title: Involvement of Kallikrein-Related Peptidases in Normal and Pathologic Processes.
abstract: Human kallikrein-related peptidases (KLKs) are a subgroup of serine proteases that participate in proteolytic pathways and control protein levels in normal physiology as well as in several pathological conditions. Their complex network of stimulatory and inhibitory interactions may induce inflammatory and immune responses and contribute to the neoplastic phenotype through the regulation of several cellular processes, such as proliferation, survival, migration, and invasion. This family of proteases, which includes one of the most useful cancer biomarkers, kallikrein-related peptidase 3 or PSA, also has a protective effect against cancer promoting apoptosis or counteracting angiogenesis and cell proliferation. Therefore, they represent attractive therapeutic targets and may have important applications in clinical oncology. Despite being intensively studied, many gaps in our knowledge on several molecular aspects of KLK functions still exist. This review aims to summarize recent data on their involvement in different processes related to health and disease, in particular those directly or indirectly linked to the neoplastic process.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Biology, School of Medicine of São José do Rio Preto, 15090-000 São José do Rio Preto, SP, Brazil; Department of Genetics and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, 05508-090 São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Ana Carolina B
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Stefanini
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Biology, School of Medicine of São José do Rio Preto, 15090-000 São José do Rio Preto, SP, Brazil; Department of Genetics and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, 05508-090 São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Bianca Rodrigues
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: da Cunha
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Biology, School of Medicine of São José do Rio Preto, 15090-000 São José do Rio Preto, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Tiago
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Henrique
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Biology, School of Medicine of São José do Rio Preto, 15090-000 São José do Rio Preto, SP, Brazil; Department of Genetics and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, 05508-090 São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Eloiza H
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Tajara
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D007610:Kallikreins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism*; D019636:Neurodegenerative Diseases / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism*; D059748:Proteolysis
chemical_list: D007610:Kallikreins