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Meprin metalloprotease expression and regulation in kidney, intestine, urinary tract infections and cancer
Author(s) -
Bond Judith S.,
Matters Gail L.,
Banerjee Sanjita,
Dusheck Renee E.
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
febs letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.593
H-Index - 257
eISSN - 1873-3468
pISSN - 0014-5793
DOI - 10.1016/j.febslet.2005.03.045
Subject(s) - proteases , metalloproteinase , matrix metalloproteinase , inflammation , kidney , cancer , urinary system , chemokine , cancer cell , biology , metastasis , cancer research , immunology , enzyme , medicine , endocrinology , biochemistry
Meprins are unique plasma membrane and secreted metalloproteinases that are highly regulated at the transcriptional and post‐translational levels. Meprin α and β subunits are abundantly expressed in kidney and intestinal epithelial cells, are secreted into the urinary tract and intestinal lumen, and are found in leukocytes and cancer cells under certain conditions. Their location and proteolytic activities indicate functions at the interface of the host and the external environment, and in trafficking of macrophages and metastases of cancer cells. These proteases can be detrimental when there is tissue damage or disruption, as in acute renal injury or intestinal inflammation, and there is evidence they are involved in movement of leukocytes and cancer cells to sites of infection or in metastasis, respectively.