Review
Copyright ©2013 Baishideng Publishing Group Co.
World J Biol Chem. Nov 26, 2013; 4(4): 91-101
Published online Nov 26, 2013. doi: 10.4331/wjbc.v4.i4.91
Table 1 Characters of human cathepsin familymembers
CathepsinSubtypeEndo/exopeptidaseExpressed tissueFunction
ASerineExopeptidasePlatelets, primary human antigen presenting cell, testis and epididymisAutophagy, elastic fiber formation, platelet activation
BCysteineExo and endoWidely distributed in macrophages, hepatocytesProtein catabolism, processing of antigens hormone activation and bone turnover
CCysteineExorenal tubules, all endocrine organs Broadly distributed in tissuesHydrolyze dipeptide esters,amides, anilides and beta-naphtylamides
DAsparticEndoEccrine sweat, extracellular matrix and synovial fluid of cartilageProtein degradation in an acidic milieu of lysosomes
EAsparticEndoImmune systemAntigen presentation
FCysteineEndoAntigen presenting cellsAntigen presenting
GSerineEndoPolymorphonuclear leukocyteImmune complex mediated inflammation production of angiotensin II, degradation of extracellular matrix
HCysteineEndoUbiquitous in cells and tissuesEndopeptidase activity
LCysteineEndoUbiquitously expressedKeratinocyte differentiation, protein turnover, antigen presentation
KCysteineEndoBone, ovary, heart, placenta, lung, skeletal muscle, colon and small intestineBone remodeling
OCysteineEndoBroadly distributed in tissuesProtein degradation and turnover
SCysteineEndoSpleen and professional antigen-presenting cellsIi chain proteolysis
VCysteineEndoThymus and testis, corneal epitheliumProduction of enkephalin and neuropeptide Y
WCysteineEndoT-lymphocytesCell-mediated cytotoxicity
XCysteineEndoImmune systemPhagocytosis, regulation of immune responses
ZCysteineExoWidely expressed in human tissuesProtein degradation
Table 2 Cathepsin family members expressed in cancers
CathepsinElevated in cancer Location of cancer
AYesMalignant melanoma
BYesBreast carcinomas, melanoma, gastric cancer, lung cancer, colon cancer, ovarian cancer, cervical cancer pancreatic carcinomas, glioblastoma thyroid carcinoma,cholangiocarcinomas, hepatocellular carcinomas, bladder caner
CUnclear
DYesThyroid carcinomas, squamous cell carcinoma, renal cell, carcinoma, glioma brain tumors, laryngeal carcinoma, breast cancer, lung cancer, ovarian carcinoma
EYesPancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, gastric cancer
FYescervical carcinoma
GYesBreast cancer
HYesBreast carcinoma, colorectal cancer, melanoma, head and neck carcinoma, glioma, prostate cancer
LYesBreast cancer, lung cancer, gastric cancer, colon cancer, head and neck carcinomas, melanomas, gliomas, ovarian cancer, pancreatic cancer
KYesGastric cancer, squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma, breast tumor, lung cancer, melanomas, prostate tumors, renal tumor
OUnclear
SYesAstrocytoma, gastric cancer, hepatocellular carcinomas, glioblastomas, melanoma, gastric cancer, pancreatic islet cell cancer
VUnclear
WUnclear
XYesProstate cancer, gastric cancer, malignant melanomas, prostate cancer, lung tumors, breast cancer, colonrectal cancer
ZYesMelanomas, gastric cancer, hepatocellular carcinomas, pancreatic carcinomas