Kallikrein 4 (KLK4), a new member of the human kallikrein gene family is up-regulated by estrogen and progesterone in the human endometrial cancer cell line, KLE.
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| Abstract |
Endometrial cancer is the fourth most common female malignancy in women in developed countries. Estrogen, and to a lesser degree, progesterone, regulate specific target genes that are involved in endometrial tumorigenesis. A family of proteases involved in cellular proliferation, extracellular matrix degradation and thus, implicated in tumorigenesis, and regulated by estrogen and progesterone in a number of systems, are the tissue kallikreins (KLKs). KLK4, a new member of the KLK gene family, was found to be expressed to varying levels in a number of endometrial cancer cell lines- HEC1A, HEC1B, Ishikawa, RL95-2 and KLE- at both the mRNA and protein level. On the addition of 10 nmol/L estradiol, progesterone, or a combination of both over a 48 h period, an increase in the intracellular protein levels of K4 were observed when compared to the control (untreated) cells. We have also identified a novel KLK4 transcript with a complete exon 4 deletion. The significance of this alternative transcript, which would give rise to a truncated protein without a serine residue (which is essential for catalytic activity), is yet to be established. These cell lines now provide a model system to study the role of KLK4 and the molecular mechanisms of KLK4 regulation by estrogen and progesterone, in endometrial tumorigenesis.
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| Authors | S A Myers, J A Clements |
| Journal | The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism (J Clin Endocrinol Metab) Vol. 86 Issue 5 Pg. 2323-6 (May 2001) ISSN: 0021-972X [Print] United States |
| PMID | 11344246 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't) |
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