title: Yeast as a tool to explore cathepsin D function.
abstract: Cathepsin D has garnered increased attention in recent years, mainly since it has been associated with several human pathologies. In particular, cathepsin D is often overexpressed and hypersecreted in cancer cells, implying it may constitute a therapeutic target. However, cathepsin D can have both anti- and pro-survival functions depending on its proteolytic activity, cellular context and stress stimulus. Therefore, a more detailed understanding of cathepsin D regulation and how to modulate its apoptotic functions is clearly needed. In this review, we provide an overview of the role of cathepsin D in physiological and pathological scenarios. We then focus on the opposing functions of cathepsin D in apoptosis, particularly relevant in cancer research. Emphasis is given to the role of the yeast protease Pep4p, the vacuolar counterpart of cathepsin D, in life and death. Finally, we discuss how insights from yeast cathepsin D and its role in regulated cell death can unveil novel functions of mammalian cathepsin D in apoptosis and cancer.
authors.affiliation: CBMA- Centre of Molecular and Environmental Biology. Department of Biology, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Pereira
authors.affiliation: CBMA- Centre of Molecular and Environmental Biology. Department of Biology, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal. ; ICBAS - Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar, University of Porto, 4050-313, Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: C S F
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.affiliation: CBMA- Centre of Molecular and Environmental Biology. Department of Biology, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Castro
authors.affiliation: CBMA- Centre of Molecular and Environmental Biology. Department of Biology, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Preto
authors.affiliation: CBMA- Centre of Molecular and Environmental Biology. Department of Biology, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal.
authors.forename: S R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Chaves
authors.affiliation: CBMA- Centre of Molecular and Environmental Biology. Department of Biology, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Côrte-Real
keywords: apoptosis; cancer; cathepsin D; yeast cathepsin D; yeast model