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Cathepsin K Inhibitors: A Novel Target for Osteoporosis Therapy
Author(s) -
Stoch S A,
Wagner J A
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
clinical pharmacology and therapeutics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.941
H-Index - 188
eISSN - 1532-6535
pISSN - 0009-9236
DOI - 10.1038/sj.clpt.6100450
Subject(s) - cathepsin k , osteoporosis , bone resorption , osteoclast , cathepsin , medicine , resorption , chemistry , endocrinology , pharmacology , biochemistry , enzyme , receptor
Osteoporosis is characterized by low bone mass with skeletal fragility and an increased risk of fracture. This bone loss is brought about by an imbalance between bone resorption and formation. Cathepsin K is the most abundant cysteine protease expressed in the osteoclast and is believed to be instrumental in bone matrix degradation necessary for bone resorption. Cathepsin K inhibitors represent a novel target for developing agents to treat osteoporosis and other disorders characterized by increased bone resorption. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (2008) 83 , 172–176; doi: 10.1038/sj.clpt.6100450