Gene of the month: TMPRSS2 (transmembrane serine protease 2).
J Clin Pathol
; 73(12): 773-776, 2020 Dec.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-740294
ABSTRACT
Transmembrane serine protease 2 is encoded by the TMPRSS2 gene. The gene is widely conserved and has two isoforms, both being autocatalytically activated from the inactive zymogen form. A fusion gene between the TMPRSS2 gene and ERG (erythroblast-specific-related gene), an oncogenic transcription factor, is the most common chromosomal aberration detected in prostate cancer, responsible for driving carcinogenesis. The other key role of TMPRSS2 is in priming the viral spike protein which facilitates viral entry essential for viral infectivity. The protease activates a diverse range of viruses. Both SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) use angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and TMPRSS2 to facilitate entry to cells, but with SARS-CoV-2 human-to-human transmission is much higher than SARS-CoV. As TMPRSS2 is expressed outside of the lung, and can therefore contribute to extrapulmonary spread of viruses, it warrants further exploration as a potential target for limiting viral spread and infectivity.
Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Serine Endopeptidases
/
Virus Internalization
/
SARS-CoV-2
/
COVID-19
Limits:
Humans
/
Male
Language:
English
Journal:
J Clin Pathol
Year:
2020
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Jclinpath-2020-206987
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