Mark D
MD
Gorrell
D000818:Animals; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism*; D010450:Endopeptidases; D018093:Gelatinases / Q000378:metabolism*; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D040901:Proteomics; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases / Q000378:metabolism*; D000099167:Fibroblast Activation Protein Alpha
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D010450:Endopeptidases; D018093:Gelatinases; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases; D000099167:Fibroblast Activation Protein Alpha
Collagen; Degradomics; Dipeptidyl peptidase; Endopeptidase; Exosite; Protease