Gastricsin and cathepsin D in normal and hypertrophic human prostates.

Abstract

The relative contents of gastricsinogen, the inactive zymogen precursor of gastric gastricsin (EC 3.4.23.3), and cathepsin D (EC 3.4.23.5) in normal and benign hyperplasia of the prostate gland have been determined. Gastricsinogen levels are significantly lower (0.116 +/- 0.02 U/gm. wet tissue) in the hyperplastic than in normal prostates (0.65 +/- 0.06 U/gm.). Conversely, cathepsin D levels are higher in the diseased (0.705 +/- 0.17 U/gm.) as opposed to normal prostatic tissue (0.39 +/- 0.12 U/gm.). The average gastricsin-cathepsin D differences between the 2 tissues (0.26 +/- 0.025 for normal prostates and -0.59 +/- 0.057 SEM for hyperplastic tissue) are also significantly different (p less than 0.001). It is suggested that the simple determination of these 2 acid proteinases in prostate homogenates could be used as alternative and complementary marker enzymes for the study of the physiopathologic status of the prostate gland.

• Authors: P H Ward, L Contreras, M Maldonado, H Baeza, L Chiang
• Journal: The Journal of urology (J Urol) Vol. 127 Issue 5 Pg. 1027-30 (May 1982) ISSN: 0022-5347 [Print] United States
• PMID: 6177874 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Acid Phosphatase
• Cathepsins
• Pepsin A
• gastricsin
• Cathepsin D

Topics

• Acid Phosphatase (analysis)
• Cathepsin D
• Cathepsins (analysis)
• Humans
• Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
• Male
• Pepsin A (analysis)
• Prostate (enzymology)
• Prostatic Hyperplasia (enzymology)