Progress of cathepsin D in cancer / 国际外科学杂志

ABSTRACT

Tumor cell invasion and metastasis are associated with the proteolytic activity of various types of proteinases.Among them,cathepsin D,which is a lysosomal proteinase,has received more attention recently.Various studies have shown that the lysosomal aspartic protease cathepsin D is over-expressed and hyper-secreted by numerous cancer cell lines.Indeed it plays an essential role in the multiple steps of tumor progression,in stimulating cancer cell proliferation,tumor invasion and metastasis,fibroblast outgrowth and angiogenesis,as well as in inhibiting tumor apoptosis.In addition,CD is also a key mediator of induced- apoptosis.The aim of this article is to review the current knowledge on Cathepsin D action in cancer progression and metastasis,as well as its dual function in apoptosis.